Napier House - Update

On March 29th I posted a Blog that recommended that the Napier House be renovated by the Bibb County School System for use as the Central Headquarters and that the New Central High School could be appropriately situated to allow this to happen.

Our School Board has indicated that the new high school could possibly spur renovation of the many homes in the area that are currently in a state of disrepair. My recommendation was that the School System could be an appropriate role model by not only preaching, but practicing what they state. As we all well know, the Lanier and Central High School Complex has a long stellar History. From the days that Bill Fickling and Ed Defore played Basket Ball, the Golden Boots National Championship Drill Team, and the Sugar Bear Band that preformed for several high profile National Political Campaigns, this school has maintained a high profile in our local History. It is with this legacy as well as the historic importance of the Napier House that I encouraged the preservation of the Napier House.

Of course I was made aware that such a renovation project would not be condoned by the Czars at the State level who control State Funding for educational facilities. If the powers that be here in Bibb County determine to conduct such a renovation it would have to be on the backs of the local tax payers. Or maybe a Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to do this Napier House renovation. Or the project could be done with local private funding. All I know is that well before my arrival in Middle Georgia a dynamic effort was made to save our "Grand Opera House" on Mulberry Street here in Macon. This jewel is now the centerpiece of our entertainment complex. Thank Goodness for the foresight of these dedicated, and civic minded citizens.

Now, for the important aspect of this Blog. We all know that State Funding equals State Control. Cases in point, our fairly new Sonny Carter Elementary School could not be constructed to meet anticipated attendance levels. The data used by the State regarding population counts did not for one moment consider the impact of future and potential development in the West Bibb County area. Thus, when the school opened there was an abundance of "Trailers" to handle the enrollment. The same thing happened with the more recent "West Side High School" on Heath Road. "Trailers" still populate the landscape near this showplace High School also in West Bibb County.

I would suggest that if we ever desire to overcome the quagmire of a depressed County and an equally depressed School System that we just may have to do what is only correct and proper for our possibly dynamic future here in Middle Georgia.

I know for a fact that State Funding with State Control is not always serving the best interest of our goal of educating our future citizens. Additionally, as I travel around West Bibb County that there must be adequate resources available to fund education. Unfortunately a vast amount of these financial resources are funding the plethora of private academies. Now before anyone jumps up and down about funding for the private academies, I am also aware that the majority of these fine facilities also draw scholars from all the counties surrounding Bibb County. Thus I am aware that not all the money for these academies comes from Bibb County. What I am clearly stating is that there is adequate resources available right here in Bibb County to have an education system that equals or could even exceed that found anywhere in Middle Georgia. Case in point, the I. B. Program at Central is nationally recognized and acclaimed world wide. What a shame that we can not see outside of the box and do what is best for all of our Scholars. The future and also our future leaders demands that we do our best. This may mean that we step out smartly and do what is only correct and proper (I stated it again) to prepare for our very own successful future here in Middle Georgia.