JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Members of the Johns Creek City Council are asking Fulton County School leaders to release a plan to get children back in the classroom, but the wording used in a city council agenda memo is causing some controversy.
Last week, Fulton County’s superintendent announced the district would be starting the year remotely due to community spread of COVID-19 and concerns about the safety of students, teachers and staff.
Council members Stephanie Endres and Chris Coughlin are co-sponsoring the resolution, which argues it’s in the best interest for students to learn “in-class” this coming school year.
“The resolution may have been misconstrued we’re advocating for strong, ‘send them back,’” Coughlin told Channel 2′s Mike Petchenik. “All we’re asking for is a plan with contingencies.”
Coughlin, a father of two elementary school-aged children himself, told Petchenik he’s concerned about the educational well-being of his children while he and his wife both work full-time.
“We just ask that there’s a plan in place so families can budget for it,” he said.
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An agenda item for the resolution, which is slated for discussion during a work session Monday, referred to the school system as the “Golden Goose.”
“Property values are directly linked to the high standards and high value on education as a result of test scores, achievements, and other educational achievements through the past years,” the memo said. “With virtual learning, families that can choose alternatives will and thereby directly reducing the value and purpose of public schools in Johns Creek.”
When Petchenik tweeted about the memo Wednesday, reaction was swift.
“Let the kids die, we got houses to sell!” one person wrote.
Another said: “What an appalling resolution by @JohnsCreekGAgov reaffirming their commitment to protecting capital/wealth and centering property value in a public health decision.”
Coughlin told Petchenik the intent behind that phrase was to highlight how important the school system is to the community.
“We have an amazing public school system provided by Fulton County schools,” he said. “I think that’s something that all of Fulton County should be excited about.”
Coughlin said he has since spoken to Superintendent Mike Looney and feels confident the school board has a plan in place to return kids to the classroom, which will be discussed during a school board meeting Thursday.
Mayor Mike Bodker didn’t want to discuss the merits of the resolution, but he told Petchenik, in general, he doesn’t support non-binding resolutions that question how another governmental entity operates.
“If you needlessly upset them, based on their perception, not yours, then it makes it that much more difficult the next time you need something that is truly and directly important to the city or citizens of Johns Creek,” Bodker said.
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