Clayton school chief resigns today
Dr. Edmond Heatley resigned today
Breaking news from Clayton County where controversial schools Superintendent Dr. Edmond Heatley resigned effective the end of next month.
The Clayton school board released a statement that an interim will be appointed to take Heatley’s place. “School has just begun and our primary focus will remain providing the students of Clayton County with a high quality education during this transition,” said chairwoman Pam Adamson. ”We are grateful to Dr. Heatley for his service and wish him the best.”
Heatley, the eighth Clayton County superintendent since 2000, was not fired. “He still has the confidence and respect of the majority of the board,” said Pam Adamson, who met with Heatley Wednesday morning regarding his decision.
It was apparent that Heatley wanted out of Clayton.
Heatley, who came to Clayton County in 2009, had interviewed for the superintendency in Dallas earlier this summer. The Texas job was open because the former Dallas school chief Michael Hinojosa left a year ago to become Cobb County Schools’ top administrator. Heatley did not get the Dallas job.
According to a July AJC story about Heatley:
He has been credited with helping the 50,000-student system regain full accreditation after years of struggle. His initial contract paid him a $250,000 base salary. His contract now runs through June 30, 2014. Calls to Heatley, who rarely gives news interviews, were not returned Tuesday.
Despite Clayton County’s accreditation rebound, Heatley’s tenure in the district has been marked by distractions and tough decisions. During recent budget talks, the idea of eliminating sports and fine arts programs in middle schools was floated, and several unfilled jobs were eliminated.
“A lot of people have issues for the superintendent, but that is par for the course, ” said Rex resident and school board watcher Larry O’Keeffe. “I am not as happy as I was, because the school system has become less open and transparent.”
In February, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the school system spent upward of $40,000 to investigate rumors of an inappropriate relationship involving Heatley and a school district employee. The investigation was launched by the school board without public discussion or a public vote and coincided with districtwide budget cuts, which included layoffs, delays in key purchases and a shorter academic calendar.
Heatley repeatedly denied the accusation and the costly investigation uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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146 comments Add your comment
George Bush
August 29th, 2012
5:15 pm
Hey Maureen “thinking outside the box” is one of the major reasons he drew so much heat . More training for teachers so they could actually improve teaching is a great idea. Clayton County is a graveyard for anyone with new ideas, and seeking to make live better in the godforsaken county. Sure he’ll land in a much better situation and Clayton will once again be looking, maybe Hill can give advice to the board on how to locate a new super?
Bloodbike
August 29th, 2012
5:15 pm
@ Andy,
You are correct sir. The Olympics coming to Atlanta changed Clayton County to what it is today. Everyone who really cared about the county left after making a quick “buck” and allowed Atlanta to send there undesirables to the county to make room for the Olympics and “progress”. Terrible, under handed, and double dealing between those in the know hurt Clayton.
catlady
August 29th, 2012
5:15 pm
Rougher times ahead, I predict. Would like to know the “down low” on this.
Gone For Good
August 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
It is a good thing for Clayco that this maniac is gone. He ruled by intimidation and bullying. He, along with that sorry excuse for a school board, wrecked morale for most school system employees. I personally don’t know of anyone who liked him, and if you didn’t you’d better not speak out against him or you’d be out on the street the next day. He is an arrogant, mean-spirited, clueless jerk and I’m glad to see him go. Maybe now morale will improve.
Solutions
August 29th, 2012
5:18 pm
The market cannot be too competitive, give the disaster named Beverly Hall! Here in Cobb, we once hired a retired Air Farce General as the SuperDuper, he was a disaster. I still think the solution is to reduce the number of years of free public education to something like six, putting a little urgency into the learning process. No more free baby sitting at my expense!
Solutions
August 29th, 2012
5:20 pm
Catlady – do you have top secret info on a down low lifestyle in this issue of “Support your local Education Union?”
Bloodbike
August 29th, 2012
5:23 pm
Check the Federal Money. Watch how many other “high level” admins resign as well. I don’t know if people are aware but a african american fraternity with colors of “red and white” have been running many aspects of Clayton County for years. The current Sheriff loosing his spot was the start of the end for them. Wait and see. Headley is leaving because his “bro” can’t watch out for him anymore. stuff is about to get ugly!
lisajohnson1211
August 29th, 2012
5:25 pm
@drsoul_Dr. Edmond Heatley did NOTHING to restore ANYTHING in CCPS. If anything he created complete turmoil and the failure. Notice that the failed re-elections of his Kappa brothers definitely had some bearing on his resignation. RESEARCH THAT! The excitement of Heatley’s departure began today with cheers across the county from school to school and tomorrow it will continue with a barrage of parades until he climbs into his truck and rides out into the sunset to the place of “WHO CARES.”
Football Widow
August 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
@ Scott, obviously ClayCo’s schools weren’t that great when you were there. The word is now, not know. AIGF
The credit for saving the accreditation should go to John Thompson, the interim superintendent before Heatley. He should have been chosen to stay, but the board was swayed by the advice of Mark Elgart, CEO of SACS (now AdvancEd). The board was afraid to lose accreditation again so they listened. Heatley has used that fear to bully the board into doing every little thing he wanted to do, until now. The writing was on the wall when the Board, even his buddy the chairperson, rejected the early release Wednesday idea.
Hillbilly D
August 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
the average tenure for urban superintendents is now 3.6 years
In my opinion, that’s a large part of the problem. It isn’t just confined to the urban systems but these guys are little more than hired guns. The come to town, always promising to make a big splash and as soon as something else comes along, off they go. Their major priority seems to me to be feathering their caps and furthering their careers. Seems like few if any of them are in it for the long haul.
Bloodbike
August 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
@ Football Widow,
I agree with everything you said above but the idea of keeping John Thompson long term. Mr. Thompson had no vested reason to stay in Clayton and do what needed to be done. He wanted a big pay day, received it and left. We need to bring some local talent to the crisis that is Clayton County. Stop looking outside of Ga and hire someone in state. I don’t care of they are white, black, male or female. Just ensure they are already in Ga so we know that they are here to stay, not looking to make a quick dollar and leave.
Stephanie Clayton County Mother & Resident
August 29th, 2012
5:33 pm
Every county has it problems, Cobb, Fayette, DeKalb, Atlanta, Fulton & Gwinnett and some others. Some come out in the news and others don’t. You all want to make jokes but were are you helping out. These are babies that are going to be affected by this. But I can say we are a Praying county and will get through this. To my babies Mama Kennedy & the other mommas are going to make sure that you will stay on track & to the Teachers you know we love you and are there for you.
John B
August 29th, 2012
5:33 pm
Lets place blame where it belongs…on the Clayton County voters who keep electing unqualified people to run the county and schools. The overall quality of the Clayton County population has taken a serious dive in the last 20 years from a Republican stronghold to a Democratic mess.
Yoyo
August 29th, 2012
5:37 pm
blah blah blah
Peachy
August 29th, 2012
5:40 pm
After all- the good citizens of Clayton Co re-elected Sandra Scott, who was removed from the Clayton County School Board by the Governor and Gail Davenport, whose greatest words of wisdom was “Fight SACS.” Doesn’t anyone care that the school system lost $23 million when we lost accreditation? Doesn’t anyone care that our property values are pathetic?
Andy
August 29th, 2012
5:41 pm
I’m curious if, lets say ten years from now, Clayton doesn’t noticeably revitalize because the buses are never coming back (state taxpayers will never pay for it) so a decent portion of the riff raff should be gone by then, not to mention its close to ATL and the houses are cheap as dirt which could help the county become the next East Purnt for the yuppie twenty something college grads.
Just thinking out loud. I’d never live there, but even back in the mid 00’s I had this gut feeling that Clayton, at some later point, could swing back to quality times again.
Football Widow
August 29th, 2012
5:42 pm
@ Bloodbike, point taken. But instead of just GA, look within the county or at least people who have worked in the county before. A lot of them were very knowledgeable and talented, but fled when Heatley started his games. However it ends up, I hope the next superintendent does more to build up the schools instead of looking for ways to tear them down. There are some great kids in Clayton County and they deserve better.
Peachy
August 29th, 2012
5:44 pm
Oh dear- let me correct the above before Football Widow gets out her red pen: Davenport’s words or wisdom WERE “Fight SACS.”
" Vote For Obama Because He's Black "
August 29th, 2012
5:44 pm
I think it’s time to hire a white superintendent in Clayton. Try to lure one from maybe Rabun,Fannin county,somewhere in North Georgia. They have the highest graduation rates,lowest drop out rates in the state.
The also have a very low crime rate,low teen pregnancy rate.
Someone like that might jump on that big fat salary they pay in Clayton county and clean up that mess.
Pride and Joy
August 29th, 2012
5:44 pm
I agree with Maureen that school chiefs overturn every so often but…right at the beginning of a school year without an announcement that he has accepted another job?
That’s not routine.
When people resign without prior notice and without another job it usually means they were asked to resign instead of being fired or they want to resign in order to avoid something — such as a scandal.
I am glad he resigned because I would hate for those children to be denied 20% of their learning time.
Leaving early on a Wednesday means kids don’t get anything out of a Wednesday because the shcool is required to serve them lunch before they leave.
So by the time the kids show up, pledge the flag, listen to announcements, put up their back packs and eat lunch and go to the restroom….it’s time to go home.
That’s one day a week they’re not getting instruction. One day out of five days a week. 20%.
As a parent, I wouldn’t want that “lose every Wednesday” to become a trend at other schools.
What I enjoy about my kids private schools is that there are ZERO teacher “work days” and “early release days.”
They get instruction all day every day of the week — and zero complaints.
Teacher
August 29th, 2012
5:46 pm
I find it funny that people are so quick to throw out all the supposed breaks we get. We get no time to create lesson plans, grade papers, make parent phone calls, or fill out the countless forms where we analyze your children’s weaknesses during the day. We even have to work during our lunch! When do you think these things get done? How many of you hard working parents do 4-5 hours of work off the clock once you get home, everyday? Parents complain about the early release but don’t have all of the facts. Other counties have already implemented this or have even gone to a four day school week for students. Would you prefer that? Kids across the nation are way behind academically and we are doing our best to fix it. We understand that parents send us the best they have and it is our job to fill in the gaps. Academically and behaviorally you would not believe what we deal with! It is not easy to take a child who can’t think and get them to analyze a mathematical equation or write a research paper without printing random web pages and turning it in as their work. Can you imagine having 20 in one class with this problem? Of course as Chris said above, you can contact your lawmakers and have them pay us for what we are worth. The way I calculate it, if you pay me for the actual time I work each week, I would need a $ 400,000 raise! That’s with no overtime pay…just regular salary for the number of hours and work I put in per academic school year!
Clayco Resident
August 29th, 2012
5:48 pm
@Ellenwood…overly judgemental…really?! He consistently played favorites specifically towards anyone in his fraternity and he made decisions without considering all of the stakeholders. As far as your suggestion for me to apply for the position…I’m not qualified to take the position and neither was Dr. Heatly which he showed through his leadership. I am, however, qualified to pay attention to the decisions that are made. I am qualified to either support, get more information or disagree with all of the decisions made by the Clayton County BOE and school administrators. BTW, I think that Clayton County got it wrong with Victor Hill. Its like the Mayor Marion Barry of DC election all over again.
Beatings will Continue until Morale Improves.
August 29th, 2012
5:49 pm
Crawford Lewis won a Milken award…its officially irrelevant in my book If you give one to him
Beatings will Continue until Morale Improves.
August 29th, 2012
5:51 pm
Pink and Green sorority colors run DCSD, and everyone else who isnt one is a second class citizen.
joshua
August 29th, 2012
5:55 pm
Clayton deserves what they get. Its a shame that clayton county has went from a great county to a laughing stock in 15 years. Crime is ridiculous and the trash on the corner and the trash standing in front of the store. It might be acceptable in your neighborhood
Teacher
August 29th, 2012
5:56 pm
@ Pride and Joy
Check your math. It’s actually equates to our middle school classes being shortened by 15 minutes on that one day. With the total of 1875 minutes per week of class time we have now, and the 75 minutes we lose for early release, they have 1800 minutes of class time. That’s 4%.
Ex Resident
August 29th, 2012
5:56 pm
Chris:
I did live in the county for 10 years and sold my house in 2010. Speaking from experience on my end…..Clayton is a dysfunctional dump!! Care to guess what type of individual will not be allowed as the next superintendent of Clayton no matter how qualified they might be??
Ex Resident
August 29th, 2012
5:57 pm
What’s the deal with moderation, Maureen?
ms. clyton
August 29th, 2012
5:59 pm
I agree. It is best to seek a qualified candidate outside the state. Outside leadership with no connections to Clayton or Georgia is much needed.
Steve
August 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
Chris: The citizens of Clayton County deserve whatever they get. First the school board can’t stop fighting so they lose their accreditation then they elect Victor Hill to be sheriff even though he’s under indictment for 40 felonies! What a joke. Then just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse you have Eldrin Bell bitchin’ and complaining that he lost to the guy he fired!!
Here’s a thought, just make Eldrin Bell the Super. He’s out of job. ROFLOL
Dr. John Trotter
August 29th, 2012
6:03 pm
I have closely observed a dozen superintendents in Clayton County for over 30 years, and, in my opinion, Edmond Heatley was the most despised of all by employees. He was certainly, again, in my opinion, the worst. This dislike apparently began to become widespread in the community.
I believe that we broke this story earlier today. I got a tip from a very reliable source. You can read about it at this two sites >>>
http://www.theteachersadvocate.com
http://www.georgiateachersspeakout.com
Old timer
August 29th, 2012
6:04 pm
He seemed to me, a former Clayton teacher, to do a good job. But, the teachers I know and used to work with hate him….Then, one super..Harrisson, teachers like and admins did not….he stirred the soup too much. He did back teachers with grades and needed retention.
Dr. John Trotter
August 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
I think Edmond Heatley was forced out. But, like all other Gypsy Superintendents, he too will be re-cycled somewhere else. I pity the students, teachers, and the school system where he ends up. Ouch!
Old timer
August 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
So, I guess I am saying…what do I know…
Dr. John Trotter
August 29th, 2012
6:06 pm
@ Oldtimer: You are ill-informed. Joe Hairston was greatly disliked too.
Ben
August 29th, 2012
6:15 pm
It’s just a rotten place, period. U know there is a reason that most crime in Atlanta happens there. Leave Victor Hill in as sheriff, the recidivists living there voted him in so he’s a perfect symbol of that whole county and the people who live there.
happy dance
August 29th, 2012
6:15 pm
Edmond Heatley did nothing but what he was told by the national corporate take-over artists. He never made a decision putting the children first. His bottom line was always financial unless it meant hiring his wife, which was also financial.
SugarHillDawg
August 29th, 2012
6:19 pm
Hey Andy, Clayton county is where the city of Atlanta shipped all the fine upstanding “citizens” from techwood and perry homes. Rockdale is going down the same road too. I moved out of there when the “influx” began too!
American Citizen
August 29th, 2012
6:20 pm
To those of you that are arguing w/people who are making race an issue & that are calling Clayton County a cesspool, please don’t! When you do tht, you stoop to the level of ignorance. Someone above says that he “KNOW lives in Kennesaw,” not NOW lives in Kennesaw. If that’s what Kennesaw has to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT” for them, they’re in trouble too. I’m not from GA, so I feel that the entire state’s education system is screwed. This is a state that has been at the bottom, educationally, for years. Those stats didn’t come from just Clayton County…..that includes Cobb, Fayette, Putnam, Fulton, Dekalb, etc.
When people make such ignorant remarks, they vote in people such as Newt Gingrich, who cheated on his wife, as he was impeaching Clinton. This is just modern-day lynching, when people make such ridiculous remarks. I know several people that are in law enforcement and several lawyers that have stated that certain counties have “ways of keeping the violence out of the news.” Don’t be ignorant, CRIME IS EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!! White collar crimes are still crimes! Domestic violence is still a crime!! When you say Kennesaw, or any other city in America, doesn’t have crime or the idiots that believe that it’s true, just read some of the statements on any new story. As an American, I totally believe in FREE SPEECH, but since there is not a lot of censorship from the host of these blogs, PEOPLE PLEASE CENSOR YOURSELVES. It’s better to be thought a fool, then to open your mouths (or use your fingers) and remove all doubt.
Old timer
August 29th, 2012
6:21 pm
When I taught we were required to stay after school for training…yes we were tired. Also, some training was on Saturday…and before Zell our pay was the bottom of the US.
Ellenwood
August 29th, 2012
6:26 pm
@Clay Res —- Listen. All I’m saying, I don’t have a Heaven or Hell to put anyone in. Not saying its right or wrong, but thats what typically happen when you’re in organizations that share some of the same common interests and ideals. I just didn’t get why or what proof you have to say that the power went to his head. To me, Clayton County will never be satisfied. It’s something wrong with everybody. I guarantee the next person…..people will find something wrong with them and their leadership style. He hasn’t come out and said anything….give him a chance to speak.
stanthefireman
August 29th, 2012
6:27 pm
Get them Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
American Citizen
August 29th, 2012
6:29 pm
Also, “Don’t argue with a fool, because passersby can’t tell which is the fool.”
Reality Check
August 29th, 2012
6:33 pm
First, Heatley didn’t get the accreditation back – that was one big charade by SACS. Second, who do you think the problem is – the people in the County and the conniving, crooked Board members or the Superintendents?!? CCPS has had 5 superintendents in 4 years! Do the math – oh, you probably can’t if you live in Clayton County!
Waldo313
August 29th, 2012
6:34 pm
This guy is a bum. But, because of contractual requirements, he’ll walk away with at least a year’s salary and will have another job in a few months. The deck is stacked against the students and the taxpayers.
Tee
August 29th, 2012
6:37 pm
Ok, I mean really people. I live in Clayton County and did not vote for Victor Hill. Why does this have anything to do with the Superintendent resigning? If you knew your facts, you would understand that the infighting of the school board is what caused the school system to lose its accreditation. CCPS, it is not the only school system that has faced challenges. Oh, let’s not forget that SACS did threaten to yank the accreditation from Cobb and Dekalb last school year. I think it is crazy that the entire school board is elected, in other states members of the community are appointed to ensure that they will have the best interest of the community that they serve from business leaders and school staff.
Specialist
August 29th, 2012
6:40 pm
John Trotter for Super……I swear it couldn’t get any worse. But I will say this seriously, I’d actually support him. With John, it is never about what he says, it is always how he says it! He speaks the truth,only if he would learn how to be tactful and empathetic, he would be a great leader.
GSXrrr Man
August 29th, 2012
6:46 pm
Some of the comments about Clay Co are right. But most of them start with hatred from the Racist in this lovely good old boy state. Yes Racism and Racist are alive and kicking. Only an idiot would vote for a man with 37 indictments against him. Some out of the 37 charges are bound to stick. So Victor will plead out . But never will he take the job of Sheriff again.Clayton became bad when Atlanta, Cobb and the other cities gave rent vouchers AKA ghetto free rent passes for low income women and there criminal boyfriends to leave the city. Welcome to Clay Co we will take you. I’m glad the buses stopped running here so hopefully some problems will leave the county.
Same ole same ole
August 29th, 2012
6:47 pm
These bad school administrators just get shuffled from one district to another. It’s like deadwood in corporate America. The process of firing someone is too long and cumbersome so you pawn them off on some other unsuspecting department by withholding the truth and “suggesting” that you wish you could hang on to them. Eventually they end up in a “special project” that gets cancelled.
Hall county native
August 29th, 2012
6:52 pm
Clayton needs Will Schofield from Hall County!
Start wooing already!