I believe Shaw did the same thing a few years ago. They have been trying to use their printing resources to support locally owned business owner's advertising needs. Maybe big companies need to work together and consolidate some of their services to benefit one another. just an idea.

Mohawk executed a contract two years ago which outsourced their printing business. As a result, many of the jobs associated with Mohawk's massive demand for print services are no longer available to locals. In addition, the 2 million dollars worth of business was handed to an out of state vendor and eliminated from our area tax revenues. I don't know how much money the outsourcing saved Mohawk, but one would think their public image as stewards to our communities would hold some value.

I have children in the county and step kids in the city. Both do their equal share of fundraising. Don't think your assessment is accurate.

Your right about the fundraising "elkelk" but for the most part, it is the county schools that do fundraising. My stepchildren went to city schools and didn't have to come up with the amount of money my children have for sports and cheerleading. Fundraising is not easy to do right now with the economy the way it is, so it has to come out of the parents pocket. I understand some of the money in the city school is donated by the wealthier here in town who want there children to get the best positions on the team, but why don't they donate some of that money to help with there education...because apparently they can buy there way through college as well! Just my opinion!

FYI: I love my Ben and Jerry body.

Athletics pays their own way by fund raising, donut sales, car washes, donations, etc. Cheerleaders do the same thing. I was an athlete and in the band in school, we always had to fork out some money from our parents but for the most part we sold candy or whatever flavor of the month. The burden of athletics is not on the backs of tax payers unless they're the ones buying the candy. If you want a Ben and Jerry body like mine, keep buying the candy and supporting our kids.

You're right about sports, newgirl2010. If the coaching positions in ALL schools...everywhere...were put out available for the public to volunteer for, there'd be no lack of parental volunteers and explayers popping out of the woodwork willing to do it for a FRACTION of what we're paying. But, sadly, athletics rule the roost.

Sports are great...they are extrememly worthwhile. But the system is screwed up, and prejudiced against girls.

There's no reason for the girls who cheerlead to get shortchanged....buying of multiple uniforms with their own money, paying their own way, while players, for the most part, get a free ride. The cost of a competition squad cheerleader is unbelieveable.

I guess it's a good lesson to our daughters...hey, kiddo, life's not fair.

I don't understand why the comments about teachers furloughs are under this article. Almost everyone of us have had to make some sort of sacrifice during these hard economic times. My husband worked for a company for 17 years, it merged with another and POOF he was out of a job. Education or no education...no one job is safe. Even hospitals are cutting back.The fact the the teachers are having to take a few furlough days...in my opinion they should be thankful they still have a job!! As far as the schools go...spending way too much money on sports and less on the educational needs of the students!

Over-Educated? U.S. 'On A Collision Course With The Future,' Landmark Report Warns

A landmark report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce forecasts an uneven relationship between colleges and the job market. Although more future jobs will require advanced education, colleges are not doing enough to prepare their students for the projected workforce.

According to the report, 23 percent of all occupations will require a bachelor's degree by 2018. In 1973, that figure was nine percent. However, employers' educational expectations may level off in the future, with less of a demand for post-bachelor's degrees.

Elk - Get the facts first - you can distort them later

National Center for Education Statistics collects and publishes data for the U.S. Department of Education. NCES results: 13 years running - Alabama beats Georgia.

During your 185 days off, using your degree and post sec ed, tell us - How does the door close after the bus driver gets off?

Anybody want to bet Elk has a body by Ben and Jerry?

Why all the teacher bashing on the Mohawk story page?

Seems like I remember encouraging my kids to stay in school, work hard, get a College Education, and have a better life than I had.

"Work hard, son," says I, "and it'll do you well, boy. Why, iffen you do well in school, it'll pay off on down the road. Why, those friends of yours that are droppin' out will not make the money in their lifetime that you will. They'll wake up one day, find they've worked 28 years in a mill that'll be closin', and what're they gonna do, boy? Ain't no one who's gonna want to be a hirin' someone who's pushn' 50 when they can hire a youngin' instead."

Those of you who are bashing hard working sons and daughters who work in education are either:

1. Idiots.

or

2. Those who dropped out and are jealous of those who worked hard, paid the price, and found success for their efforts.

Get off your high horse. You'd be lying if you said that you didn't encourage your own children to do the same as I did mine.

We all want better for our kids. It's a classic case of the have nots bashing the haves, even though they had the same opportunity but CHOSE to take a different path.

On the other hand, there is a lot of wasted spending in education, just like in all areas of government. That's why we elect officials to be good stewards of our tax dollars.

If they fail to do the job, throw them out. Replace them with someone who'll watch the henhouse, and do a better job of it.

That's the American way.

/the average mohawk employee does not hold a four year degree. The average teacher has attended post secondary education for more than 8 years and has invested a considerable amount of money to further their education so they should make more money and while they don't work in the summers, they don't get paid in the summers as most people think. Their pay is prorated for the 190 days they work which now has been cut to 180 days thanks to the Governor and legislators.

As for how they rank, apples to oranges all criteria are not based on the same standards, can't compare GA to Alabama.

And...for the past 13-years education in Alabama beats Georgia.

Why are these comments under Mohawk layoff?

Whiney? Here are the facts:

Public sector staff (including education) spend nine fewer years at work over lifetime than private employees AND earn 30 per cent more

I reread the article and don't remember who said it on here but its true the school district is not raising taxes. The Board has done its due diligence. Don't think the tax digest has been set so still unknown as to what all that means. I believe our leaders will do all possible not to increase taxes.

The school board did not raise taxes. IF you read the article NOWHERE does it say that. The City Council may, they have made no cuts, but i believe the headline was,"School Board doing more with less."

Teachers are taking pay cuts that the general public never sees. They pay more for insurance, etc.., but they also have "change of calender day. When the systems shorten the school year, the teachers don't get paid for those days. The new calenders for the school systems will mean hundreds to thousands of dollars of lost income per teacher (depending on their education level and years of experience)

You need to also remember that salaries for teachers are set at the state level.

I am probably going to catch heat for this, but while teachers are very hard working, they are also very whiney. Everyone takes pay cut but if you threaten to cut teacher pay, Katy bar the door. Everyone else is taking pay cuts. Why not them?

Meanwhile, the City of Calhoun is talking about raising taxes as will the school board. Have they ever heard of salary cuts? In this economy nobody is going anywhere. Where are the property owner's expected to get their money from when their salaries are being cut and their jobs eliminated?