Comments on: School Board Candidates Address Alabama Kids In Florida Schools, Issues

By: Thanks Fl Parent!!

Thanks Fl Parent!! — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:57:43 +0000

Florida Parent…what a great comment!!! So, many of us feel the same way….I think you said it all..and with good solutions. THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING YOURSELF IN SUCH A POSITIVE, BUT VERY TRUE WAY!!!!

By: DONE DEAL

DONE DEAL — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:01:10 +0000

I am well aware of the 100 children that are over here legally, so no not everyone has lied….just ALL the others. And children playing in parks, or swimming pools, or visiting a Public Library…..IS NOT ILLEGAL!!!!! Besides…does any of this really matter now anyway? No…the School Boards are taking care of this problem, and have made the RIGHT CHOICE. So I am done and very satisfied.
Good Luck to ALL!

By: Florida Parent

Florida Parent — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:45:02 +0000

I am hopeful that both candidates running for Escambia County Fl District 5 have been following these comments and the ones from “No More Alabama Kids in Florida Schools”. I applaud them for supporting a decision, which is in the best interest of local Florida schools. As they move forward, I hope they will consider the following:
#1 INSTALL PROCEDURES, WITHIN FLORIDA SCHOOLS, TO BLOCK THIS “BORDER CROSSING” FROM REOCCURING. As has been demonstrated through numerous comments (on this post and the “No More Alabama Kids in Florida Schools” post), many Alabama parents will seek any form of deception to attend Florida schools. Some have commented that this has been happening for 20+ years. What started out as a handful of “illegal” Alabama students is now grown to an abusive quantity. I am appalled at the number of Alabama parents whom suggest their children are “entitled” to attend Florida schools. If this situation is not closely monitored, it will surface again.
#2 PLACE MONETARY FINES UPON OUT-OF-STATE PARENTS FOUND ILLEGALLY “BOOTLEGGING” THEIR CHILDREN TO FLORIDA SCHOOLS (AND ALSO TO THOSE THAT ARE AN ACCOMPLICE TO THESE ACTIONS). As witnessed a few posts earlier, some Florida residents will volunteer to willfully assist Alabama parents with their lying. If our school system only “slaps the wrists” of parents acting unlawfully, this problem will continue to reoccur. Give Alabama (and Florida) parents some motivation against abusing our school system. Give them a fine $$$$$.
#3 DO NOT BE PERSUADED BY THOSE COMMENTING THAT “WE WILL PAY THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAXES IRREGARDLESS OF OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS ATTENDING OUR SCHOOLS”. The taxpayers in Southern Escambia County would also be livid if they grasped how abusive this situation has become. The parents in Century have a legitimate complaint with the threat of Carver being closed resulting in busing their children to Bratt or Ernest Ward. An injustice would have been done if Carver closed while tax dollars were spent on Alabama kids at Bratt, Ernest Ward and Northview. The expense associated with additional students is not “free”.
#4 DO NOT BE INFLUENCED BY ALABAMA PARENTS OFFERING EXCUSES FOR THEIR LYING (I.E. POOR ATMORE SCHOOLS). Stay focused on the best interest for local Florida schools. As mentioned from an earlier post, many of those parents made a conscious decision to lie surely recognizing that one day there may be consequences. It is their responsibility to deal with the consequences, which they have created. If the parents of students now returning to Alabama schools focused their attention towards improving “their” schools, the results would be phenomenal. The most successful schools are those with the most parental involvement.
#5 BE PROACTIVE; CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. The Department of Justice may become involved if there is evidence of a racially motivated situation. The Atmore area schools are predominantly black. Bratt, Ernest Ward and Northview schools are predominantly white. The communities surrounding Bratt, Ernest Ward and Northview are predominantly white. Most Alabama parents claim their reason for fleeing was to seek better education. However, as they’ve turned their backs on Atmore schools, the remaining minority students were left behind as funding of education spiraled downward. Since those local communities surrounding the mentioned Florida schools are predominantly white, the remaining minority parents would have a difficult time finding an accomplice to assist with their lying (if they chose to flee to Florida). The intent may not have been racially motivated. However, this resulted in a disadvantage towards minorities. I would be surprised if minority legal counsel (i.e. NAACP) has not already been contacted. It’s best to be proactive rather than reactive.

By: concerned teacher

concerned teacher — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:42:51 +0000

I can’t believe how crazy people are acting over nothing. Students from Alabama only help our schools because we get extra funds and teachers because of them. The less students you have the less money and teacher units you get. They (Al. students) actually help keep programs alive. If anyone would research it, PJC and UWF actually have an attendance zone for Alabama students so they don’t have to pay out of state fees. The same is true for JDCC in Brewton and Atmore.
I was at Walmart in Pensacola the other day and saw many Alabama tags in the parking lot. I thought to myself that if some of the northend parents saw them they would want them to go home. They would want them to take their sales tax dollars with them too. It is amazing how people will take their students and children to Atmore and bag groceries and take money for their groups from Alabama people but complain about children crossing the line. I know one band parent that does this.
I have never seen an Alabama student take anything away from one of our students. If you want something bad enough you get it, whether it be grades or a position on a team, where you are from has nothing to do with it. This whole thing is about some parents who would not be happy if they owned the world, it would not be big enough for them.
Also, if any student wants a good education let them get it whether it be in Alabama, Florida or private school. After all isn’t this what we are all here far?
But if all you unhappy parents don’t get what you want, I know a great fence builder and we could build a fence at the border to keep them out of our state.
In ending I would like to thank all of the support that we get from the Atmore people and businesses. We don’t have a town to support us, so we have to count on you to help. Also thanks to the Town of Century for your support.

By: Observer

Observer — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:44:41 +0000

“whatever!!!”, you should get some facts straight. Not all the Alabama kids’ parents are “lying” to get them into school. There has been an application process through the Escambia Florida school system that does indeed provide exemptions. I personally know of 3-4 kids whose parents followed this route, and were approved by the Escambia Florida school system to attend the North Florida schools. Don’t believe me? Call YOUR school system office and ask them.

I also know that the public library in Atmore has a storytime for small children every Thursday morning, and at least half of the 40+ children who attend weekly are from Davisville, Bratt, etc. Should these children not be allowed to attend because their parents do not pay taxes to support the Atmore public library? Should Florida kids not be allowed to use the library in Atmore for book reports, etc? Should Florida kids not be allowed to play summer t-ball, baseball, etc in Atmore…or use the public swimming pools…or play in the city parks?

Lastly…How many kids from the Bratt, Century, Walnut Hill, etc areas attend The University of Alabama or Auburn University? Of those, how many pay out of state tuition? I know several who use an Alabama address to avoid costly out of state tuition and fees. Is that right?

By: whatever!!!!

whatever!!!! — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:09:14 +0000

The bottom line is….these parents have lied!!!! And had they done the right thing by LIVING IN THE DISTRICT that they wanted their children to attend school, we wouldn’t be dealing with this now. If my family had to relocate, my first concern would be………THE SCHOOLS… I would never buy a house and think..oh well, it doesn’t matter about the district, I’ll just send my kids to whatever school I want to.
That’s not right!!
And all of those AL parents….should make sure their children are aware of “WHY” all of this is going on….because they chose to lie. I understand wanting whats best for your children, so do the right thing. I realize times are hard…but if you want your children to go to our schools…move over here.
Year after year most of you have been doing this…did it ever cross your mind while you were lying about your address..that maybe one day you would get caught? Sure it did!!! Was you thinking of your childs best interest then? Yeah!!
I made sure I was in this district, before my children started school I have realitives and friends in FL. I could have lied too….but, was it worth the risk ? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

I’m not trying to be rude… but, all of you AL parents that are so upset…you’ve done it to yourselves.
And HOPEFULLY you won’t be able to “USE” false addresses anymore…that’s why this is happening.

By: tammie

tammie — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:06:15 +0000

I don’t blame the parents that are sending their kids to Florida schools. It sounds like some people in the Alabama school system are the ones that got all this mess started like a bunch of tattle tales! I wonder if the “concerned parent” realizes that she is going to pay taxes whether she has children in school or not. And if you do have kids in school they are not benefitting any less just because there are AL kids attending. Who cares… isn’t it supposed to be about the children? Sounds like a bunch of nit picky adults to me! I live in Florida… I don’t care how many Alabama kids come to the schools… matter of fact… mine was one of them for a short time. And, if my child took any body’s position in sports, maybe it’s because he was better at that position than the other kid. If your child wants a certain position then maybe he should step it up and play to his best ability when trying out for that position…. how petty is that? Also, to the “concerned parent”…. Does your child have friends in his/her school? Does your child like the school’s environment? How would you like it if some “concerned parent” said ‘take ‘em out of this school today… stop what they are doing and make ‘em leave!?’ It sounds to me like you are one of those people whose only concern is ME, MY, MINE. GROW UP! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED! And if anyone would like to use my address… I will gladly let you.

By: Fed Up

Fed Up — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:33:22 +0000

I sincerely hope that the children of the parents that are posting some of the comments on this issue grow up to demonstrate higher levels of integrity and education than their parents who are posting such ridiculous and silly arguments.
Let’s face it, 1) There are no shortage of scholarships if your child deserves one he can get one 2) If you send your child to Northview, EWMS, or Bratt for sports, you need your priorities checked. From what I have seen, the sports program needs some serious administrative adjustments to make it a sought after sports mecca 3) Kids do not get cut from sports programs on what state they live in they get cut on ability 4) The state line does not divide our community, it runs through it 5) Alabama kids have come to our schools for years. I graduated in 1985 and they done it then. Nobody complained. 6) The amount of taxes you pay will not change whether the AL kids come to FL schools or FL kids go to AL schools. 7) This could go on, and on, and on.
I would bet that the people who are complaining about this issue are the same people who complain about almost everything else that happens at the schools. These people are thorns in the principals side, their little Suzy or Johnny does nothing wrong (its always the teachers fault or the kid sitting next to them), and those who are always part of the problem instead of part of the solution.
Find something else to focus your time and effort on and get away from this subject. If you don’t have a job that requires some level of responsibility then work on something that will make a difference; like world hunger, global warming, or something else that will get you out of our community. It’s showing the whole world (are at least everyone who reads this website) just how immature some people in the northend of the county are.

By: Century Parent

Century Parent — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:47:32 +0000

WHY BUILD A NEW SCHOOL FOR ERNEST WARD ? CARVER / CENTURY HAS A NEW WING AND IS IN GREAT SHAPE . WHY NOT SEND ALL THE EWMS KIDS TO CARVER / CENTURY ? CENTURY HAS HAD ENOUGH TAKEN FROM THEM ! PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT THE OTHER END OF HWY 4 IS ALIVE AND KICKING !!!!!!!

By: Carl

Carl — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:32:52 +0000

I also believe some kind of tuition needs to be set up. Just keep in mind that funding is tied to enrollment. Less students means less teachers, less support staff, less money, less everything. Face it with the economy in the shape it’s in people are not moving to the North End. Just look at the “for sale” signs. If you take the Alabama kids out I believe we will be the losers in the long run. Just my 2 cents worth.