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Georgia: Budgets squeezing schools

By: Chloé Morrison
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Ginny Moore

Northwest Georgia school systems have been squeezing their budgets to deal with a state funding shortfall, so far without major cuts to personnel or popular programs.

Continued tightening is expected though, and one of the programs listed as potentially at stake is the graduation coaches program Gov. Sonny Perdue has praised for its success.

“We don’t know if they are going to do away with them yet,” Chattooga County Schools Superintendent Dwight Pullen said about the coaches, assigned to individual high schools and middle schools.

“It is a strong possibility for the ’09 budget,” Dr. Pullen said.

The state’s revenue collections are nearly $2 billion below projections since the fiscal year started July 1, and Gov. Perdue in August called for a 2 percent reduction in K-12 education spending.

Other state government agencies have directives for deeper cuts in their budgets, as sluggish revenue collections already have forced the state to spend $600 million from reserve funds.

Spokesman Bert Brantley said Gov. Perdue wants graduation coaches in the schools.

“The program is one the governor has championed,” he said. “ There is no immediate impact as of yet. If we have to go further in budget cuts, there may be some impact (on the program).”

While Georgia’s K-12 educators struggle to cut budgets by 2 percent, Mr. Brantley said other agencies have been asked to prepare plans for 6 percent, 8 percent and 10 percent cuts.

“When you deal with this kind of budget numbers, it is tough,” he said.

Graduation coaching was implemented three years ago in high schools and two years ago in middle schools, officials said.

Many educators said the coaches already may be helping graduation rates, one of the adequate yearly progress staples of the No Child Left Behind legislation.

Walker and Chattooga County graduation rates have increased the past two years.

“I feel like the grad coaches have had some part in that improvement,” Dr. Pullen said.

the COACH’S role

Haley Jarnagin, 14, an eighth-grader at Chattanooga Valley Middle, said graduation coach Ginny Moore has had an impact on her life.

“She tells us we are doing a good job and keep up the good work and always encourages us,” Haley said. “It makes you feel like you are doing good and like you know someone is proud.”

The graduation coach’s job description is broad, Ms. Moore said, noting she tackles behavior and academic issues.

“I truly believe graduation coaches can best be described as a cheerleader and advocate,” Ms. Moore said. “I’m not their teacher with grades hanging over their head. I’m not an administrator who can dole out punishment. I’m not their parent fussing at them to clean up their room.”

The coaches differ from guidance counselors because they are solely focused on helping students succeed, Ms. Moore said.

They help students make it to school and keep their grades up, other educators said.

Dr. Pullen said the graduation coach at Chattooga High School has been known to call a student, ask him why he is not at school, and go with the school’s resource officer to give the student a ride.

“They spend a lot of time connecting with students and their families,” Dr. Pullen said.

Ms. Moore said the program is boosting the success of school systems.

“With any good initiative, you need to spend several years to reap your benefits,” she said. “It is wonderful that we have seen gains, but in five or eight years what would you see?”

The Chattanooga Valley coach hopes to find out.

“I hope they don’t pull out too quickly just because of budget cuts,” Ms. Moore said.

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