Thousands of DeKalb students may lose bus service??? Do you think this is right? Hi I live on atlanta georgia and this is news to me read the article below and tell me what you think see if you like it They are doing my children wrong Dekalb County school officials may end the practice of busing students beyond their neighborhood campus — a controversial decision that would end decades of service to magnet and other choice schools that began with desegregation. The draft plans, expected to be announced today, come as the system wrestles with funding cuts, soaring fuel prices and declining student enrollment. School officials say the busing change alone would save the system $5.9 million a year. Recent headlines: Thousands of DeKalb students may lose bus rides School board seeks legal advice on buyouts 8 qualify for school board seat • DeKalb County news The change affects about 5,600 of the school district’s 99,600 students, including those who may be enrolled in magnet schools, charter schools and academic theme schools or who transferred from lower-performing campuses. It will bring DeKalb more in line with other metro Atlanta school systems, officials say. Cobb County, for example, provides transportation to its magnet high schools, but students are not picked up door to door as DeKalb has done. Gwinnett County does not provide out-of-area transportation for its choice schools. In DeKalb, Superintendent Crawford Lewis expressed frustration at what he calls “a brain drain” of the most successful students from neighborhood schools. Stopping bus service to magnet schools could mean more of those students stay close to home. DeKalb officials expect an angry reaction from parents who have come to rely on the busing service. Many, such as Ellenwood resident Christine Norman, say sending their child to magnet or choice schools is essential. Although several choice schools in DeKalb score among the top schools in Georgia, the number of DeKalb schools overall meeting federal testing goals plunged this year to 54 percent — the lowest in metro Atlanta. “We do what she has to do to go to a school where learners are a majority,” said Norman, whose 10th-grade daughter attends the DeKalb Early College Academy, a choice school in Stone Mountain. Her daughter is zoned to attend Cedar Grove High School, which did not meet testing goals. “If she had to go back to her home school, learners are a minority,” said Norman. That’s not an option, she stressed. “I would walk her there [to DECA] if I had to.” Details of the new busing plans will be presented this evening at the first of at least four parent meetings officials will hold over the next two weeks. A presentation to school board members is expected Sept. 26. A formal vote by the board, however, is not expected until January. DeKalb already began some transportation changes at the start of this school year, when officials announced the system will no longer bus transfer students allowed to leave their home campus under federal law — a move that affected about 1,265 students. The system could not afford to buy or lease the 45 additional buses needed to accommodate those students this year. Their parents instead may file for federally funded mileage reimbursement. That reimbursement, however, does not exist for students who choose to attend DeKalb-specific schools and programs such as a magnet school. School officials originally planned to recommend outright that so-called “out-of-area” busing be stopped starting next school year. They now say they are open to suggestions from the community, although it is clear they want to make changes. “What we’re saying to parents is, ‘Here’s what we’re dealing with. What do you think we should do?’ ” said Robert Moseley, DeKalb’s associate superintendent for administrative services, who has spearheaded the planning. “Every dollar spent on transportation [outside of neighborhood schools] is a dollar that could be spent on education,” Moseley said. “It’s money there’s no state funding for.” The system over the spring and summer assembled an 18-member transportation task force, which included members from MARTA, Coca-Cola and other school systems. Lynn Simpson, who oversees Fulton County schools’ transportation, was on the task force. She said the group did not directly recommend stopping bus service outside students’ home attendance area. But she said their studies validated DeKalb’s concern about “budgetary constraints.” Out of 153 campuses total, DeKalb currently offers 14 magnet programs, seven “theme” schools (schools that concentrate on a specific discipline, such as technology) and four system-run charter schools. Last year, officials also announced a four-year effort to increase choice programs in more neighborhood schools; when finished, they say DeKalb will offer more than 40 choice options. No other system in Georgia has as wide a range in magnet and choice schools as DeKalb or offers as wide a range of bus service.

hey i need help my business plan :: give your opinion or try to help me? Executive Summary: 1. Applicant/Company Information -Name: Design coffer shop -Address:132 Cedar Grove Rd, Ruckersville, CA 90324 -Phone: (909) 834-3434 Fax: 904.326.1039 -Contact Person: Evelyn Reyes -Business Structure: Sole Proprietorship - Banking Information: Bank: Wells Fargo Bank Address: 3035 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92503 Phone: (951) 351-3402 Contact: Erica Smith, Financial Services Manager -Anticipated Start Date: Design coffee shop it well began operations in November 2009, and we going to prepare the plans to undertake a small expansion. As soon as possible after the scoping plan approval. Brief outline of your business concept: Design coffee shop is company involved more greatest the originally coffee shop. It providing graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It just likes a small business Every day, millions of Americans wanted to sit down and enjoy the smell cup of coffee and lay back & see the background artwork from graphic design artist. "A person had dreamed to spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. A few years, now they glad to pay $1 to $4 for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink." The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace. The completive the Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as "fast food" coffeehouses due to their "cookie cutter" design. Now that Americans' coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their design coffee shop. We offer high-quality products in an upscale environment. Furthermore, our high-profile location in San Bernardino provides a mixed customer base that will maintain high levels of business in every season, at all times of the day, every day of the week. Vision and Mission Statement The design coffee shop will become the more like small museum. We will serve a perfect product at a very reasonable price. We will also be a meeting place for graphic design artists and a place for them to show off their work. We will create an atmosphere conducive to creative expression and promote the creative process. Our primary goals over the next year are: 1. Secure financing for start-up of at least $10,000 for space and equipment. 2. Renovate our space in Old Town. 3. Acquire equipment necessary for business, i.e. coffee pot, cappuccino machines, blenders, etc. 4. Make agreement with coffee distributors, and bakery vendors. 5. Create a cozy, artist friendly environment (i.e. choice of colors, choice of music, decor) 6. Open for business and become the foremost coffeehouse in the area. MARKET OPPORTUNITY Marketing will play a vital role in the success of small company is java net because they will put some our advertising, I not want exert gate too much our company. it something sample for customer to understand. It only one or two location be. The design coffee shop is our target market is mostly student. Because it when come student they wanted to sit back and relax. Design coffee shop going to be locate one of San Bernardino. Ownership The Design coffee shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally involved in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities. Location and Facilities The Design coffee shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed. Products and Services Description of Products and Services The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot coca, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price. We will also sell homemade cookies, brownies, and doughnuts, also reasonably priced. Key Features of the Products and Services All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get. Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot coca will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles. We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low. Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge. Production of Products and Services We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses. We will bake cookies and brownies in our own on-site oven from proven recipes, daily. Future Products and Services Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice. Comparative Advantages in Production Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success. Industry Overview Market Research There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our Old Town. Size of the Industry Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somewhere, there are more. Key Industry Trends This industry is booming at the present time, there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chain. Industry Outlook The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for some time. Marketing Strategy Target Markets Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quite cozy place to think and do their work. Description of Key Competitors Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, the last one, and our biggest competitor is an antique store with a "tea room". Analysis of Competitive Position Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this. Pricing Strategy We will offer three sizes of drinks, small $1.00, medium $1.50 and large $2.00. Our cookies and brownies will sell for $1.00 each. Promotion Strategy We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a "frequent drinkers club" discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons. Management and Staffing Organizational Structure Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Management Team April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift. Staffing We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school. Labor Market Issues In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need. Market Risks The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business. Implementation Plan Implementation Activities and Dates 1. Begin building renovation 12/08 2. Complete renovation 2/15/09 3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 5. Open for business 5/1/09 Financial Plan Balance Sheet Current Assets: Building $150,000 9 computer $10,800 Furnishings $5,000 Equipment $5,000 Cash Arlene $5,000 April $4,500 Accounts Receivable None Inventory Coffee $1,000 Tea $500 Other Assets Cups $3,000 Total Current Assets $182,800 Liabilities: Accounts Payable (monthly) Water $200 Phone $150 Electric $500 Donut Vendor $1,000 Warehouse Club $1,000 Coffee Distributor $1,000 Wages $5,000 Advertising $1,000 Taxes Payable Property Taxes $500 Employee Taxes $2,000 Operating Loans Payable Startup Loan $500 HP Design jet Z2100 Photo Printer series- models $ 97 Total Liabilities $12,947 on going per month Projected Income March 05 Coffee $6,000 Tea $2,000 Cookies $1,500 Donuts $2,500 Misc. $4,000 Total Income for March $16,000 Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit) $3,150 for March This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month. my major is graphic design i don't know how making business plan] i have the layout just email me evelynreyes12@yahoo.com you want see it this for my class project