South Georgia school systems show insensitivity following Hurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew took its toll on South Georgia. While, thankfully, most lives were spared and property damage wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been, thousands of South Georgians are sitting without electricity and running water.
From Swainsboro to the coast, power lines continue to dangle from broken poles toppled by downed trees. While restoration has been continuous, many counties are a long way from being 100%.
So why, given the circumstances, are school systems calling for school to resume as quickly as possible?
Sure, everyone could use a little structure considering many of us have been living off of macadamia nuts and protein bars, but mandating a return to school, while punishing children who don’t currently have the means to prepare for school, is ludicrous.
Take Bulloch County for example: Thousands of Bulloch County residents are still without
anxiously awaiting the restoration of their power, but Bulloch County Schools have made the decision to resume normal operations Wednesday morning, with the exception of one elementary school. After parents in the rural areas of the county, outside Statesboro, voiced their concerns, the school system took to social media to tell parents they could ‘purchase water’ and allow their children to take a sponge baths.
As ridiculous as that idea sounds, the school system is completely serious. So let’s say kids are able to sponge bathe themselves clean enough for class…where are they supposed to do homework?
It got better as outrage from parents continued:
Has a representative from the school system traveled all 500 miles of dirt roads in Bulloch County as well as the paved ones to know which ones are able and unable to be traveled? Or will bus drivers wait until Wednesday morning to find out?
McIntosh County, home to Shellman’s Bluff on the coast, is the same way. The Superintendent called for students to return to class Wednesday despite the massive damage to some areas and the power outages that could last several more days.
Neighboring Evans County, where roughly 50% of the county still doesn’t have power, is making a decision on a day-to-day basis. That seems much more reasonable than an arbitrary date because some areas of the county are thriving.
Long County Schools were supposed to return to school Wednesday as well, but after evaluating the number of students without power and running water, postponed the return date until Monday, October 17th. Joining them on the 17th is nearby Tattnall County schools.
Why school systems can’t see the forest through the trees is beyond me. It isn’t just about whether or not the school has electricity and water and whether or not the buses have gasoline. If a child is living like Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman out on the prairie, it isn’t going to be easy for parents to get them prepared for class. Worse, power companies around the region have made it clear that they will be addressing populated areas first while lines and substations for individuals will be near the bottom of the list. And let’s not forget that the state mandated evacuations for many of these areas. Many were barred from returning home, but the first priority is getting them back to school?
The desired move? School systems need to consider the county as a whole before making a decision, not just the populated cities. Statesboro doesn’t represent Bulloch as a whole, just as Darien doesn’t dictate McIntosh, and Ludowici can’t fully explain Long County. There’s life outside the city – and it isn’t normal for many yet.
Have a little heart – a few more days off won’t kill anyone.
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Jessica Szilagyi
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I grew up just inside Georgia within easy striking distance of Gulf hurricanes. Twice during my early years a hurricane’s eye passed through Decatur County. Some of us recall the battering South Ga./North Florida took from Dora, Alma, and Anna. Yep, some of our bridges and dirt roads washed out with the buses not being able to make it to pick up us poor kids. One of the hurricanes damaged our gym impacting our all important basketball season. The Flint River flooded, and the roads from Faceville to Attapulgus were blocked by Lake Seminole. School was only canceled when our antique school boiler broke during the winter of 1966, and for the JFK funeral. Decisions to hold school or to cancel schools were made by my Sunday School teacher – who just happened to be the County School Superintendent – there was no board of education. Mr. Cox, the SS teacher & Supt., was adamant that kids in a rural community had to learn to take on problems in order to survive into adulthood.
You asked why school should resume so quickly? 1) to fulfill the purpose of a school system which is to educate 2) to provide meals if kids need breakfast and a lunch 3) to establish normalcy and to show that life goes on – that people are expected to face problems, suck it up and overcome those problems. Back then we got hugs and assurances from our teachers when the farm was devastated by tornado and hurricane…far different than today when teachers can no longer give a hug when a hug is needed most.
So forgive an old farm kid if I respectfully disagree with the assumption that there is no heart in expecting the children to return to school as soon as it is safe for a school to function. I personally am glad I had Willard Cox as a Sunday School teacher and as our school superintendent. He never minced words or failed to lead whether in Prayer or to paddle me when I needed it. He was a GREAT role model. Bully for the excellent decision by the schools to resume.
So you’re really into the whole S&M thing, huh PM?
Ah, lessons from a time gone by in South Georgia. May those days never return.
More like M&M’s.
You have to understand that you are bringing up anecdotes from half a century ago, correct? I don’t think it is unreasonable to ask for a few more days to recover rather than start school and possibly set some other students behind.
I don’t think it should be up to senior citizens like yourself or your long-dead superintendent to teach lessons to children.
Matt – Amazing you think the history of hurricanes and schools in the 60’s and 70’s are misunderstood by some as an “anecdote”.
I’m ok with opting out of a say in education if folks like you will pony up and pay my school property taxes, SPLOST-Ed, State and Federal taxes for education. As long as ‘senior citizens’ pay taxes for education and, we get a vote – we get a say. You may not like the way the taxation/representation system works, but that is ok.
I liked your response a lot, PM.