It’s official: DeKalb hires Ohio school chief in split vote.
School chief finalist Cheryl Atkinson met the DeKalb public for the first time today, wrapping up the session just a few minutes ago.
UPDATE Monday morning: The DeKalb board approved Dr. Atkinson this morning in a 6-3 vote. She is now officially the new school chief of the third largest system in the state of Georgia.
In her first meet-and-greet Saturday morning with the community, DeKalb school chief finalist Cheryl Atkinson came across as open, tough, seasoned and ready for the challenges of the fractured district.
Twice, to applause both times, Atkinson said she had no problem letting people go who are not performing. She also won applause when she said that education takes place in the classroom, not in the central office.
(You gained the sense that the DeKalb parents in the audience believe there is too much dead weight in the central office as the applause was reflexive whenever Atkinson talked about changes at that level.)
“My focus will be on our students and student success first with adults and political issues taking a distant second. Children must come first. Our decisions, my decisions, must first and foremost focus on what is good for all children. My intention is to create an internal structure that will allow effective educators to focus on the core mission improving academic performance. We do not have the luxury of allowing non-academic related issues to consume the attention and focus of all our educators,” she said
She also earned applause when she said that she didn’t believe in teaching to tests, but she did believe in preparing for them, including raising the performance of high school students on the college admission tests, the SAT and the ACT. In Kansas City, she pushed and obtained ACT testing for every student during the school day.
Atkinson called for lacrosse and fencing so more students can participate in sports. She called for updated vo-tech offerings, such as alternative energies. She called for Smart Boards in every classroom. She called for a laptop or iPad for every student.
Her strong performance probably allayed the concerns of some folks, although great rhetoric doesn’t always produce great results. Atkinson’s selection has met with resistance from many parents, who do not believe that she has the depth to manage the 100,000-student urban district and all its problems, including flagging student performance and a stubborn achievement gap.
But Atkinson emphasized that she has done this work for three decades and understands what’s required to boost student achievement and change cultures.
“It is hard work. It is heavy lifting and it will take time. When student achievement is not improving, particularly as it relates to the very foundation for what we do, reading and reading, skills, you can pretty much guarantee your foundation has crumbled and is certainly broken.”
In response to a question on bloat in the central office, Atkinson said the greater question is competency of that staff. She predicted that she would likely downsize, but said her first task would be figuring out who’s doing what and how well they’re doing it. “I have no problem saying to someone you have to go,” she said.
Asked about her husband’s bankruptcy and her failure to list it on her DeKalb application, Atkinson addressed only her own financial abilities, saying that her husband’s small business finances have never affected her abilities to be an effective manager of her schools. She said she has handled complex financial challenges, including in Lorain, and done it well.
Atkinson promised one-on-one meetings with principals, admitting that it would take a lot of her time. “I have some time,” she said. She pledged to meet with teachers and teacher groups, saying that they were critical to her plans to turn around DeKalb schools.
“I never met one kindergarten child who said ‘I am going to drop out in several years.’ Something else happens, and so we have to fix that and we have to stop it,” she said.
In her final comment, Atkinson told the crowd, “It is not all bad. There are some very good things happening in this district. We will built upon those things.”
–from Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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199 comments Add your comment
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
3:20 pm
@Real Talk….please no need to be silly, really….
Anonmom
August 27th, 2011
3:29 pm
The more folks can galvanize to elect a functinal, intelligent board of education who will work rationally and honestly for the benefit of the kids and not for the benefit of adults (or New Birth and/or other power brokers) — Dr. Atkinson (or anyone else — take a look at what happened to Dr. Brown and how Dr. Lewis handled his tenure and how they controled Ms. Tyson) — she doesn’t have a chance to do what she may conclude she needs to do for the benefit of the kids. It is my belief that this BOE (not all of them but enough of them) have every reason in the world to micromange to mantain the “friends and family” plan for the benefit of the adults and to the detriment of the kids (which is, ultimately, to the detriment of all us as taxpayers and citizens of the area as these kids are deprived of their futures). Unless and until you (and here I’m speaking mostly to those of you in South DeKalb who want something better for your children) can really come together and work with everyone to turn over the leadership of the BOE and elect intelligent, educated, “new generation” leaders, there is no hope for the kids.
Real Talk
August 27th, 2011
3:32 pm
If our system is going to improve….it is time out for the blame game and personal agendas………I was impressed with the presentation and satisfied with the responses to the questions. I know that talk is cheap ….but it appears that some of us are still willing to focus on the small issues opposed to doing what’s best for children……It seems that the Dunwoody Moms of the world simply care about their small world and small minded issues……the system should benefit all of the children of Dekalb…..It appears that experienced, well educated African American’s need not apply for Superintendent for Dekalb …….This appears to be the real issue……What year is this?……Should a disgruntled minority decide the the fate of an entire system……Wow how did we get to this point? Why can’t we all just get along…..for the sake of the kids………No one person can fix Dekalb school system’s problems….Dr. Atkinson appears to be up for the task if we all support her and do our part…….
Real Talk
August 27th, 2011
3:34 pm
That was a cheap shot. What does New Birth have to do with the big picture. How small of you. Shame on you. Are you perfect? You missed the whole point.
Another Dekalb Parent
August 27th, 2011
3:35 pm
@ Anonmom – “take a look at what happened to Dr. Brown and how Dr. Lewis handled his tenure and how they controled Ms. Tyson…”
The clause in her contract requiring a 3/4 vote to terminate her was criticized for making it more difficult to terminate her if she proves to be ineffective. However, doesn’t this clause also make it more difficult to terminate her if certain board members become upset because she is stepping on toes by doing what we want her to do (i.e., get rid of incompetent staff and reduce the bloar)?
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
3:39 pm
@Real Talk….enough with the racial talk. As I said to someone this morning: those individuals, in this case certain BOE members and their lap-dogs, who cannot support their own positions will always turn to diversions in order to move the conversation away from it’s origins. In this case, the racial issue has been brought forth by the usual suspects. The race of Dr. Atkinson is not now, nor has it ever been the issue – it is the lack of experience and the lack of academic achievement that is the issue.
Another Dekalb Parent
August 27th, 2011
3:42 pm
Correction…reduce the bloat
Josh
August 27th, 2011
3:46 pm
Smartboards may be great, but I don’t want to pay extra for them. That money better come out of the existing budget by eliminating positions or other expenditures. Students can get their own home computers – we shouldn’t pay for them.
Kanarstead
August 27th, 2011
3:49 pm
“However, doesn’t this clause also make it more difficult to terminate her if certain board members become upset because she is stepping on toes by doing what we want her to do (i.e., get rid of incompetent staff and reduce the bloar)?”
Excellent, excellent point! I was thinking about that today.
If she is another status quo superintendent the board will love her, no need to fire her.
If Atkinson does some real house cleaning and ends up on the wrong side of the status quo they won’t have the votes to fire her.
Concerned Taxpayer
August 27th, 2011
3:50 pm
I think many of you are kidding yourselves if you think much of anything will change. Sure, let’s see what happens in 90 days. What else IS there to do? It’s been decided. If I recall correctly, it was Bowen who, during today’s Meet and Greet, said that this will be the first of many opportunities for us to hear from Atkinson. He isn’t even savvy enough to pretend there’s any deliberating left to do.
After watching the performance this morning, what struck me was that Atkinson seems like a perfectly nice person and she clearly has some experience. Yet, she wasn’t particularly impressive. It seemed more like a testimonial you might hear at church on any random Sunday. I didn’t get the impression that this was a person especially qualified for $300+K annually of our tax dollars.
Real Talk
August 27th, 2011
3:51 pm
Dunga Din,
Are you serious? You should not make a generalization like that. I have not lost hope for our children. All of our children deserve a fair chance. We can not decide that it is not worth the effort to provide educational opportunities for ALL children….It is up to the adults to set the examples and provide opportunities to help our children find their way……..
What group of children are you referring to? I think you have been watching too much reality TV….In this country every child has the right to a first class education….regardless to who thinks they do not value it or deserve it………You can’t change that!
Real Talk
August 27th, 2011
3:54 pm
Dunwoody Mom
Does she have more experience that Cox? I am no lap dog! Bull Connor used dogs!
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
3:55 pm
@Real Talk…just another diversion…..
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
3:56 pm
And thanks for proving my point….
Very Passionate About Our Schools
August 27th, 2011
4:14 pm
@Dunwoody Mom. I am not a Dunwoody elite but very active in my child’s school. I do agree with you that even the meet and greet has not convinced me Dr. Atkinson has the qualifications to turn things around. But I would also like to inform you that Dunwoody schools are not the only schools in DeKalb County and most of us who live outside of Dunwoody don’t have the financial resources you in Dunwoody have but we work darn hard on behalf of our kids and the schools. You are no better than we are even though you seem to think you are. You put your britches on the same way as the rest of us – one leg at a time. Your kid is no better than the kid in a Title 1 school who is busting their butt to learn every day but aren’t lucky enough to have wealthy parents who can afford to get them the extra help they need. Oh wait a minute, Dunwoody kids never need extra help because they are automatically smarter than any other kid. You truly are pathetic but typical Dunwood snob interested only in your cozy corner of DeKalb. When is the last time you spent any volunteer time in a Title 1 school to see for yourself what actually goes on. Look around you lady – there but for the Grace of God it could be you struggling.
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
@Very Passionate About Our Schools…..it is because I care about all of the children in DCSS that I am doubts about Dr. Atkinson. My children have gotten a good education from Pre-K on through high school. If I were only concerned about my children I would never gotten myself involved in this.
You do not know me or had a conversation with me about DCSS. You cannot possibly know how I feel and what my motives are.. Your post is insulting and has not a ounch of truth to it.
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
4:31 pm
The fact that you consider people that live in Dunwoody “elite” is just an indication of your lack of understanding about the citizens of Dunwoody. Most of us are not “elite”.
Concerned DeKalb Mom
August 27th, 2011
4:34 pm
@Very Passionate: Quick comment…seems that some folks are confusing the comments of “Dunwoody Dad” with those of “Dunwoody Mom”…re-read the comments.
Unhappy
August 27th, 2011
4:41 pm
The 3/4 firing clause seems like a good deal for us at first blush, but it also is unilateral on the part of the Board. That is, they have the right to unilaterally fire her without cause. Dr. Cox wanted a clause in her contract that required a hearing for cause before she could be fired. This would have kept the Board from firing her if she cleaned house and got rid of their friends and family. I guarantee you that if she goes after their own, the Board members will rally to scratch each others backs and threaten her with firing.
We have got to move forward !
August 27th, 2011
4:46 pm
Dekalb lets band together and support, hope for a better Dekalb.
jason
August 27th, 2011
4:49 pm
Quite frankly, I was not impressed. She is not significantly different. Nothing new!
Stone Mountain Mom
August 27th, 2011
4:50 pm
I agree let’s move forward.
Stone Mountain Mom
August 27th, 2011
4:51 pm
Support is needed. Give the supt. a chance.
Very Passionate About Our Schools
August 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
@Dunwoody Mom: And most of your posts are insulting to the rest of us who truly bust out behinds on behalf of the schools. I live in North DeKalb just not in Dunwoody. @DeKalb Mom: Yes Dunwoody Dad’s comments are also insulting to the rest of us but every post on this site that I have ever read from Dunwoody Mom has been insulting to the rest of us who do invest time in the schools.
MammaH
August 27th, 2011
4:55 pm
Several issues I see and some really trouble me. She wants to add more sports programs, cha-ching. Smartboards in every classroom (I think this is good) but a laptop or tablet for every student? Cha-ching. She has to remember that the system will be required to pay this cost, she can not do for one without doing for all. Let’s also not forget how these kids treat their textbooks much less an expensive piece of equipment which the kids will depend on to do the thinking for them. And she wants to “spread the wealth”? To take from the schools that are working hard to do well to support some schools who have teachers, parents, and students who simply don’t care is just wrong.
Please BoE, she and her “vision” are wrong for DCSS. She will simply destroy what little hope we have left.
@Gunga Din – you are so correct with your statement.
MammaH
August 27th, 2011
4:56 pm
Also, it appears that her PR people are weighing in very heavily here.
TruthBe
August 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
At her last job, she left them with a hugh mess. Why do we need to bring in another diversity loser. When is Dekalb and Fulton County going to get real about educating our children instead of playing politics. When’s the last time we had a qualified school superintendent that wasn’t black?
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
5:09 pm
Just curious, what have I said that what was “insulting”. I am really curious…
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
5:10 pm
I have no problem with iPads – they are a great idea. However, the only way the district can afford that type of cost at this point is to do away with something else. What would that be?
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
5:14 pm
I have been “invested” in this school system for 10 years as a student and now 15 years as a parent. Do assume that I am not invested is laughable, at best.
Another diversion away from the conversation.
Jo
August 27th, 2011
5:14 pm
It is interesting — and revealing — that Atkinson still will not answer the simple question of “why” she knowingly lied on her job application. When the question was asked today, she ignored it and said that her husband’s bankruptcy would not affect her ability to manage the DCSS [billion $$$] budget.
Hello?? That was NOT the question. Take a look at a documented comment that appeared on DeKalb School Watch blog on August 23, 2011 at 7:25 PM:
“Husband’s construction business bankruptcy? Really? Take a look at the bankruptcy papers. Go to http://www.box.net.
“Nowhere is the construction business named.
“Why is Atkinson’s name the ONLY one on Bankruptcy docket #1? Why is Atkinson’s name the ONLY name on the related adversary proceeding?
“Why is Calvary Academy of the King named as a creditor? Does Atkinson send her children to private school? (BTW — a bit of investigation reveals that Calvary Academy of the King also does business as Calvary Revival Church which is part of The Father’s House, a nationwide network that tithes to Eddie Long and New Birth.)
“Other creditors include Haynes Furniture, a dental practice, and a resort timeshare to name a few.
“Construction business bankruptcy — or personal bankruptcy?
“Hmmm … Alpha Kappa Alpha, New Birth connections, changes grades for the well-connected, follows only the rules she chooses, doesn’t take calls from principals, maintains silence and/or half-truths in the face of questions and concerns. Yep. Fits right in with the BOE and Palace people.”
Anonmom
August 27th, 2011
5:16 pm
Just a thought on the laptop/ipad issue — if done right (e.g. a grant from Apple or the Gates Foundation so our out of pockets aren’t too tremendous) — they could be programed to shut down and “report their locations” when stolen or lost so that there could be check against them going missing in action. If all kids knew that this type of mechanism was in place, the text books could then be loaded onto them; kids who have trouble with reading or speaking English could have programs loaded that read and speak Enghlish to them and “learn” wtih them and math could drilled with math facts so there may ba very productive way to use this type of “hardware” far more efficiently and effectively than DCSS has ever used technology (I believe GA Tech programs it’s computers to report their locations when they “go missing” — kind of a GPS for compurters). Text books are very expensive. Lakeside currently is short text books (by a lot) – with hundreds (thousands?) of kids transferring across county at the last minute, the schools can’t keep enough text books on site and they are really heavy (high school level) for the kids to cart around. Don’t toss this idea out so fast……
Gil Hearn
August 27th, 2011
5:21 pm
For those prepared to work together to move forward, connect with us at http://ParentsForDeKalbSchools.org
We’re connecting parents across DeKalb County to ensure the best possible education for all of DeKalb County’s children.
mountain man
August 27th, 2011
5:23 pm
She has no problem letting people go that are not performing? Oh, she really means TEACHERS. Not underperforming students, of course. I have a better idea. If the students don’t start performing, SHE GOES!
Very Passionate About Our Schools
August 27th, 2011
6:02 pm
I agree race baiting has no place in any of this but the biggest race baiters has been member of the School Board and a former School Board member. My child has had EXCELLENT black teachers and I wish they could move on to high school when he does. All I expect and want out of a teacher, any teacher, is do your job, educate my child and God has blessed me tremendously from kindergarten all the way to the present with OUTSTANDING teachers. Our incompetents on the School Board are the ones who has brought race into the equation and make a big deal out of it.
Berny
August 27th, 2011
6:05 pm
Just like others, I was just as appalled at the two that were reelected to represent the South Dekalb districts. However, even that comes down to education. Sadly, many people in the region are not educated enough to know what qualities they should be seeking in a school board candidate. Name recognition and familiarity wins the day. I’ve decided that I want more for not only my children but ALL children therefore I must do my part in ensuring that qualified, intelligent, educated people are elected next time. Actually, we all have to ensure that the right people are elected because it affects us all – look at where we are now. I don’t care if the superintendent is black, white, asian or hispanic. I don’t care if it’s a male or a female. However, I do care that this person is able to put the education of this county’s children first and foremost and not be entrenched with any one group based on race, church or college greek affiliation. The purpose of any public school system is to educate children. It is not a jobs program and if people have to lose jobs in order to educate the children that should be the order of the day. We’ll see.
Dunwoody Mom
August 27th, 2011
6:27 pm
One of my many issues is my fear of losing the many great teachers we have in this system. If the culture and atmosphere of this school district, i.e. furlough days, cutting teacher salaries as being the first to go during a budget crunch while an overstaffed, overpaid central office staff continues merrily on their way, does not change, once this economy turn around, I am fearful we are going to lose our best teachers. All classes in our district should have a highly qualified teacher. I fear we are losing this battle. I know we’ve already lost a couple to private schools.
Cere
August 27th, 2011
6:27 pm
I was unable to attend the meet and greet, but in reading these comments I find this one by Jeff says is best, “I believe that the new leader will have a window of opportunity to dramatically reduce the overhead before being swallowed up by the problem instead of solving it.”
Truly, this is an enormous task. And it’s very true that getting right down to business is the way to establish the ground rules and maintain power and control. I don’t know if Dr. Atkinson really realizes that she is entering a battle. Even Johnny Brown didn’t manage to win the power. (Although he was dismissed with a $400,000 parting gift, which may be a decent enough achievement.) Maybe Atkinson should fly to Texas and take Brown out to dinner and get the real scoop.
I with her the best.
Dr. Craig Spinks/ Augusta
August 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
GODSPEED to Dr. Atkinson.
Blue
August 27th, 2011
7:15 pm
She had to negotiate with a real teachers’ union in Ohio. Here she has no union to slow her down in furthering DCSS’ continued, willful ignorance of teachers’ concerns and its desperate attempts to save money by bleeding teachers dry of salary and benefits. In the meanwhile, DCSS and all the admin cronies enrich themselves with the “savings.”
Not many years ago, in some school districts, applicants would not be hired as teachers if a bankruptcy appeared on their records. It’s illegal to do that now, but my biggest concern is that she was listed as sole defendant in adverse litigation in a bankruptcy. This should have been admitted on her application. If it is true that she did not list this litigation on her app, (and it is public record) then she should have been disqualified and not even considered for the position. This calls her veracity into doubt.
DCSS is trying to sell her as the best candidate for the job, and apparently will gloss over anything that would concern its constituents (not its stakeholders, because not even teachers have any stake held in DCSS–DCSS has removed teachers’ and other lowly employees’ stakes–not to mention parents’ and taxpayers’.) To satisfy, at the very minimum, SACS’ “demands” (as if SACS would ever enforce them as true demands!)
DCSS would leave us all in ignorance of its backroom dealings and politically charged decisions, sunshine and open meetings laws be damned.
Anonmom
August 27th, 2011
7:21 pm
She also did not list a suit that was a pending US District Court employment discrimination case against her in Lorrain — this case was a 2010/2011 case and was easily found on PACER records. It appears that the case was resolved by her in a “brilliant” manner that was “win/win” for both plaintiff and defendant and she probably could have “spun” the story of the litigation in a very favorable way. This litigation was pretty contemporaneous with this job application for a county school position in a system that spends millions on attorneys fees. Her answer most definitely should have been “yes” with an explanation. The troubling thing is not that there is litigation — what is troubling is that it wasn’t disclosed and explained. It goes to veracity in a situation where DCSS deperately needs to move forward in a positive manner with a strong leader of good moral character with strong leadership skills.
Jo
August 27th, 2011
7:30 pm
@ Blue (and others who still say “if” regarding Atkinson’s bankruptcy and her refusal to answer honestly on her job application):
Go to http://www.box.net. There you will see the actual legal documents supplied by PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
To access Box, you can either sign in with your Google account or register for a Box account (free). Then click on “Atkinson Bankruptcies.”
MamaH
August 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
Her socialist approach to education should scare all parents. She is also hiding alot about herself from certain members of the Board while others could care less. Dr. Atkinson is not appropriate for DCSS, she will be the final nail in the coffin. I would love to see DeKalb County have two school systems, the logistics would warrant that. South DeKalb can have Dr. Atkinson to run that system and North DeKalb could run a proper search for someone who actually comes with no baggage and who knows what needs to be done.
Real Talk
August 27th, 2011
9:05 pm
Jo
Did you pledge? Who is your pastor?
K Sims
August 27th, 2011
9:25 pm
Come on people lets give Dr. Atkinson a chance, I am so glad that no one was promoted within DCSS and glad that she’s from the outside. It can’t be no worst than what we had. Hopefully she’s fair and do not fed into the existing crap. DCSS in no difference than APS hurting our children. instead of cheating, they steal money (Dr. Lewis) from our children new and renovated schools, etc.
TruthBe
August 27th, 2011
9:26 pm
Thank you MamaH, your idea about spliting Dekalb into two pieces is great. Let the affirmative action folks have their diversity nominee candidate in Mrs.Atkinson and we can search for a real candidate that actually cares about educating our children.
amazed
August 27th, 2011
9:51 pm
@Dunwoody Mom
Real Talk told you to agree with him or shut up. You insulted him by not complying. Real Talk talks an awful lot like our BOE member Walker (or at least the quotes I have seen attributed to him).
There sure seems to be a lot of that APS Beverly Hall attitude around here lately. Just tow the line and shut up. If you don’t agree you are the problem and we’ll try to get rid of you. That type of narrow minded attitude allows disasters like APS, Crawford Lewis, Enron, the bank derivatives meltdown to occur. Its disturbing that DCSS is generating so much of that type of thinking (or more accurately lack of thinking).
Exteacher
August 27th, 2011
10:35 pm
Good luck..
.Technology is nice but is often only a playtoy in the hands of students who treat programs like videogames. Many teachers who have smartboards have NO IDEA of what to do with them or how they work. Technology is HIGHLY overrated as a teaching tool.
Fencing in school? Swords in school? Wow. Really? I brought this up to the athletic director of the local high school. NO INTEREST AT ALL! I would have coached for free. Not football or basketball=no interest. Sad attitude.
All the problems are not in the central office, though after an orientation to substitute teach, I can see why people think it is… Clean house and maybe she can earn some cred.
Blue
August 27th, 2011
10:36 pm
@MamaH – Exactly what do you mean by “socialist”? I hear that word used a lot describing our President and his policies. In my simple mind, it represents a new code for “African-American” or “Black” or some other choice racial epithets that you’ve hidden behind the word “socialist.”
Seems like the early Christians established “communal” refuges for believers. Yes, “communal”, the root word of which is the same for “communist.” Since in our simplified understanding of “socialism” we’ve tended to associate it with “communism,” can we agree that the first Christian communities were socialist?
So…if you think that “socialist” is a pejorative, racially-masked epithet for a black Democratic politician, a black superintendent candidate, or our President, then I guess you’re really paying that person a profound compliment.
And I don’t even think Dr. Atkinson should be our new superintendent! Not because she may or may not be a “socialist,” (especially given the racial garbage now associated with that word), but because I think she’s unqualified and not truthful.
Jo
August 28th, 2011
12:13 am
Maureen — If the stakes weren’t so high and the situation with DeKalb County School System so critical, you could be downright amusing! Taken from your blog reporting on the Atkinson Meet-and-Greet:
“You gained the sense that the DeKalb parents in the audience believe there is too much dead weight in the central office as the applause was reflexive whenever Atkinson talked about changes at that level.”
For more than a year now there has been growing concern expressed on the DeKalb School Watch blog about the bloated and ineffective central office staff. So, yes, Maureen, there is “a sense that parents believe there is too much dead weight in the Palace.” You might try looking at the DeKalb School Watch blog occasionally.
Meanwhile, for some hard statistics that puts it all in perspective, go to http://www.box.net, select the Palace Staff and Schoolhouse Teachers file. In that file is an Excel workbook with two spreadsheets. Look at the first one. It has ALL DCSS employees in 2010 listed by name and salary and within categories. You do the math: look at the number of teachers and the teacher payroll amount as a percentage of the total staff and total payroll.
Yes, Maureen, there is a “sense” that there is too much dead weight in DCSS.