Bibb County Education - The Future

Macon Speaks

On Tuesday, April 27th it was my good fortune to attend the Public Forum hosted by the Douglass Theatre at 7:00 P.M. This event was announced in "The Telegraph" and it was free.

I determined that the Young Scholar that I Mentor should attend this event. He and I attended and arrived early to obtain a good seat. The meeting started at 7:00 P.M. with the following in attendance:

4 - Panelist

2 - Moderators

2 Douglass Theatre Staff

15 Citizens

It should be noted that an additional 11 citizens joined during the course of the Forum for a total of 34 in attendance.

The Panel consisted of the President of the Bibb County Georgia Board of Education, the Acting Superintendent of Bibb County Schools, the Director of Campus Clubs and the President of Education First here in Macon, Georgia.

The Moderators were Charles E. Richardson of "The Telegraph" and Kenny Burgamy of "Mix in the Morning" also here in Macon.

During the course of the Forum I heard the following information:

• We must have Community engagement
• We must have Stake Holder engagement
• We must ask the question: "Did the Student Learn?"
• We face a most challenging and exciting future!
• We must try to do things that liberate students
• We also face challenging budget issues
• As the search for a new Superintendent evolves we must:

Seek Community Input

Involve the Chamber of Commerce and such organizations at 100 Black Men

Focus on Student Achievement

• Schools are only as strong as the community makes them
• We must be bold
• We must demand a well educated work force to acquire future job opportunities for all citizens of Bibb County/Middle Georgia
• We must demand accountability

The statement was made that Bibb County is ripe for Charter Schools. Two individuals from the Charter School Association of Georgia addressed the Forum. The highlights of the comments included:

• We must be open to innovations in education!
• We must focus on what is best for the Students!
• Community/Citizen involvement is required to produce a great charter school!
• Parent engagement is essential. (Please note that Parent Involvement at the School is not what the word "engagement" means.) Engagement can be parents that are concerned about their Scholars and require them to study, perform their homework and do well in school.
• School Staff can be expected to conduct "Home Visits."
• Scholar Discipline is vital
• Bibb County Schools have an image problem.

The Director of Campus Clubs summed up the forum with these statements:

1. We must resolve the Behavior Problems
2. We must address the Scholars who have Special Needs
3. We must know the needs of Macon

The Young Scholar that I mentor summed up the event with this sentence: "A very productive evening."