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.
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234 comments Add your comment
Parent
December 23rd, 2009
10:07 am
1) This situation is out of control due to a lack of leadership.
2) ScienceTeacher – I listened to the Board Meeting on Dec 21 – Was this a professional board meeting? As a parent I have done everything possible to help my child through these (!@!@) math classes, and this is what I get in return?
catlady
December 23rd, 2009
10:18 am
Ms. Downey, I cannot, of course, offer an opinion of Ms. Smith’s culpability in this. HOWEVER, her being in town or not on testing day does not really show whether she was involved in any changing of students’ answer sheets. You see, the prime time to make changes would be while the tests are being packed up to be sent off, which at our school takes several days afer the testing window is over. Then, these same sheets are repacked at a central location. If Ms. Smith had supervisory responsibilities at any of these places on these additional days, she might have had something to do with the irregularities. So, merely being out of town on testing day MEANS NOTHING. Someone should point this out.
Totally Out Done
December 23rd, 2009
11:03 am
Teacher 1 you need to read carefully. I said I am 90-98% sure that the other 2 parents did not have kids attending summer school. So why are people trying to make some kind of connection with Mrs. Smith issues with Governor and the PSC and the secretary and the 3 parents. I did not say anything about the teachers. Again you are bringing up that parent once more. What is the connection with the CRCT issue?
Run Dr. Smith, Run- you've been blessed!
December 23rd, 2009
11:04 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, 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:)
21st Century Lynching
December 23rd, 2009
11:05 am
Welcome to the 21st Century Lynching. The procedures are: Give them the rope and let them hang themselves. Thank you for doing their dirty work. You all have hung yourselves and the community. All they had to do was give you access to a page. Think…please!
ScienceTeacher671
December 23rd, 2009
11:15 am
Parent, maybe when Maureen gets back she will have more information. I couldn’t find any coverage of that state board meeting in the AJC, and on the state webpage, they’re about 4 months behind in posting the minutes of their meetings (so much for open government in Georgia!)
So far as listening to the webcast goes, it’s positively frightening that people who appear to be so ignorant and unprofessional are in charge of education in our state. (Even those at our local BOE sound more professional.) Then again, it would seem to explain a lot of things.
THE COMMISH
December 23rd, 2009
11:16 am
TO: Compelling Evidence and all nonbelievers
It is common knowledge that Beverly Hall has encouraged and fostered an environment of corruption during her tenure as Superintendent. If you want to really know the truth, request an open records request of the investigative report regarding this case from the PSC. It is in the public domain. Read the report and formulate your own conclusions. Call John Grant at PSC and request the Investigative Report.
THE COMMISH
Great Observation Catlady
December 23rd, 2009
11:24 am
That’s just it. I have worked summer school as a testing coordinator. You do not have additional days for packing like the regular school year. You have to take the answer documents to the testing center before the closing week of the testing week. The answer documents would have been off the building on the Friday of that week. According to Payne’s report, they were indeed submitted timely. The question is who signed off on these documents as principal in charge. Was is Smith or someone else? Who is the mystery principal? This is the person who had the supervisory responsibility. Why isn’t Smith telling on this person. Has she been silenced? It is a shame that even in our district, we do not know this information. What a puzzle.
Why Get the Report
December 23rd, 2009
11:30 am
Commish-do you really think the report is worth reading? I read in an earlier post that the principal of the summer school was never questioned. Wouldn’t she hold the key to disclosure in all of this? His report may need to be looked into as well. It can’t be thorough if the principal of record and students were never questioned. Or were they?
mystery
December 23rd, 2009
11:31 am
She was Smith asst principal.
Teacher Mistreated by PSC
December 23rd, 2009
11:34 am
Who cares about the 3 parents and their connection at all. The bigger picture is that the PSC, John Grant, GOSA, and the State Bd are all in this together. They are corrupt. They have railroaded many good educators in all metro areas. They do not thoroughly investigate matters. They do a haphazard job and ruin lives. It is so much more that this single case. This case will however expose these people for who they are and what they do.
Why Get the Report
December 23rd, 2009
11:36 am
Who was the principal? We all know that the site administrator was the AP but who was the principal of record. There had to be one. That is the mystery!
I Tried
December 23rd, 2009
11:38 am
hey Commish-been there done that. I tried to get access and they are not giving it up. Do you something that I do not know. Perhaps there are discrepancies that they do not want revealed?
This is getting boring
December 23rd, 2009
11:40 am
Maureen can you pleeeeeeeeeese close this post?
Parent
December 23rd, 2009
11:47 am
Cleaning house seems like the right thing to do given this situation. BIGGER PICTURE these students are not learning their basic skills.
21st Century Lynching-You are Correct
December 23rd, 2009
11:57 am
Even the parents think their own children are dumb. Why should we care as the greater public? Cleaning house will not change the childrens’ ability to learn basic skills. Yet another community lynched.
dumbfounded
December 23rd, 2009
4:47 pm
I am puzzled by all the comments and believe me that my heart goes out to Lisa Smith. I am puzzled, however, why is Beverly Hall willing to go out for Lisa but not for other administrators/teachers that Dr. Hall has recommended to be terminated by PSC. It is interesting to read your opinions, but it is apparently that the majority of you all are not familiar with School Law, which is required by all administrators to take charge of their school, regardless. Every administrator knows that they are completely responisble for he or her school, regardless of the situation placed before them. The new administrators know that they are non tenured and can be removed or replaced back in the class room or assigned to another positon that is part of School administration 101 and PSC in the state of Georgia requirement. It’s a travesty what happenedto Deerwood, but other schools that were sanctioned by PSC are not fighting this why is APS?? I am dumbfounded by all this hatred and people not in the system of education to really get a good idea on how education is ran. Teachers are actually threatened by these non tenured principals to get test scores up by any mean necessary or these administrator will get rid of the teachers (good or bad teachers). If you don’t know the facts stay out of the battlefield of education, please….try becoming a certified educator instead of a hater of education.
This is Ms Releford
December 24th, 2009
12:15 am
Current Deerwood teacher bloggers I asked you all to keep my name out of these blogs and focus on the issue. My kids never attended summer school where all of this occurred. If Mrs Smith is guilty, she’s guilty. If she is not she is not. One true fact is there are bitter and hateful teachers and parents at Deerwood. Because I have been a Deerwood since it opened and I have had conversations with almost every parent and contact with each teacher and staff who were original staffers. I can identify who you are. Why cause yourself and Mrs Smith continue harm? Is this a wich hunt for Mrs Smith or me, Ms Releford?
You think you are helping but the fact remains these blogs are on public news media sites that contain your email IP Address. Your emails are being tracked. Now if you, “teacher” think I will start trouble “again” as you stated, you are right. If you do not educate my child and treat us according to your guidelines and contract, you too maybe reassigned. As I stated before, PSC has not closed their investigation. Just like Mrs Smith, throw the rock and hide the hand. Post your name. It’s only four 4th grade teachers and only 2 of you are seasoned at Deerwood who would even know me, my child and family. Seasoned 4-6 yrs. a Deerwood. Oh yea by the way, The Releford’s have over 30 other family members at Deerwood that are either parents, teachers or administrators/staff members oh and substitute teachers to add to this list…Go-figure, now the jokes on you. Remember, “Power is in the tongue.” So silence your tongue for the last time. How else (yea I said how else) would I know what was happening and as a parent could watch and witness the distruction, get copies of emails, and etc…I spoke up when I saw how teachers were being mistreated an silenced when their contracts were threatened, when computers needed upgraded, when little girls has no toliet paper in the restrooms, yes I caused troubled. Wasteful spending when teachers received new laptops, rolling bags, key lanyards, jackets, the floors painted with apples wasteful monies. Parents were being asked to purchase novels, workbooks, pay for field trips (sponsors donated monies for) when funding was there. Remember Deerwood had kids from homeless shelters and low income housing and paying for school necessities was a problem. Yes I caused trouble. Not to just benefit my kids, but all kids, this was taxpayers money. These incidents of my investigations are what caused my name to be slandered. So what! The obvious spending seemed not too obvious after a while. So let’s stop this mess and enjoy this beautiful season. Merry Chrismas to you all.
The other grades: 1st grade has all new teachers, 2nd grade 2- seasoned teachers, 3rd 1 seasoned teacher and 5h grade 1 teacher who came then left now back. French 1 original, Art 1 original, Music 1-original teacher, cuistodial staff-1 original, 2-parent liaisons, 1 secretary, 1 reading specialist, 1 counselor, 1 new administrator who was a 2nd grade teacher, received her Doctorate but sits in the front office, 1-who was a 1st or 2nd grade teacher now works in the PEC program. You see you all can be identified Lasly 1-Pre-K teacher who is also seasoned; however, she is a great person.
Your comments while lacking thoughts could really be hurting this case as well as uncovering dirt. There are parents who are seasoned 4-6 years since the school has been opened. Some are teachers in another school system, previous PTA members, officers, and past committee chairs. You can be identified.
Let’s put this energy into improving this school and welcoming our new principal.
Just Like Lot in the Bible
December 24th, 2009
2:29 am
Today’s parent/grandparent meeting was intense with people sharing beautiful stories about Dr. Smith’s legacy and our selfish wants and desires. She probably does not read these blogs but I hope that someone gives her this message that God laid on my heart.
A Grandmother’s Prayer
God told Lot to move into his promise and to not look back. Dr. Smith you must never look back. You have many many supporters but it is also obvious that some people did not appreciate your hard work and what you created here at Deerwood. There are many of us that respect and honor you and the school that you built from scratch. Yes, you had many obstacles, bumps, and bruises but no one can deny that you made Deerwood a fantastic place for children to learn. I have never been more satisfied with a school for my grandchildren. You came, you worked hard, and now you have a brand new season to walk into. Don’t look back! There are some that cannot understand the anointing on your life but I see it and have come to learn just “whose” you are like you always say. You are in my family’s prayers. You no longer have to deal with the struggles that you faced everyday. We needed you to show us just what could be in place for the children in southwest Atlanta. To be charged with being the Principal of an elementary school where alleged cheating took place is absurd but could be a blessing in disguise. Trust God. You probably never would have left on your own. You will be set free from this temporary setback but you will also be catapulted into something better. Deerwood was training ground for you. I know that the Superintendent has been bombarded with letters and that there are close to 400 signatures on the circulating petition, but I pray that you follow God’s plan for you. What your enemies mean for evil, God will mean it for good. May you be protected from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. May he wrap his loving arms around you during this time. You are his child and faithful servant-Job well done! The entire Grandparents Club loves you and will continue to lift you in prayer to your father. I rebuke all of the ill words already expressed and those that may follow in the name of Jesus Christ our father and savior. They know not what they do or say to the anointed that came on behalf of children. Don’t Look Back! Walk into your new blessing! Amen.
Just Like Lot in the Bible
December 24th, 2009
2:32 am
A Grandmother’s Prayer
God told Lot to move into his promise and to not look back. Dr. Smith you must never look back. You have many many supporters but it is also obvious that some people did not appreciate your hard work and what you created here at Deerwood. There are many of us that respect and honor the school that you built from scratch. Yes, you had many obstacles, bumps, and bruises but no one can deny that you made Deerwood a fantastic place for children to learn. I have never been more satisfied with a school for my grandchildren. You came, you worked hard, and now you have a brand new season to walk into. Don’t look back! There are some that cannot understand the anointing on your life but I see it and have come to learn just “whose” you are like you always say. You are in my family’s prayers. You do not have to deal with the struggles that you faced everyday. We needed you to show us just what could be in place for the children in southwest Atlanta. To be charged with being the Principal of an elementary school where alleged cheating took place is absurd but could be a blessing in disguise. Trust God. You probably never would have left on your own. You will be set free from this temporary setback but you will also be catapulted into something better. Deerwood was training ground for you. I know that the Superintendent has been bombarded with letters and that there are close to 400 signatures on the circulating petition, but I pray that you follow God’s plan for you. What your enemies mean for evil, God will mean it for good. May you be protected from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. May he wrap his loving arms around you during this time. You are his child and faithful servant-Job well done! The entire Grandparents Club loves you and will continue to lift you in prayer to your father. I rebuke all of the ill words already expressed and those that may follow in the name of Jesus Christ our father and savior. They know not what they do or say to the anointed that came on behalf of children. Don’t Look Back! Walk into your new blessing! Amen.
What?
December 24th, 2009
2:36 am
Ms. Releford. You sound like a joke. What is all of this banter. Who cares? Get off the blog you are wasting too much space. I don’t know too much about this school but I can tell you were trouble.
Parent
December 24th, 2009
7:21 am
To all who post in the blog, I hope you understand that this is a forum to post your opinion. I hope it makes you feel good to be able to share your thoughts and opinions openly because normally it goes nowhere at least none of the latter post that have been posted. Are you kidding me, who important would care about your personal agenda and sharing about your complaints about laptops, toilet paper, jackets etc.? Please learn budgeting and allocating before you complain. As a parent, even I know these things.
What is quite evident is that those of you who are sharing, have your thoughts and opinions and no matter which side, they will not be changed. Think about your human race. Is there any other that behaves in this manner?
Additionally, I hope the previous post was not a threat because I think as a parent you should know the staff of a school so well. Why don’t you use the energy that you used to spit out that angry blog and work with the school to make it better and by better I mean fighting for what’s “really” important. Did you ever think that just maybe that you and all your other “relatives” who you mentioned before benefited from what Deerwood had to offer? I am not clear. Has the educational experience been a bad one?
another parent
December 24th, 2009
11:07 am
You seem to be only addressing one party. If you look above there are several blogs about her and to her. Seem to me you if someone had not put her name out there to begin with she may not have gotten a reply. Also TOTALLY OUT DONE it does seem to be some confusion. What does any of this has to do with the CRCT issue? There are so many blogs about those parents are people accusing them of this. I don’t understand how people could really make this assumption. If not them why are they bringing them into this?
another parent
December 24th, 2009
11:18 am
You seem to be addressing only party. You need to ead above you will see blogs about her and to her. If they did not put her name out there she may not have replied. To TOTALLY OUT DONE I am confuse. Why are people calling out parents? Are they accusing them of this CRCT issue. I just don’t get it. You have teachers and parents saying ugly things. Again what does this have to do with anything?
another parent
December 24th, 2009
11:24 am
You seem to be addressing only one party. You need to read above you will see blogs about her and to her. If they did not put her name out there she may not have replied. To TOTALLY OUT DONE I am with your. I am confuse also. Why are people calling out parents? Are they accusing them of this CRCT issue. I just don’t get it. You have teachers and parents saying ugly things. Again what does this have to do with anything?
I wish that..
December 26th, 2009
8:24 pm
I wish that…
1. The blog stayed on the topic
2. People didn’t use this site to vent (some of the postings are starting to sound like threats)
3. Those that state “false-truths” would stop(get the facts about budgets, funding, programs, etc)
4. The correct facts about the current staff were posted(degrees, years of experience, job titles, etc)
5. That this had not gotten out of control( I am really starting to worrry about what the environment will be like when school starts back. Will it be safe? Will those venting get ugly on the school grounds? Will parents withdraw their children in droves? Will the teachers still hold up the vision of the school and educate the children or will they become slack and disinterested? Will the various programs continue?
6. Please parents dont spread your thoughts to your children, they are listening to you whether you think they are or not!
I pray to God for his will to be done and not ours. There are alot of hurt feelings and egos on this blog. Please dont bring all of this chaos to Deerwood in January. Our children need a peaceful environment to learn in.
Justice in ATL
January 3rd, 2010
9:26 pm
Approved vacation time in Savannah is just georgraphy with today’s technology. You can be in Timbucktwo and orchestrate a cheating scandal in anyware USA and that’s what happened at Deerwood. The parties (Smith & Jordan) texted/emailed/phoned and strategized daily especially during the dates in question. The parties are quilty as charged and should be suspended from teaching for life in the USA as they are white collar criminals and a criminal is a criminal in my mind and shouldn’t be anywhere near children ever.
Parent Patrol Responds to "Justice in ATL"
January 6th, 2010
6:55 pm
Justice in ATL- As parents, we are glad to have been able to attend a meeting held by Jordan and Smith’s attorney’s investigator. You appear quite convinced that there were text/emails/phone messages and strategies to substantiate “cheating”. Well, “Einstein”, if there were, the two would be charged with “cheating” and not “testing violations”. Perhaps this is one of the reasons the Fed’s will be investigating this matter!! The Fed’s have you concerned don’t they? How dare them to want their side of this story told! their voices heard! silly them for such a request!! Yeah, it bothers you, as it should… that’s right I said, “you guys”…..I find it quite a coincidence that this blog was posted at 9:26 PM on Jan. 3rd….hum, interesting…not to mention your “opinionated, judge and jury” response mirrors a familiar personality and demeanor depicted in the video of the State Board Meeting held in early July…..why do you think that you are the measuring stick for “integrity”?
Oh by the way, keep blogging your “hatred”, “character assassinations” and “ignorance”. You are simply helping them further substantiate the damage incurred by the botched PSC and GOSA investigation, adding to their “payday”…Hey Einstein, did you read any of the earlier blogs? you know, I’ll bet that more attorneys than the group requesting Smith to contact them have been in touch with the two for a “piece of this pie”..hah, hah..keep on blogging!
PARENT FOR OVER 5 YEARS
January 11th, 2010
12:44 am
I AGREE WITH Justice in ATL,….TELL IT LIKE IT IS!!!!
PARENT FOR OVER 5 YEARS
January 11th, 2010
7:02 pm
To “DO UNTO OTHERS”…I 100% agree with every word you have stated…Please ignore all the idiots on this blog who have questioned why you are still there…..You did right not to run because you too knew JUSTICE WOULD COME…As the old gospel song say “He might not come when u want him , but he’ll be there right on time, he’s an on time god oh yes he is.”!!!!!….You didn’t have to leave because THEY ARE GONE !!!.. TO ALL U IDIOTS ON THIS BLOG …U don’t teach to run from your rights , u teach to stay there and fight!!!
Former Principal
January 15th, 2010
4:38 am
Check out Parks, Kennedy and Turner. Parks elementary feeder schools dont make AYP but they have the highest math scores in the District. believe that if you want. Kennedy went from lowest to one of the highest. Inman had 100% passing. Turner made 100%. Cheating is Atlanta. Toomer outdid Mary Lin. LOl. Atlanta Public Schools is about Cheating
Former Principal
January 15th, 2010
5:18 am
People stop acting like fools and look at the data trends. Atlanta public Schools is about cheating. Almost all principals cheat. Very few have ethics and they don’t survive. I bet if you check all the schools you will see massive cheating taking place. I was a principal in Atlanta Public Schools for ten years and I can assure you massive cheating takes place, look at the test scores they are so inconsistent. Lisa might have been on vacation, but, trust me she give the orders to someone to perform the cheating. The test Coordinator and the principal communicated numerous times about this cheating. She don’t need to be present, she put someone she can trust to monitor the test and when the children take the test, the testing coordinator go to the closet and changed the answers. Why do you think they leave the test around for so long. Its kept around for a whole week to give principals opportunity to cheat. I bet anyone a million dollars that if those test are removed the same day and not kept in the building for more than an hour after the test , Atlanta Testing data will drop massively. You have schools like parks, brown, Kennedy and Turner outpacing schools like Inman and Sutton. You have schools like Toomer outpacing Mary Lin. I say this is not about race at all but about people being unethical and unfair to our children. It is not uncommon to receive a child from parks with level three reading and math that can’t read. It’s not uncommon to receive a child from Kennedy who has been absent for more than 90% of the academic year with all A’s.
I think Beverly Hall don’t know the extent her principals are willing to go to make her happy. That mother. I refuse to cheat so my test scores drop, if I did not leave I would be fired for poor test scores. Deerwood is far from the only school to cheat. Check all Elementary and Middle Schools out. They all have their system for cheating.
Former Principal
January 15th, 2010
5:31 am
Trust me Lisa is not innocent. Give her a lie detecter test and I bet you she will fail. She is far from being ibnstructionally sound. She prance around like she is Beyonce and dont know much about anything. she give her friend the orders to cheat. Most principals dont want to be around during testing so they cant be blame if caught. they have people who they give perks to to do the cheating
Mrs. Williams
May 25th, 2010
9:19 pm
@Former Principal….Please review your comments for grammatical errors before hitting the “submit comment” button as you somewhat lose credibility by stating that you were a principal for 10 years. Always remember – proofread before turning in. With that being said – obviously I just came across this blog as the last entry was in January of this year. Dr. Smith – I miss you and so do the the children. I just wanted to let you know that you were on our minds heavily this week. I always take a picture of you and my children during this time of year. Not doing so this year was a hard pill to swallow. I still pray for your return and if you are reading this I hope have a wonderful, peaceful and happy summer. Sincerely, Mrs. Williams (’s mom!)