Now I'll have to admit that in high school I hated algebra and advanced mathematics, but today's report is about numbers and school... more specifically about how three area school systems are each handling the teacher furlough situation differently. And one of these school systems really isn't furloughing teachers, they're actually cutting teacher pay instead... wonder which one that is?

First a little background... without making things complicated with funding formulas, etc., in simple terms teacher salaries are funded by the state. Most local school systems also add on a small local supplement.

So far Governor Perdue and the state legislature have done an admirable job of navigating the state thru this current worldwide economic tsunami we're fighting. Unlike California and many other states, Georgia's leaders started early on to implement a continual series of small budget cuts to keep the state's books in balance while waiting for the economy to improve.

So far education has not been drastically impacted, but with 56 cents of every state tax dollar going to education, we all knew it was just a matter of time until cuts would have to be made.

A few days ago Perdue reduced funding for teacher salaries thru the end of this year by the equivalent of three days pay. State law prevents Perdue from mandating that local systems furlough teachers for the three days, but he suggested this as the solution to the state's superintendents last week. So how are our local systems handling the cut?

Cobb County has always placed a high priority on its schools and it's board has decided to dip into system reserve funds to cover the cut, thus their teachers will not be furloughed and will not see their salary reduced.

The Cartersville City School Board meets this afternoon to deal with the issue and is expected to furlough their teachers for three days... one pre-planning day and two in-service days when students will already be out. Thus their teachers will have three workdays off and will not be paid for those three days... this is a true furlough.

Bartow County is being a little more creative in how they're handling the situation. Let me state here that I actually think Bartow's approach is good one and I'm not criticizing the superintendent or board for implementing their plan. However, while they officially say they will be furloughing teachers for three days without pay, that's not exactly the case.

Instead of eliminating any pre-planning or in-service days, the school district is cutting three days out of the actual school calendar...meaning teachers and students will have three extra days off between the start of school and Christmas.

In order to maintain state mandated instructional time for the students, each school day will be lengthened by twelve minutes, the equivalent of one hour per week. Multiply that hour by the number of weeks thru the end of the year and it equals three work days.

So while Bartow County teachers will be off three extra days, they will still be working the same number of total hours as before... thus they really aren't being furloughed, they're having their salary cut by the equivalent of three days pay while performing the same amount of work.

Now before you criticize Bartow County for how they're handling this... if cuts have to be made, I bet most Bartow teachers prefer this method instead of losing their pre-planning and in-service days. Three school systems, three different plans... which do you like?

That's my opinion, we welcome yours... Thanks for listening and I'll see you next Monday. For a complete transcript of this morning's comments, go to NewsTalk1270.com (End of complete transcript of commentary that aired on NewsTalk AM 1270 - WYXC at 7:35 AM Monday, July 27, 2009)