Clayton school chief resigns today

Dr. Edmund Heatley resigned 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

146 comments Add your comment

Reality Check

August 29th, 2012
6:53 pm

Attention ALL GA school board members…Google is a valuable tool. Please google your candidate before offering a contract, it won’t cost you a thing but could save you millions.

Dilemma

August 29th, 2012
6:58 pm

Ed Heatley’s legacy will be that he destroyed our Career & Technical Education programs. He brought in a leader for these programs who does not meet minimal qualifications and that’s a leadership certificate. Clayton County CTAE used to be #1 in the State, now we are at the bottom under the direction of Edmond Heatley!

MIke

August 29th, 2012
7:12 pm

I hate to disappoint all of you who think that Clayton County is a terrible place to live. We definitely have our problems but I have lived here all of my life and have no plans on moving. I guess it just makes some of you feel better to disparage someone else. I am sure all of you are really helping to make your counties better.

Relieved....

August 29th, 2012
7:18 pm

The main problem I have with him is that he prides himself on being very rude and aggressive when he talks to his leadership people. As a result, they have put lots of people in power who have absolutely no people skills. If you look at several of the people who are so called leaders, they are also rude to the people in their departments and they lack the ability to show concern and compassion. Very inflexible and are DEFINITELY not open to new ideas. How are you going to be in student services but you dont know how to talk to people in a respecful way. I wont name any names here but if you work in any of the student services roles, you know who I am talking about. There are two main ones who stand out because they are vocal. The third one would stand out but she is not competent enough to be vocal so only her group knows how crass she can be. Sorry but true… I am glad that he is leaving but I am very nervous because we have only had problems with the last few people in this role. Pray for ClayCo and the people invested in that county.

Mortimer Collins

August 29th, 2012
7:37 pm

“Heatley repeatedly denied the accusation and the costly investigation uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing.”

In other words for Heatleys “under the table” agreement to get outa Dodge, the entire matter was swept under the rug. Geez, lets hope they pay him thru the end of his contract.

posterchild

August 29th, 2012
8:09 pm

@Andy, I’ve often thought the same thing. Having grown up there, I know it’s close to town, has lots of well-built houses from the 60’s and 70’s… just needs some culture. Coffee shop or restaurant here and there, and you’re golden.

s222hip

August 29th, 2012
8:16 pm

Richard why does the next superintendent have to have “mindset geared for African-American” children. Sounds a litttle racist. Why not look for a different perspective. Maybe this time losing accreditation won’t make CC laughing stock of Georgia.

WOW!

August 29th, 2012
8:23 pm

@ Joe & Scott – If you don’t live there, then why do you care? You sound like racists. @ Solutions – “free baby sitting”, WOW! Everyone can’t afford to send their children to public school. Plus, as long as cititzens pay taxes, how is it free baby sitting. I thought the discussion was about Dr. Heatley. This is the problem with some U.S. citizens, deep rooted unconscience racism, conscience, (in your face racism), greed, and ignorance!

God Please Help Us!

Fred ™

August 29th, 2012
8:35 pm

Wow. Talk about spur of the moment………

Old timer

August 29th, 2012
8:35 pm

And I know who will be the acting chief……

Clayco Resident

August 29th, 2012
8:39 pm

@Ellenwood…you’re right he hasn’t come out and said anything. He had the opportunity to speak at the minimum day forums but he chose to hide behind the fact that the Principals and Administrators wanted to conduct the forums. To my knowledge, they didn’t ask him not to attend they simply wanted to facilitate the forums. In other words, they knew that he made a mess and they were trying to bring some civility to the issue. Quite a few of his fraternity brothers have prominent positions within the school district…several teachers circulated a letter during one of the school board meetings addressing his bullying tactics…he sent out a letter 3 weeks before school started to alert parents that there would be a change in the weekly school schedule. A decision that he made without the consent or input of the Clayton County stakeholders. I could offer you several more examples but I challenge you to get involved. Go to the School Board meetings, join the Governing Council at your child’s school, talk to the Administrators at the schools to hear their needs. Its not about (to use your quote) “It’s something wrong with everybody” I was not searching to condemn Dr. Heatly, he set himself up and now its time to hold him accountable. If we take a passive approach to how the BOE operates, we’ll be back in accreditation trouble. I hope you and other Clayton County stakeholders accept my challenge.

Ron F.

August 29th, 2012
8:45 pm

The problem is that superintendent positions have become like CEO’s. There’s too much of a diconnect between the super and the kids, teachers, citizens he works for in many systems. I worked in Clayton for 15 years and left after the BOE hired a series of increasingly corporate-minded, big business fools who did more harm than good. The system now is like Dekalb: top heavy and unwieldy at best. You can’t run a lean, effective system when there is layer upon layer of county office positions given as a payback to folks who never worked a day in a school building in the system. I’d love to see every system in this state require the kinds of hands-on, in the school building leadership I have in my system right now. We see the guy often and he actually stops and speaks and is trying to learn all of our names. I would have fallen over in a faint if any of the supers I had in Clayton had done that after the early nineties. We need to hire educators, not corporate bigwigs and we need to return the payscale to a more reasonable level.

WOW!

August 29th, 2012
8:53 pm

Correction – should read, “most people can’t afford to send their children to private school”.

Mike

August 29th, 2012
8:57 pm

Scott – it must feel great to cut and run when things go bad. It takes a big man to move to another area and then criticize their old home. I guess that was much easier than trying to make Clayton County better. By the way – have you decided where you will move next in the event that Kennesaw does not always meet your high standards?

Money for Nothing, Chicks not Free

August 29th, 2012
9:01 pm

I say we move to Idaho and Montana and let the inmates have Georgia with the understanding that they can never move. I would hazard to guess which state would come out better……..

G

August 29th, 2012
9:37 pm

I’m still trying to figure out why Clayton is in the mouths of anyone but the residents who live here or the people who work here….It amazes me that people are so concerned about Clayton, but they don’t live here. Amazing to me!

Deborah T

August 29th, 2012
10:19 pm

Sid,
Victor Hill was re-elected so get over it, you probably live somewhere else anyway, remember they are talking about Heatley not my new sheriff.

claytondawg

August 29th, 2012
11:00 pm

@G above…excellent point.

We're being infected

August 29th, 2012
11:34 pm

Clayton County Public Schools received a big dose of penicillin today with the resignation of Ed Heatley. I just hope we can rebuild our Career Technical Agriculture Education programs. Good riddance you A$$wipe.

Another comment

August 30th, 2012
12:50 am

I do not believe that Carl Rodenheiser and the former white crew that were bank mangers from the Bank of Clayton county were Republicans in the 80’s. Remember this was the State was solid Blue dog Democrate until it flipped 10 years ago. Clayton also had its character’s when ever I got back to the Northside the Good Olde boys would the former downtown and now corporate office always had to ask me how’s Carl. They knew he was a great local banker and politician, but they wanted to know what color his hair was grey, purple or blue. I would look at them what are you going to suggest I tell him to get some toner from Sally’s. Clayton county just has colorful folks.

The real problem that I have found of my entire 29 year living in Atlanta area is that this is the most racist area. The school districts are too big due to racism, the color in poorer does not want to give up anything. Large districts fail every ware they should equal one or two high schools with their feeder schools, supt. who make $150k ( less than a congressman or US senator) divided up the counties into cities get rid of the redundant county government. No Mayer needs an event planing staff of 6 ( are these his covers for being down low).

School administrations should not be based upon black fraternity. Brothers who were red and white or the pink and green sisters. Just like white and black marbles. Boy are their lawsuits waiting to happen. My daughter tells me Hinnjosa has made one of the pink and green sisters get rid of her pink and green asst. principal who was inept and dispised this year. But then folks in Cobb even in south Cobb are not putting up the administration being all one race, and you have to have at least 12 percent white and Asian students to have a chance of improvement.

The white flight. Needs to stop. The black communities need to take communities back. We need to look at the success of metro in Northern va and Maryland.

Bernie

August 30th, 2012
12:55 am

Maureen this GUY was a very poor choice…surely you can see that from your high perch. So is the one in Atlanta, time will tell his fate as well.

Educated

August 30th, 2012
2:03 am

@Chris, good job in putting certain people in their place that do not live in Clayton County. LOL! That was funny showing the 720+ crime rate of Kennesaw. Can’t wait to see your response Joe?? LOL! There is NOT one county that does not have problems. I do not care how pale the population. They may all be different, but they are the same. I was also told this by a high ranked white police officer when we asked him about different places to live. So, spare us with the dramatics!!! I mean, there is the teen age drinking problem in Forsyth, the drug problem in Cobb, the rowdy and drunkenness of bar patrons for midtown and Buckhead patrons: all of these are white areas. Henry county had to deal with extreme overcrowding BEFORE the recession that has weighed heavily on their schools and social services, etc…..I could go on and on…..
However, I also agree that some of the decisions in Clayton County have me shake my head. I live in Clayton County. However, the lack of analytical thought and non-racist innuendoes are not helpful for a serious discussion. And to my dismay whether a person is white, black, Hispanic or Asian or from Cobb, Clayton, Forsyth etc….I find the alarming lack of intellectual dialog as the main reason for the political and educational gridlock we now see in Georgia. It seems like it is two worlds, the transplants and the “good ole days” folks that cannot deal with “those” type of people or the changing demographic of Georgia. This is why there is such a need for better education in Georgia. As an education activist; I just find that so disheartening. The changing to a browner population did not cripple Texas, Virginia, North Carolina or Maryland. But, no not Georgia! The cross burners are ready for action and this time that do it with a peck on their keyboards. The sheets are replaced by a fake blog name. But the intent is the same.
You just don’t see the ignorance and upfront racism (the constant assumption that black neighborhoods are bad and filled with bad parents and unruly children) in other cultured outlets (unless you consider Yahoo blogs ‘civilized’). A lot of these comments are just so misguided and will not help the problems. I have yet to come to any AJC site and read informative suggestions on par with sites such as the New Yorker or the like. The sentences, on AJC online, are short, badly misspelled and just racist and ignorant. I remember speaking with someone from North Carolina for hours on how they were going to go about changing the educational climate there. That was 11 years ago and by golly they did it. They are no longer considered backwoods and ignorant or part of the Old South such as Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, etc….
I mean our colleges are now being impacted. Look at the revelation that Emory has been repeatedly lying. I travel a lot and some of this stuff is so backwards! Do people on this site really travel? Here, the bus system is seen as evil? That they are transporting blacks to white neighborhoods to steal the silver? LOL! I mean this is just plain crazy. Have you people traveled to New York, San Francisco, DC/Va/Md? Say it slowly with me and pull off the sheets…..people like to use other means of transportation other than a vehicle because they are concerned about their ecological footprint, want to save money or maybe, just maybe just want to get to work.
So, I say all of this to say. How can you comment on what is going on in Clayton County if you do not “currently” live here? And no, living here when it was lily white and a crown glory (sarcasm) where you still have some idealistic dreams about the county does not count. And, yes as an African American I am not afraid to say that there has been a change. I have seen that in the 12 years I have lived here, but that is mostly due to class and educational issues. In looking back at the test scores in the early 80’s and 90’s Clayton County was never a “top tier” school systems, even when it was lily white (I researched the data in the library). The difference, I think, was that Clayton County was a solid working and middle class community (the black and white community; as the one of the founders of AKA lived here and so did some of the King family back in the day). That has been downgraded to a lower economic class (black and white) which was made worse due to a lack of economic infrastructure in this past sleepy bed rock community.
Can the AJ Constitution please find better moderators like other online newspapers that are considered cultured? You guys seem to allow so many hillbillies to come to your forum. If you prefaced your comment section with a statement that states that only postings show clarity of idea, is not derogatory but factual and scholarly you would not have such lowly and simple conversation that does not put Georgia forward, but caters to the lowest common denominator among Georgians. You see this same pattern in our school system. If my aforementioned disclaimer was applied to EVERY political and educational debate it would assist us greatly!!! The articles are interesting, but the commenters’ just comment based less of factual data and more on their personal bias. Rare evidence is given when people state that “Clayton county is the worst and that is a fact” as one commenter said. So, this is what we are teaching?

By the way, Maureen I like who you push your more close minded respondents that seem to tip the race card line when posting. I do not know if you open their eyes, but I like that you put it out there. As a white woman, I commend you. All of us should put that nonsense to rest and it should not only be done by blacks. So, thanks! We are all in this together! And, yes I say good riddance! You cannot run a school district like you are in the Marines, but Clayton County does need a superintendent that knows how to work with people. There is plenty to work with despite the negative press. Read the latest education magazine that outlines the average test scores for every county within Metro Atlanta. We fare pretty well against most counties. Read people and stop just looking at the entertainment news!!!!

Educated

August 30th, 2012
2:28 am

@ Another comment…..yes this is the most racists area and I agree and like I said, we need to look up north and in majority minority states like Maryland and upcoming Virgina. Also mostly brown cities (hispanic) like San Antonio is doing great as well with an hispanic mayor. Then there is Palm Beach County, Fla (mostly hispanics and blacks). We have to fight back against the racism and it will take whites as well, but I just don’t know if they are up to it in Georgia. Sad! But the rest of us can do it, just like at the other communities that did it without a white majority!!! At some point they are going to have to face the truth that they can’t keep running.

For example, we bought a very, very expensive home in Clayton County in the Lake Spivey area due to white flight and the fact that this white couple left their house to move to an all white area and thought they could pay two house notes for a year. Well, the recession hit….hubby lost his job and my and my husband came with our money and hard balled them and got the house for almost nothing because they were broke. Now we live in this wonderful community and they made the schools around it magnet schools, so not only did we get the dirt cheap house but our kids go to magnet schools. I also get to be a stay at home mom and homeschool one of my children despite the fact that we live in a 3600 sq. footage home, with an open floor plan, chef kitchen, on 1/2 acre with swim/tennis, etc….. But, we do see more whites taken advantage of the white flight as well. Two of our neighbors that just bought a house by us are white. So hopefully, we can all get this cheap land and then turn it around. Palm Beach County, Florida turned their school system around in three years and won the “gold prize” in education (can’t remember the award, but Gwinnett won it in 2009).

I welcome anyone to come and snap up the land and help change it around. I mean we have a lake, college, a golf course, one of the first fine arts magnet elementary schools in the nation and now we just extended it to the middle and high. We have an IB program in our high school, a foreign language charter school and a 6-12 charter school that is one of the top in the state( the students start a dual college program in 11th grade together) as well as the Math and Science magnet middle school ( my child attends).

Now there are some issues, and you are going to have to be involved but at least you will have options because of the low cost and less time driving. So, if you don’t like the public schools, you can always live in a nice community and send them to private school or homeschool because the homes are so cheap (1/2 of my neighborhood goes to private school: CCS, Woodward, etc…) and the traffic is not bad at all. It puts 400, 20, 285 and 316 to shame; even in rush hour. Don’t let the racist bend scare you.

Dr. Craig Spinks/ Georgians for Educational Excellence

August 30th, 2012
3:01 am

Heatley was “MACEd.”

Other GA school superintendents and those GA school systems which disrespect their teachers can expect similar treatment.

Peach State educrats have been forewarned.

KEEP IT MOVING

August 30th, 2012
3:11 am

FACTS: VICTOR HILL IS THE NEW SHERIFF , JEFF TURNER IS THE NEW COMMISSIONER, SANDRA SCOTT DID GET RE-ELECTED AND HEATLEY HAS RESIGNED !!!! CLAYTON COUNTY IS MOVING FORWARD AND WE ARE NOT LOOKING BACK !!!! REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE SITUATION , CLAYTON COUNTY WILL CONTINUE MOVING IN A POSITIVE AND ORDERLY FASHION. THE CITIZENS OF CLAYTON COUNY HAVE SPOKEN AND WE ARE MOVING ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS. CONGRATULATIONS CLAYTON COUNTY !!!!!!!

More of the Same in Clayton

August 30th, 2012
7:39 am

4-year-old girl shot in Clayton County

Nora

August 30th, 2012
9:16 am

Many of these posts are so negative about people in Clayton County–people who you don’t even know. When a general comment is made about a group of people of a certain race or ethnicity, it is called stereotyping. Comments on here classify Clayton County as a cesspool, etc. I live in Clayton County, not that I’m exactly proud of that fact at the moment. We need some divine help, it’s true. However, all of the insensitive remarks about the people of Clayton County need not be made on this blog. I am a Black working woman, married to one husband who is the father of all of my children, who were born after we were married (just countering the stereotypes). I’m not filth, and there are others who have values who live here. Some of us have invested in our homes and have not yet chosen to walk away from them. Some of us came here before things went from “not so great” to “worse.” If God parted the Red Sea, if He was able to inspire the people of Nineveh to change through the preaching of Jonah, He can transform Clayton County if the people are willing. Let’s stop with the negativity and get to work to change Clayton County for the better.

Ex Resident

August 30th, 2012
9:20 am

I want some of what KEEP IT MOVING is smoking…..those test scores from CCPS do keep moving….DDDOOOOOWWWWNNNNNNNN LLLLLOOOOOWWWWW.

Educator for Life

August 30th, 2012
9:41 am

Clayton County is hilarious. They remove an educated person from their educational system, yet elect a criminal to head a major part of their judicial system.

Bernie

August 30th, 2012
10:35 am

More of the Same in Clayton – 7:39 am : The Gun that injured this child was in the same CAR as the child. This is most likely an irresponsible parent when it comes to GUN safety. This comment was from this poster was to incite Fear and strife.

stooge

August 30th, 2012
11:46 am

education geared for the mindset of African American children. What in hell does that mean exactly?

Cracker Barrell

August 30th, 2012
11:58 am

Lets talk about the hoarders and meth addicts of Cobb, Hall, White, Forsyth, and Gwinnett. When you stop treating your 20 flea infested dogs better than your kids, then you can talk about Clayton County. Clean out your own trailers and find the fathers of your biracial kids before you talk about the “trash” in Clayton county. Worked in Forsyth to Rabun for 3 years and those people take “trash” to whole new level. Better schools maybe but dental care and basic cleanliness -NO! The food stamps and WIC runneth over and then they’ll vote Republican because some other race receives the same benefits. Check your own backyard and you will probably find the same “trash” you speak about.
For the record, Clayton still has a very diverse population so its not just one race voting these candidates in. Clayton has some of the most beautiful amenities and homes in Georgia and not surrounding that man made cesspool you call “Lake” Lanier.

Blame Barns

August 30th, 2012
12:51 pm

Educated. Did you even take a breath when you wrote all that dribble?

CCPS Employee

August 30th, 2012
2:11 pm

I have worked alongside of the Leadership team since Dr. Heatley has been in Clayton County, and he is not a bad man however he is a climber and Clayton County Schools is now another line on a resume.
For those of you who are saying that Dr. Heatley regained the Accreditation obviously you are on the outside looking in. The process for regaining Clayton Counties Accreditation was under way far before Dr. Heatley arrived. You can thank Paul Robbins and Kay Sledge for the accreditation not Dr. Heatley.
The Clayton County board needs to wake up and hire a Superitendant who cares more about the Children of Clayton County than carving a name for themselves. The Board had got to lay their personal, petty differences aside (Dr. Adamson and Goree) and do what we elected you to do, be the voice for the Children of Clayton County.

Dr. John Trotter

August 30th, 2012
3:19 pm

Do you really want to know how school systems end up with benighted boobs as their superintendents, I’ll let you in on a few secrets here >>>

http://georgiateachersspeakout.com/

Dr. John Trotter

August 30th, 2012
3:20 pm

Sorry for the bad grammar. I meant to ask a question. Typing too fast. Sorry. Should have had an “If” instead of a “Do.”

Former CCPS employee

August 30th, 2012
3:21 pm

Going to definitely agree with CCPS employee. A school superintendent does not regain accreditation; but, all those ducks in the water with their feet paddling like crazy did make the difference. You named two and I think there might have been a few others as well.

Hollwould

August 30th, 2012
3:36 pm

@educated, you are a liar. At one point in your book you say you are african american, later at the bottom you say you are a white woman. So which is it, Liar?

WOW!

August 30th, 2012
5:33 pm

@ cracker barrell – funny but true! The truth hurts!lol

G

August 30th, 2012
9:58 pm

@ more of the same in Clayton

The little girl was unfortunately shot with a gun in the car she was riding in…..READ!

From The Inside

August 31st, 2012
1:34 am

Dr. Heatley was very a mean spirited when man he didn’t have to be. I never understood how Hendrix could abandon his CCPS roots to become a part of such bigotry. It hurts my heart to see outsiders come into our school district and treat those who have given their sweat and tears to build such a warm community, use intimidation and fear to control us. Please take leave during the month of September and just go!!! Do it for the children.

More of the same in Clayton

August 31st, 2012
10:15 am

Clayton police chief’s financial records seized

Until the voters of Clayton get a clue, nothing is going to change (except get worse).

Re: The little girl was unfortunately shot with a gun in the car she was riding in….
- Another good example of how lacking common sense and proper oversight is in Clayton

Sleepless in Clayton

September 1st, 2012
10:49 pm

Dr. Heatley, California awaits your arrival. He is now the sole finalist for Berkeley Unified School District.

http://www.berkeleyschools.net/2012/08/31/board-of-education-takes-final-steps-to-hire-new-superintendent-invites-public-comment/

I know why he left

September 4th, 2012
1:35 pm

Heatley will not say it, but it is quite obvious to me. He is leaving because of the vicious attacks that have constantly been perpatrated against him by a frequent flier on this site (JT) and at least 4 current board members. They are all directly responsible for the rumors that were put out through email blast and text message blast to members of JT’s company, many of which inhabit school districts throughout the metro area. This is about to come out. Additionally JT and the board member have positioned people to come in and run for the board in hopes that JT’s company can get the business of disgruntled employees many of which are poor performers of their jobs. The current board member fights to get these employees off because he/she is being paid to do so by JT. The remaining board members did nothing even though they know what is going on. This is all about an outside influence. SACs will be back in Clayton. Oh yeah… JT and the board member are planning to bring back the last interim supt. since she has been in on the whole plot and wants the job more than oxygen. Too bad Clayton. Seemed like a a decent guy to me, but a place as void of thoughful introspection as Clayton deserves the foolishness it gets. Who fights against have better trained teachers, needed cuts necessary to save a business…for kids, or supports the self gratifying rhetoric of a narsasitic fool like JT? Let me guess, Clayton. You are who you show yourself to be. Thanks for trying Heatley. Even a marine can’t save that hell hole.

Odo

September 5th, 2012
5:53 pm

It seems that God is finally hearing the prayer of the people in Clayton County. All the bumps in leadership position have either been kicked out of office or are leaving voluntarily. The “Dirty Harry” Commision Chairman (Eldrin Bell) is gone; the menagé trois Sheriff is gone and now the buffoon School Superintendent. These guy rush to Clayton County thinking that it is a backward southern county where they can get away with anything , but have eventaully hit a roadblock.

[...] I can’t imagine Clayton rehiring Heatley, who has made it clear he wants to leave the county. [...]