Your Opinion

By Staff
Letters to the Editor
School system not spending wisely
Editor,
While reading the Decatur Daily on Aug. 20 regarding school coaches supplement pay, I started to realize just where the extra money that the school is requesting could come from. It’s quite simple. Ask “everyone” that is receiving “any” type of supplement pay in our school system to do it for free, for one year. Then we would see if they really love what they do, or do they love the money more. Currently, we have approximately 35 individuals within our school system drawing supplemental pay, costing the school system approximately $340,000 yearly.
Another way to save money is for everyone that has a taxpayer paid cell phone should turn them back in. Everyone that is riding around in a taxpayer paid vehicles at the costs of the public should park them. Start collecting the money from the vending machines and other likewise arenas and put that money back into the school’s general fund.
Hartselle lives and dies by sports, yet many sports get overlooked. Many other competing schools will not come to Hartselle, simply because of poorly maintained courts or buildings.
The tennis courts are in shambles, our high school chorus performs in the cafeteria, parents paint J. P. Cain stadium.
Given the fact that we gave out over a $100,000 in early teacher raises last year, added with all the supplemental pay being disbursed, I can see where the school is begging for money.
It’s not so much an issue of not having enough money. The money is there. It just needs to be managed more effectively and efficiently.
Mike Dowdy
Hartselle
City has desire for performing arts
Editor,
On Aug. 16 at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center, College Street Players auditioned 44 local people of all ages, including a four-year-old who wanted to participate in the upcoming production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
This production will be at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center Dec. 8 and 9. The cast will present these performances to school age children Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Registration forms for these shows have been sent to the elementary school teachers in Hartselle and we encourage them to reserve a spot as quickly as possible.
Once we reach capacity, we cannot let others in.
Evening performances will be Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. for the general public. If you don’t want to go to a sporting event, come to the theatre.
The purpose of this letter is to let the people of Hartselle know that the desire and request for local performing arts is real in our city. I have had the opportunity to direct many productions in Decatur and we are excited to have a local venue in which to perform without having to travel.
To have this many show up for an audition is any director’s dream, even though it is very difficult to choose those who will be given speaking parts. Almost all those who came will be used in this production, as it requires a lot of children in the many scenes. Christmas carols will be introduced throughout the production.
The College Street Players are in dire need of many things, of which the most important is additional lighting and some form of sound system. Mr. Moss of Moss Audio has been gracious to help out in this area, but it would be nice if we had a system in the center for all to use.
Stage curtains, including the black, would add a theatre fell that we need in the auditorium. If there is a donor that would like to furnish any of these items or contribute financially to these projects, please give us a call. I can be reached at 355-5994. The mission of College Street Players is to provide and expose all ages to the theatre and performing arts by presenting productions that will appeal to all age groups. Good, clean, wholesome entertainment is needed and we will strive to present this to the public. Watch for the production of “Star Spangled Girls” to be presented this November at the center.
If you would like to get involved in this exciting new venture for Hartselle, just give us a call. We can find a job for you to do. I want to thank College Street Players and the Hartselle Fine Arts Center for giving me the opportunity to direct this production. Please put these dates on your calendars. We look forward to seeing you at the theatre.
Ed Balch
Director