SCCPSS discussing furloughs, reorganization plan

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Laura Arneson thinks the proposed changes are confusing.

By Brooke Kelley - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - The Savannah-Chatham County School Board approved giving superintendent Dr. Thomas Lockamy the ability to add up to three more furlough days to this year's academic calendar.

If those days were added, it would bring the number of furlough days to six.

This comes after Georgia governor Sonny Perdue asked all school districts to cut their budgets even more.

In addition to the furlough days, the school board discussed attendance zones and how they will determine which school students will attend.

All the changes are part of the district's reorganization plan, known as Passport to Excellence and will mostly impact DeRenne Middle School, Shuman Middle School, Coastal Middle School, Bloomingdale Elementary School, Gadsen Elementary School, Garrison Elementary School and Islands Elementary School.

But not everyone is on board with the new plan. One Bloomingdale parent, Laura Arneson, describes the changes as confusing.

Arneson says the district is making too many changes without asking for parent input first.

Two weeks ago, Arneson questioned the school board about its decision to move the fine arts magnet program from Bloomingdale Elementary to Garrison Elementary.

See Bloomingdale parents upset with district changes.

Arneson is also worried that the students who are already enrolled in the magnet program at Bloomingdale may have to reapply to get into Garrison.

"I know people don't care for change, people are apprehensive, but sometimes there is too much change without any answers," Arneson told WTOC.

She also feels the school board is rushing and not taking the time before they approve a plan that impacts many students and parents.

"If you had a plan, it just makes sense to be lay it all out, put details out, then put the plan into action," she said. "They get a plan and work out the details after the fact and it just causes so much confusion."

The school district is planning to host a series of meeting to discuss the attendance zone changes with parents.

For more information on these changes, visit the Savannah-Chatham County School Board's website at sccpss.com.