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(Online only) Tilley: Vote for people with plan to save accreditation

Susy W. Tilley

Published: November 2, 2009

Morganton, NC - With Election Day approaching, I would like to ask this question to those who haven't voted or don't plan on voting: Do you want the county where you live to thrive or to fail?
Many may not know what is at stake. You need to talk to people and find out! Do a little research and be sure to include Clayton County, Ga., in your search. No matter who you are, whether or not you have children or grandchildren in this school system, you will be affected by the outcome of this election. A loss of accreditation would have devastating economic effects on this county and affect us all.
If you think 15 percent unemployment is high, wait and see what happens if accreditation is lost! Do you feel your job is secure and you have nothing to worry about? You may not feel so confident if your company decides that being in a county with unaccredited schools isn't really viable anymore.
What about your homes? Let's say you have to relocate somewhere else due to this county's economic status. You put your $200,000 home up for sale and wait for the Realtor to close the deal in a few days. The Realtor calls you in three months and says you will not sell your house for more than $140,000 because real-estate value dropped 30 percent thanks to the school system's accreditation status!
Suppose you are a retired couple with no children or grandchildren in this county. Your home is paid for and you are ready to enjoy life in beautiful Burke County. You get in your car to drive downtown for a little shopping and dinner. Unfortunately, all the businesses have closed due to an economy aggravated by accreditation loss and all you run into on West Union Street are tumbleweeds.
Here's something most of us have in common: property taxes. Say we lose accreditation and there's a massive migration to other counties. The local economy is shot, the real estate market is down 30 percent. Thanks to the loss of its tax base, the county can no longer pay for the services the citizens need and want. So, the tax rate is recalculated, taxes jump 30 percent (in line with the loss in real estate values) and you are stuck paying the same taxes for far less property value!
Notice that not one of these examples included a student. We all know what might happen to the kids if accreditation is lost. The scholarships their parents counted may be no longer accessible. The colleges your children wanted to attend may no longer accept your child because he or she graduated from an unaccredited school. Your child's entire future could be derailed.
There is one sure-fire way for you to do all you can to make sure this does not happen to you. Go register and/or vote! Vote for the only people who actually have concrete plans to save our accreditation — Susan Stroup, Sam Wilkinson, Buddy Armour and Catherine Thomas. As far as I'm concerned, they are the only real hope we have of keeping our schools accredited.