Why is system refusing funds?



Dear Editor:

The front page of the Sept. 14 News Courier had an article with bold print “Schools would welcome funds” which contained two paragraphs that caught my attention. The first is paragraph five, which says “Any new money always comes as welcome news to the local school systems, which are constantly seeking funding to expand programs and facilities.” The second is the last paragraph that said, “There are also various roofing jobs and sewage treatment problems to be addressed when funds become available.”

On Sept. 6 two other area newspapers alerted parents that school age children would be bring a form home. The form was to identify how many parents worked or lived on federal property. The Federal Government provides funds to school systems if parents work at Redstone Arsenal, NASA, TVA or live in Federal housing.

On Sept. 6, I asked my son if he had received the form and was told he had not. I didn’t understand the Athens school system not getting their share of free government funds knowing there are many Athens parents working at Redstone, the power plant and living in federal housing.

My wife called the central office. At the central office she was told the form was sent home with other papers at the beginning of school. Yes, she had filled out many forms the first few days of school but did not remember a form asking about if a parent worked at Redstone, NASA, TVA or lived in federal housing. She asked some of her friends that she knew had a parent working for the government or TVA if they remembered the form coming home at the start of school. None could remember filling out the form. She then went to the school superintendent.

When she talked to the superintendent he informed her the form had not been sent home for the past four years. When she asked why she was told Athens schools only received $10,000. The superintendent identified it was not that much after administrative cost.

I question “What administrative cost?” Doesn’t he already have an administrative staff that already works in the superintendent office, central office or each school? Is it the cost to copy the forms and postage? It isn’t too costly to send the other forms home at the beginning of the school year and those forms do not provide free government funds. $40,000 over the last four years seems like a substantial amount of money to refuse. How many roofing jobs and sewage treatment problems could have used these funds? How many additional Redstone and TVA parents have moved to Athens in the last four years?

Sincerely.

Lloyd M. Hopkins

Athens



Kroger building perfect for library

Dear Editor:

I have never voiced an opinion in this paper before, but I feel strongly about an opportunity we have to enrich and beautify our area. Our library was built over 35 years ago, and was designed to serve a population nearly half of what we currently have in our county.

It is obvious that it is not a sufficient facility for our growing area. The vacated Kroger building on Forrest and Jefferson is available, and the perfect size for a new library. The square footage accessible is exactly what would be needed to address the growth expected in our area to the year 2025. The cost involved is also much less expensive than a new construction for a building of the same square footage.

The space has been inspected and has been approved. An architectural rendering has been displayed in this paper and is available for viewing at the library. The picture is just an example of what could be done to revitalize the Kroger building and make it a distinguished landmark we can be proud of.

Our city and county representatives should feel honored to have an opportunity to support such a worthwhile project. You might not frequent our library, and wonder why you should care about supporting such a plan. The answer is…the library is more than a building filled with books; it is the “heart” of our county. It represents how much we value information and the freedom of access to it. Our library is also a direct reflection of our area. Having a beautiful facility makes a statement about our priorities. It can also be a revitalization standard other businesses might want to imitate. This location would have the potential to be a cultural hub for Limestone County. No real estate in this quantity is available anywhere else so near our downtown area. It is an opportunity that should not be ignored. Please contact your city and county representative and ask them to commit to work with each other and support our future.

Sincerely,

Jamie Polk

Athens