100609 - Marietta - L to R, Susie Crowder, her daughter, Oakwood Student Veronica Crowder, and Misty Rae Seago, the Oakwood teacher of the year for 2010-2011, react with emotion during the board's discussion on Oakwood Alternative Academy. The board voted to convert the school to a digital academy and replace the teachers with employees from a private company. The Cobb County School Board, meeting to pass the budget, also held a discussion of possible alternatives to save Oakwood High School. Despite a sense of inevitability, school supporters, parents and teachers made some last minute pleas during the open comment period. The budget vote comes after the system cut more than 700 positions, including 579 teachers, to close a $126.7 million deficit for the fiscal year that begins in July. To balance the budget, system employees will be required to take five furlough days, the school year will be reduced five days and increases class sizes to maximum levels. Wed, June 9, 2010 Bob Andres bandres@ajc.com
