Changing Demographics Part 8: Education and growth
By KATHLEEN MCKEVITT Sentinel Writer

Over the last decade Union County schools have grown in the average of 80- 90 new students a year. Some years there have been 100 new students, and others, like last year, saw 86. In ten years that is significant growth.

Union County School Superintendent, Tommy Stephens, talks about the major goal even in the midst of this growth: "to look for and find all expenses that are nonessential to the education of the kids" because our costs are constantly increasing and we have nowhere to go at the moment except back to the people."

Stephens continues, "We have to get the message to the State to do their part to support us, but at that level there are increasing austerity cuts. What we need, all of us, is an increase in state funding."

At the state level the Governor's committees are looking at ways to better fund education. One of the ways being considered is an add-on sales tax, but there are myriad ideas being entertained. According to Stephens, "there are 59 school systems in law suits against the Governor's office relative to inadequate funding for education." None of the the 59 schools is in north Georgia.

According to Tommy Stephens, Union County Schools are ranked in the upper 20 percent in local fair share funding deductions, and 12th in test scores. However, 50 percent of the students' families are low income, and yet the area has the highest property values, so the State-based equalization laws being based on property values see Union county as one that does not require as much funding. Efforts have been made on the part of county leadership over the years to change the evaluation system from being propertyvalue based in order to receive funding, but to date, those requests have not been effective, according to Stephens.

Stephens says, "the Union County school system applies for every available grant as we try to find ways to not further burden local funds and property owners."

Union County schools have a broad-based demographic including students from all over America, other cultures, and an increasing Hispanic group every year. After the Katrina hurricane there was about a two-year increase in students from Florida but that has now reduced to a flow similar to that coming from other areas.

Is there a drug-problem in the Union County school system? According to Stephens, there is some noticeable increase but not significant. There are, however, School Resource Officers on the premises at all times who are deputies of the Sheriff's department, as well as dogs trained to detect drugs. The Deputies have arrest powers.

The leadership of the county schools are learning about the dangers of methamphetamines, and have been participating in the drug coalition council inaugurated by the Rotary Club. "We are learning how drugs, whether marijuana, prescription, or methamphetamines affects the total community and so we are encouraging community awareness, bringing in speakers and training for the kids,while keeping the teachers and parents informed. We are learning what to watch for."

What about the increase in cell phone use and the distraction of new technologies? "We can't enforce non-use of cell phones or other technologies, or outlaw them, but we can and do have rules and regulations about them and that seems to be working. The positive side of cell phones is helping kids keep in touch with their parents and parents keep in touch with their children."

Stephens wants the people of Union County to know that "our school system is one of the top in the state, in test scores (above average) and in activities and professional staff. We don't have much turn over in staff because people love living here so we get to keep great teachers longer, and our staff is dedicated. We have one of the best teaching staffs anywhere."