BOE candidates discuss graduation incident
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
A recent high school graduation labeled by some parents as a “debacle” has provided lessons for future ceremonies, according to candidates for the Jackson County of Board of Education.
The graduation ceremony at Jackson County Comprehensive High School was criticized by some graduates’ family members, who said the May celebration should have been postponed after a storm. Family members have also said there wasn’t adequate parking and handicapped access for the ceremony.
“I hope there’s handicapped parking over there today,” said school board member Michael Cronic. “If there’s not, that should have already been included.”
Cronic is facing opposition from Brett Schwartz for the Post 1 spot on the Jackson County Board of Education in the July 15 Republican primary.
The candidates faced questions during a political forum in Hoschton on Wednesday, June 18. Schwartz spoke at another forum the following evening in Jefferson. Cronic was unable to participate in the second forum last week since he was attending a mandatory state school board conference in Savannah.
Cronic said the “big issue” surrounding the JCCHS graduation has resulted in additional planning for future ceremonies.
“It was a big issue,” Cronic said. “It lacked a lot of character. But it was important that those kids got graduated. We felt like there were families there that wouldn’t get to see them (otherwise). Well, there were a lot of families there that still didn’t get to see them.”
And while rain delays have been used in past graduation ceremonies, school officials didn’t handle the issue well this year, he said.
“I apologize for that,” Cronic said. “It was tough. We had a lot of folks trying to get a lot done in little time.”
Schwartz suggested golf carts to provide access for disabled family members and a software system that could call graduates in the event that graduation was postponed. He also said school and county officials need to work on traffic issues for the ceremonies.
Schwartz said the school board should apologize to citizens for how it handled the JCCHS graduation ceremony.
Schwartz said he moved to Jackson County three years ago and his two step-daughters attend school in the county school system.
Cronic — who is a lifelong Jackson County resident — questioned an earlier statement by Schwartz that if elected, he would serve only a four-year term. Cronic said the West Jackson area has lacked proper representation on the school board for many years. Cronic was appointed to the BOE last year, after a member learned that he didn’t live in the district.
“I’m only looking at this as a four or five year plan,” Schwartz said. “Too many politicians get into office and they just stay there.”
Schwartz said his step-daughters will graduate in four years. He added that he would make the necessary decisions in four years, while listening to the concerns of parents.
Schwartz asked Cronic if he would support the Jackson County School System becoming a charter system approved by the state board of education.
Decatur City, Gainesville City, Marietta City and Warren County schools have been named charter systems by the state. Charter systems are given more flexibility in exchange for specific achievement standards.
Cronic said he may not support the move for the Jackson County School System, but the proposal requires more research.
“I think it’s something that you have to look into to really understand,” Cronic said.
The Jackson County School System is considering the idea to establish as single school, a proposed Career Academy, as a charter school, he pointed out.
And what about consolidating the county school system and those in Jefferson and Commerce?, a citizen asked.
“I’ve been here all my life and I don’t see that happening,” said Cronic, who added that it wouldn’t happen in a “long shot” because of a history of bitter fights between the three school systems.
Schwartz agreed that consolidation of the three school systems in Jackson County won’t happen because of egos involved in the issue.
On the issue of property taxes, Cronic said he doesn’t support a tax increase.
“I’m not going to vote for one,” he said. “I don’t see an increase for the next three to four years.”
Cronic said if the economy improves, the school system’s budget would be in good shape.
Schwartz said he’d support a tax increase if the school board can’t squeeze any more dollars out of the budget.
“I could give you the politically-correct answer and say I don’t support a property tax increase, but the truth is, sometimes you have to,” Schwartz said.
While the tentative 2009 budget is almost determined, Schwartz said the school board tapped into some of its reserve funds to make a balanced budget.
