Residents praise Coweta board’s HB581 opt‑out and urge delegation to let citizens vote; speakers stress schools’ value

Nine community members spoke during the Board’s public comment period on March 11. Several praised the board’s recent decision to opt out of House Bill 581 and its concurrent local resolution proposing tax relief measures balanced with protections for school funding. Other speakers urged better public information and stronger support for teachers and special‑needs services.

Why it mattered

Speakers framed the board’s opt‑out vote and the accompanying local tax relief resolution as an attempt to protect school funding while offering relief to senior homeowners. Many urged the local legislative delegation to put the question to Coweta voters and to act quickly in the legislative session.

What speakers said (selected highlights)

- Lindsay Parker, parent: Parker opened by noting School Board Appreciation Week and thanked the board for “opting out of HB 581 and for coming up with a solution that offers tax relief to our senior residents while still protecting your ability to appropriately fund our schools.” She read an extended excerpt from a 2013 speech by American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten about the public purpose of schools, saying in part, “We believe in public education because it is the means by which we help all children dream their dreams and achieve them.”

- A resident who identified herself as Grama Retevichute: She described multi‑generational ties to public education and urged the board to invest in teachers and services, saying privatization “will only benefit the wealthy.” She appealed for clear communication about how tax dollars are used.

- Shanna Slay: A parent who described herself as a long‑time advocate for special‑needs services, Slay praised the district’s special education staff and asked the board to plan for continuity of services if federal policy changes. “I urge the board to treat this as a valid threat,” she said, and offered to partner with the district and community.

- Amber (last name in record: Brahman): A parent and former Fayette County resident, she thanked the board “for opting out” and said district resources such as the Central Educational Center (CEC) provide options for students with IEPs; she urged continued funding to keep those services available.

- Ellen Bush: A longtime Coweta resident and parent, Bush urged the delegation to support the board’s resolution and allow Coweta citizens to vote on local tax relief measures. “A lot of people are saying that this board has gone against the will of the people, but the reality is that this provision was granted, and the Coweta County Board of Education exercised that right,” she said.

- Mary Clifford and others: Multiple speakers thanked the board and urged civility in debate; they stressed that investments in public education benefit the whole community.

Board response and next steps

Board members thanked speakers and emphasized the resolution the board passed in a prior meeting calling for local tax relief measures (a 5% annual cap on homestead value growth for tax calculation, expanded senior exemptions and authority flexibilities). The board reiterated that it has transmitted its resolution to the Coweta legislative delegation and urged delegation members to allow a local vote on the measures in November. One board member asked the delegation to act quickly so any voter decision could be made this year.

Ending

Public comments reflected a mix of support for the board’s opt‑out decision and requests for clearer communication and sustained funding for teachers and special education. The Board reiterated it had forwarded its locally developed resolution to the legislative delegation and asked residents to contact their representatives.