\n \nWell, I’m here to tell you tonight that I was one of the board members… But he doesn’t. Because that theory and those ideas did not hold up.<\/p>\n \nHe might have settled for something less than that:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nI promise you that if I thought after our study and research \nBut that’s not what we found.<\/p>\n \n…<\/p>\n \nStudent achievement cannot be gained if our systems consolidate…. Then he connected the dots:<\/p>\n \nIf you believe what I’m saying that School consolidation: lose, lose, lose on all three points Fred Wetherington ended by getting to the real issues with education:<\/p>\n \nWe can do something. \n…<\/p>\n \nDr. Smith \nHow can we as a community better reach out to our \n[Applause]\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n There’s more. \nAnd I’m saying that to you tonight even about what Fred Wetherington is telling you. And a final key point:<\/p>\n \nTalk to the businesses where you work. \nI’m telling you, I raised my hand a while ago, \nThat’s not where the facts have led me.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \nHere’s \n
\n![](\"http:\/\/i4.ytimg.com\/vi\/wf-7glC-aNU\/default.jpg\")
<\/a>
\nThe whole idea was could it help us with economic development in our community.
\nAt the same time could we increase student achievement.
\nAnd could we save the taxpayers money.<\/p>\n
\nthat if that theory and those ideas had held up after research and study,
\nI would be supporting this idea.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nthat this would improve student achievement,
\nbecause we could even say, Dr. Smith, if it would improve student achievement,
\nmaybe it would be worth a little more local revenue….<\/p>\n
\nIt will increase property taxes.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nstudent achievement gains are not to be found;
\nit’s going to increase local property taxes significantly;
\nthen how in the world will we ever help with economic development?
\nWe will not.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nof the original Chamber idea.<\/p>\n\n
\nWe can do better.
\nI want to end this on a positive note, not just no no no.<\/p>\n
\n
\nmentioned it earlier,<\/a> and I just want you to know this.
\nPoverty.
\nAll the issues surrounding poverty are our number one enemy in public
\neducation.
\nAnd it don’t just reside in Lowndes County, folks: that’s everywhere.<\/p>\n
\nparents,
\nguardians,
\ngrandparents,
\nsingle parents,
\nparticularly in the low socio-economic status, the low-income earners,
\nthe ones that’s underemployed or unemployed.
\nI’ll ask you; that’s where we need to put our energy.<\/p>\n
\nFor example, he said he was taught at LHS to question everything
\nhe read:<\/p>\n
\nGo home and do; this information that we presented as fact is the best of
\nour ability what we brought to you tonight as the truth.
\nBut do your own work.
\nGo home, challenge us.
\nWhether you’re on one side or the other,
\nI say go home, do your homework, and decide.
\nAnd then get out and get involved,
\nbecause this vote on November 8th is extremely important.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nTalk to the businesses where you trade with, where you do business at.
\nThey have to understand funding in education
\nis not like a business; it’s not a business model.
\nIt’s not like two businesses merging.<\/p>\n
\nI’m telling you, I was one of the guilty ones.
\nThe theory that was proposed to me several years ago was very interesting.
\nCan we improve student achievement at a lower cost, and help economic
\ndevelopment all at the same time?
\nIt was very interesting to me.<\/p>\n
\n
\nthe video:<\/a><\/p>\n