Author Archives: Stan Jester

• Sniffing For Safety
• Metal Detectors
• Peaceful Protest
• Gun Control Protests
• Atlanta is Wakanda
• Virtual Learning – Make Up Days
• Legislative Update

SNIFFING FOR SAFETY
In January, DeKalb Schools welcomed two new members to its Public Safety division: K-9 units Rex and Rocky. The K-9s, tasked with locating drugs and weapons, are part of a new, comprehensive push for public safety. They can smell dangerous substances left behind for more than a day. They can tell if an individual has handled and even used a firearm based solely on scent. Rex or Rocky will visit a random school each week to assure no illegal substances or weapons are on campus.

METAL DETECTORS
DeKalb Schools’ increased safety initiative also includes a pilot program with metal detectors at numerous high schools. Metal detectors are costly to purchase and install, and they require other related expenditures such as staff to conduct the searches, training and equipment maintenance.

PEACEFUL PROTEST DAMAGES QUIK TRIP
Students from Druid Hills MS and Clarkston HS participated in a walkout this week and held protests on their school grounds . However, some Clarkston students left campus and ventured down the street to a Quik Trip where they damaged property. The students will be held accountable in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

DEKALB SCHOOLS SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL PROTESTS
We can expect gun control legislation demonstrations in the days ahead, including national protests set for March 14, March 24 and April 20. The DeKalb County School District supports students’ Constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and free expression of gun control. If a student walkout or protest happens at DeKalb Schools, the school district will allow the students to peacefully protest. Superintendent Green stresses that it can be a teachable moment where students can demonstrate their First Amendment right to be heard.

ATLANTA IS WAKANDA
Roughly 700 students from Atlanta and DeKalb high schools played hookie and watched “Black Panther” this week. 650 individual donors pitched in to raise the $30,000 needed to cover the costs of the chartered buses and theater event.

VIRTUAL LEARNING – MAKE UP DAYS
Following feedback from its stakeholders, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will employ Virtual Learning Days using its Digital Dreamers technology to make up time lost in January to inclement weather.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
• HB 932 would raise the age of compulsory attendance from 16 to 17. Rep. Tommy Benton brought the bill at the request of a constituent, and he had several students speak in support of the bill.
• HB 482 – an education savings account voucher. The state portion of K-12 funding would be handed over to the parent to direct as they choose – to private schools, home school needs, tutors, etc. Up to 50% of the funds could be rolled over annually and used up to the age of 22 for postsecondary expenses.
• HB 302 changes the required wording on notices for the millage rate adoption.
• HB 961 would eliminate DeKalb County’s unique CEO form of government. The bill that was filed just Tuesday was fast tracked and is eligible for a vote on the House floor. Nancy Jester, a Republican who represents north DeKalb, cited the county’s water and sewer woes as one reason the measure was needed.

“I believe that there is a direct connection to that competency issue and the form of government we have’
I support Rep. Hanson’s bill for a number of reasons. DeKalb is uniquely disadvantaged by the CEO form of government. The politicization of basic county operations has left DeKalb plagued with incompetence and fraud. DeKalb does not have consistent technical talent that remains regardless of political leadership changes. All around us, the operations of local government remain consistent and, generally, well run because they do not fluctuate every [four] years with the election of one person.”