Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter and neighbors for Briarcliff Heights / Margaret Harris Comprehensive School Cell Tower Opposition are featured on FOX's Good Day Atlanta.
Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Doctors' Rx: Make a plan to manage kids' media use
Michelle Healy, USA TODAY 9:30 a.m. EDT October 28, 2013
In an age when exposure to TV, smartphones, computers, tablets, and all forms of social media play a dominant role in the lives of American kids and teens, many families have very few rules in place to manage their children's media use. But for their well-being, that should change, the nation's largest group of children's physicians advises.
In a newly revised policy statement released today, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents make a media use plan for their families that takes into account not only the quantity, but the quality and location of media used, and includes mealtime and bedtime curfews for media devices. It also encourages keeping all screen media (TVs, computers, tablets, etc.) out of kids' bedrooms.
The group reiterates its recommendation to limit the amount of total entertainment screen time to less than two hours a day and to discourage all screen media exposure for children under age 2.
A new, nationally representative survey from the nonprofit advocacy group Common Sense Media, also out today, shows 72% of kids ages 8 and under have used a mobile device for some type of media activity such as playing games, watching videos or using apps, up from 38% just two years ago. And 17% of these young children use a mobile device on a daily basis.
"We are worried that a lot of parents are clueless about their kids' media use and how to manage it appropriately," says Victor Strasburger, a professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico and co-author of the AAP policy statement, released at the group's national conference in Orlando, Fla.
They are "spending more time with media than they are in school. They are spending more time with media than in any activity other than sleeping. You could make the argument that media have taken over the primary role of teaching kids from schools and parents in many cases," says Strasburger.
Parents, together with pediatricians, schools, research organizations, the entertainment and advertising industries and government, need to work together to do more to address this issue, he says. He adds that the federal government has not written a comprehensive report on children and the media since 1982, before the widespread use of the Internet and cellphones.
According to findings cited in the policy statement:
• The average 8- to 10-year-old spends nearly eight hours a day with a variety of media; older children and teens spend more than 11 hours a day.
• The presence of a television set in a child's bedroom increases TV viewing even more, and 71% of children and teens report having a TV in their bedroom; 50% have a console video game player in their room.
• Nearly all children and teens (84%) are on-line; about 75% of 12- to 17-year-olds have a cellphone, up from 45% in 2004; 88% use text messaging.
Last updated five years ago, the policy statement considered a wealth of new research. It says the pediatrics group "continues to be concerned by evidence about the potential harmful effects of media messages and images."
Excessive media use has been associated with obesity, lack of sleep, school problems, aggression and other behavior issues, the statement says.
But it adds that "important positive and pro-social effects of media should also be recognized." It specifies that media can help children of all ages learn important academic material, and can also help "teach empathy, racial and ethnic tolerance, and a whole range of interpersonal skills."
"Media can be good or bad," says Strasburger. "There's some extraordinarily good media out there. It's a matter of finding the right stuff for the right aged child or teen and limiting access to inappropriate media."
But parents need to recognize that their children are "facing a tsunami of media," he says.
The onslaught of new digital devices to deliver that media makes the challenge of monitoring your children's "media diet" harder than ever, says Jim Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media. Not only is there more of it, but "because these devices are mobile, screen time moves with them from room to room. It's not as easy to monitor use."
Among other recommendations in the revised policy statement:
For Parents:
• Model effective media use to help children learn to be selective and healthy in what they consume. Take an active role in children's media education by co-viewing TV, movies and videos with them and discuss important family values.
• Monitor what media your children are using and accessing, including any websites they are visiting and social media sites they may be using
For pediatricians:
• At every well-child visit, ask how much time the child is spending with media and if there is a TV or Internet-connected device in the child's bedroom.
• Take a more detailed media history with children or teens at risk for obesity, aggression, tobacco or substance use, or school problems.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Michael Thurmond Gives Up the Interim, Signs Sweet Deal in DeKalb
osted by Kiri Walton (Editor) ,
The DeKalb Schools district will continue on with Michael Thurmond as its head chief after the DeKalb Board of Education members voted unanimously Monday to extend Thurmond's contract.
This means Thurmond drops the 'interim' from his title and will remain as the district's superintendent.
His initial contract was set to expire on Feb. 8, 2014, but has been extended to June 30, 2015. He will continue to receive his $275,000 salary.
Thurmond, a former Labor Commissioner, was selected by a 7-2 vote in February 2013 to serve as interim superintendent as the temporary replacement of Cheryl Atkinson, who has resigned after 16 months on the job.
Thurmond said the extension will be his last, however.
The DeKalb Schools district will continue on with Michael Thurmond as its head chief after the DeKalb Board of Education members voted unanimously Monday to extend Thurmond's contract.
This means Thurmond drops the 'interim' from his title and will remain as the district's superintendent.
His initial contract was set to expire on Feb. 8, 2014, but has been extended to June 30, 2015. He will continue to receive his $275,000 salary.
Thurmond, a former Labor Commissioner, was selected by a 7-2 vote in February 2013 to serve as interim superintendent as the temporary replacement of Cheryl Atkinson, who has resigned after 16 months on the job.
Thurmond said the extension will be his last, however.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
What Does Hall County's Cell Towers Have to Do With DeKalb?
FOX 5 News Wants to Know What WE Think About Cell Towers at Schools in Hall County? Well, We Responded. Now, Let's See What They Do with What Was Said!A quick search of the Internet turned up a few stories on a cell tower planned for Hall County, possibly on the grounds of their high school. The stories below are what we found, but one mentions Verizon, the other says ATT. But, what we cannot figure out is why FOX 5 Atlanta reporter (for Good Day Atlanta) Tacoma Perry contacted Get the Cell Out - ATL for a comment on this story. GTCO-ATL asked if she was interested in learning if we knew people in the Gainesville, GA, area who were opposed to this particular tower and she said that was not necessary. She had most of the story completed, but needed someone to speak about the "other" point of view. That sounded a bit odd to us because every story we have been involved with has been about the opposition to the cell towers and therefore the tower companies or wireless providers would be considered the "other" point of view.
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| FOX 5 Reporter Tacoma Perry |
The 1996 FCC Telecommunications Act is based around outdated standards that use a large adult male's frame and body size as the standard and does not take into account what can happen to a child who is using an electronic RF emitting device like a phone or tablet computer. And none of the FCC's standards address the effects of continual long term exposure to low level of RF, like what a child would be subjected to if he or she had to attend school near a cell tower.
So, we cautiously accepted the request for an on-camera interview and told the reporter that we knew several people in DeKalb County who are very involved in the fight to prevent cell towers from going up at our schools and have been successful with holding off or possibly even preventing any construction at the sites approved by the former school board two years ago.
We asked if she could interview several people and we were told that it would depend on the time constraints, but she only needed one good sound byte for the story. Since we do not represent any communities specifically and have only been involved in this process in order to share our information and what we have learned, we contacted several people we know and helped set up a good day and time for one community to be featured in this news story.
The community that was able to assemble and meet the reporter was prompt, gracious and very well informed on the issue. We also let them know about our concerns over the actual angle of the story so that they would not be blindsided by any questions that might be about Hall County or requests for an opposing view to whatever might be considered a "positive" in the actual story being reported.
We contacted Ms. Perry to let her know that there would be several people on hand for her interview. Specifically, GTCO-ATL organizers declined to speak directly on camera because we do not seek attention from the media, solicit for donations for a particular cause, give legal advice or seek to speak for others who are perfectly capable of speaking for themselves. The story is not about "us" - it is about all of us.
The focus of any story on this subject should be those who are actually facing the consequences for the bad decisions being made and how they are standing up for themselves, working together against the very influential lobbyists for the telecom industry and making sure their elected officials are aware that they know and understand their own rights. We are proud to be neighbors and friends with so many brave residents here and across the country who are willing to do what it takes to make sure our system of government does not fail us.
Thank you to the residents who showed up last Thursday and to Tacoma Perry and Fox 5 News for giving us an opportunity to work with you and present the real concerns of residents in DeKalb to your viewers. We may or may not have much in common with the folks in Hall County, but we will gladly share what we know and how it relates to our situation here and our original 12 schools that were originally intended for towers, 9 that were approved and, so far, zero permits approved by our outstanding county commissioners.
We emailed Ms. Perry the letter from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the letter from our DeKalb County Commissioners stating their opposition to the cell towers at schools and the results of last year's referendum where voters overwhelmingly told their local delegation that they do not approve of the use of school grounds for these telecommunications towers.
Information is key to understanding. We look forward to hopefully seeing our great DeKalb residents and the final version of this Hall County story sometime in the coming week on Good Day Atlanta.
If they post it online, we will include a link or a copy on our website for the followers on this page as well. Stay tuned!!
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Hall Commissioner wants better cell tower notice
By Jerry Gunn Staff
GAINESVILLE - Hall County Commissioner Billy Powell said Thursday night he wants a lot more people to know about a proposed cell tower test coming up in his district.
Powell said Verizon Wireless plans to send up a balloon on Saturday, October 19th to indicate the tower’s proposed height and visibility.Verizon is required to contact property holders only within a 500 foot radius of the location off McEver Road near West Hall High School and Middle School on Allen Drive.
Powell said that’s not enough notice to enough people. He pointed to a green area showing on Verizon’s application map and said 500 feet is not very far at all.
“When you look at the residents in that green area that area is a mile and a half distance," Powell said. “You can see that West Hall High School and West Hall Middle School sits right in front of the location for this. There happen to be 2,344 parcels that we would have to contact if we contacted everybody within that one and a half mile radius.”
Powell said the test notice is on the county’s web site, (hallcounty.org ), and anyone with comments is advised to email Powell or Public Information Officer Katie Crumley.
The story is titled ‘Verizon Wireless Balloon Test set for October 19th’. The item also includes a map of the affected land parcels.
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Hall school board approves cell tower at Flowery Branch HighBoard OKs tax-anticipation loan of up to $9.5 million | ||
An approximately 90-foot cell tower will soon be placed at Flowery Branch High School. The Hall County Board of Education approved the proposal from AT&T at the Monday meeting. “It’s not (in) an area that we can use in the future,” said Damon Gibbs, executive director of facilities. The land for the cell tower is near the school’s side entrance of Elizabeth Lane, by the detention pond. It’s the farthest point from the school building
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Monday, October 7, 2013
FOX: Arrests in string of cell phone robberies at high school
Posted: Oct 02, 2013 12:55 PM EDT
Updated: Oct 02, 2013 2:30 PM EDT
By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF
For more, click here: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23590980/arrests-in-string-of-cell-phone-robberies-at-high-school
SNELLVILLE, Ga. -
Two juveniles are in custody after a string of cell phone robberies at Shiloh High School in Snellville on Tuesday afternoon.
Principal Eric Parker released a letter to parents Tuesday reporting the thefts. The letter stated that the three students were waiting for their parents to pick them up when the robberies happen. One reported to the school resource officer that a knife was used.
School officials say they arrested two boys for Tuesday's robberies. They are not identifying the pair due to their age, but did say one of the boys is a student at Shiloh High School. Charges for both are pending.
No one was injured during the robberies. Police say the investigation into the incidents continues.
Updated: Oct 02, 2013 2:30 PM EDT
By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF
For more, click here: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23590980/arrests-in-string-of-cell-phone-robberies-at-high-school
 |
| Shiloh High School in Snellville |
SNELLVILLE, Ga. -
Two juveniles are in custody after a string of cell phone robberies at Shiloh High School in Snellville on Tuesday afternoon.
Principal Eric Parker released a letter to parents Tuesday reporting the thefts. The letter stated that the three students were waiting for their parents to pick them up when the robberies happen. One reported to the school resource officer that a knife was used.
School officials say they arrested two boys for Tuesday's robberies. They are not identifying the pair due to their age, but did say one of the boys is a student at Shiloh High School. Charges for both are pending.
No one was injured during the robberies. Police say the investigation into the incidents continues.
No More Tricks? Trial of Former School Superintendent Begins Oct. 28
750 jurors summoned for racketeering trial of former DeKalb School superintendent and others
BY RHONDA COOK - THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
Around 750 summonses have been sent in hopes of finding 12 jurors and four alternates to hear the upcoming racketeering trial of former DeKalb County School Superintendent Crawford Lewis, the district’s one-time chief operating officer Pat Reid and her ex-husband Tony Pope.
On Friday, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker repeatedly pointed out to the prosecuting and defense attorneys that the case will be crowded, complicated and time-consuming so they need to work out any possible issues now.
 | ||
| Former Dekalb County Schools COO Pat Reid was in court Friday with ex-husband Tony Pope for pre-trial motions. |
It will be a long trial, possibly a month or more after it starts with jury selection on Oct. 28.
“I don’t want to derail this. We've sent out a boatload of jury summons,” Becker said.
The three were indicted in 2010. They were re-indicted in 2012. Then a third version of the indictment was returned July 18.
For more, see this full story in the AJC: http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local/750-jurors-summoned-for-racketeering-trial-of-form/nbGLR/
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) published almost 20 stories more until the three were indicted in May 2010. The AJC has continued to track the case as the indictment went through three different versions, the key investigator and the two prosecutors resigned and it has moved toward trial 3 1/2 years later. The judge still has some pretrial motions to decide and then the first of 750 prospective jurors will report on Oct. 28 for the start of the trial.School Board Meeting on Live Today Oct. 7
DEKALB BOARD OF EDUCATION
7:00 PM Business Meeting: (UPDATED Oct 6, 4:20 pm)
C. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Minutes
Presented by: Mr. Michael L. Thurmond, Interim Superintendent
2. Approval of Monthly Financial Report
Presented by: Dr. Michael J. Bell, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance
3. Approval of the Human Resources Monthly Report
Presented by: Dr. Tekshia M. Ward-Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer, Division of
Human Resources
4. International Teacher Services Agreement
Presented By: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer, Division of
Human Resources
5. Career and Technical Education Catalog Discount Bid Extensions FY 2013-14
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
6. Instructional Resources for Development and Delivery of CCGPS Curriculum and
Units of Study
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
7. Purchase of Professional and Technical Services to support Teacher Content Development and Improve Student Learning in K-12 Mathematics
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& and Instruction
8. Purchase of Explore Learning: Online Supplemental Resource to Improve Student
Learning in Math and Science
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
9. 2013 – 2014 STEM Implementation Initiative
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
10. Approve Amendments for the Contracts of (3) Conversion Charter Schools: Chesnut Charter Elementary, Smoke Rise Charter Elementary, and Chamblee Charter High
Presented by: Dr. Alice A. Thompson, Interim Deputy Superintendent, Division of
School Leadership & Operational Support
11. CrossPointe Software Annual Maintenance
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
12. Renewal of Discovery Education License for All Elementary
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
13. PATS/Human Resources Portal Annual Maintenance Renewal
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
14. Student Information System Solution RFP 14-11
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
15. Renewal of Workers Compensation Administration Program
Presented by: Mr. Ronald B. Ramsey, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Affairs
16. Approval of Student Catastrophic Insurance Coverage
Presented by: Mr. Ronald B. Ramsey, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Affairs
17. SPLOST PROJECTS
a. SPLOST III Project: Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Furniture, Fixtures and
Equipment (FF&E) Purchase
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of
Operations
b. SPLOST III Project: Southwest DeKalb High School Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
(FF&E) Purchase
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
c. SPLOST III Project: Cedar Grove High School Renovations Contract Award
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
18. COMMUNITY PROJECT DONATIONS
a. Druid Hills Dugout Club Donation Approval
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
b. Laurel Ridge Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Donation Approval
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
19. Extension of Contract with McKenna, Long & Aldridge, LLP for Installation of
Governance Evaluation & Accountability Systems
Presented by: Mr. Michael L. Thurmond, Interim Superintendent
D. ACTION ITEMS
1. Recovery of One Work Calendar Reduction Day for Professional Learning in Support of the Bridge Initiative
Presented by: Mr. Michael L. Thurmond, Interim Superintendent and
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer, Division of
Human Resources
2. Approval of Second Amendment to the Employment Contract Between Michael L. Thurmond and the DeKalb County Board of Education
Presented by: Dr. Melvin Johnson, Board Chair
3. Request to Waive Board Policy on Policy Adoption, Descriptor Code BDC
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
4. Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Descriptor Code IHA – Grading Systems
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
5. Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Descriptor Code EEE – Wellness Program
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
E. OTHER\BOARD COMMENTS (2 minutes each)
F. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Teachers Advisory Council Meeting, 2:00pm, Thursday, October 10, 2013,
Auditorium, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex,
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
2. DeKalb Council of PTAs Fall Meeting, 6:00pm, Thursday, October 10, 2013,
Auditorium, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex,
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
3. Mandatory Work Reduction (Furlough) Day for 10 & 11 month employees,
Monday, October 14, 2013 (Schools Closed\Administrative Offices Open)
4. District-wide Administrators Academy (Elluminate Session), 9:30am, Tuesday,
October 15, 2013, Auditorium, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex,
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
5. Emory-LaVista Parent Council Meeting, 8:45am, Wednesday, October 16, 2013,
Harthorne Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, 2535 Caladium Drive, NE, Atlanta
6. South DeKalb Parent Council Event, 10:00am, Saturday, October 19, 2013,
Towers High School, 3919 Brookcrest Circle, Decatur
7. DeKalb Board of Education Work Session (2:00pm; Cabinet Room), Community Input Meeting (5:45pm), and Business Meeting (7:00pm), Monday, November 4, 2013,
J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
7:00 PM Business Meeting: (UPDATED Oct 6, 4:20 pm)
 |
| To watch the DeKalb County School Board meeting live, click the link below then click on "Live Now" from the page: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/pds-tv24 |
C. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Minutes
Presented by: Mr. Michael L. Thurmond, Interim Superintendent
2. Approval of Monthly Financial Report
Presented by: Dr. Michael J. Bell, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance
3. Approval of the Human Resources Monthly Report
Presented by: Dr. Tekshia M. Ward-Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer, Division of
Human Resources
4. International Teacher Services Agreement
Presented By: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer, Division of
Human Resources
5. Career and Technical Education Catalog Discount Bid Extensions FY 2013-14
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
6. Instructional Resources for Development and Delivery of CCGPS Curriculum and
Units of Study
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
7. Purchase of Professional and Technical Services to support Teacher Content Development and Improve Student Learning in K-12 Mathematics
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& and Instruction
8. Purchase of Explore Learning: Online Supplemental Resource to Improve Student
Learning in Math and Science
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
9. 2013 – 2014 STEM Implementation Initiative
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
10. Approve Amendments for the Contracts of (3) Conversion Charter Schools: Chesnut Charter Elementary, Smoke Rise Charter Elementary, and Chamblee Charter High
Presented by: Dr. Alice A. Thompson, Interim Deputy Superintendent, Division of
School Leadership & Operational Support
11. CrossPointe Software Annual Maintenance
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
12. Renewal of Discovery Education License for All Elementary
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
13. PATS/Human Resources Portal Annual Maintenance Renewal
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
14. Student Information System Solution RFP 14-11
Presented by: Mr. Gary L. Brantley, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information
Technology
15. Renewal of Workers Compensation Administration Program
Presented by: Mr. Ronald B. Ramsey, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Affairs
16. Approval of Student Catastrophic Insurance Coverage
Presented by: Mr. Ronald B. Ramsey, Chief Legal Officer, Division of Legal Affairs
17. SPLOST PROJECTS
a. SPLOST III Project: Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Furniture, Fixtures and
Equipment (FF&E) Purchase
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of
Operations
b. SPLOST III Project: Southwest DeKalb High School Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
(FF&E) Purchase
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
c. SPLOST III Project: Cedar Grove High School Renovations Contract Award
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
18. COMMUNITY PROJECT DONATIONS
a. Druid Hills Dugout Club Donation Approval
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
b. Laurel Ridge Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Donation Approval
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
19. Extension of Contract with McKenna, Long & Aldridge, LLP for Installation of
Governance Evaluation & Accountability Systems
Presented by: Mr. Michael L. Thurmond, Interim Superintendent
D. ACTION ITEMS
1. Recovery of One Work Calendar Reduction Day for Professional Learning in Support of the Bridge Initiative
Presented by: Mr. Michael L. Thurmond, Interim Superintendent and
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Chief Human Resources Officer, Division of
Human Resources
2. Approval of Second Amendment to the Employment Contract Between Michael L. Thurmond and the DeKalb County Board of Education
Presented by: Dr. Melvin Johnson, Board Chair
3. Request to Waive Board Policy on Policy Adoption, Descriptor Code BDC
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
4. Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Descriptor Code IHA – Grading Systems
Presented by: Dr. Kathleen S. Howe, Deputy Superintendent, Division of Curriculum
& Instruction
5. Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Descriptor Code EEE – Wellness Program
Presented by: Mr. Stephen M. Wilkins, Chief Operations Officer, Division of Operations
E. OTHER\BOARD COMMENTS (2 minutes each)
F. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Teachers Advisory Council Meeting, 2:00pm, Thursday, October 10, 2013,
Auditorium, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex,
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
2. DeKalb Council of PTAs Fall Meeting, 6:00pm, Thursday, October 10, 2013,
Auditorium, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex,
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
3. Mandatory Work Reduction (Furlough) Day for 10 & 11 month employees,
Monday, October 14, 2013 (Schools Closed\Administrative Offices Open)
4. District-wide Administrators Academy (Elluminate Session), 9:30am, Tuesday,
October 15, 2013, Auditorium, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex,
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
5. Emory-LaVista Parent Council Meeting, 8:45am, Wednesday, October 16, 2013,
Harthorne Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, 2535 Caladium Drive, NE, Atlanta
6. South DeKalb Parent Council Event, 10:00am, Saturday, October 19, 2013,
Towers High School, 3919 Brookcrest Circle, Decatur
7. DeKalb Board of Education Work Session (2:00pm; Cabinet Room), Community Input Meeting (5:45pm), and Business Meeting (7:00pm), Monday, November 4, 2013,
J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative & Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain
Saturday, October 5, 2013
City of Roswell Wins in Court of Appeals: Denial of Cell Towers Upheld; Record Was Sufficient
 |
| City of Roswell does not allow telecommunications towers in residentially zoned areas. Now, that decision has been upheld in court as being justifiable. Citizen input was critical to city council decisions on denials. |
The citizens' outpouring of objections obviously carried a lot of weight with the council members, so if you are still involved in fighting a cell tower near you, remember that there is strength in your numbers! And, don't forget to line up experts on your side, the way T-mobile did in this case. A battle of experts is better than having experts only on one side of the debate. Good luck and keep us posted at sayno2celltowers@yahoo.com!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
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