Two DeKalb board members: We cannot support school chief choice because of her record
Two DeKalb school board members have sent open letters expressing their opposition to the selection of Cheryl Atkinson of Ohio to lead the system.
Here are the letters from Don McChesney and Nancy Jester expressing their concerns over Atkinson’s record in her small Ohio system.
“Dear DeKalb Citizens:
I think it is important for me to comment on the choice of Dr. Cheryl Atkinson as the prospective school superintendent for DeKalb County. The opinions I express are mine and I do not profess to speak for anyone else.
My first priority in finding a superintendent was to find the best candidate to raise student achievement in the school system and give the taxpayer equity for money spent. The theme for me was the students. Beyond that all else was secondary.
It is not possible for me to support this choice based on the record. This is the most important decision that has been made since I came on the board. We need to get it right based on an informed study of the facts available. It is too serious to go with only your “gut feeling”.
We had several candidates with better records of student achievement but, unfortunately, as you know, their candidacy was plagued with leaks of confidential information to the press. I hope that you will note that there were no press leaks regarding this candidate.
We have read recently published reports in the media that the Lorain City Schools may move up one step on the Ohio ratings scale. These scores have not yet been released by the Ohio Department of Education so we have no confirmation. The most current data available show only 1 of 24 academic indicators being met. Let me remind you that there were candidates not chosen that bested this record. Some showed a substantially better record.
Ohio has Lorain schools on “Academic Watch”. This is step 4 out of 5 on their sanctions scale. The next step is “Academic Emergency”. That is the most serious sanction. Compare this with the rejected candidates.
Let me be clear. No urban school system superintendent in America will have an unblemished record. It is the nature of the business. I do not expect perfection because that record is unobtainable, but there were other candidates with better records.
Do not take my word for it. Do your own research. You will be led to the same set of facts as me. The only difference will be the spin folks attempt to apply to these facts. Also check the contract. See if you see any danger points there.
Dr. Atkinson is a fine person and delightful to converse with. However, a business decision for academic betterment of our students and not a personal referendum on personality was my goal.
Don McChesney
Now, here is the letter from school board member Nancy Jester:
I’m in agreement with Mr. McChesney’s statement. He and I spent hours researching the student achievement records of the candidates that were brought before us. I believe we saw several candidates with significantly better records of student achievement. We also considered professionals who were credible change agents that could help our district attract top-flight talent to key positions and reorganize our district.
If you are interested in examining Dr. Atkinson’s record of student achievement, click here to go to her district’s “report card” given by the Ohio Department of Education. Over the last three years there have been increases in 9 out of 24 state academic indicators. Those increases range from a high of 9.1% to .8%. The remaining 15 indicators have losses that range from -2.9% to -16.3%. All of the academic indicators for the high school grades showed a decrease in scores over the last three years. For the most recent report card available, Dr. Atkinson’s district met only one state academic measurement. Additionally, when compared to other similar districts in Ohio (based on demographic, socioeconomic and geographic factors), they score below the average for similar districts in all categories except one.
The district did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and is on “Academic Watch”. (Ohio rates districts on a 5 level basis and Academic Watch is the next to lowest status. The lowest status is Academic Emergency.) When looking at the AYP determination, I noted that the African American population did not meet AYP for either of the proficiency standards (reading and math). This was also the case for students with limited English proficiency (LEP) and students with disabilities (SWD). The largest demographic for our district is African-American so this record, in a small district, concerns me.
I thought that Dr. Atkinson was very professional and charming. I enjoyed meeting her and believe her to be devoted to educating children. I cannot support Dr. Atkinson’s candidacy for the Superintendency of DeKalb based on her record of student achievement in a small district. We have serious student achievement issues in DeKalb. We are last or next to last in 23 of 25 data points for the CRCT when compared to 8 metro districts (DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, City of Atlanta, City of Decatur and City of Marietta.) If our school system does not drastically improve, the implications for our county are dire. I do not see anything in Dr. Atkinson’s record with her current district that convinces me she will be able to move our district in the right direction.
By state law, districts must announce a candidate 14 days in advance of voting to approve their employment. Additionally, we must make every document we have regarding the candidate available to the public at this time. In closing, I will say that if it is the will of the Board to bring Dr. Atkinson to DeKalb, no one will offer her more service than me. As a mom with three young children, I am invested in the success of our schools with my most precious resources. Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you.
–Nancy
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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318 comments Add your comment
not telling
August 15th, 2011
10:51 am
Can’t answer my question? I didn’t think so. Stone cold busted.
The lesson here folks is that the color of the super shouldn’t be in question. If Cox and Atkinson did have similar qualifications, then those who supported one over another don’t have a leg to stand on. But from reading a lot of the comments on here, it really is about race, and that is just sad. Teachers and children continue to suffer the consequences of it. Does anyone give a thought about that? It seems not. The end result is that racism hurts others in the end, even your own race.
Now moving on to actual FACTS, it seems that the majority of the board is supporting more of the same – outright nepotism. The sorority connections for Atkinson have come to light. Everyone who works within DCSS knows that connections from friends, family, sororities, and churches are what gets a person hired and well paid – not actual qualifications. What some people here don’t seem to get is that a lot of teachers and parents are fed up with it and don’t want it at all. Well, here comes someone else with a sorority connection. It’s their given right as taxpayers to say that they don’t want their money taken from the education of their kids to be given freely away to someone who won’t actually do anything to help educate. 200k+/yr for a super? Absurd. Absolutely absurd. If you weren’t outraged when Tyson asked for that raise and got it, then you are part of the problem. Tyson is part of the Clew crew. She’s wasted a ton of your money and it hasn’t gone to educating your children, and she got even more money for not doing it! Don’t talk to me of “common sense” when you can’t see someone throwing your own money away. Now they want to hire someone on in the same vein and you aren’t angry? Why the hell not?
You are right, Oldtimer
August 15th, 2011
10:53 am
She is not qualified for the position.
I see it
August 15th, 2011
11:02 am
I think she is qualified.
You are right, Oldtimer
August 15th, 2011
11:04 am
They’ve got one high school. The school system is on Academic Watch.
I see it
August 15th, 2011
11:07 am
Who cares about many high schools they have. This isnt about comparing stuff like that. Next please.
You are right, Oldtimer
August 15th, 2011
11:11 am
You are right. I am wrong. We shouldn’t look at experience and performance and “stuff like that”.
falcons fan
August 15th, 2011
11:11 am
I actually think she will be a good hire.
I see it
August 15th, 2011
11:13 am
Your not talking about experience and performance you talking about size. We all know if that mattered a lot of you wouldn’t be qualified.
Dont know lets see
August 15th, 2011
11:33 am
Lets see how this works out. Im willing to give her a chance.
Jessie
August 15th, 2011
11:35 am
You folks have just hired another Beverly Hall, or “Fats” as her hometown Jamaicans call her. Fats ruined the lives and careers of so many students and staff. Shame on DeKalb for not recognizing the similarities.
Promises of “exponential” academic growth in test scores is a recipe for cheating.
Do know Don't see
August 15th, 2011
11:38 am
Please read the Ohio report card in Maureen’s link. Please.
Go to greatschools.org and search Lorain High School.
Dont know lets see
August 15th, 2011
11:44 am
I did now Im looking to see what she did this year. Which from what Ive heard is fantastic.
Lastly
August 15th, 2011
11:48 am
Well that will be fantastic to hear that she made her one high school adequate.
Dont know lets see
August 15th, 2011
11:56 am
last I checked our district wasn’t so hot. Stop the one high school banter.
Dr NO
August 15th, 2011
11:56 am
Odds are she will be non-effective or worse. Then you parents who wanted her will cry out in regret and the “if I had knowns” and all the other excuses.
And I will laugh!
Dunwoody
August 15th, 2011
11:58 am
This won’t be a popular response from the Dunwoody group but Im in support of her.
Dunwoody
August 15th, 2011
12:01 pm
We wont cry to you. Im laughing now that nobody wanted this job. You think this district is the creme of the crop because you merged into a county system? The scores have been low and the main reason has nothing to do with a superintendent. Get off this board and work on your kids at home. Thats what makes the difference.
I say yes
August 15th, 2011
12:02 pm
I think she can do the job. I like her reform efforts.
Outsider
August 15th, 2011
12:06 pm
@ amazed, 10:38 am, Aug. 15: “AJC allowing the continued racist comments from both B&W is not contributing to any reasonable discourse.”
I’m the white Fulton Co. parent of a grown daughter living outside Atlanta, but care abt. the schoolchildren of DeKalb County. I’ve gotta remind you that the First Amendment demands AJC to do this….also, it’s wise to know the thoughts of the others in the fray. There’s a lot of dirty laundry getting aired here, but I think it should be. Won’t you folks be voting on your future School Board members?
I say yes
August 15th, 2011
12:09 pm
@outsider i agree take your grip to the polls until then support who you put in place.
concerned
August 15th, 2011
12:12 pm
Can we please stop this useless bickering? Debate is acceptable and appropriate, however this conversation has been reduced to something far below debate standards.
A BIG YES
August 15th, 2011
12:32 pm
I support this selection
The Deal
August 15th, 2011
12:57 pm
I think our central office is paying one person to sit on these blogs day after day under various names and post accusations and grammatically incorrect and misspelled posts in an effort to sabotage actual, useful conversation – on both sides. Post something racist under one name and then post as someone offended by said racist comment under another name and let it go from there. It’s easy to brand one side as racist when you pay someone to sit and post racists comments under other people’s names.
Pamela
August 15th, 2011
1:08 pm
As a parent of a child that attend a DeKalb County public school I am VERY concerned that they hired a person that ONLY was responsible for a total of 8,000 students! DeKalb County has at least 98,000 students. As a homeowner and a tax paying citizen, I and all other voters and tax paying citizen should have voted on this issue. We also should have the right to vote on the entire school board! We are paying their salaries. They are working for us…it’s not the other way around. For DeKalb County Schools to select someone who does not seem qualified to preside on our school board as the Superintendent it shows that they don’t care! All of them should be replaced immediately!!!! The last person they chose because they had a ‘gut’ feeling this person would work out was a croook! I do not agree with this. They should have thouroughly checked her credentials before just putting her over my childs’ education!
Pamela
August 15th, 2011
1:09 pm
I meant to say crook! Sorry for thy typo.
Dunwoody Mom
August 15th, 2011
1:13 pm
If anyone is interested, Dr. Atkinson’s Candidate File has been included on the DCSS website.
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/superintendent/atkinson-candidate-file.pdf
decaturparent
August 15th, 2011
1:14 pm
Oh boy… just happy to be in City of Decatur.
Ernest
August 15th, 2011
1:32 pm
Thanks for sharing the link, Dunwoody Mom! Now we wait for the announcement about the public meeting to meet her. Hopefully that can be done late this week or early next week.
Pamela, you’ll see that she worked in districts larger than DeKalb. Given DeKalb is in the top 30 based on size in the country, it will be challenging to find a successful superintendent of a similar sized district that also has interest in coming here.
A Conservative Voice
August 15th, 2011
1:39 pm
@decaturparent
August 15th, 2011
1:14 pm
Oh boy… just happy to be in City of Decatur.
decaturparent – You do know that we’re on an island and everything that goes on around us, affects us. That’s why we should be so concerned with the DCSS and APS problem.
NJester
August 15th, 2011
1:57 pm
Noone is calling Nancy’s intelligence into question. Just her character and ethics. Both of those leave lots to be desired. As for DSW and Dunwoody School Daze, they are just people trying to toot there own horn.
Flabberghasted4sure
August 15th, 2011
2:00 pm
All you supporters of Atkinson, show us your data. Give us facts about her successes in raising academic achievement. Find references other than the editor of a newspaper and a retired deputy superintendent she worked for for 1 year (in a SC town she mis-spelled on her APS application BTW). Surely someone at the Broad Academy would speak highly of one of their graduates. Surely someone in Charlotte where she worked for 3 years would have good things to say about her. Bring it on. Write your persuasive essay. So far, no BOE member that stands behind her has spoken up with facts supporting her – they have only criticized other candidates and their fellow BOE members. And BTW, we don’t know the “straw” vote…we only know it was a majority and that 2 have spoken out against this candidate. Others may also oppose her.
Cere
August 15th, 2011
2:06 pm
@Kanarstead – I wasn’t going to post here anymore, but I really must defend the DeKalb School Watch blog. The postings about the superintendent search are below. Please quote anywhere that you see a post that is angry about anything other than the leaks on the board. Lilly Cox did not even get to the point of being offered a contract (the point Atkinson is at right now). Robert Duron and others didn’t even get past having their name tossed out to the public. I had nothing but good things to say about all three of the original candidates. Yes, we had concerns about the sizes of their current systems but we discussed them for their ideas. But in general, we liked the ‘original 3′. Since then, Cox’s contract negotiations were leaked by someone on the board who didn’t want her, and later Robert Duron’s name was leaked before talks could even get serious. Yes, we were very angry about the leaks. We were quite disgusted with Richard Belcher for violating the public trust like he did. It was unnecessary and salacious. We did not shill for Cox. As you would know if you read the posts, many people rallied for Mr. Culver and were disappointed when he dropped out. (Also, as I’ve written many, many times, I was raised in Ohio and raised my own children in the Oak Grove/Lakeside district and I’m quick to point out that is my perspective.)
I invite AJC blog readers to read the blog posts at DeKalb School Watch and see for yourselves that we do our best to just report the facts as we find them. We have been dogging the school system’s waste and corruption and their lack of true commitment to the children’s education and those childrens’ teachers in the classroom for over two years now. We are hoping the new superintendent will be the light at the end of a pretty dark tunnel.
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/03/tonights-candidate-q.html
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/will-dr-lillie-cox-be-next.html
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/tom-bowen-one-of-top-3-reasons-school.html
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/superintendent-news.html
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/ray-and-associates-did-they-really-do.html
And yes, we were all quite upset that Tom Bowen continued to push for Tyson to stay. Tyson said more than a dozen times that she does not want the job. We were so upset at Tom for burying his head in the sand on that.
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/note-to-board-stop-pushing-tyson.html
BTW – the outrage was Cox’s request for $275k and some kind of tight termination clause. I don’t know what Atkinson’s current contract looks like.
But please – read the posts. You will see that we are not the evil doers or “mafia” or “Dunwoodyites” or whatever. I do believe though that as hard as we fought, we could not combat the leaks and sabotaging of the board. We are where we are right now. As I see it, we hire Atkinson (and it’s fine to examine her record – without calling anyone names) or we venture into the land of SACS sanctioning and then the governor stepping in. This decision has really come to this point. Is Atkinson the better road? I pray she is.
We support her
August 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
We don’t have to show you. The board has been shown. The decisions makers have been shown. Not some hate group on these blogs. If someone says run on sentences again like any one cares about that. Go talk to some english majors.
Dr. John Trotter
August 15th, 2011
2:20 pm
I weigh in a bit on the DeKalb School Board Fiasco in this piece on my personal blog…
The title >>>
Leaderless DeKalb County School Board Selects Cheryl Atkinson From Little Lorain, Ohio; In-fighting Among School Board Members Continue; Mark Elgart & SACS Remain Mute On Sideline; Is Tom Bowen & Gang Afraid Of Dr. Samuel T. (Sam) King, Georgia’s Superintendent Of The Year Next Door In Rockdale County?
http://www.georgiateachersspeakout.com
Lorainite1
August 15th, 2011
2:25 pm
Don’t be confused. Anyone can use the same screen name on the website and post the opposite of what was stated earlier. I noticed most of the comments made by the screen name I chose did not express my views but are playing games with you readers. Trying to make my comments look like contradictions or immature. I’m sorry about this but you understand the intelligence of those doing this like elementary school children. The same petty idiots supporting Atkinson Welcome to Lorain.
She might be right for the job
August 15th, 2011
2:26 pm
After reading her candidate file I have to say that she has a lot of experience in big districts. Lets give her a chance. Just because Lorain was her most recent district doesn’t mean she has no experience in larger ones. Charlotte is a very larger and her references are all from large school superintendents.
Dekalb parent
August 15th, 2011
2:33 pm
@ John Trotter somebody wants people to ready their LITTLE blog. Everybody wants to be a superstar and wants attention.
Ray E. Venn
August 15th, 2011
2:37 pm
In Lorain, while driving this district to second from the bottom, her salary while having only 3500 students was $210,000.
After driving the district to the bottom we have one year with improvement and that’s what people are calling success?
Parents of Dekalb County, do not allow the same mistake to be made with your children. They deserve better.
Lorain Resident
August 15th, 2011
2:39 pm
Dr Atkinson was really great for our district we are sad to see her go. She was really in touch with parents and students.
anonymous
August 15th, 2011
2:39 pm
All the personal bashing of Ms. Jester…my, my….. To the blogger who said no one was questioning her intelligence, I suggest you read through the comment more carefully. There are several. You questioned her character and ethics simply because you are not in agreement with her opinion.
Check into the ethics of the others on the board. There are some real winners. Theft, workplace harassment, violence issues etc. They are scared of Ms. Jester because she stands up to them and it is unexpected.
Lorains posters are driving me to support her
August 15th, 2011
2:42 pm
For so much hate to be on here I think she might be the person we need. The Lorain posters have a agenda which I don’t like.
not telling
August 15th, 2011
2:43 pm
@we support her
If someone says run on sentences again like any one cares about that
That is a sentence fragment.
Ha.
And yes, you DO have to show us. The taxpayers pay the salary.
we support her
August 15th, 2011
2:45 pm
@ not telling. Ok when you figure out how to make me show you anything you let me know. Im still laughing at that comment.
A Nice Choice
August 15th, 2011
2:48 pm
I like this superintendent. I worked with her in Charlotte she is a star in the making.
Parent in APS
August 15th, 2011
2:58 pm
I attended the APS meeting/event in June where people were invited to come meet and question the two APS superintendent finalists at that time, which included Ms. Atkinson. I would say that based on what I heard and observed, Mr. McChesney and Ms. Jester have it just about exactly right: Ms. Atkinson is a very pleasant, charming, professional, and probably fairly open and honest person. But, unfortunately, they (and I) have reservations about her track record and ability to navigate and deal with the large district politics, entrenched and stagnant bureacracy, and various other substantial landmines she will face in either APS or DeKalb Schools.
She seems to me the sort of person who might be a good part of a team brought in to deal with what I understand are DeKalb’s problems, but I don’t think she quite has the chops to be the top dog. She strikes me as someone who will not make too many waves, and that certain elements within the current DeKalb administration will be able to “control” her.
I commend Mr. McChesney and Ms. Jester for expressing their views in a thoughtful, articulate, positive, and hopefully productive manner.
Distractions in DSW diguise
August 15th, 2011
3:04 pm
Dont bother reading the DeKalb School Watch blog. Cerebration and her friends on that blog are as guilty as the past leadership of DCS of pushing their own hidden agenda. Cere and Atlanta Media Guy are obviously friends and family and are trying to build a momentum of followers, but followers beware of wolves in sheep clothing. DSC is in trouble, yes, but help doesnt come from the anonymous complaining and convictions of people posted on the DSW blog. I hope the new superintendent does not allow her decisions to be guided by a group of anonymous vigilantes. They are the judge and jury, equipped with tar and feathers, and they know how to manipulate and use them. You are exposed DSW blog! Cerebration, help DeKalb, and stop with the judgements of others, under the guise of being well informed. Your blog is losing credibility with these old tactics. Every posting on your blog is sensored and screened based on its ability to substantiate your ideas. Isnt that your complaint against DCS? You are going to make the “other” side win by your biases and willing to bring blood from those you dislike. Others’ mistakes do not make your angry- mob- mission okay. You have hurt a lot of innocent people with your blog, Cerebration and AMG! by summing everyone up based on their job title and reporting issues based on your opinions and biases. Shame on the DSW blog too!! You deserve to blog in that county,you fit well.
not telling
August 15th, 2011
3:05 pm
@we support her
Which uneducated DCSS board member are you?
DCS concerned parent
August 15th, 2011
3:07 pm
I just read her candidate file. I like her. Lets give her a chance. new blood that may be able to get rid of our problems. We need her to weed out all of the mess and get rid of them.
The Deal
August 15th, 2011
3:09 pm
Remember there would be no DeKalb School Watch blog if everyone in DCSS were doing his/her job, if they were not overpaid and overstaffed in the central office, if our schools weren’t simultaneously falling apart and failing, and if the BOE weren’t dysfunctional. All of us who work to share information and come up with ideas on DSW would love for the blog to not have to exist.
we support her
August 15th, 2011
3:12 pm
@ not telling lol Nancy Jester