Parent: Deerwood principal unfairly tarnished by cheating allegations
The CRCT cheating scandal has cost several longtime administrators their posts.
Here is a letter to me from a parent upset that the APS principal at Deerwood Academy has been reassigned in the wake of the scandal. Parent Stephanie Robinson feels that Lisa Smith is being held accountable for something that — if it happened, at all — was not on her watch or within her power to change since she was not on site.
I just searched your blog and I found no information concerning the outrageous response to the so called cheating scandal at Atlanta Public Schools involving Deerwood Academy.
I am the parent of a Deerwood Academy student. Today, our beloved principal, Dr. Lisa Smith, was re-assigned to an agency position with Atlanta Public Schools and removed as principal at our school.
Based on a reading of the indictment against her, she is accused of “being the principal of an Atlanta Public School” and being on the payroll at the time of the alleged cheating. Both of course are true statements, but have nothing to do with testing improprieties.
No one at Deerwood has confessed to, been caught at, or been identified with cheating. The only ‘proof’ is based on the occurrence of erasures on 11 tests. And, by the way, Dr. Smith was in Savannah, on approved vacation, the day the tests in question were administered. Further, she was assigned to a different school for summer school on the year in question.
Ms. Downey, won’t you please help by getting the whole truth of these matters addressed in the AJC and on AJC.com? Will you please investigate this situation. These allegations are about to end the careers of some outstanding educators.
This country benefits when the press is actively involved in full investigations and not just repeating talking points.
Please investigate this subject and get the word out. I want my son to have the benefit of good educators. Don’t let a system looking for a scape-goat rob him of this fine Georgia education professional.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
234 comments Add your comment
Bumblebee
December 21st, 2009
10:02 pm
Great Loss, sometimes people lie so long, that if they know the truth,they refused to believe it. Deerwood is a beautiful school, but it has corruption going on inside. Someone need to come in use some oil in every doorway. Be very careful touch not my annoited and do my prophet no harm, Mrs. Smith is getting hers you will get yours for the viciousness you are spreading. Why did 30 teachers leave that school if it was all that.
Do Unto Others...
December 22nd, 2009
3:24 am
Mrs. Smith has at had at least a 50% turn over rate each year that she has been at Deerwood and several teachers have actually quit within the first semester of school due to stress, lies, and lack of support. When teachers sit in their vehicles and cry before entering the building and have panic attacks while under your leadership you may want to rethink your approach and purpose in life. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jordan have worked in a tag team fashion throughout their careers to destroy, lie, and railroad anyone who they felt threatened by or who disagreed with their leadership or simply had the courage to confront their many lies and schemes. The children, school, and staff are breathing a sigh of relief today as their prayers for justice have finally been answered. Mrs. Smith and Ms. Tabeeka should always remember that God is in control and there is no relationship or amount of nepotism that can compete with his will. Stop hiding behind the various blog names that you have created for yourself, the idle threats, and your handful of supporters. Face the consequences of your actions. You are obviously being taught a much needed lesson about life, true character, and Karma.
Do Unto Others Fool
December 22nd, 2009
5:59 am
Do Unto Others-Why didn’t you quit? You sound like a disgruntled sorry teacher. Most administrators have disgruntled staff especially teachers who are not doing what they are supposed to do. I am sorry for our school. Cry me a river Do Unto Others. You sad sad story is boring. You sat in your car and cried because you couldn’t handle the level of work you were given. Wait until you get a load of the next principal from M. Agnes Jones. I guess I will see you crying in the building. What a jerk!
Stop Using This Forum
December 22nd, 2009
6:04 am
Bumble Bee and Do Unto Others-stop using this forum for your sad stories. Everyone knows that this is the time for cowards to attach the administrator that probably held their feet to the fire. Every school in Atlanta has horrible turnover so that means nothing. We all heard how this principal flipped her school in order to make it better. If you cried in your car before going in, you should have stopped going in. It tells me that you were terrible for the students.
Maureen please close this blog. It is becoming a blog for crybabies and bible toters.
Parent 4yr
December 22nd, 2009
6:10 am
Do Unto Others-Why didn’t you just become #31 of the teachers that have left the school. Why would you sit in you car and cry. What was being asked of you? Were you asked to teach the children. Were you asked to go above and beyond the call of duty for the children. I do believe in Karma. I hope that if you are one of the lazy teachers that I have complained about on numerous occasions, I truly hope that you are next. Your sad story is pathetic. Deerwood will never be the same.
God is in control
December 22nd, 2009
6:21 am
God is in control. I pray for this school. Dr. Smith had to fight every step of the way to get some of us to work hard for children. Do Unto Others-you are probably one of the teachers that put up much resistance to the vision of go the extra mile for children. You turned this plight into your own personal jab session. Get off the blog and go cry in your car!
Adam
December 22nd, 2009
6:27 am
Why do black people always turn these blogs into their own personal jab session. If you were courageous enough to face your administrator and let her know you were struggling that is on you. What could she have asked of you beyond teaching? Maureen please close this blog. We have cry babies ang bible toters writing.
Reporter
December 22nd, 2009
6:52 am
It appears that Dr. Smith had people that admired her work and a few disgruntled employees. Sounds like a normal school to me. Never can a leader please all of the people, not if they are truly doing their job. Maureen who was the principal in charge of summer school?
Whatever
December 22nd, 2009
6:56 am
It appears that Dr. Smith had a lot of people who admired her leadership and a few that did not. Sounds like a normal school to me. No good leader can pull off having absolutely no naysayers or disgruntled employees. Whatever. Maureen who was the principal of the summer school?
Adam
December 22nd, 2009
7:01 am
Who cares about the weeping? Do your job. Give me a break!
Why did you stay?
December 22nd, 2009
7:20 am
Why didn’t you just leave. Stop crying and get over it.
Do Unto Others..Why Did You Stay?
December 22nd, 2009
8:05 am
Wow this lady sounds powerful. I really want to meet her. Crying in your car? Was she lord? Stop your weeping. Why did you stay? Move on and teach the kids. My question is are the teachers going to keep up the level of expectation that she obviously was holding them too?
ScienceTeacher671
December 22nd, 2009
8:34 am
Why did the “Add your comment” box disappear on the other thread for this topic?
And can we talk about the state board meeting and the Math EOCT cut scores?
jim d
December 22nd, 2009
9:13 am
Surely no one is surprised at the findings of this PSC.
This is the very same PSC that determined Alvin Wilbanks did not violate any ethics in fasifying mandatory reports on violent incidents in the GCPS by 40,000 incidents in a single year.
JLo
December 22nd, 2009
10:32 am
The point of the matter is not racial. This happens in rural GA just like ATL. I don’t care if Lisa wrote the letter herself, an investigation into the GADOE, PSC, Governor’s Student Affairs and, yes, APS needs to take place. I don’t care about Hall and Perdues fight. They are jocking for the federal funding coming out of Washington. But, what they both fail to see, along with all of their appointed cronies, is how this affects the students. Cheating occurs across the board in GA at all levels. If there were competent, diversied individuals in charge of the education system in GA we would not rank in the bottom all the time.
By the way, can someone tell me who is Beverly Hall’s boss? She is paid by the city, right. So, why isn’t the mayor or elected mayor involved? Kasim Reed this is another item to add to your list of things to do immediately.
JLo - Bad News Bud
December 22nd, 2009
10:41 am
You should not have skipped out on the Civics class in high school. You missed a few things.
Jlo is right
December 22nd, 2009
10:57 am
This does happen in rural Georgia as well. There are several educators railroaded by the PSC. This principal/husband is just bold enough to put it out there. It is really ashame that she has small minded enemies that are using this forum incorrectly. I am an educator in south Georgia that had a PSC matter. I was treated unjustly. It is not right. The department should be investigated.
Parent
December 22nd, 2009
2:17 pm
Science Teacher 671 – The School Board Dec 21st is important to the many who have children in these math classes. We need to know the truth (good or bad test scores) or is this going to be another attempt to hide the truth.
just one little question
December 22nd, 2009
3:36 pm
“Why did the “Add your comment” box disappear on the other thread for this topic?”
Yes Maureen why did the comment section disappear?
ScienceTeacher671
December 22nd, 2009
6:56 pm
Parent, I had hoped that AJC would have an article about the Dec. 21 board meeting, or that Maureen would have a discussion here about it the meeting and the math EOCT scores. I will be happily surprised if the cut scores are high enough to not be meaningless.
Meanwhile, the comment box has not returned on the other thread, but someone has removed the link to video of said board meeting. Too bad. I’ve seen middle-school clubs that were better run and showed a better understanding of Roberts Rules of Order.
ScienceTeacher671
December 22nd, 2009
6:57 pm
And I still need an edit button…or to do a better job of proofreading before posting…
Bumblebee
December 22nd, 2009
8:05 pm
get the facts first.
Bumblebee
December 22nd, 2009
8:08 pm
JoLo the School Board is Beverly Hall’s boss. They act like she is their boss. They were elected by the voters and have not said a word about the cheating. But giving Ms. Smith a job downtown.
BeScared
December 22nd, 2009
9:09 pm
Do Unto Others I totally agree with your comments. This is truely KRAMA. Ms. Smith and Ms. Jordan need to thank God that they are not being prosecuted because what “they” did was a felony and an embarassment to education. Lisa Smith the next time you want to lie on and fire someone make sure you have a good reason and not because they are as you said “old and I don’t want old people working at Deerwood.” I bet you wish you could take that back. God is teaching you and Ms. Jordan a valuable lesson.
Mr. Smith needs to accept what has happened to his wife.
She made her bed and now she has to ly in it. I DO NOT FELL SORRY FOR LISA SMITH OR TABEEKA JORDAN. Ms. Jordan was known for putting people down and using profanity. She did Ms. Smith’s dirty work. Ms. Smith throw rocks and hid her hand. She was a demon in sheeps clothing.
Are you sorry now Ms. Smith? Are you sorry now Ms. Jordan? The bible says he will make your enemies your footstool. KRAMA!!!! You reap what you sow. Dr. Hall cannot save you now!
Dr. Hall must go!!!! NOW
just one little question
December 22nd, 2009
9:38 pm
I just noticed that the thread featuring a letter from the canned principal’s husband just went from 50 posts to 49. Even though it had been previously frozen at 50 comments. More journalistic tricks Maureen?
Be Scared is Crazy
December 22nd, 2009
10:50 pm
My goodness this person sounds like a crazy person. Is this the secretary that got fired or what? I see why.
Be Careful not to Mask Your Curses at Others
December 23rd, 2009
12:07 am
“Do unto others”- you are probably one of those teachers who did not teach children that year which resulted in a large number of students requiring summer school. Since you are clearly bitter, I would suggest that you stop talking about KARMA with the two of them, and watch your own back…you see, you cannot go around harming innocent children by failing to teach them to further your own personal, vindictive, envious agenda and expect that the “Man Upstairs” will not deal with you…..instead of blogging about them, you should go somewhere and ask God to forgive you for whatever you did that led to your “banishment” from the Deerwood Kingdom….I’m no big fan of Ms. Jordan and that Lisa Smith, but they did right by children and you know it…..go somewhere and pray that you don’t get lied on so publicly…..their story is not over yet….as the other blogger said…”Stay Tuned” before you give your simplistic, unoriginal words of wisdom that you think you have masked as a “curse”…you should be careful:)
This is messy
December 23rd, 2009
12:10 am
I now see why this principal had to rid her building of “rif-raf” annually. This is some real messy dialogue. It is obvious that the same two or three disgruntled teachers are writing using different aliases and the same two or three parents are doing the same. Is someone really holding a grudge from 2006 and calling the Lord’s name too? This principal should never look back!
This is Ms Releford
December 23rd, 2009
12:27 am
Southwest clowns and to the others whom call yourselves professionals. This is Ms. Releford and I am not hidding behind a false name. Now if my child is in your class I will know. Infact, I know who you all are posting these comments. I advise you to stop and stop now. AND MY NAME IS SHENETHA RELEFORD. Get your facts straight. I know you all do not want me to expose the stolen money the child you hit Ms. Southwest clown.
This is messy
December 23rd, 2009
12:55 am
Is this what the principal had to contend with? Oh my goodness. She needs to never look back! Applaud your reassignment.
Spewing Curses
December 23rd, 2009
1:01 am
“Do unto others” another coward- you are probably one of those teachers who did not teach children that year which resulted in a large number of students requiring summer school. Since you are bitter, I would suggest that you stop talking about KARMA with the two of them, and watch your own back…you see, you cannot go around harming innocent children by failing to teach them in your efforts to further your own personal, vindictive, envious agenda and expect that the “Man Upstairs” will not deal with you…..instead of blogging about them, you should go somewhere and ask God to forgive you for whatever you did that led to your “banishment” from the Deerwood Kingdom….I’m no big fan of Ms. Jordan and that Lisa Smith, but they did right by children and you know it…..go somewhere and pray that you don’t get lied on so publicly…..their story is not over yet….as the other blogger said…”Stay Tuned” before you give your simplistic, unoriginal words of wisdom that you think you have successfully masked as a “curse”…you should be careful:)
Good for you Ms. Releford
December 23rd, 2009
1:03 am
Some of these people are disgruntled idiots that are doing more harm than good. You need to remove your child immediately if this is a teacher that could potentially teach your child in the future. I agree with “this is messy”, Principal Smith needs to move on and celebrate her new assignment!
This is Ms Releford
December 23rd, 2009
1:13 am
You are so true this is so messy. All change is not a bad change. However when educated proclaimed teacher, administrators and/or parents post to blogs using names of people to glorify their issue, this is a mess. When bloggers post behind surname, this is a mess. When parents such as me makes complaints as many others who live and attends schools on the southside of Grady Hospital, those parents are looked at as trouble makers, began to get names called, name spelled wrong and erroneous singled out, this is the travesty. When parents who complain on the northside of Grady complain, the APS Superintendent will sit down and have a Fireside Chat, she will have a standing monthly appointment with CINS (look it up). But the southside parent, I pay taxes, I vote, and I live in my community, I am involved and I demand quality education that APS can give if it’s focus is truely all about the kids.
This is not the half
December 23rd, 2009
1:18 am
Dr.Smith, run as fast as you can…..they didn’t appreciate you, your admin. team, your vision, or all of your hard work and sacrifices. They will see what their precious Deerwood will be in a couple of months. They wanted a ghetto school and now those haters will get their wish. Now the whole world can finally see what you were up against. SHAMEFUL, former ILS and her followers, brain dead former secretary and psycho parents!
This is Ms Releford
December 23rd, 2009
1:19 am
I too agree; however, this is one of the reasons things got so out of hand at Deerwood. Parents left out of fear for thier kids. Some may say I should not put my name here for potiential harm to my child…I trust the teacher to do her job. I am a taxpayer and I do vote. I believe in the justice system. Lady Liberty maybe blind, but not Ms. Releford…lol. Thanks, but the Releford’s walked the school when it was a hollow shell, happy the school was to be errected. Nahhhhhhhhhh, I pay taxes and my dollars pay for Deerwood. Deerwood will prevail. We have before, remember in 2005 when the child from Deerwood….. and this was on the news??? See you all aready forgot . Live Love and Laugh. Thanks a bunch! Keep watching—they will not mess with the Releford’s everyone is watching
Run Dr. Smith, Run- you've been blessed!
December 23rd, 2009
1:21 am
Dr. Smith, pleassssssssssse run as fast as you can!…..they didn’t appreciate you, your admin. team, your vision, or all of your hard work and sacrifices. They will see what their precious Deerwood will be in a couple of months. They wanted a ghetto school and now those haters will get their wish. Now the whole world can finally see what you were up against. SHAMEFUL, former ILS and her followers, brain dead former secretary and psycho parents!
God Knows Best
December 23rd, 2009
1:27 am
While several people on this blog are under the impression that Dr. Smith has been punished and moved from Deerwood as a result, it is clear to see that perhaps this is a blessing for her afterall. I have been following the posts and the level of ignorance is incomprehensible. Deerwood is definitely going to the dogs. I will be moving child just as soon as school is back in session. Absurd!
Run Dr. Smith, Run- you've been blessed!
December 23rd, 2009
1:27 am
Dr. Smith, pleassssssssssse run as fast as you can!…..they didn’t appreciate you, your administrative team, your vision, or all of your hard work and sacrifices. They will see what their precious Deerwood will be in a couple of months. They wanted a ghetto school and now those haters will get their wish. Now the whole world can finally see what you were up against. SHAMEFUL, former ILS and her followers, brain dead former secretary and psycho parents!
I Concur
December 23rd, 2009
1:31 am
My child will be withdrawn. Someone keep me posted on Dr. Smith’s next school assignment. I will follow with my child. This is terrible.
Let them have Deerwood
December 23rd, 2009
1:37 am
My goodness. Is this a teacher giving warning to a parent? How dare she or he. Who is Ms. Releford? Anyway, I too will be withdrawing my child. I do not agree with the decision made to move the principal. My child has had an excellent experience at Deerwood for the last two years. In just reading these blogs alone, I have no choice but to remove her. With Dr. Smith leaving, these children are now uncovered. This is crazy. They can have Deerwood.
Run Dr. Smith, Run- you've been blessed!
December 23rd, 2009
1:48 am
“Do unto others” another coward- you are probably one of those teachers who did not teach children that year which resulted in a large number of students requiring summer school. Since you are clearly bitter, I would suggest that you stop talking about KARMA with the two of them, and watch your own back…you see, you cannot go around harming innocent children by failing to teach them in your efforts to further your own personal, vindictive, envious agenda and expect that the “Man Upstairs” will not deal with you…..instead of blogging about them, you should go somewhere and ask God to forgive you for whatever you did that led to your “banishment” from the Deerwood Kingdom….I’m no big fan of Ms. Jordan and that Lisa Smith, but they did right by children and you know it…..go somewhere and pray that you don’t get lied on so publicly…..their story is not over yet….as the other blogger said…”Stay Tuned” before you give your simplistic, unoriginal words of wisdom that you think you have successfully masked as a “curse”…you should be careful:)
Now it is clear
December 23rd, 2009
1:52 am
I see why Dr. Smith had to rid her building of some teachers every year. This is definitely one that should be considered. No, Ms. Releford you stay, this teacher needs to get out. I read a blog where a teacher expressed that she was sighing in relief with Smith’s departure. Perhaps this is why. They will now be able to do and say whatever they want. With the principal gone, consider my child gone too.
This is Ms Releford
December 23rd, 2009
2:01 am
I Concur and Let them have Deerwood. I agree that what the future holds for Deerwood no one here knows. I am not trying to rally you both but what’s going to happen when the school system denies your request for out of district transfer? So will you leave your kids at Deerwood then? Deerwood has some positive teachers and some positive administators, I can promise you, if you work with your child’s teacher, the relationship will build and whoever is the principal (Mrs. Smith or Mrs. R), they just need to do their job and let the teacher’s teach. Remember parents some teachers teach because they care others are there for a paycheck. It’s up to you to decide which teacher is teaching your child. My child’s teacher new about 2-3 years at Deerwood just like most (4 or 5 are original teachers for about 5-6 years there) so these that are disgruntal can be identified. Just I concur stated, who is Ms. Releford…I have stated away from the school because of this foolishness and worked with my child’s teacher.
My OES sister’s and brothers have supported the entire school since it’s existance and will continue. We provided healthy snacks for the CRCT. Did you all know that me and Mrs. Minter provided breakfast snacks for the enire school and staff. Over 400 snacks because the power to the school was disrupted? No, see you will not hear about this act of caring. It’s about the kids. Don’t move your kids, some parents don’t have a choice. Deerwood is supported by shelters and parents on the busline so if this school has parents to move their kids, the school will fail. Fickett and Contiential Colony may become overcrowded and mess after mess after mess.
So what am I saying, these kids deserve the best and if we parents meet with our kids teachers and drop in to volunteer unexpected, you can see the true side of the education process.
If you do leave keep in close contact with your child’s teacher and your child, like mine, will succeed. Remember we are raising future leaders, teachers, principals, presidents. Kids learn by example. We are good parents and don’t let no one take it away. Yes we make mistakes, but I am sure they were not on purpose. Failure is not an option, steady perserverance is what matters!
Soon to be...
December 23rd, 2009
2:04 am
This is soon to be an ordinary Southwest Atlanta school. I guess that I can stop lying about my address and take my child to Continental Colony. I might as well. Deerwood is soon to be the same kind of school. Unless this new principal will fight against this level ignorance, it will become just another school in the SWATS.
Thank you Ms. Releford
December 23rd, 2009
2:13 am
Thank you Ms. Releford and I am praying for you. There are actually at least 20 families that are leaving because of principal leaving. She had some flaws but she made things happen for the children. She kept her foot on these teachers. This one that wrote the comment to you is just an example of what is to come. Good luck to you.
This is Ms Releford
December 23rd, 2009
2:19 am
Thanks to ALL. Now let’s go to bed…HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Some of us need this extra sleep to be up to let Santa Claus in. Be Bless to you all and good luck to all of us!
This is Ms Releford
December 23rd, 2009
2:20 am
By the way, my email address is slreleford@juno.com. Keep in touch!
Teacher 1
December 23rd, 2009
9:41 am
Totally outdone you are a part of the problem. The teachers at Deerwood Academy work very hard all day and everyday to educate the students that attend. I resent you saying that there will be a large number of students that will have to go to summer school. If we had more parental support in a positive way and not the “bash the principal and teachers” kind of support, there would be no need for summer school. You should be outdone. And by the way get it right, Dr. Smith is accused of being the principal of an elementary school where testing irregularities supposedly occurred. No one has been accused of cheating idiot. I worked summer school and the teachers and staff, including the TFA teachers worked extra hard to make sure the students were successful. I resent that the hard work has been ignored. I hope that you do not have children in our school. We need a reprieve from the ignorant chaos caused by ignorant parents. I know Ms. Releford and she definitely does fit in this category but she has caused a lot of unnecessary drama that I believe is just a matter of time before it starts back up again. The new principal will see very soon what we have been dealing with when it comes to a lot of these so called “for children” parents. They make it hard to do our jobs. Dumb-Dumbs? How old are you?
Teacher 1
December 23rd, 2009
9:43 am
You are a part of the problem. The teachers at Deerwood Academy work very hard all day and everyday to educate the students that attend. I resent you saying that there will be a large number of students that will have to go to summer school. If we had more parental support in a positive way and not the “bash the principal and teachers” kind of support, there would be no need for summer school. You should be outdone. And by the way get it right, Dr. Smith is accused of being the principal of an elementary school where testing irregularities supposedly occurred. No one has been accused of cheating idiot. I worked summer school and the teachers and staff, including the TFA teachers worked extra hard to make sure the students were successful. I resent that the hard work has been ignored. I hope that you do not have children in our school. We need a reprieve from the ignorant chaos caused by ignorant parents. I know Ms. Releford and she definitely does fit in this category but she has caused a lot of unnecessary drama that I believe is just a matter of time before it starts back up again. The new principal will see very soon what we have been dealing with when it comes to a lot of these so called “for children” parents. They make it hard to do our jobs. Dumb-Dumbs? How old are you?
Our Poor School-Stop Fighting!
December 23rd, 2009
9:59 am
This situation has created a much bigger problem. I hope that Dr. Smith moves on and begins a new school where she will be greatly appreciated. It is clear that we did not know what we had. I also hope that she will be able to win this battle for the sake of Deerwood Academy. What you all do not realize is that her battle is our battle. We have people out there that do not believe that our children can be successful without the help of cheating, people who selected this neighborhood and school because they probably knew that we would be to dense to see the bigger picture and would begin chomping and fighting each other. Our poor poor school! The question is, are we going to sit idly by and allow this to happen to a great school or are we going see it hit rock bottom and resemble its neighbors? The question is posed to you because it is up to you. We do have an excellent school with excellent program. The teacher are wonderful and willing to work very hard for children. Stop fighting each other and do the research on this situation. It is out there. A group of us parents have pulled every document that we could put our hands on and honestly all of this does not make sense. Become educated about this situation and stop pointing fingers. Dr. Smith’s husband is on to something. Stop being narrow minded and using this forum as a way to get back at her. It’s childish and unproductive. Save the name of the school for your own child’s sake. Make inquiries to get at the real truth. The children and neigborhood deserves at least that!