Dear Mr. Thurmond: Let nine school board members fight own battles. You have 99,000 other people to consider.
Michael Thurmond has been getting a lot of advice these last few days since he accepted the job of interim school chief in DeKalb County.
Let me add mine.
Mr. Thurmond, Do not confuse the DeKalb County Schools with the DeKalb County Board of Education. They are not one and the same. Your focus must be the schools and the children, not the troubled school board.
You are beginning to worry parents with your focus on nine adults who should be able to make their own case to the state Board of Education to keep their jobs.
Today, you announced to DeKalb lawmakers that you’re going to be the lone voice speaking on the board’s behalf next week when the state Board of Education considers again whether to recommend the board’s ouster to the governor.
You said: “I will articulate the facts and make the case on behalf of the DeKalb school district at the hearing on Feb. 21. I look forward to the opportunity.”
Stay home and stay out of it. Those nine people aren’t your responsibility. Focus instead on the 99,000 other people in DeKalb Schools counting on you, the students.
Put them first. Someone has to.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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97 comments Add your comment
bootney farnsworth
February 12th, 2013
3:30 pm
the students are the least important cog in big education.
nice if he’ll do it. time will tell.
Dunwoody Mom
February 12th, 2013
3:32 pm
Amen, Maureen!!!
“I will articulate the facts and make the case on behalf of the DeKalb school district
Is Thurmond confused? The reason for SACS probation was the BOE, not the school district.
Mom of 3
February 12th, 2013
3:36 pm
To me it sounds like he is acting as their attorney. Even his statement sounds like something a defense attorney would say. Nothing to do with the schools or students.
Dunwoody Mom
February 12th, 2013
3:39 pm
I agree Mom of 3…it seems he’s focused on the BOE, not the school system. This is not good and a straight road to loss of accreditation.
Shar
February 12th, 2013
3:39 pm
Ms. Downey, you are absolutely right. If those nine adults can neither justify their own actions nor articulate specific remedies, they need to be removed. Mr. Thurmond cannot and should not either stand in the way or act as their mouthpiece. Let their sins fall on their own heads; the children and teachers of DCSS need and merit all the attention, thought and support he can muster.
Prof
February 12th, 2013
3:44 pm
I predict that yesterday’s approved House Bill 115, amending the Code provisions relating to suspension and removal of local school board members, is going to get fast-tracked through the Senate just as it has the House.
marm
February 12th, 2013
3:46 pm
No, no, no. Mr. Thurmond, this is not the way to start. These people created the mess they are in. Let them extricate themselves. You should be speaking for the students, if you give support to these grown men and women who have brought DCSS to it’s knees with their selfishness, you will be no better than they are.
Bernie
February 12th, 2013
3:53 pm
There is an Old Georgia Political saying,”Never Bite the Hand that FEEDS YOU!”
Mr. Thurmond is a politician first and foremost or did Dekalb County overlook that bit of reality? OOPS!
Pardon My Blog
February 12th, 2013
3:57 pm
Okay, I think the parents and the taxpayers have had enough of these shenanigans. He has no shame in revealing the real reason he was hired, not for the good of the school system or its students, but to save Walker and Company’s job! Now we are bound to another contract which I think should be null and void based on fraud. Not only should the Board go but so should he.
Old School
February 12th, 2013
4:10 pm
I agree with most of those on here. Saving the jobs of the BOE should not be youis not ioobf
muddy waters
February 12th, 2013
4:11 pm
Could it have taken less time for Thurmond to reveal himself as a tool?
Citizen Dave
February 12th, 2013
4:11 pm
From the AdvancED report, page 7
“The email [containing the subject line: Candidate for TAPP Program] from the board chair [Gene Walker] to the Superintendent read in part, ‘This is the individual I referred to the program that I asked you about, with his strong background and personal demeanor I feel that he would be a great candidate. . . . Please know that I have met this young man and he is a brother of one of our Board…. I would appreciate any assistance that you could provide.’”
Dr. Walker, did you send this e-mail? Do you think it is appropriate? Superintendent Thurmond, instead of lobbying to keep the ax from falling, can you talk some sense into the Board Chairman? It’s stuff like this, and the belief that this is ok, that has gotten things so messed up.
alm
February 12th, 2013
4:16 pm
Well said.
Betsy Parks
February 12th, 2013
4:18 pm
Sign our petition to encourage the GABOE and Gov Deal to REMOVE the DKBOE
http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-nathan-deal-and-georgia-state-board-of-education-review-sacs-findings-if-accurate-replace-the-dekalb-county-school-board
Principal Skinner
February 12th, 2013
4:20 pm
MD,
I just wanted to tell u that I have sensed your passion in the last couple of posts re DCSS. Thank you.
Old School
February 12th, 2013
4:24 pm
Michael, I hope you or someone close to you reads this blog. Saving the jobs of the BOE is not your priority; saving the accreditation of the system is. I am in favor of Gov Deal removing the entire board and then individually considering reinstating some of them. However, Gov Deal has his own issues with cronyism, so I’m scared to death of who he might appoint.
In any case, Michael, this is not where you should be spending your time. I suggest your start by meeting with principals (just principals, no central office staff) and find out what they need and let them tell you who in the central office provides value. If some central office departments don’t provide value, get rid of them. Spend the money on the kids, not on staff. Next, let the principals build their teams. Find a way to get rid of incompetent teachers. This is a large problem in the schools, and it seems almost impossible to fire an incompetent teacher. There are lots of other things that need to be done, but just these two actions will have a positive effect on budget and teaching.
Fed Up
February 12th, 2013
4:29 pm
Nice thought Thurmond would concern himself with the welfare of DeKalb County students. Sadly, it has become very apparent that will not be the case. He was hired by a desperate bunch of hacks so he can help cover their backsides and keep their jobs.
I knew the moment the announcement was made on Friday when former Gov. Barnes and many other state politicians came out if favor of Thurmond a possible “fix” with the state board was in the cards. Then, Thurmond himself said his priority is keeping the current board in place and “maintaining” SACS accreditation.
Wow. The board is smack in the middle of the issues SACS quoted when they put the DeKalb School System on probation. Keeping the cause of the problems in place is a priority? Really? DeKalb parents should be outraged!
Disgusted in Dekalb
February 12th, 2013
4:30 pm
Concise and on target, Maureen.
Claudia Stucke
February 12th, 2013
4:32 pm
Mr. Thurmond made national news with his successful innovations at the Georgia Department of Labor, and I hope that he brings with him that same energy to improve the school district. Many of DeKalb’s educators, however, are concerned that he was simply brought on board and feel blind-sided by his interim appointment. Furthermore, his friendship with board chairman Gene Walker has also raised concern about Mr. Thurmond’s objectivity. Let’s hope he has the good sense to take the sound, practical advice he’s been offered here and gets down to the business of educating DeKalb’s students–not saving the school board members’ jobs.
Long Suffering
February 12th, 2013
4:36 pm
Sorry folks, but it just ain’t happening. We all know why Thurmond was “annointed” by this board based on his own words. He was brought in to influence the state board to allow this dysfunctional mess to continue while trying to get SACS off of their backs.
We know where Thurmond’s focus is and I now feel very strongly the state board will not remove the DeKalb BOE. Just chalk it up to politics folks. It has never been about the kids.
Wilbur
February 12th, 2013
4:46 pm
If Thurmond is defending the BOE, he is the wrong guy for the job. It seems to me that he cut a deal with the BOE to get a job. Defending the DeKalb County BOE is a sure way for Thurmond to destroy any hope of a future political career. I agree that the stink of Roy Barnes and the “fix” is all over this deal.
Dr. John Trotter
February 12th, 2013
4:46 pm
Who hired Senator/Commissioner Thurmond? Was it SACS or the DeKalb County Board of Education? It only makes sense for him to try to make a case for the school board. Otherwise, I would consider him an ingrate.
Perhaps no one writing on this blog has been as critical of the DeKalb Board of Education as I have been. On the streets with picket signs and everything. But, I am a constitutionalist first, and I believe that the school board was duly elected by the voters of DeKalb County and that the school board is set up by the Georgia Constitution. It appears to me that when certain people can’t get their people elected, then they run to the governor to get around elected politics.
Dr. John Trotter
February 12th, 2013
4:48 pm
Who hired Senator/Commissioner Thurmond? Was it SACS, the Bilderberg Group, or the DeKalb County Board of Education? It only makes sense for him to try to make a case for the school board. Otherwise, I would consider him an ingrate.
Perhaps no one writing on this blog has been as critical of the DeKalb Board of Education as I have been. On the streets with picket signs and everything. But, I am a constitutionalist first, and I believe that the school board was duly elected by the voters of DeKalb County and that the school board is set up by the Georgia Constitution. It appears to me that when certain people can’t get their people elected, then they run to the governor to get around elected politics.
Frustrated Dekalb Parent
February 12th, 2013
4:48 pm
I am fuming beyond belief at reading this. The appearance of the connection between Thurmond, Walker and Johnson was bad enough when he was selected but now his actions are showing his true colors. WHEN WILL THE KIDS BE PUT FIRST?!?!?
Spedteacher
February 12th, 2013
5:06 pm
to answer Frustrated Dekalb Parent’s question – not until politicians are taken out of the equation and educators are put back in.
Parents for DeKalb Schools
February 12th, 2013
5:14 pm
DeKalb Schools stakeholder? Join over 700 followers: http://www.facebook.com/Parentsfordekalbcountyschools
There’s always a conversation going on here.
Parents for DeKalb Schools
February 12th, 2013
5:16 pm
Join the conversation on twitter:
http://twitter.com/parents4dcs
http://www.parentsfordekalbschools.com
Joe
February 12th, 2013
5:19 pm
Thurmond should know better. He works for the DeKalb County School System now. The Board is a separate entity. He owes all his time now to the school system and its students. Time that he spends advocating for the Board is time spent not doing his job (and grounds for dismissal I would think).
DeKalb Educated
February 12th, 2013
5:19 pm
Dear Maureen,
Thank you for voicing the frustration of every DeKalb County parent.
If a red flag did not go up when someone (Thurmond) with no experience in education was appointed as superindent, his statements about preserving the board certainly should have raised that flag. Thurmond is a politician who knows how to work the state system and the media to achieve whatever public relations and reactions he needs. If there was ever a doubt how the board could hire an unqualified superintendent, Mr. Thurmond totally dashed those doubts by stating his priorities right away. It is totally unbelievable this board has been allowed to continue to operate being guided by nepotism, corruption and politics while every DeKalb student and teacher continue to suffer.
Flabberghasted4sure
February 12th, 2013
5:19 pm
Flabberghasted, distraught and feeling pretty darn hopeless. We have 7 Board members to thank for continuing our downward spiral (We have crashed and are certainly below ground now – it is getting pretty hot down here.) Let’s start by thanking with our newly elected BOE member Marshall Orson who is taking credit for recommending Thurmond. Does this action please the Fernbank parents? Thought you were smarter and cared at least a little about other kids in DeKalb but it really is about the politics and a new Fernbank, not DeKalb’s kids, isn’t it? Otherwise, you would reign in your Prince Charming. Then there’s Gene, Sarah, Jay, Donna, Melvin, and Jim to thank. Voters in District 4 are definitely upset with their new BOE member – how quickly McMahan forgot his campaign platform (transparency and accountability) and the constituents that elected him. Very sad for the children.
Maureen, you are absolutely right. Thurmond’s job is the day to day work of the school system for the academic success of all the children, not saving his employer. So, so disappointing.
Pardon My Blog
February 12th, 2013
5:33 pm
Even though I still lhave a child in the system and it pains me to say this, this should be the final nail in the coffin and DeKalb should lose accreditation immediately. SACS should send a strong message that they mean business because this Board is giving them the middle finger. It also appears that Thurmond was named “Interim Superintendent” solely to serve the needs of this Board and not to serve the needs of the students which indicates to me that the Board committed fraud. Also, the State Board should not wait until the next scheduled meeting. The should convene immediately and yank this Board and so-called Superintendent before anymore harm can be done.
paulo977
February 12th, 2013
5:37 pm
The School Board responsible for the ills of the DCSS ?…..How gullible have we become??
Pam Maxson
February 12th, 2013
5:54 pm
Amen, Maureen! Thank you so much for saying this simple truth! Why does everyone try to repair things from the top down? Especially in schools? He is NOT there for the board. If he makes this move, no one will trust him to put the children first.
10:10 am
February 12th, 2013
6:11 pm
Mr. Thurmond: Consider opening the door to more charter schools.
Especially if you find yourself with temporary powers to decisively move DeKalb onto a bold new path that favors parents and children instead of entrenched bureaucracies and teachers’ unions.
STEM Mom
February 12th, 2013
6:17 pm
When I read “You said: “I will articulate the facts and make the case on behalf of the DeKalb school district at the hearing on Feb. 21. I look forward to the opportunity.”
I thought: what a vague statement! Mr. Thurmond does not use the term board, just “DeKalb school district”, and depending how you read it, you can interpret it one way or the other.
Sounds very diplomatic… enough to make sure the DeKalb board will not fire him outright, but such vagueness makes me uncomfortable.
DunMoody
February 12th, 2013
6:23 pm
MD. My hero.
Beverly Fraud
February 12th, 2013
6:33 pm
None of this would have happened if we had embraced the clarion call of the triumphant return of Beverly Hall.
For all her selfless giving to be cast aside without even being given the chance to share her knowledge and expertise…shameful; just shameful.
I’m extremely disappointed in Andrew Young, and Shirley Franklin for not embracing the clarion call.
Private Citizen
February 12th, 2013
6:48 pm
There are literally thousands of teachers in Georgia who have recently adjusted to life without their school teaching job. A friend call me a day ago and shared the news of their resignation. Another one bites the dust-tah! Anyway, life outside the grid is doable, maybe even healthful. Although, after this reign of craziness, it is rather apparent? some school board members have sank their teeth into steak dinner, jaws clamped.
Here’s an observation, every characterization I see of the Debalb County School Board is voiced in a collective way. They get a free pass on individual accountability. This is an error and it is wrong, it is morally wrong. One of them can threaten teachers and principals and such and they are not held accountable, their actions are under the umbrella of “The Board.” It’s ridiculous. It is completely crazy, this indulgence. And it is completely lame for the state or the law to be set up this way.
Private Citizen
February 12th, 2013
7:00 pm
DeKalb, that is.
Beverly Fraud
February 12th, 2013
7:04 pm
MD. My hero.
The same person who sat idly by while a decade’s worth of academic genocide happened in APS, only to suggest that person at the helm of the atrocity remain in power for the sake of “stability”?
I guess it’s never too late to get schooled after all.
Todd
February 12th, 2013
7:46 pm
This hearing next week may turn out waaaaay better theater than I could have hoped for. The DBOE members have been ordered to be there and give testimony under oath. If Thurmond is the only one to speak, are the DBOE members going to refuse to testify? If they do, are they going to plead their 5th amendment protections? That would pretty much seal their fates (assuming the past two weeks worth of shenanigans hasn’t already done so). I just hope someone subpoenas Dr. Atkinson…..
living in an outdated ed system
February 12th, 2013
8:07 pm
@Maureen – AGREED!
Old timer
February 12th, 2013
8:07 pm
Maureen, you did a good job. He does not need to spend his time protecting the school board. I do not think the governor should remove them. Unfortunately, Dekalb will have to suffer for their stupidity it just shows you you cannot keep voting for the same people. These folks run the system like their kingdom. Maybe, a recall or two are in order.
mary riley
February 12th, 2013
8:34 pm
Well, well, well. Here we go again. Another amoral incompetent political hack put in place by the gangsta’s of Dekalb County School Board. Every single member of that board is a crook, I hope thatyou all get burned for the horrific crimes you have commuted against our children. You Sara, Eugene the whole lot of you should go.to jail for fraud. Disgusting.
bootney farnsworth
February 12th, 2013
8:44 pm
still think the citizens of DeKalb should just sit back and give him time? or a chance?
well, well, well.
dekalbite
February 12th, 2013
8:54 pm
Please email Michael Thurmond your concerns about his representing the DeKalb Board of Education at the upcoming State Board of Education meeting. If you feel his defense of the DeKalb Board of Education is a conflict of interest and/or he could better spend his time developing a budget that ensures students have reasonable class sizes and competent, well compensated teachers, then express those sentiments to him. After all, he may have been hired by this Board of Education, but his salary is paid by the taxpayers of DeKalb County.
His email address is:
michael_l_thurmond@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Mr. Thurmond needs to hear from the taxpayers of DeKalb.
Para in DeKalb
February 12th, 2013
9:24 pm
We want to give Mr. Thurmond a chance, but this is not a good start. Those board members have failed us – the staff and our kids. It is not his responsibility to defend the DeKalb BOE. There are too many other things going on in this county that need his attention.
worried about the numbers
February 12th, 2013
9:27 pm
Thank you for making this statement. I completely agree. He does not seem to understand what his job is.
DeKalbMama
February 12th, 2013
9:36 pm
Dr. John Trotter, please stay the hell out of this. If you’re not a citizen of DeKalb County then this has zero to do with you. Yes, we may have elected the idiots serving on our BoE, but it was with the expectation that they would serve and act on behalf of the best interests of ALL DeKalb County’s students. They have failed to do so. We have the right to recall elected officials when they fail to live up to their duty and in fact do real harm to those they are supposed to serve. So, please shut the hell up and stay out of what doesn’t concern you.
dekalbite@Dr. Trotter
February 12th, 2013
9:42 pm
No offense. But your opinions do sound like you are more concerned with “adult” issues than “student” issues. That is not acceptable to most parents/taxpayers. If you are interested in getting teachers in DeKalb to join MACE, it doesn’t seem wise to defend the personnel (the BOE after all are personnel) who have made their jobs untenable.
hopespringseternal
February 12th, 2013
9:56 pm
I’ll start by stating that I’m no apologist for anything or anybody. In fact, I’m a frustrated taxpaying parent of a DCSS high school junior. That alone should let people know where I stand. And yet — I had to return to the four specific requirements of AdvancED (SACS) in order to show progress. (Also not saying I agree with the basis of SACS’ review or its findings – but we’re here now.) As I read them, two are laser-specific to the board (a plan to act cohesively vs. individually; and to make sure all actions of the BOE are reflective of a board decision and not a bunch of individual BOE members acting on their own and undermining the Super’s day-to-day management authority).
The remaining two edicts, if we know anything about how boards and superintendents work, actually involve the Super. They are: implement policies and procedures ensuring proper segregation of duties; and implement and follow fiscally responsible policies and practices so that they set a proper budget and then live within it. It is Super and staff who work WITH the BOE to craft both policy and procedures. This work is not done by the BOE and the staff in vacuums, nor should it be.
So, the superintendent has to involve himself to some degree with the BOE as it approaches the state board to show progress. He can’t be absent if they expect to speak with any intelligence on what they’ve done to get better. (I’m not so sure that anything HAS been done to get them better, but that’s not my point right now.) Now, if he meant by his words that he intends to literally defend their position as though he’s their counsel, that’s another story altogether. I personally don’t think he meant that; he knows better as a practicing attorney if for no other reason. If he did, then I agree that that shouldn’t be his focus.
People pilloried Atkinson because neither she nor her staff was on hand at last month’s SBOE hearing. So… are we pillorying Thurmond because he will be on hand? And to answer to things which require input from both staff and the BOE? Just asking.
bu2
February 12th, 2013
9:57 pm
@Dr. Trotter
Keep expressing your opinions (of course, I’m sure you will). Its good to have outside views from those who aren’t as caught up in it as us residents.
Huntley Hills Tiger
February 12th, 2013
10:16 pm
DeKalb County Schools has been the subject of 11 posts here just this month, and several more will come. Pulling some of MD’s words from her post headings . . “dubious choices” . . . “falling apart” . . . “under pressure” . . . “hidden political agenda” . . .”can he lead?” These words and the posting & comments that follow do not read like anything I could ever imagine attached to the leadership of the system educating my 3 children. They sound like the CNN analysis of a crumbling and corrupt third world government right before a violent coup. . . . Huh . . .
Janusz Maciuba
February 12th, 2013
10:27 pm
Too much money and you lose your political instincts, apparently. I almost crashed the car when I heard Mike’s sound bite. The only reason he should attend the state board meeting is to make sure all the DBOE are thrown out.
Also, this job might be political death for his future ambitions. It would take years to find all the skeletons in all the closets. He should make this job as interim as possible.
And why doesn’t he do it for a $1 a year? Or drive his own car and buy his own phone? That would be the civic thing to do.
Huntley Hills Tiger
February 12th, 2013
10:58 pm
This is for you Principal Skinner: “Meet the Old Boss, Same as the Old Boss” . . . “then I’ll get on my knees and pray . . .We Don’t Get Fooled Again!”
It seems to me there are more and more DeKalb parents, teachers and tax-paying citizens are joining this chorus. But what next? After fighting for our kids, and against countless actions: foolish, reckless, selfish, destructive, immoral, illegal, and all at the expense of our children, and by a seemingly endless supply of sneaks, incompentents, liars, idiots and outright criminals; we are still ready to join hands with those who really value educating our children, especially the teachers, staff and principals at our local school, and the entire district.
All this IF (and that’s an epic “if” at this point) the entire board is removed, a legitimate and truly-qualified superintendent is put into place, and the parents, educators and stakeholders are allowed to get back to what they should be doing: educating the children, and working to start DCSS moving back to where it can and should be. I still believe that despite all that has happened, it can be done. I won’t give up . . . they’re our kids, for God’s sake!
Flabberghastedforsure
February 13th, 2013
12:27 am
Thurmond states that the BOE discussed and voted for him to be the only spokesperson at the SBOE hearing. That raises 2 questions (beyond the obvious one – which is why is he focused on this since it is not his job? ) The first is: Given he is functioning as the superintendent and not the attorney of record, how did they do this in executive session? This is the only place where a vote could have been taken. Not sure this is within open meetings for a “legal” issue. Secondly, isn’t the SBOE in charge of the format of the hearing and don’t they have control of who is called on to testify?
Disgusted in Dekalb
February 13th, 2013
2:11 am
I agree very strongly with Janusz. I was bothered by the reports of Thurmond showing up at a board meeting prior to his hiring and pronouncing that he was “just there to offer his help.” “Offering help” would be volunteering his services, or perhaps working for a salary equivalent to the average teacher’s pay. He showed up to help himself to a quarter million more of our tax dollars.
catlady
February 13th, 2013
6:46 am
I like Thurmond, but now we see why he got “found” so quickly! He needs to get busy on the friends and family plan, on the missing book money, on the discipline, achievement, and attendance problems. The SBOE, except the new ones, made this bed; it is time for them to lie in it. Toss out this corrupt and incompetent board, please, SBOE!
catlady
February 13th, 2013
6:51 am
P and J: Those are pretty harsh words. Not sure defamation of character (consorting with animals) should be put out there on this blog!
I hope the State Board says, “Sit down, Mr. Thurmond!”
Dr. John Trotter
February 13th, 2013
7:14 am
@ DeKalbMama: It looks like I hit a nerve. Yes, recalls are within your purview as a voter. Recall elections involve the votrers. But, going around the voters to ask the Governor to do your work for you is not a “recall.” Sorry that I am offended your sensitivities, but I am trying to speak what is the truth. The truth seems to offend some.
@ DeKalbite: This is not about getting members for MACE; it is about the constitutionality of removing duly-elected school board members. If we start allowing this, then only the politically-connected with the Governor will be appointed to the school boards and neither the teachers nor the parents will have a someone on the school board to hear their concerns. I don’t think that there is a scintilla of doubt that MACE is always “the teacher’s advocate.” Remember the MACE Mantra: You cannot have good learning conditions until you first have good teaching conditions.
http://www.theteachersadvocate.com
http://www.georgiateachersspeakout.com
bootney farnsworth
February 13th, 2013
7:19 am
@ catlady
hard to see how he’ll go after the friends and family plan since it appears to be how he got his job
Fred in DeKalb
February 13th, 2013
7:44 am
Dr. Trotter mentioned in an earlier blog on DeKalb about the mob mentality that he is seeing and many ignoring the constitution along with the rule of law. Based on the comments I have read, he is definitely on target once again. Continue to remind everyone about this..
Also, looking at US Senator Ted Cruz’s strange comments yesterday questioning the patriotism of Hagel during the Armed Services Committee hearing should serve as a reminder that rebel members may appeal to a narrow constituency however will have a harder time working with their fellow elected members. Does this sound like anyone on the DeKalb school board?
DeKalbMama
February 13th, 2013
8:04 am
Fred in DeKalb, you must be part of Gene Walker’s Friends and Family plan if you choose to compare righteous anger to mob mentality when it concerns the misappropriation of tax dollars to pay our new interim superintendent to represent the interests of the school board members rather than those if our kids. We are justified in both seeking to have this board removed and in questioning Thurmond’s motivation. Neither you nor Dr. Trotter seem concerned with what us right or just but rather with serving your own peculiar interests.
catlady
February 13th, 2013
8:18 am
Bootney, I agree, it looks like that is so. However, can we hope?
Fred in DeKalb
February 13th, 2013
8:24 am
DeKalbMama, read what hopespringseternal and bu2 both said earlier beginning at 9:56pm. You also make a strong allegation of misappropriation of tax dollars. Can you cite what law or regulation leads you to this conclusion?
Like other citizens, I’d like to see several Board members removed however we have laws in place (recall process) and elections that allow citizens to address that. I don’t like the actions of several Board members but unless they’ve broken the law (can you provide one), it’s hard to remove them simply because we don’t like the outcomes of their actions. I’ll work within my community to identify and support strong candidates to replace those I disagree with. I will also financially support candidates in other districts that can serve as better representatives. That’s how the process is supposed to work.
Dr. John Trotter
February 13th, 2013
8:57 am
@ DeKalb Mama: To the contrary, you seemed to be dirven by your personal interests and not what is right. What is right is to respect the democratic process. I don’t like given up this cherished right to an oligarchy or a Governor to appoint school board members. I have no particular dog in this fight. I don’t know a single school board member. I don’t have any of their phone numbers and have never broken bread with them, much less discussed the current affairs with them. I am just stating my opinions about democracy and the foolhardiness of given it up because a vocal minority can’t get their way.
Dr. John Trotter
February 13th, 2013
9:02 am
Forgive the typo, please, That should be “…and not [by] what is right.” I voted for President Obama the first time around in 2008. I didn’t vote for him this time, but I respect the process. He was duly elected. I don’t see any massive fraud involved. Therefore, I will continue to respect the Office of the President and hence Barack Obama as my President. This is democracy in action. We can’t just try to change the process when we can’t get our way. This is childish…and dangerous.
Federated State
February 13th, 2013
9:26 am
Dr Trotter, I have tremendous respect for you but as a student of politics I would disagree that this is not part of the democratic process. As a Federated State we relinquish our sovereign power to a higher level of government. By definition we expect a higher level of government to intercede in times of crisis.
We see examples of this in natural disasters, budgets, criminal investigations and other of area’s of government. In times of crisis or exnenuating circumstances we expect our greater governing system to act.
I would argue the situation in Dekalb from a pure financial perspective requires immediate intervention by the State to mediate and prevent further damage to the community.
Atlanta Media Guy
February 13th, 2013
10:38 am
Some folks talked earlier about criminality…… this might not be criminal, but remember Ms. Tyson was instructed by the board that she had a certain amount of money to fund the Palace staff. Instead, over two years she was interim, the new CFO and Turks replacement, discovered that she went 49 million dollars over budget. Seeing how DCSS celebrates failure, Tyson is now at Thurmond’s side, like she was with Atkinson, while he meets the DCSS leadership. By the way, how many teachers could 49 million fund…. We need fiscal accountability at the county level.
Like the citizens of newly created cities of Brookhaven and Dunwoody, they had a vote and used it to make sure their locally elected leaders would be held accountable. For too long many DeKalb residents have felt that they have had no voice. Elections do have consequences and the taxpayers will continue to fund the jobs program for the politically connected for many years to come.
Dekalbite@Fred in DeKalb
February 13th, 2013
11:08 am
“Like other citizens, I’d like to see several Board members removed however we have laws in place (recall process) and elections that allow citizens to address that”
You neglect to say that the governor could remove these BOE members based on Georgia law. The laws for their removal by the governor ARE in place. Just because you or Dr. Trotter do not feel a law is constitutional does not make it so.
Bu2 is a part of the Fernbank who in interested in making sure gets their new elementary school (they are first on the list wouldn’t you know) and he/she is a big support of Marshall Orson, newly elected BOE member who is also head of the Fernbsnk Elementary School Council. Not a completely unbiased opinion – IMHO.
Maureen is correct about Thurmond. Everyone in my neighborhood is upset he is not focusing on the children – even the people in their 70s and 80s with no kids in the school system!
Prof
February 13th, 2013
11:27 am
Since there’s much discussion here about the wisdom of the Governor removing democratically elected officials, I’d like to remind people of another relevant section of Georgia law: laws relating to malfeasance, or misconduct by a public official. According to GC 45-11-4, it’s grounds for removal from office. “Unprofessional conduct” can cause a “municipal officer,” which is “any elected member of any municipal governing authority,” to be removed from office. Such conduct includes “abuse of office,” which means the “improper influencing of actions of an officer OR EMPLOYEE.”
I am not a Professor of Law, so I can’t say for sure that an elected county school board member would be considered a member of a municipal governing authority. But I believe that Governor Deal is a lawyer, and also has state lawyers to advise on whether local BOE members have been guilty of malfeasance, as detailed by the SACS Report.
Being able to remove elected officials guilty of malfeasance seems part of democracy too.
alm
February 13th, 2013
11:37 am
Maureen,
Do you have the actual oath of office that all 9 took when they became board members?
Prof
February 13th, 2013
12:04 pm
P.S. I’ve just read the 20-page SACS Report, available on the online site of the DeKalb Board of Education. It notes that it only lists a small number of the actions by local BOE members that violate BOR and SACS policies, but has a more extensive account of such actions by Board members. I’m sure that if the Governor does initiate the members’ removal, this fuller account will be used.
bu2
February 13th, 2013
12:06 pm
@Dekalbite
Everyone on here has their biases. You have some very strong opinions. Dismissing those who disagree with you is part of the reason the board has gotten us into this accreditation mess. Walker’s group went off and did its own thing as did the Jester group.
I don’t consider myself a “big” Orson supporter. I don’t agree on everything, including the Thurmond appointment. However, I think he has some skills that might help get the board talking to each other again instead of through the media. I have the same hope for McMahan and Johnson. We might have some personalities that can bridge the divide.
As for the school, it was already part of the specific list approved in the TSPLOST vote. So by law, what happens to the board is totally irrelevant.
DeKalb Educated
February 13th, 2013
2:27 pm
As has been said many times, “Do not fear the wrong person elected to office. Do fear the electorate that put him/her there.” Yes DeKalb voters, for all the whining about these clowns on the board, how many of them have been re-elected numerous times? Sarah Copelin-Wood has been there since 1998. Cunningham since 2007, Walker since 2008, Speaks 2009. These folks did not just arrive on the scene, especially Copelin-Wood. She and Walker were both seen napping at the last state board meeting. That should be grounds for recall by itself.
Now, on to the board and the interim superintendent. I honestly hope the state removes the whole lot. It is NOT the superintendent’s job to help keep the board in place. The only interaction he should have with the board is to report to them on the status of the system and to make requests of things he feels the system needs to improve education. If he was truely hired to use his influence to keep the board in place and keep accreditation, my main question is who is running the school system? And, why was something like this allowed to happen without total outrage by the staff, parents and voters of DeKalb County?
Huntley Hills Tiger
February 13th, 2013
4:42 pm
@ Dr. John Trotter “I have no particular dog in this fight.” “I am just stating my opinions about democracy and the foolhardiness of given it up because a vocal minority can’t get their way.”
Well I & many others here do have a dog in this fight, my 3 kids go to DCSS. I would characterize most of us that are vocal (at least the ones I deal with – certainly not all blog posters) as an involved & informed significant group of parents, teachers, admin. etc. that are impacted daily by the actions of this board, the super. & much of the rest of central office (again, not all). We are involved & invested in our children & schools, serving in more capacities than I care to list, and would LOVE nothing more than to not spend any of that time (really, time on top of that) working so hard to demand appropriate public service from those who so often seem to be (and are) working against those efforts.
Dekalbite@bu2
February 13th, 2013
4:42 pm
“@Dekalbite
Everyone on here has their biases. You have some very strong opinions. Dismissing those who disagree with you is part of the reason the board has gotten us into this accreditation mess.”
It must be the grammatical arrangement, but it seems you are saying that I (a commenter on a blog) am part of the reason the board has gotten into this accreditation mess.
Perhaps you could clarify.
Would you like to know many pro-Orson or pro-new BOE member comments you have made? Random sample your comments and then take a percent of those favoable to Orson or keeping the new BOE members may be a valid way.
The data on where the money has gone in DeKalb (not for teachers who instruct students in content) or the class size maximums the BOE requested waivers for is public record. If strong opinions mean taking the time to look up the data, do a data analysis, explain how you did the data analysis and then provide a link so other readers/commenters can check your data and data analysis then I am guilty of having strong opinions.
Huntley Hills Tiger
February 13th, 2013
4:48 pm
@alm Couldn’t find the oath of office right off hand, but how about this as a summary of the POWERS & DUTIES of the members of the DCSS Board Members from their own board policy website. OK fellow bloggers, read through these, and comment at will. How many of these have been violated, ignored, flaunted, and outright trashed by this board, I could go on:
The DeKalb County Board of Education shall faithfully execute all powers and duties assigned to it by the Constitution and laws of Georgia. The Board’s powers and duties include but are not limited to the following:
1.Enact policies for the efficient and effective governance of the District.
2.Select, hire, and evaluate the Superintendent.
3.Approve an annual budget.
4.Review and approve financial reports and audits.
5.Set the Local educational millage rate as necessary for the operation of the District and its schools.
6.With the input of the Superintendent and staff, establish policies to strengthen the academic achievement of all students in the District.
7.Working with the Superintendent and staff, periodically evaluate the District’s strengths and weaknesses and develop goals for continuous improvement.
8.Periodically conduct a self-assessment of the Board’s governance and performance.
9.Work with the Superintendent to ensure that all employment decisions are based on individual merit, without regard to family, political, or other connections.
10.Work Enact policies for progressive discipline in student matters, resorting to suspension and expulsion of students only as necessary to ensure safety in the schools.
11.Work with the Superintendent to ensure that adequate facilities are available to educate all students in the District.
Huntley Hills Tiger
February 13th, 2013
4:53 pm
And the legal authority of the Board:
As a body created by the Constitution and laws of Georgia, the DeKalb County Board of Education has full authority to control and manage the DeKalb County School District and the public schools within the District.
The fundamental role of the Board is to establish policy for the District with the focus on student achievement. Day-to-day management of the District is the responsibility of the Superintendent, not the Board. It is not the role of the Board or individual Board members to micromanage the Superintendent in executing his or her duties, but it is the Board’s duty to hold the Superintendent accountable in the performance of his or her duties.
Except as expressly allowed by law, the Board shall not delegate or attempt to delegate its policy-making functions or any of its other responsibilities
Huntley Hills Tiger
February 13th, 2013
5:07 pm
Actual Oath of Office for all Georgia School Board members, rather standard:
Oath of Office
Before assuming duties, local school board members take an oath of office, which is administered by a judge or other official authorized to administer oath. It reads: I, _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will truly and faithfully discharge all the duties required of me by law as a member of the Board of Education of_________ , to the best of my ability.
I do further solemnly swear and affirm that I am not the holder of any public money due this slate unaccounted for; that I am not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States (except postmaster), nor of either of the several states, nor of any foreign state, and that I am otherwise qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution of the United States and Laws of Georgia, and that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state. So help me God. (O.C.G.A. § 45-3-1)
Huntley Hills Tiger
February 13th, 2013
5:15 pm
Last one, I promise, but much more pertinent is the Ethics Oath, which is based on a list of 30 codes (all listed on the “BH” portion of the DCSS Board Policy webpage), and are interesting reading, I won’t this them here, but all are worthy, and many routinely violated! Thus the effort to remove them.
C. Ethics Oath
At the first meeting of each calendar year (or as soon thereafter as possible), all Board members shall publicly swear or affirm their commitment to comply with the Board Member Ethics Policy, as set forth in Board Policy BH, and the Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy, as set forth in Board Policy BHA. The Ethics Oath, which shall be in addition to the Board member’s oath of office, shall read as follows.
ETHICS OATH
As a member of the DeKalb County Board of Education, I hereby swear or affirm my commitment to comply with the Board Member Ethics Policy, as set forth in Board Policy BH, and the Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy, as set forth in Board Policy BHA.
Signature: ______________________________
Date: __________
bu2
February 13th, 2013
5:41 pm
@Dekalbite
The attitude by many of the 9 board members that those who disagree with them don’t count (or have evil motives-see McChesney’s piece) is part of what got the board in the accreditation mess. Bloggers are irrelevant. When board members have that attitude, it prevents the board from working together.
DeKalbMama
February 13th, 2013
5:48 pm
While it may not be strictly illegal, I think it certainly is unjust that millions of dollars of taxpayer money has gone, not to pay teachers and support students in the classroom, but rather to fight a lawsuit from Heery Mitchell that was brought on by Crawford Lewis’ illegal activities. In agreeing to that suit out BoE exhibited extreme negligence. And what about board members intimidating teachers, principals, and bus drivers? What about the rampant nepotism? While Georgia law may be loosely-goosey in that area, common moral standards are not and have been violated excessively to the detriment of both students and teachers. Regardless of how you interpret the state constitution state law says the board can be removed. If MACE actually did give a damn about teachers, you’d get behind the DeKalb community and support this. Your resistance to this effort really is suspicious.
Dekalbite@bu2
February 13th, 2013
6:47 pm
While at one time or the other most people wish bloggers were irrelevant, that is not the case in today’s social media driven world. There are many people who never read print newspapers and magazines or non fiction books. They get their news from Fox News or MSNBC and from Internet sites that reinforce their opinions. They believe that what is said on a blog must be true because that’s what they believe.
bu2
February 13th, 2013
6:52 pm
I think the obsession some have with the legal fees paid on the Heery Mitchell lawsuit is suspicious. It makes you wonder if Heery Mitchell employees originally got all the complaints started with false rumors. You’ve got Dekalb Co. residents complaining about a lawsuit that could potentially bring in tens of millions to the county. And none of us writing on these boards have any idea of the relative merits of the case. The board discusses it in executive sessions. And the case is being tried by King & Spalding who is one of the most prominent law firms in Atlanta. This isn’t Dr. Walker’s son-in-law getting all the fees.
Its just really bizarre to me that residents are trying to undermine the school district’s position on something they have no knowledge of (and I’m not picking on you in particular DM-there are lots of others sharing your position).
Fred in DeKalb
February 13th, 2013
6:53 pm
Dekalbite, actually Dr. Trotter and I have history on our side regarding laws created to change the DeKalb board being unconstitutional. I’m sure you recall the attempt by state legislators to reduce the size of the school board. It wasn’t done through local legislation but by creating language that only applied to DeKalb and Rockdale counties and having the entire body voting on it. It did not take into consideration that Board members are constitutionally elected officers, like state legislators. Even Senator Millar had to admit it was flawed.
Both Dr. Trotter and I are saying that we’d like to see the same outcome as you and many of the posters. We disagree with the process some want to take to achieve that objective.
Also, following is something I posted on a GetSchool blog last year in July. Perhaps I had some foresight,
**If they collectively don’t trust the superintendent to run the day to day operations, they should come to a mutual separation agreement. Otherwise they need to give the superintendent (whomever that is) the ability to do their job while providing meaningful oversight. Board members should also defer citizens to the proper escalation path when there are questions about school operations. I’ve heard some in my part of the county compare her to Dr. Brown in that she is making the tough decisions that may be ruffling some feathers because it is contrary to the DeKalb way. I’m not sure any superintendent can be successful with this Board, even Jim Cherry. Then again, Jim Cherry probably would not put up with half of the foolishness.**
bu2
February 13th, 2013
6:56 pm
@Dekalbite
With regard to the board’s accreditation problems, I think bloggers are irrelevant. Its due to the board itself. And I agree with you that its been dysfunctional. I just disagree with those who think the governor appointing the board is going to fix it.
DeKalbMama
February 13th, 2013
7:05 pm
You must be kidding! You cannot seriously believe there is one bit of evidence in DeKalb’s favor regarding the Heery Mitchell lawsuit. Their contract was violated so Pat Pope and Crawford Lewis could line their pockets. The Board could have settled for $1.5 million. How many millions have been wasted? Negligence. And seriously, if you don’t live in DeKalb of have kids in the sysytem. You need to stay out if it.
DeKalb Inside Out
February 13th, 2013
7:16 pm
Republicans run the legislature, but the DeKalb Delegation is tapped to provide things for the state. Just like the DeKalb Delegation drew the BOE maps, they will be asked to provide recommendations for the appointed board. Mary Margaret Oliver and Howard Mosby will effectively be appointing the board … for better or for worse.
Fred in DeKalb
February 13th, 2013
7:42 pm
DeKalbMama, so you believe the lawyers at the time that advised the DeKalb BOE suggested they go on a wild goose chase to recover over $100 million dollars, with little evidence? If so, that would be malfeasance on their part and subject them to litigation. I don’t know about the evidence available but I feel confident in saying that dragging this trial along favors Heery. They have deep pockets and probably believe citizens don’t have the patience to wait this out. What does Crawford Lewis and Pat Pope Reid have to gain by delaying this? They have more to lose because they are probably almost destitute now.
DeKalbMama
February 13th, 2013
10:16 pm
As well they should be. Anyone who would steal from a school system as they did should suffer. You don’t seem to appreciate the state our school system is in not the effect that has on the overall health and well-being of our community. The damage done has largely been done at the hands of this school board.
alm
February 13th, 2013
11:09 pm
@Huntley Hills Tiger thank you.
bu2
February 14th, 2013
8:30 am
@DIO
Based on the AJC article today, it sounds like Ms. Oliver as well as Mr. Millar are lobbying to get the school board removed.
DeKalb Inside Out
February 14th, 2013
9:16 am
bu2
Mary Margaret Olive has protected most of “her” people by sliding HB 115 in without anybody noticing along with getting Thurmond in there. She is taking a chance and hoping Deal will ask her and Mosby for appointments to replace the board.
Millar is an odd story. The general population loves Millar. They don’t know that he is a RHINO, was the biggest road block to Dunwoody becoming a city and is currently a huge road block to independent school districts. He conspires with Mary Margaret Oliver while blocking out the republican representation of DeKalb. I could go on and on. People in North DeKalb who pay attention to politics hate Millar with a passion.
What’s your take? Also, I find it odd they hired Bob Wilson and haven’t pulled the trigger to use him yet. Time is running out for Bob Wilson’s usefulness. –DIO
Prof
February 14th, 2013
10:01 am
@ Dekalb Inside Out.
You’ve posted on the earlier blog about the resignation of the DeKalb school board that you’re close to the “palace guard,” when someone speculated that you might be Nancy Jester. I’m puzzled by a few things in your post here at 9:16 am, that don’t seem to square with that. One is your statement that Mary Margaret Oliver “[slid] HB 115 in without anybody noticing.” But OIiver is a Democrat, and the four sponsors of HB 115 were Republicans: Tom Dickson, Edward Lindsey, Brooks Coleman, and David Caras.
Also, you state that Millar “is a RHINO.” As just about every politician (and school board member) must know, the correct acronym is RINO: Republicans in name only.
DeKalb Inside Out
February 14th, 2013
11:16 am
Prof
Well … I just suck all around on my last comment. HB 115 … From what I can tell, you are correct about the sponsors. I don’t see MMO’s fingerprints on it. I’m usually not led astray like that. I’ll have to go back to my sources and find out what the hell they were talking about.
Fran may be a RINO, but I seem to be a retard … no offense to retards.
Thanks!
bu2
February 14th, 2013
11:18 am
I don’t have any inside info, but I suspect there’s a lot of negotiations going on behind the scenes. That bill popping up in the house certainly supports that idea.
Millar has rubbed me the wrong way a number of times, but I can’t really remember the specifics.