http://www.douglas.k12.ga.us/Default.asp?PN=BoardMembers&SubP=Board&DivisionID=1857&DepartmentID=&StaffID='5789'
Jimmy Bartlett
Sam Haskell
Jeff Morris
Mike Miller
Larry Barnes
The BIG QUESTION is, if our School Board will blatantly approve a contract with these terms and this sum for the attorney—in plain sight, in spite of requests from Mr. Miller and Mr. Barnes for documents, given the obvious conflict of interest with Ken Bernard serving as both County and School Board attorney, and in the face of vigorous objection from tax payers—what is happening that we don’t know about? There are BIG raises, lucrative contracts and premium prices being paid for property and no one is blinking an eye. It stops NOW.
It is important to note that thus far 2 board members have distinguished themselves as willing to fight for our students, educators and tax payers. Mike Miller and Larry Barnes are asking the hard questions and trying to find an appropriate path forward, but they need your support as evidenced by the attorney issue.
It is also worth noting that Mr. Miller's and Mr. Barnes' requests for independent audits have been rebuffed by the other board members even though a quick web search of Ra-Lin who builds all our schools reveals:
o $850,000 in repairs required on $6 million Rusk Hall at University of Georgia, build by Ra-Lin. (Red and Black, November 2007)
To be clear, we are voracious advocates for education. Every dollar that we pay in school taxes should be wisely invested in our children’s futures—to be the most efficient, effective and measurable. A SPLOST or millage rate increase will be positioned as: you are either for education (vote yes) or against education (vote no). We must all demand accountability and transparency by our school system before giving them more money. Those who would recklessly divert money from a child’s education, cause teachers to spend their own money on supplies and take your hard earned tax dollars in this economy are not fit to lead this county as Board Members, CFO, COO or Superintendent! They know who they are.
