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Community Corner

Oconee County School superintendent

I am a lifelong resident of Oconee County and a voting taxpayer. I’m writing this letter in extreme frustration. Please allow me to explain.

Toward the end of the nine-week school term my wife and I received a letter stating we had to move our son from Oconee Middle to Malcom Bridge due to the fact we had moved to the northern end of the county. We moved in October, 2011, and all the proper paperwork was sent in to the school system two years in a row. Upon receipt of the letter I contacted the board office and was told there was nothing that could be done and that it was my choice to move to a new residence, not the school system’s.

I then contacted a board member who advised me to start with the school principal and then the superintendent, if necessary. I called Oconee Middle and left a message for the school principal. Several hours later the assistant principal returned my call. I explained the situation which he was completely unfamiliar with. He stated he would have to check and call me back. Late that afternoon the gentleman called and stated that after some investigation there was nothing he could do.

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The next day I called the superintendent’s office and left a message. Later that day he returned my call. I again explained the situation, stating that this could be a detrimental move to my son due to several reasons. My son is not the best student. He generally falls behind at the beginning of the school year. It takes him time to adjust to a teacher’s style. Once he adjusts, his grades generally improve.

The superintendent made it very clear that it was a courtesy for him to even speak to me, stating that he was doing me a favor listening to my complaint. He also stated that he did not know the environment of the schools. When asked what exceptions there were to this rule he stated that only in extreme situations were any exceptions made, and that one child’s success was not extreme to him.

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I asked wasn't it the motto of the school system for student success and was told that didn't matter. 

When questioned about school-system employees’ children,he stated they were an exception and that was none of my concern unless my wife or myself were school-system employees. He finally stated that we had no choice but to move our son, and he would not speak further on the matter.

On Oct. 15 my wife took our son to Malcom Bridge for his first day of school. Upon her arrival the staff were extremely nice and very helpful. However, they were unaware of any transfer, had no records, and no schedule for my son. My wife met with a very nice guidance counselor, who told my son that they would have to go to Oconee Middle and physically get his records. Also they would have a schedule for him the next day.  The letter we received stated this would be a smooth transition, that Malcom Bridge would be expecting us Oct. 15. This was not the case!

In closing I would like to affirm our extreme disappointment in the school system, especially Mr. Branch. I was told the motto “Committed to Student Success” didn’t matter. I feel he is an extremely egotistical person thinking that just because he has “Dr.” in front of his name makes him better than the common underlings of Oconee County. I recently heard a preacher say there was a Greek term for this. It’s “hogwash.”  Mr. Branch needs to understand that it is a privilege to serve the tax-paying citizens of Oconee County and not a courtesy or a favor for him to speak to us. In fact, he probably needs a lesson in customer service. I would be happy to recommend some books for him. Believe me, I know the meaning because I’ve been a public servant for 20 years. My wife and I feel that at best the school system has left our child behind, while making exceptions for others, despite our best efforts. 

 Tommy Crowe

Bogart GA

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