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Published Thursday, October 09, 2008 in Local
Coweta schools closing Nov. 4
The Times-Herald
Coweta County School System will be closed for students on Nov. 4 for election day.
The Georgia Department of Education approved Coweta's request to close its schools on Nov. 4 at its monthly meeting on Thursday. The local school administration requested the school closings because of the anticipated high voter turnout expected this presidential election year. Eight of Coweta's 28 precinct locations are at school facilities.
While students won't be required to attend school that Tuesday, staff and faculty will have to report to work.
"It'll essentially be a work day for employees," said Dean Jackson, Coweta School System public information officer.
Coweta school officials asked the state board last month to waive the attendance rule that requires school systems to provide a minimum of 180 days in a school year in anticipation of the heavy voter turnout.
Jackson said the school system feels assured the missed school day won't have to be made up later in the school year nor will Coweta School System's prorated share of state funding for that one missed day be deducted. Jackson explained since the state board typically buffers in allowances for one or two missed days, such as for inclement weather days, he doesn't expect the state to ask Coweta to make the day up later.
"Most of the public knows it as snow days. If we have to miss one or two days because of inclement weather, the state board of education can certainly go around and say 'you need to make up those days,' but typically they don't," he said.
The school system adopts its school calendars every two years with public input. The Coweta County Board of Education set the 2008-2009 school year calendar in the fall of 2006, long before November's high rate of voter turnout could have been anticipated.
Dana Tofig, state education department spokesperson, said there are 27 systems in the sate that are either closed for the General Election or holding teacher training days on Nov. 4.
"The ones that are closed, they are very large systems," he said.
The closed school systems include some with student populations of more than 100,000, such as Gwinnett, Cobb and DeKalb. While Coweta is Georgia's 20th largest school system, it has an approximate 21,000 student population.
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I am shocked at the parents that expect everyone else to take care of their children. You chose to have them so take care of them. I have a child in elementary school & I am glad the school is closing. I don't want some nut to be free to roam around the school. Wake up & realize your child could be taken from you - there are killers, rapists & child molestors EVERYWHERE! And for the teachers complaining: VOTE EARLY. I know several teacher & you can leave at lunch or go after work.
Posted by Concerned Parent at 8:34 AM
I think this sends a great message to our kids of just how important the presidential elections are for them in the future!
Posted by Penny at 11:53 AM
When is the schools going to notify parents that don't have internet or the newpaper??I havekid at three differnt schools. No note have gobe home yet/ When is the school letting parents know that have to get sitters
Posted by a at 8:57 PM
I guess more than anything I'm worried about who the parents that are complaining are going to vote for. This country is not supposed to hold your hand and take care of your kids while you work. You're the kind of person that I hope doesn't go to vote because it's too much trouble after all.
Posted by me at 7:30 AM
Move the voter precints and run school as usual. Strangers don't need to be at the school. I never understood having people come to a school to vote in the first place. The world will not come to an end if they have to find somewhere else to vote.
Posted by T.H. at 6:38 AM
This is not something new. The schools used to close for voting a couple of years ago, when there weren’t as many people in the county. Since some of the precincts are in the schools (elementary schools) I would think that the parents would be glad that they are closing the schools. Traffic for morning drop-offs and afternoon pickup is already horrible. Can you imagine what it would be like if you also had to contend with the voters? Don't complain because the schools are close just deal with it as you would on inclement weather days. Parents are finding out about the closing early enough to make arrangements and that is not a luxury you would get if it were truly an inclement weather day.
Posted by jm at 6:22 PM
I don't understand why the schools would be closed...but it doesn't annoy me. Just another day for me to sleep in and enjoy with my children :) Now...off to vote early so I can do so!
Posted by JA at 3:43 PM
Sounds like to me that everyone is mostly concerned about the traffic; not the children's safety! You might want to try and pull the wool over someone's elses eyes! Stupid!
Posted by Robin E. at 11:36 AM
I am concerned regarding Mr. Bass's decision for several reasons. First: why do we designate schools as voting precints at all if strangers are allowed to come and go in our schools at will on those days? I had no idea that this is what went on on voting days. I agree, this IS very dangerous! If only 9 of 28 Coweta precints are at schools, Coweta Co. should be able to relocate those 9 to non-school locations. Second: It is very difficult for the working single mother to plan for a school holiday when given such short notice. We will not be able to take the day off, believe me. But, as always, we will make it happen and keep our children safe in the process.
Posted by concerned parent at 9:55 AM
Seriously, I can't understand the complaints from anyone. 1. If you chose to have children, they are your responsibility. If you have a job, they should still come first so get over them not having school for one day. School is not your "free" babysitter. 2. As a teacher, I know I'd be a nervous wreck if there were strangers wondering in and out of my school building all day while I was trying to teach my students. I wouldn't want them going to the restrooms, walking to the media center, or going to the nurse without me. The workday is about safety for your children. I'm thankful someone is thinking more about your child's safety than you. 3. To the teacher complaining about needing time to vote, go to the polls early, use your lunch break, or ask your principal if you can go vote and make up the time that week. If you care about voting, it's not that difficult to find time.
Posted by CCSSTeacher at 10:18 PM
To the teacher complaining about having to work, seriously get over it! Polls are open 7am to 7pm. There is no excuse for you not supposed not having "time". If its so much of a innconveniece to you just vote early Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm at the county building.
Posted by Joe Schmoe at 9:50 PM
I am concerned that so many of you are upset about the schools being closed. This election is going to be big. Georgia has registered over a half-million new voters and Coweta County has registered it's share too! You should never want your child to be caught up in a school full of people who are unknown to school authorities. I'm sorry, this is about safety and common sense. Get a sitter and be thankful the system was thinking of your child.
Posted by Concerned at 9:36 PM
I have taught and attended schools in 4 school districts. This is the first that did NOT have a work day during the presidential elections. I always thought it was strange to try to have school and work around the numerous visitors. Good job Coweta Co! :)
Posted by Sarah at 8:29 PM
I can't believe that the school board is closing down the schools. The are several different options available, one is you can go vote early. That is what I plan on doing, this is so I don't have to fight crowds. Its not right, we have a presidential election every 4 years, this is nothing new or special. I think we should keep it as it always has been. I do have 3 children, and luckily I work from home, so its no big deal about my kids being home, but still this is not right.
Posted by Parent at 5:58 PM
How wonderful, but if teachers have to report,how are WE supposed to vote? DUH! Why couldn't we use one of our weather days and everyone be off? We deserve time to vote as well!
Posted by teachervotes at 5:36 PM
Now I have to take 3 kids and stand in line on November 4th. Just because Coweta County can't do their jobs. Thanks alot. BOE is a bunch of crap, not thinking about our kids safty. They are thinking about themselves, which they always do. Don't complain when my kids are running around everyone screaming when we are all standing in a 3hr. line. Blame it on the BOE.
Posted by Caren at 4:58 PM
It is a shame when schools are considered babysitting services. Those people who are upset because they are inconvenienced by the intelligent foresight of Mr. Bass would, I am sure, be among the first to say "Why weren't our children safe?" in the event of trouble on election day. I am sure that they would be among the first to object to paying for extra protection at the voting polls. In these economic times, we all seem to have to work to survive. We have children and we have inconveniences. However, the children should be our main concern. We deal with weather problems and vacations. If we would spend more time trying to work together and help each other, it would be far more constructive than complaining. Thank you, Mr. Bass. My children and I thank you for doing your job.
Posted by Ann at 2:17 PM
I feel for all the parents who have to figure out what to do with their children on that day. However, the BOE is thinking ahead and trying to protect our children. I certainly don't agree with a lot of what they do but this is something I am in total agreement with. There are going to be hundreds of complete strangers walking in and out of those schools on that day with no one really supervising all of them. Are you willing to sacrifice the safety of your child because you will have to find a babysitter for that day? I know I'm not. There are some crazies out there and they WILL be in our schools on that day. I'm glad our children won't be. Addy <
Posted by ~Addyson~ at 12:38 PM
Just sit back and think about it for a moment before you complain about babysitting, having to work and the inconvenience it puts on "you". This election above all others we have ever seen is going to be dramatic. The turn-out overboard and the chance of conflict great. I would rather my child be home than at a school where elections are held then have my child there taking the chance of any threat that may arise at the poll. It is going to be a crazy election.
Posted by Anonymous at 12:06 PM
I'm with you on this one Dil. I can't believe it either. Mr. Bass let us know when we can drop our kids off. I have to be at work at 8.
Posted by slt at 10:29 AM
I can't believe it! What about the working parents can we take that day off too. Can I leave my child with Mr. Bass? As always Coweta school system is not a freind to the working parents. I can't even get a appointment with my sons teachers with out taking off work.
Posted by Dil at 8:20 AM
re
10/28/2008
Link To This Comment
Since there will be no school, there is no excuse not to get out there and vote John Mccain/Sarah Palin.
Posted by Chariy at 6:57 PM