[bdye]

My DS will be a senior at SPHS this fall and would like to continue his education after graduation to become an engineer. I received a phone call last week telling me that they have decided to drop the engineering classes next year at South. He has already taken his Drafting classes to get ready for the engineering classes (I & II). I know that sometimes classes have to cut, they also got rid of one the Art teachers, but now I hear that they are adding a swim team?!!! Where are the priorities? I was given the choice to apply for school choice and it "might" get approved. My son did not like the idea of having to change schools for his senior year, and I can't blame him. Does anyone have any idea how these decisions are made?

[All I Hear is Blah Blah Blah]

Just call the BOE and ask, but sometimes they cut it due to lack of participation....

[Lady Raider]

A swim team? dang SPHS moving up above all the other schools to have a swim team.

I hate that your son is now having an issue with is classes since he has taken 1 and 2.. that leaves him in a situation in order to finish his last year and what he needs to be an engineer. Good Luck...

[Ugadawgs98]

Probably lack of enrollment.

[Glassdogs]

Ah, just tell him to go paint the street in front of the school and half the neighborhood nearby,

Georgia Tech will be all over giving him a scholarship.

[GeorgiaTornado]

Don't worry about taking drafting classes....you better tell him to take all the ass busting math and chemistry classes he can. just saying

[markdavd]

Most likely there weren't enough signed up for the class to make it worth holding.

As far as the swim team, generally sports are funded by a separate budget that by law can't be used for non-sports items.

If both are true it's not about priorities, but about two totally unrelated decisions funded by two totally unrelated budgets.

[whatzup?]

North has a swim team there is a picture of the swim team in the 2011 yearbook.

[jmd]

Don't they have to put in a swimming pool for a swim team?

[Jet_man1969]

with all the layoffs and personnel moving around, Maybe they don't have anyone qualified to teach a engineering class.?? Just a guess...

[Barbed wire]

jmd, on 27 June 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:

Don't they have to put in a swimming pool for a swim team?

My thought exactly. Where they going to practice????

[Happy Wife And Mom]

Barbed wire, on 27 June 2012 - 02:33 PM, said:

My thought exactly. Where they going to practice????

The pond at White Oak Park

[All I Hear is Blah Blah Blah]

Happy Wife And Mom, on 27 June 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

The pond at White Oak Park

Lowrider can pace 'em with her paddle boat....

[justgettingby]

Jet_man1969, on 27 June 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

with all the layoffs and personnel moving around, Maybe they don't have anyone qualified to teach a engineering class.?? Just a guess...

That's what I was thinking. I'm pretty sure the teacher who taught CADD, etc at SPHS is moving on.

This post has been edited by justgettingby: 27 June 2012 - 07:32 PM

[Orwell]

This happens all the time. It has happened many times over the years. Take a good math course.

[whatzup?]

jmd, on 27 June 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:

Don't they have to put in a swimming pool for a swim team?

Maybe they plan to use a local pool, North paulding swim team may use bentwater. Maybe south is going to use Roundtree recreation, that pool is on the southern end of the county and enclosed.

[bdye]

GeorgiaTornado, on 27 June 2012 - 01:22 PM, said:

Don't worry about taking drafting classes....you better tell him to take all the ass busting math and chemistry classes he can. just saying

He has already taken the drafting class, he has also taken lots of math, Chemistry and Physics classes. I know he will still be able to do it without the High school Engineering classes, just thought it might help.

[jmd]

There are alot of jobs related to engineering and a good field to be in. Schools are all sports now not academics. Next every school will have to have a swimming pool cause one school has one. I can't see busing up to 6 periods of classes to a swimming pool.

[spunky]

bdye, on 27 June 2012 - 09:48 PM, said:

He has already taken the drafting class, he has also taken lots of math, Chemistry and Physics classes. I know he will still be able to do it without the High school Engineering classes, just thought it might help.

What college is he hoping to attend?

[fishnthec]

That's really a shame. Some US companies are being forced to hire non-residents to fill their engineering jobs. I would think this is a field that should be encouraged. I had not heard about the swimming team, but in my opinion if a school does not already have a pool then a swimming team should not be considered. With all of the cutbacks in education the money should be spent more wisely. I think that sports are good for kids but academics should be the main focus. Unfortunately 99.9% of the high school sports stars will NOT go one to become professional athletes. Our country needs to start celebrating intelligence as much as we do athletes.

[bh67]

There is a severe shortage of swimmers in the US, we have plenty of engineers........

[gog8tors]

markdavd, on 27 June 2012 - 01:32 PM, said:

Most likely there weren't enough signed up for the class to make it worth holding.

As far as the swim team, generally sports are funded by a separate budget that by law can't be used for non-sports items.

If both are true it's not about priorities, but about two totally unrelated decisions funded by two totally unrelated budgets.

I'm thinking all the sports programs are self funded now. I don't think any of them get money from the county. I could be wrong, but that's what I have been told by a couple of people in the know.

[TwoKidCircus]

gog8tors, on 28 June 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

I'm thinking all the sports programs are self funded now. I don't think any of them get money from the county. I could be wrong, but that's what I have been told by a couple of people in the know.

The county pays for coaching supplements and for transportation. That is about it. Everything else is paid for by the participants.

[Orwell]

gog8tors, on 28 June 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

I'm thinking all the sports programs are self funded now. I don't think any of them get money from the county. I could be wrong, but that's what I have been told by a couple of people in the know.

Who do you think pays for the teachers/coaches' salaries, entry fees, transportation, etc?

[gog8tors]

TwoKidCircus, on 28 June 2012 - 02:15 PM, said:

The county pays for coaching supplements and for transportation. That is about it. Everything else is paid for by the participants.

Well that makes sense. I don't know how much the bus driver is paid, but maybe the coaches could get their CDL if they don't already have them, and drive the buses. That could save a little bit. I know of one program that already does that.

[gog8tors]

Orwell, on 28 June 2012 - 02:16 PM, said:

Who do you think pays for the teachers/coaches' salaries, entry fees, transportation, etc?

Entry fees are paid by the programs. Not the county.
Coaches stipends may be paid by the county. Like I stated I could be wrong. I am also only going by one program at one school (not SPHS.) As I understand it this applies to all the sports programs.

Any academic classes that are cut is not a good thing. However if they are "connections/electives" I do understand. I went to school way back in the day when we (males and females) had to take shop.

[Barbed wire]

TwoKidCircus, on 28 June 2012 - 02:15 PM, said:

The county pays for coaching supplements and for transportation. That is about it. Everything else is paid for by the participants.

Not necessarily. Gate fees from the sports are used for much of this. Of course the heavier attended sports such as football don't get to keep the gate fees.....they are "shared" with other sports. And often the booster clubs are now paying the coaches supplements. I was just informed recently that the booster clubs would now be required to pay half the transportation costs for away games.

It's disturbing that sports like football bring in so much money, but still have to shell out even more. It's also disturbing that the smaller sports, such as softball, could be billed out of existance.

[Barbed wire]

I should add, I've had kids in the "small" sports and a son who played football. I see both sides.

My son was denied a chance to take AP Physics at SPHS his senior year. They didn't have a teacher certified to teach it. I was upset, but he survived. He is going into his 3rd year majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

If we have to pick, I would opt for better academics, but let's face it, the regular classes have been so dumbed down, it's common for students to graduate with Honors and still have to take remedial classes in college. Sad.

What's the answer. Wrong.....not more taxes! I have to wonder.....too many administrators? Does it really take so many assistant principals at each school?? I don't know, but glad mine are done with public school.

[whatzup?]

Barbed wire, on 28 June 2012 - 02:31 PM, said:

Not necessarily. Gate fees from the sports are used for much of this. Of course the heavier attended sports such as football don't get to keep the gate fees.....they are "shared" with other sports. And often the booster clubs are now paying the coaches supplements. I was just informed recently that the booster clubs would now be required to pay half the transportation costs for away games.

It's disturbing that sports like football bring in so much money, but still have to shell out even more. It's also disturbing that the smaller sports, such as softball, could be billed out of existance.

The band booster club pays for buses to everywhere they go games, competitions, etc.

[bh67]

markdavd, on 27 June 2012 - 01:32 PM, said:

Most likely there weren't enough signed up for the class to make it worth holding.

As far as the swim team, generally sports are funded by a separate budget that by law can't be used for non-sports items.

If both are true it's not about priorities, but about two totally unrelated decisions funded by two totally unrelated budgets.

Good point on funding, many have no clue how things are funded and as an administrator you can be charged with crimes for using monies for unauthorized purposes.

[Orwell]

Barbed wire, on 28 June 2012 - 02:31 PM, said:

Not necessarily. Gate fees from the sports are used for much of this. Of course the heavier attended sports such as football don't get to keep the gate fees.....they are "shared" with other sports. And often the booster clubs are now paying the coaches supplements. I was just informed recently that the booster clubs would now be required to pay half the transportation costs for away games.

It's disturbing that sports like football bring in so much money, but still have to shell out even more. It's also disturbing that the smaller sports, such as softball, could be billed out of existance.

Why has football buses been free until no when the bands have always had to pay to go to the games?

[gog8tors]

Orwell, on 28 June 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

Why has football buses been free until no when the bands have always had to pay to go to the games?

I'm sure your AD will have the answer to that.

[Barbed wire]

Orwell, on 28 June 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

Why has football buses been free until no when the bands have always had to pay to go to the games?

Nothing is free honey. The gate fees from football go into the general athletic fund. They are designated for athletic expenses. They have generally been used to pay for field maintenance, transportation to away games, referees, etc. Football brings in far more than their expenses, but the funds have to be pooled and shared with other sports. How it was explained to me is that Band is not an athletic activity, so the funds can't be used for band expenses. Fair? since band parents have to pay to get in? Probably not.......but the football parents don't think it's fair that band gets all the home side concession sales either. Glad I don't have to be the AD and hear it day in/day out.

[Orwell]

Barbed wire, on 28 June 2012 - 09:29 PM, said:

Nothing is free honey. The gate fees from football go into the general athletic fund. They are designated for athletic expenses. They have generally been used to pay for field maintenance, transportation to away games, referees, etc. Football brings in far more than their expenses, but the funds have to be pooled and shared with other sports. How it was explained to me is that Band is not an athletic activity, so the funds can't be used for band expenses. Fair? since band parents have to pay to get in? Probably not.......but the football parents don't think it's fair that band gets all the home side concession sales either. Glad I don't have to be the AD and hear it day in/day out.

What about the "fairness" of bands having to go to away games and charging the students or doing fundraising to pay for it?

[TwoKidCircus]

Orwell, on 29 June 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

What about the "fairness" of bands having to go to away games and charging the students or doing fundraising to pay for it?

Most all activities fundraise to off-set the fees. The band doesn't have to attend away games if they prefer. Most will though.

[Orwell]

TwoKidCircus, on 29 June 2012 - 07:15 AM, said:

Most all activities fundraise to off-set the fees. The band doesn't have to attend away games if they prefer. Most will though.

I think you would be surprised if that was asked of the directors, parents, students.

[Barbed wire]

Orwell, on 29 June 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

What about the "fairness" of bands having to go to away games and charging the students or doing fundraising to pay for it?

Every sport has to raise extra funds. I really get tired of all the whining from every side about what somebody else "gets" vs what we "get". The AD has a pool of money --most from gate fees--to hand out to the various sports. Some carry their own weight--most don't. But becasue of Title IX and other laws, the Admin takes from the rich and gives to the poor. Football brings in far more than enough to cover all expenses yet football parents will have to raise over $100,000 to cover various expenses because football gate fees are doled out to everyone else too. Fair? No. But then, we don't have all the information, rules, regs, that the ADs have. I'm sure most are doing the best they can with what they've got.

Life is not fair. Get over it.

[Orwell]

Barbed wire, on 29 June 2012 - 08:01 AM, said:

Every sport has to raise extra funds. I really get tired of all the whining from every side about what somebody else "gets" vs what we "get". The AD has a pool of money --most from gate fees--to hand out to the various sports. Some carry their own weight--most don't. But becasue of Title IX and other laws, the Admin takes from the rich and gives to the poor. Football brings in far more than enough to cover all expenses yet football parents will have to raise over $100,000 to cover various expenses because football gate fees are doled out to everyone else too. Fair? No. But then, we don't have all the information, rules, regs, that the ADs have. I'm sure most are doing the best they can with what they've got.

Life is not fair. Get over it.

Life isn't always fair but that doesn't mean we should accept a bias and be unfair in what we can do.
I just talked to someone and found out that the band parents are in charge of repairs, equipment, furnishings, supplies, etc. for the concession stands. This is granted to them since the marching band is part of the "Friday nights lights" tradition.

This post has been edited by Orwell: 29 June 2012 - 09:30 AM

[TwoKidCircus]

Orwell, on 29 June 2012 - 07:43 AM, said:

I think you would be surprised if that was asked of the directors, parents, students.

I am not sure what your damage is about high school athletics....But, no one is forced to participate. If you do, there is money, sometimes lots of money, involved.

[gog8tors]

The away team band, cheerleaders, and players ( The participants) are charged to attend the away games? By whom? I don't know of any school that doesn't charge gate fees for everyone else.
The football program has to maintain their equipment, practice areas, etc. We also have to raise fund raise for camps, uniforms, spirit ware and other stuff.
Do/have you ever attended a booster club meeting for any of the sports teams? I have a feeling you have no clue what it takes for everyone to have "the high school experience."

Orwell, on 29 June 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

What about the "fairness" of bands having to go to away games and charging the students or doing fundraising to pay for it?

This post has been edited by gog8tors: 29 June 2012 - 01:36 PM