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Have you visited the
Cherokee County School System's award winning web site recently? The web
site is a great example of open government, because it contains information
that enables the public to know exactly what is going on with the school
district. With an available search engine on the site, it is easy to find
information. A special section called FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
allows visitors to the site to post questions for the school system staff
to answer. Links to each individual school's web site are provided from
the main school system web site.
The web site has information that is helpful
to parents, teachers, community members, and even other school districts
that visit the web site to learn about the latest initiatives in Cherokee
County! The school system web site includes the school board meeting agendas
and meeting minutes, school board policies, a Guide to School Law, the
Annual Report of District Progress, and the 2002 Legislative Program.
There are several documents on the web site
that detail the plan for responding to the significant growth in our school
district. These reports include the Capital Outlay Budget Needs, Five
Year Facility Plan, and the Critical Overcrowding and Inventory of Cherokee
County School Housing Report.
Additionally, the web site includes the calendars
for the current school year, as well as calendars for the next two school
years. By approving calendars well in advance, the school system helps
families in planning purposes for vacations and other activities.
Under the Central Services button are the
various departments in the school system, including curriculum, purchasing,
food services, student assessment, personnel, technology, planning and
forecasting, and school police. Under the employment section are employment
applications, a job description manual, application procedures, a salary
schedule, and information on fringe benefits. The web site also includes
a school operations guide called the "Principals' Handbook" that includes
the discipline code for students, as well as standard operating procedures
for schools.
The Cherokee County School System web site
is a great example of open government, where information about virtually
every aspect of the organization is available to the public, as it should
be! Check it out for yourself at www.cherokee.k12.ga.us.
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Recent reports claim
that Hispanic political activists are trying to persuade state legislators
to file legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to receive
driver's licenses.
I am vehemently opposed to such a measure.
First, let me say that immigrants are responsible
for making this country the greatest on earth. These individuals, many
who have become solid citizens, arrived with the knowledge that America
is built on rugged individualism, a place where dreams can be fulfilled
and blossomed into fruition. America is a diverse country — and
that's what makes us great.
Let me also state that I am definitely for
immigration — legal immigration. Many immigrants yearn for the American
Dream. Many people have fond memories of their ancestors recalling life
in their native country before making the trek to America in search of
happiness, opportunity, and prosperity. But there are, however, those
who enter this country unlawfully.
In my opinion, there is no legitimate reason
to issue a driver's license to an illegal immigrant. Receiving a driver's
license is a privilege — not a right. If we grant them driving privileges,
what will be next? Voting rights? We just can't grant full amnesty to
someone who has sneaked into this country. It is unfair to those who,
in many instances, waited years for the privilege of coming to the United
States through proper channels.
The Atlanta Metro area experiences increasing
traffic congestion on a daily basis. Issuing licenses to illegal immigrants
will only cause more problems, not less.
The bottom line — the law must be followed.
If immigrants want to be issued a driver's license, let them obtain legal
status first. Otherwise, we are simply encouraging more and more pressure
on our limited public resources from those who have no right to them.
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