Quick Poll
If gas prices reach $5 per gallon by Memorial Day as many are predicting, will you seriously consider purchasing a more fuel-efficient automobile?
- Absolutely: 53
- Probably: 42
- Doubt It: 241
- No Way: 178
- No Opinion: 22
Total Votes:
Published Saturday, October 11, 2008 in Opinion
It makes sense to close schools on election day
Editorial
We think it was a prudent decision to close Coweta County schools on Nov. 4, General Election Day.
The Georgia Department of Education Thursday approved the Coweta system's request to close our schools for the day. It was not a precedent-setting move. There will be 27 school systems in Georgia -- mostly larger school systems -- closing on election day because many of these schools have voting precincts in the schools. Here in Coweta, nine of Coweta's 28 precinct polling places are in schools.
The closing decision is wise primarily for safety reasons. A record voter turnout is expected on Nov. 4, primarily because of the keen interest in the presidential race. That will mean long lines of people and heavy traffic around polling places.
Already, many of our schools have traffic congestion during the mornings and afternoons. The heavy influx of people and vehicles for voting would exacerbate the congestion. There also are other safety concerns that could crop up with so many people coming and going from the polling places at our schools.
We know some parents oppose closing the schools. Many parents have child care issues. We understand those issues, but we strongly believe safety concerns are more important. The decision to close our schools on election day makes sense.
Comment On This Story
Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.
Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.
actually many counties and states all over the country have jumped on this badwagon and arnt opening schools on election days for the same reasons
Posted by sarah at 5:03 PM
No, the county would not have to buy the property, but lease it. That is not the point though, the reason it the way it is because the county is broken down in districts, and for the convenice of the voter they must vote in their local district.
Posted by Joe Schmoe at 4:36 AM
The County would have to buy the old Winn Dixie before they could use it for voting. How much do you think that will make your taxes go up?
Posted by Matt at 4:18 PM
No, I do not work for this county. As I have said before, I usually do not agree with a lot of the things our BOE does. However, as a concerned mother, I think this decision was wise. If you Google 'schools closed on election day' you will find tons of schools closed on election day for security reasons. If someone is trying to be a hero, I guess we've got lots of them across the USA and its a darn good thing. I'd venture to say, I'm not the fool.
Posted by ~ Addyson ~ at 3:49 PM
Do you work for the county? It seems like you're defending them. If this was such a good idea, why wouldn't the entire United States do this? This is someone in the BOE trying to be a hero! Guess they've got you fooled.
Posted by Jeff G at 10:28 AM
I've worked in Public Safety for 20 years and I've seen a lot of things. When I analyze this, it is not with irrational fear but with proper perspective. I know that when you add hundreds of strangers to already overcrowded, understaffed schools, you have the perfect mix for something to go dreadfully wrong. I know there is not nearly enough law enforcement to man our county much less also completely guard all of the children at the polling areas. I can assure if they could, the BOE would not be closing the schools. Having the children in school that day would be a potentially dangerous situation so they chose to ensure their safety by closing them. For that, you should be thankful. Addy<
Posted by ~Addyson~ at 1:52 PM
Actually, only 9 districts would have to be relocated to Winn Dixie; 4 on one side, 5 on the other! Now school can continue, and for the people that have the money for day care, It must be nice!!!!
Posted by Jeff G at 1:29 PM
I guess were not smart enough to divide Winn Dixie into 28 "districts". 14 on one side, 14 on the other! It is a huge store!
Posted by Jeff G at 1:04 PM
Winn Dixie wouldn't work because we vote in something called 'districts'.
Posted by me at 12:29 PM
Thank you for closing school on Nov 4. Just taking my child to school on a normal day is bad enough, I can't imagine adding illiterate voters (meaning: they wouldn't follow a sign if it was right in front of them, don't believe me? You should see how many people speed in a school zone everyday!).
Posted by Cowetian at 12:17 PM
Thank you for closing school on Nov 4. Just taking my child to school on a normal day is bad enough, I can't imagine adding illiterate voters (meaning: they wouldn't follow a sign if it was right in front of them, don't believe me? You should see how many people speed in a school zone everyday!).
Posted by Cowetian at 12:17 PM
No one has touched my comment about the old Winn Dixie building! Why? Might just have been a good idea, Huh?
Posted by Jeff G. at 10:04 AM
Honestly! How many abductions have you heard of at voting poles? This is why we pay our county and city law enforcement! You're thinking just like the terrorists want us to, scared to visit public places.
Posted by Jeff G at 10:01 AM
I can not believe the folks who are actually admitting that paying 1 day extra for child care is more important to them than insuring their child is safe. That makes me so very sad for their children. What if our school system didn't do this and someone abducted your child during the school day? Or molested them in a bathroom? Would money still be that important to you then???
Posted by Addyson< at 3:02 PM
Why wasn't this date set a long time ago? Voter turnout numbers alone will be in historic proportions. If I had a child in school, I would certainly be glad of the school board's decision. You can be sure that in today's world, at least one nutcase will be present.
Posted by Tiffany at 5:50 PM
Old Winn Dixie Building: If there were any planning at all, someone other than me could have thought of using this eye sore at Thomas Crossroads! Oh, my bad, I forgot that we like to shoot from the hip! This solution would not have affected any schools nor money from our pockets for day care.
Posted by Jeff G at 12:40 PM
Probably the right decision, but election day wasn't a surprise to anyone was it? The date was set many moons ago and every four years they have a presidential election. Why wasn't this done when the calendar was set?
Posted by The Truth at 11:47 AM
Those of you complaining about the schools closing would be the first ones complaining that there were too many "strangers" wondering around schools on election day. Just because it is a voting location doesn't mean everyone there will be there to vote! I would think your childrens safety would be a little bit more important than the cost of 1 day of child care.
Posted by Connie at 1:31 AM
This election is not more important than any other. The closing of schools represents the fear factor regarding the "race" issue of this election. I agree with the BOE on this one.
Posted by Robin at 5:16 PM
This is your opinion! Pay child care my bills, then consider it to be a good idea!
Posted by James G at 2:34 PM
I think this is a great decision. It's very scary having an abundance of people around the schools and to think anyone can enter and possible harm our children. Way to go!!
Posted by aw at 10:29 AM
As usual, another bad decision made by Coweta.
Posted by Jane Doe at 3:10 AM
I also applaud the Coweta County BOE for being proactive in this situation. I certainly don't agree with a lot of the things they choose to do but I believe this decision has been a very wise one. While traffic is a valid concern, it is not nearly as important as the thought of strangers freely walking the halls of our schools on Election Day. There is no good way of monitoring who will come and go and where they be while they are on the premises. There are some crazy and dangerous folks in this county. If you don't believe me, just read the Arrest Log, or better yet, The Vent! 8-) I'll definitely feel much more at peace knowing our children are not in these schools on that day. Thank you CCBOE for making a wonderful decision that will protect our children on that day. ~Addy~
Posted by ADDYSON < at 2:09 PM
This is stupid (closing schools on election day) I come from a large metro area, and our schools never closed on election day (despite being used as precincts). Georgia's school system is already in enough trouble...I don't think it needs to stop teaching students for a day...
Posted by John Doe at 1:22 PM
Thank you Coweta County School system for putting the safety of the children first. With the heavy voter turnout expected you never know what could happen with trying to load and unload children in cars and buses. Who would be the first to yell if we were delayed in getting your child loaded! Parents that's who!
Posted by Marilyn at 12:03 PM
I do not understand the purpose. People have lined up to vote everyday for early voting as well as myself at the administration building which will serve to out alot of the traffic. This is an important election but we should not roll the streets in. What are they afraid will happen? It's more than traffic. Is this a national or state wide decision or just Coweta??
Posted by Robin at 10:54 AM
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Emailed
- Commented
- A New Piedmont Newnan: Women's services prepared for more births
- 10th Annual Run for Angels: Event bigger, better than ever
- Education Notes: Phi Delta Kappa scholarship available to future educators
- Special Olympics: Cowetan named Georgia's Female Athlete of the Year
- Around town: Blood drives scheduled
- Where does Newnan see itself in 10 years?
- Stewart finished 11th grade at Warner
- Respected Coweta baseball coach, ex-Brave remembered
- Search dogs find drugs in vehicle at gas station
- 10 headed to jail: Cell phones, community service don't mix
- Former Atlanta Brave, area baseball coach Rick Behenna dies at 51
- Respected Coweta baseball coach, ex-Brave remembered
- A New Piedmont Newnan: Women's services prepared for more births
- We encourage a daylong visit to the $100 million National Infantry Museum
- Obituary: Mr. Pat Shepherd
- Hospital bringing new physicians, medical practices
- Piedmont Newnan Hospital kicks off $8 million capital campaign
- Obituary: Mrs. Mary Frances Banks Storey
- Domestic violence increases in Coweta, local shelter trying to help
- Prep Wrestling: Newnan shines on Senior Night
- Hwy. 34 Bypass: Another six months needed to complete widening job
- Where does Newnan see itself in 10 years?
- Smith: Lobbyists not an influence
- Proposed legislation aimed toward curbing metal thefts
- Pastor's Corner: Part 2 – Is Calvinism biblical?
- Montana's mom tells her story of an autisic child
- Palmer enters race for judge
- Labor officials will work with employers on claims issues
- We encourage a daylong visit to the $100 million National Infantry Museum
- Former Atlanta Brave, area baseball coach Rick Behenna dies at 51
why do they close schools on election day
11/3/2008
Link To This Comment
it is not important to close schools on election day because we need our education
Posted by deawsz at 7:51 PM