Dear editor,
To the voters of District Four of the Dodge County Board of Education and all people of Dodge County:
I would like to thank you for allowing me to serve you as a member of the Dodge County Board of Education. I am sincere when I say that I have received more than I have given by serving on this board. It has truly been a humbling experience. I have listened and talked to many people about our schools. I have always let the superintendent know of your concerns. I know I have made mistakes, but I’m only human and all humans make mistakes. Please forgive me! I always put the children first when making my decisions.
Letter to the Editor
To the people of Dodge County: You amaze me with your support of our students. For your involvement with reading buddies, booster clubs, volunteer positions within our schools and local businesses that support our students, thank you! Your generosity and support is truly Dodge County pride, which is the envy of many other communities. Without you, our schools would be only part of what you have helped them to be.
To the staff of the Dodge County Schools: Thank you for all you do for your students. You continue to care and to provide the best education to our students even when furlough days, austerity cuts, federal mandates, state mandates and a consistent assault on your profession. I wish the people who belittle your profession would walk in your shoes before they berate.
To the students of Dodge County Schools: My advice to you is to enjoy your days and strive to be your best. Apathy can be your number one problem and it is unacceptable in our schools and in life. Your years in the Dodge County Schools will become the foundation of your life. Prepare well and you will be successful. Your education begins with positive attitude towards learning. Set your goals high and you will be amazed where you will go.
I would like to request one favor of you all. Please contact your state leaders and request that the state austerity cuts to education be restored FULLY. It is my view that the state has no plans to restore these funds and will require more and more local property tax funds to educate our children. One example of this is House Bill (HB) 824 that requires local school boards to increase their millage rates to 14 mills to be eligible to receive state equalization funds for education. I do not understand how the state can mandate a local property tax increase when they withhold millions of educational dollars from our children (austerity cuts). This is another law by the state that is mandating (blackmailing) local boards to increase the millage rates by withholding state funds. Please contact your state leaders and ask them to fully fund our children’s education. The quality of education a child receives should not be determined by where a child lives in the state of Georgia. Our students must be able to compete in a world that is driven by the demand for highly skilled job candidates.
In my opinion, local property taxes are the most unfair tax because they place the burden of paying for education on just small portions of taxpayers. Please join me in making sure the future education of our most precious assets (our children) is fully funded as the constitution of the state of Georgia mandates.
Ricky Hargrove
District Four Representative Dodge County Board Of Education
To the staff of the Dodge County Schools: Thank you for all you do for your students. You continue to care and to provide the best education to our students even when furlough days, austerity cuts, federal mandates, state mandates and a consistent assault on your profession. I wish the people who belittle your profession would walk in your shoes before they berate.
To the students of Dodge County Schools: My advice to you is to enjoy your days and strive to be your best. Apathy can be your number one problem and it is unacceptable in our schools and in life. Your years in the Dodge County Schools will become the foundation of your life. Prepare well and you will be successful. Your education begins with positive attitude towards learning. Set your goals high and you will be amazed where you will go.
I would like to request one favor of you all. Please contact your state leaders and request that the state austerity cuts to education be restored FULLY. It is my view that the state has no plans to restore these funds and will require more and more local property tax funds to educate our children. One example of this is House Bill (HB) 824 that requires local school boards to increase their millage rates to 14 mills to be eligible to receive state equalization funds for education. I do not understand how the state can mandate a local property tax increase when they withhold millions of educational dollars from our children (austerity cuts). This is another law by the state that is mandating (blackmailing) local boards to increase the millage rates by withholding state funds. Please contact your state leaders and ask them to fully fund our children’s education. The quality of education a child receives should not be determined by where a child lives in the state of Georgia. Our students must be able to compete in a world that is driven by the demand for highly skilled job candidates.
In my opinion, local property taxes are the most unfair tax because they place the burden of paying for education on just small portions of taxpayers. Please join me in making sure the future education of our most precious assets (our children) is fully funded as the constitution of the state of Georgia mandates.
Ricky Hargrove
District Four Representative Dodge County Board Of Education
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