Proposed calendar aimed at year-'round school

Editor:

Once again our elected officials seem to forget who put them in office. That disaster to which Columbia County School Board Chairman Wayne Bridges refers are the thousands of parents who put him in office. At least Superintendent Tommy Price holds public meetings for parental input. Even if he never intends to abide by the wishes of the general public, he still allows us the opportunity to speak.

And I applaud School Board member Lee Muns for at least considering those who put him in office, even if it falls on deaf ears.

Mr. Bridges, if life gives you a can of worms, maybe you need to go fishing!

Did anyone bother looking at the 2003 calendar before coming up with these outrageous dates for breaks in the proposed school calendar? Why would you create a break that runs from a Friday (Oct. 17) to Wednesday (Oct. 22)? Why not make that October break a Friday - Monday and add the other two days to Thanksgiving?

Most people would relish the idea of having more travel time during that holiday (including teachers). Maybe teachers need a break at this time because the school year has started way too early!

Have any of the Board members considered how this schedule could affect the local businesses that hire that disaster group of parents Bridges refers to? Maybe they should get some input, too. It seems this calendar is eating away at my two weeks vacation with one day here and two days there. Why bother with summer vacation? I wont have any left by then.

And why doesnt Price come out of the closet and admit he is trying to edge this system toward year-round school? He should just do it if that is his intention! Is he trying to convince himself, the parents or the teachers this is the best way to go? But if he does, he should try to remember that the Fourth of July is a federal holiday he may want to consider honoring!

Cherie Portinga

Evans