Cook4Edu

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2022. Hall County graduated over 1,700 students in the past 4 days from our 7 High Schools and Lanier College and Career Academy. However, I can’t help but wonder if Hall County is providing the best educational opportunities for our children? Are we truly developing ‘Life Ready” Seniors that will be productive members of society or are we sending them out unprepared? Are our teachers being pressured from the top to just push curriculum and our kids through the system losing site of the true meaning of education?

This week the school proposed a $628 million dollar budget for 2022-2023 school year. Hall County has approximately the 16th Largest Budget in the State of Georgia, our graduation rate is 87.31% but our school system is currently ranked 108th out of 193 school systems. Where is the money being spent? We need to evaluate and ensure our hard-earned tax payer dollars are being spent effectively.

Let’s put things in perspective…. Let examine how Hall County ranks against our neighboring school districts.

Georgia School District Rankings as of 2021
1st Jefferson City
3rd Oconee County
5th Buford City
7th Forsyth County
32nd White County
33rd Lumpkin County
36th Dawson County
42nd Walton County
47th Habersham County
54th Franklin County
58th Fulton County
62nd Jackson County
65th Cobb County
66th Gwinnett County
81st Banks County
85th Barrow County
108th Hall County

Why are all the neighboring school districts out-performing Hall County? What are these schools doing different that we can learn from? Where is the disconnect? Our teachers are the heart and soul of our education system. We need to put our teachers FIRST!! We MUST provide our teachers with better tools, resources, support, leadership, and compensation they deserve to guarantee them success in the classroom. Let’s not settle for below average. Let’s Set the Bar High. Let’s Strive for Excellence in Education! Our teachers are the key to our success. They can turn this ship around. They have the answers, Let’s start listening! They Deserve better and so do our Kids! Please get out and VOTE Tomorrow Tuesday May 24th!
ranking provided by www.schooldigger.com

If this information is concerning to you please share this post and encourage everyone to show up at the polls tomorrow. Our kids future depends on it!

It's been a year and half in the making for my son Connor. On Oct 1, 2020 he was chosen to participate in the ground breaking ceremony. Then on May 10th, 2021 he signed the final beam that would be installed to complete the school. This past Monday, on May 16th, 2022 he was able to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and walk into his new school for the first time. The Cherokee Bluff Middle School is complete and amazing! My son will be an 8th grader in the fall and he is so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this new facility.

I am also hopeful that if the excitement and support continues and EVERYONE gets out to Vote On May 24th, that I will be able to represent this great school along with the many other Great South Hall schools in the district as your representative on the School Board. Come on Parents it's time for change! Let your Voices be Heard and I will be your Voice for the next 4 years!!

Listen to Michele Cook on the Martha Zoller Show. Vote Michele Cook for Hall County School Board

LISTEN: Michele Cook talks Hall County School Board Post 2 run Cook joined WDUN's

-Over 16 Years of experience serving as a Mom! Unlike her opponent who is NOT a parent and has no parental experience.
-Proud Mother of 3 children who currently attend Hall County Schools. No current Board Member has a child in the K-12 school system.
-Will protect Title IX and support Parents Bill of Rights, transparency and age appropriate material in the classroom.
-Will fight against CRT, cancelled culture and the liberal indoctrination in our schools.
-Will fight for our teachers! Ensure teachers have a voice and feel supported by their administration and parent community.
Focus on hiring and retaining quality teachers. Advocate for better teacher benefits and a more competitive retirement plan.
-Raise the expectations for the Hall County School System and promote Excellence in Education for every student.

For over 16 years, Michele has volunteered countless hours in her church and school system. As a room mom, PTO member, booster club member, fundraiser, and para pro for special education, Michele has cultivated valuable friendships and provided support to many students, teachers, and administrators. She is a mother of three children who currently attend Hall County Schools. Michele understands parent concerns because she is one. She is seeing first-hand the issues our students and
teachers are facing. She wants to fight for your kids!

Kindness
Kindness is about treating others the way you want to be treated. Acts of Kindness makes life better for others, reminds them they are not alone, invisible, or insignificant. Holding a position on the School Board would give me the opportunity to make life better for others and show teachers and students that they ARE SIGNIFICANT and NOT ALONE. I will be A Mother’s Voice for Education.

I saw someone post this the other day. I am not sure who wrote it but I couldn't agree with it more.

I heard someone say, "Kids are just different these days". I disagree. Kids are the same. What's changed is a society with lowered expectations, lack of discipline, and acceptance of disrespect. Give kids boundaries, expectations, rules, limits, rewards, and consequences. They will rise to the challenge and exceed your expectations every time. Author Unknown.

Parents, Teachers and People of Hall County if you agree with this statement too, please stand
with me and Vote on May 24th. Let's work together. It's time to turn this ship around!

Work Together
It takes a village. Teachers, students, parents, administrators, and community partners all play a vital role in the success of our school system. Let’s all work together to Build a School System that is one of the Best in the State. I will be a Mother’s Voice for Education.

Mental Health Awareness
Anxiety, Depression, and Su***de is at an all-time high for teens. We need to continue to focus attention to Mental Health issues within our schools, offering continued support and training for our educators to enable them to identify and advocate for our children.

Experience.
As a mother of 3 I have volunteered over 13 years and spent countless hours in my children’s schools. I have been room mom, PTO member, fundraiser, concession stand operator, and most recently a Hall County employee and para pro for special education. Over the years I have cultivated valuable friendships and provided support to many students, teachers, and administrators. I was there because I cared. Today, I still care. Teachers, Students, and Parents, I am invested, I am seeing first hand the issues we are facing. I will stand for you and I will fight for you. I will advocate and work to find solutions for everyone! Please allow me to be A Mother’s Voice (Your Voice )for Education!