EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a selection of the responses from readers of MDJOnline.com in reaction to recent MDJ stories.

Budget deficit on school board’s mind …

Westcobb — If we are going to have five furlough days, please put them together for a full week off in September or February.

So many other — positions could be cut before teachers. We survived a LONG time without area superintendents, for example.

Dad of two in school — Didn’t I read that the millage rate can be 20, but the school board “discounted” it to 18.9 to cut taxes? Sounds like they want to be re-elected more than they want to increase student achievement. How can fewer teachers and larger classes be good for our kids?

To ivotedtim — With the reduced pay and the increase in insurance, I am making almost $10,000 less than I was 5 years ago. How many of the Central Office staff can say that?

Anonymous —Most of the CO staff can say the same. It is a very few select people who received raises. The rest of the Central Office suffers the same pay cuts, furlough days, delayed steps and insurance increases as the teachers.

No good solution — The senior tax exemption was all good when we were not in a recession. We are the only county who have this full exemption and can not longer afford it. Move the tax exemption to age 65 years old and 50 percent instead of a full exemption. They will still be ahead of the game.

O.K. — Really? Let’s face it, we all are in dire straits but to ask the teachers to continue to have furlough days is UNACCEPTABLE!!!!! When teachers begin to rally — and we will — and line up at the Capitol, then what? When teachers stop coming to school, who will teach and baby sit the little darlings? PARENTS — YOU BETTER SUPPORT US OR YOUR CHILD WILL BE THE ONE TO SUFFER: Tired teachers wi(th) less salary does NOT make for a happy educator. BOARD MEMBERS HEED OUR WORDS!!!!

Do not threaten — We now have to create new assessments, new report cards, and all new lessons with a decrease in pay. I pray every day that the public will fight for us by contacting your legislators and asking to change the required amount Cobb County School District has to give back to the state to support other districts. Our children are suffering but there are people with out a job!

Politics As Usual —The Cobb school board may say it’s about the kids, but it’s always nothing but the politics.

Cobb Taxpayer — Most of this could be solved by eliminating the senior exemption! $64 million dollars right there!

Anonymous — @ Cobb Taxpayer. If I thought that the portion of my ad valorem taxes that support the school system was being used effectively and efficiently I wouldn’t have a problem with accepting the full tax burden. Obviously that’s not occurring. So I am glad I am no longer contributing to the mismanagement that led to this situation in the first place. Why don’t you aim your anger and frustration at the ones who are really responsible? The Cobb Board of Education and Cobb School District Administration. Or how about the Cobb County Commissioners and Cobb Development Authority, who give out unnecessary tax abatements?

Brilliant Plan —Yes, cut the teachers in a “school” system, but for God’s sake, don’t cut administrative positions or any non-classroom jobs.

Anon parent — Get rid of some of the teaching positions if the teachers are not teaching full time as they are hired to do.