Cut the fat

Our school board remains embroiled in budget discussions with talks of cuts including the employee dental plan, SROs and the IB program at Smith H.S.

Skeptical? You betcha. Seems I'm not the only one either.

Board member Garth Hebert, talking about yesterday's budget workshop:

“What we had today was what Mr. Green wanted to consider versus what the board wanted to discuss, therefore nothing got done,” said board member Garth Hebert after the meeting.

“We were expecting more meat and we got a lot of pudding. I’d like to see more options, more choices.”

Seems as though no one is talking about cutting the fat downtown. We'd rather nix teachers than trim Central Office across the board. Something's wrong here.

And while we're at it, it seems the popularity of Board members Kris Cooke, Darlene Garrett and Nancy Routh is on the decline.

Comments like these are popping up over at the N&R:

The school board is nothing but a forum for long winded people to try and hog the spotlight...Cooke, Routh, and Garrett are the worst! Routh wants to re-run the numbers as she can't imagine anyone but her getting it right. Cooke is just a narcissist who has no idea what is going on--but stands ready to be at your ribbon cutting when called! Garrett is a one note violin who cares ONLY about her beloved Northwest part of Guilford County. Spinkle in some ignorance (Jeff Belton) and you have enough nuts to make a fruitcake. Nothing will change until we the people change the school board.

Ouch.

Cooke is a waste of a school board seat, plain and simple. Garrett was just reelected and Routh is rumored to retire from the Board after her term is up next year. And Hayes continues to field rumors about a possible City Council run.

Just another day in paradise...

E.C. :)