I don’t know if it is because of the history we have had with former superintendents like Braxton Nail who was found mysteriously in his back yard hanging from a garden hose and Jim Burns who was found assassinated in his home while his wife was in another room. I wonder if that is the reason the school board feels impelled to grant our Super anything he so desires. I realize Columbus has an odd and somewhat scary past when it comes to the education department. It is obvious something is rotten somewhere by the complaint of the overpowering stench that is in the air. There’s a name for that stench and its called misappropriation.

For the past two weeks I have been hard on our school board for it negligence in not realizing the division this building, this palace, this monumental disaster that has congress and senators talking up a storm. Talk of cutting of our federal funding. Why? Why would our board jeopardize funding that is so desperately needed?

I think all of Columbus will agree that we need a new administration building since the mansion on the Hill is now sliding down the hill. But Columbus shook your hand by saying YES to the SPLOST in agreement for $ 13 M for an administration building. Now, I am not sure if somehow we became dyslexic and can only see the number backwards, but $13 M is what we agreed upon. We thought that our board of representatives was there to watch out for our children’s best interest. Well some of them did and some did not. We appreciate the people who voted NO simply because you voted what your district wanted, not what Dr. Phillips wanted and all those glazed by the ambience of some palace for them to reside in from eight to five.

First the board wants to sell off properties that will be vital for the future of Columbus. Properties that will exceed in value in the upcoming years, but we wanted to give it all away for $2 M. With the influx of soldiers coming to Ft. Benning with their families, we will need another school in the Baker High area. We can easily renovate this school and get it back up to code over a few years time.

Now, the board wants to get a lease agreement that will help generate the money for the building somehow. They just don’t get it do they? We do not accept the idea of a building that will cost $26 - $31 M at least not at one time. No matter how long of time you have to pay it back, we the taxpayers will be paying for it anyway you want to look at it. We do not approve this building.

So, what can the school board do to appease the public demand for change? First and foremost scrap the plans for the building all-together. If you want to make a $31 M building, why cant you do it in moderation? Why does it have to be all in one phase? Our people are understanding and very generous when it comes to providing funding for our kid’s education. Why hasn’t the school board come up with other alternatives like a two or three phase plan? Draw up a plan that groups out a 10 – 15 year plan on the building itself. Every five years we add another building or phase. My idea and proposal would be Phase 1. High School Educational Administration building. This building will offer some extra services for those struggling in schools and those unable to pass the end of year exams. It will offer SAT and CRT Pre-testing and training in order to boost our scores and help our kids pass with higher averages. Phase II can be for Middle School and Elementary Educational Administration building, which will offer, similar services grooming kids for High School. Phase 3 will be the Administration Offices and Student Services. Whatever order you want to put them in is fine, but I think our kids should come first; especially those who are getting ready to go out into the world and represent themselves based on the education they have received here at home.

The people of Columbus just cannot fathom so much going into one building at one time. There are a lot of other issues we need to be taking care of with these funds. Classrooms, textbooks, and better pay for those deserving teachers who are responsible for the education of our children.

I truly do not want to see the children loose their SPLOST come Election Day because of stubbornness and unwillingness on the part of the superintendent and all those who voted yes, to stop, listen, and revise. We want our representatives to listen to our needs and put our kids first on the list. We could understand having such a grandiose building if we had the highest testing scores in Georgia and our students had enough text books. I have heard people argue that portables are everywhere and a way of life. But does any of those areas that have portables for classrooms have a building for the administration that costs over $30 M? I sincerely doubt it.

Now our board has catered to every need of this superintendent with a high salary not to mention a clothing an