They’re out. Governor removes all six DeKalb school board members. Bring in the lawyers.
Setting the stage for a court battle, Gov. Nathan Deal just announced at a press conference that he is removing all six veteran DeKalb school board members.
He has created a nominating committee to find replacements. The committee includes former DeKalb Schools administrator Garry McGiboney, who is now with the state Department of Education, state board member Kenneth Mason, former state board member Jim Bostic, Sadie Dennard, education chair, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and Alicia Phillip, president of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
Former state and DeKalb school board member Brad Bryant will be liaison between the district and the governor’s office. (Interesting that both McGiboney and Bryant were mentioned to me as possible superintendent candidates before Michael Thurmond was hired two weeks ago.)
Deal was apparently not moved by a last-minute appeal from Thurmond who testified last week at the state Board of Education hearing that he could work with this board and that its removal will make his job harder. Nor was Deal moved by some in the DeKalb delegation who sought alternatives to the controversial removal of elected officials.
Deal’s actions could still be reversed as there are two court hearings this week on lawsuits filed by the school board. A federal judge has already said that Deal can suspend the six, as he chose to do today but he can’t name replacements, pending the outcome of a Friday court hearing. A Superior Court judge will hold a hearing Thursday.
And Deal acknowledged the precarious nature of his DeKalb decision today, saying, “Certainly, the final determination by either the Superior Court or the federal court could affect the final disposition of this matter. But we don’t know what that will be at this point. I feel it’s my responsibility to act as the current law stands.”
So, DeKalb remains in the legal limbo that we began discussing Sunday here on the blog.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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244 comments Add your comment
Dekalb Mom
February 25th, 2013
2:50 pm
Woo Hoo! Another hurdle crossed. Let’s hope our local delegation can talk some sense into the removed members to stop fighting for their own selfish reasons. It is time to move on and have the drama end. Step one for better education in DeKalb: Reduce class sizes!
Anchorite
February 25th, 2013
2:50 pm
I’m stilling looking for insight into the oft mentioned (never explained) Sumter Co. situation…
How much will the suits cost Georgia taxpayers–both for the State’s defense and the Dekalb and Sumter Co. oppositions?
living in an outdated ed system
February 25th, 2013
2:53 pm
The only decision he could make, but NOTHING happens until after the hearing Friday. Interesting nominating committee – surprised some of them agreed to be on it. The people MUST protest and push the six board members to stand down, for the good of the district and the children. The blood is on their hands now.
Maureen Downey
February 25th, 2013
2:53 pm
@Anchor. I think it will cost thousands. Sumter has its own attorney and DeKalb has its own attorney. The state will use the AG office, which may bring in special counsel as it did with charter school court fight.
Maureen
Returning DCSS Parent
February 25th, 2013
2:55 pm
Once of the few times I agree with Governer Deal. Time for a positive change for the 99K students, taxpayers, teachers, etc. in DeKalb County.
Good riddance!!!
Principal Skinner
February 25th, 2013
2:56 pm
Step 2, but we’re still a ways away from even turning the corner.
Dear DBOE, follow Spike Lee’s advice and, “Do The Right Thing”
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
2:57 pm
Not exactly going according to plan is it? Markie Mark is supposed to make his political power play and they are supposed to go quietly into the night.
Eugene Walker is supposed to get Thurmond on board, and he was supposed to convince the State BOE to give them a second chance, because deep down inside we don’t really want to know just how ugly this has been on multiple fronts; SACS, DCSS, Atkinson, and on, and on, and on…
Didn’t work and ole Eugene is not going to go quietly into the night.
Can’t wait for the Elgart to be compelled to testify. Let’s see how well (parapharsing) we take notes but we don’t share them works in court.
Sunlight time!
Decatur Dad
February 25th, 2013
2:58 pm
It’s on! The voters of Dekalb County will not tolerate bullying from Deal & SACS.
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
3:01 pm
If they have been suspended and it was only this group that voted on the $150,000 to Baker’s Law firm for “governance” training, is the district legally responsible for that?
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
3:03 pm
@Decatur Dad – not bullying, they are doing the right thing.
Whatevs
February 25th, 2013
3:04 pm
YES! *Tiger Woods fist pump*
DeKalb Inside Out
February 25th, 2013
3:04 pm
Beverly Fraud
I’ve seen a couple of comments here and there referring to Elgart testifying. Please expound on that. Why/where would he testify?
Sally
February 25th, 2013
3:04 pm
Thank you Governor Deal. I know it’s not over but it’s one more step in the right direction.
Educator for Life
February 25th, 2013
3:05 pm
I would like to serve on the board!!!
CHMS Parent
February 25th, 2013
3:06 pm
This is Great news. Looks like Spring Cleaning started early and we really needed to clean house! The future is in our hands. Whom ever takes over as BoE members it is our job to make sure they are quality people who put the children first.
Barbara Foresty
February 25th, 2013
3:07 pm
I wonder how many people know that Dekalb County Pay scale for teachers is approximately $12,000 – 16,000.00 lower than surrounding counties including Decatur School for the experience teachers, so we are loosing all of our great experienced Teacher to all the other counties. This is a shame our children deserve better than that. B
Whatevs
February 25th, 2013
3:07 pm
@Decatur Dad, WE voters of Dekalb County are the ones that put us in this mess in the first place! I purposely didn’t vote for ANY incumbent school board member. It’s not bullying… it’s common sense. Dekalb County have dealt with enough apathy… next up… Burrell Ellis and the entire CEO position! Goodbye and good riddance!
Starik
February 25th, 2013
3:07 pm
Aside from skin pigmentation, it might be good to select board members who have kids in the DeKalb Schools, or no kids at all, and exclude candidates who have pulled their kids out of the public schools – like Mr. Thurmond.
who cares
February 25th, 2013
3:08 pm
If the parents had any sense, which I’m thinking they don’t, since they elected these idiots, they would pack up and move. Elections have consequences parasites.
The Film Professor
February 25th, 2013
3:09 pm
@Decatur Dad….really? The bullies have been people like Walker and SCW; the losers have been all of the children in DeKalb Country. This lifelong Democrat is glad Deal was willing to stand up and do the right thing.
Principal Skinner
February 25th, 2013
3:09 pm
Decatur Dad is right. This Board is sooooooo competent and responsible. They are always reading about the problems that our district has, and taking great notes in meetings. They never misuse any $$$ and are only interested in what is best for the 99,000 students in our schools, certainly not themselves, or their family members and friends.
This is bizzaroworld.blogspot.com, right?
Educator for Life
February 25th, 2013
3:09 pm
I graduated from a DeKalb School, live in DeKalb County, and am an Assistant Principal outside of the county. I would love the opportunity, but then again, no one knows me and I refuse to get poop on my face from kissing bottoms!!!
Former Employee & Parent
February 25th, 2013
3:09 pm
The ENTIRE school board as well as the central office has been corrupt for YEARS!!!!! Folks we’re talking since the 1980’s AT LEAST! Kudos to Governor Deal for having the balls to get rid of these clowns and begin cleaning house!!!
Dekalber
February 25th, 2013
3:10 pm
Will there be ‘Victory in Every Classroom’ now? I bloody hope so.
gsmith
February 25th, 2013
3:10 pm
I think the first order of business should be for the county leaders to hire a rapper from the atlanta area to write a rap theme song for the NEW DEKALB to start the healing process!!!
maybe the ” keep hope alive rap for dekalb”
” south dekalb we got your back , but watch your wallet ”
” dekalb county DRIVE BY”
‘ ITS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDRENZZZZ”
catlady
February 25th, 2013
3:10 pm
How about if the lawsuit is lost the defendants (singley and personally) will pay the court costs? That might catch their attendion. Not much else has.
I would love if SACS has to testify and show their documents. There is just so long that you can hold out being a “private entity,” not subject to sunshine laws.
Former Employee & Parent
February 25th, 2013
3:12 pm
Ditto Educator for Life!!!
Ellen
February 25th, 2013
3:12 pm
There is such irony in this decision given Governor Deal’s own unethical, shady past. But I guess it takes one to recognize one! LOL!
Concerned Citizen
February 25th, 2013
3:14 pm
Dekalb School System is overdue for revitalization. Students, hopefully will be the focus of new leadership. Old members, please step down and allow the system to be student-focused. The game is OVER, we are ready for a positive change to our educational system
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
3:14 pm
When a guy who (according to this very paper, correct me if I’m wrong Maureen) met with an APS board chair in private in order to strong arm him into ceding his chairmanship to a woman who actively conspired to cover up cheating, you really can’t make the case he’s coming from the “moral high ground” even if he’s trying to remove the DCSS version of Boss Hogg.
There is stink all around this mess Not just the DCSS board. (Feel sorry for Nancy Jester, the “anti Boss Hogg” in this whole mess. Or would that be, the “anti Markie Mark”?)
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
3:14 pm
“We’ll also give you coupons that allow you to bring in friends at a discount.”
http://content.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/tickets/seasonpass/
kaitsmom
February 25th, 2013
3:15 pm
Thank God he went ahead and suspended them. I was really afraid he was going to back down until after the hearing. I live in South Dekalb and I have not run into any parents who feel they should be allowed to remain.
Bobby
February 25th, 2013
3:15 pm
Thank you Governor Deal !!!!!!!!!
Randy Rand
February 25th, 2013
3:16 pm
Gov. Deal creates a welcome path forward today. First, he cuts off the deadwood and bloodsucking board members. Then he sets up a replacement nominating committee which will make recommendations for the now open board positions. No power grab, simply a balanced path forward. Seems like a very reasonable and inclusive approach to me. Finally we might get back to a board focused on education success. Perhaps we will even see a couple of board resignations prior to the Gov’s actual order being signed.
southern opinion
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
Good Deal!
Concerned
February 25th, 2013
3:17 pm
This can’t hurt everything else has been tried. Why not give this a try and see what can happen, this may have been the very thing DeKalb Schools has needed to make it go in the direction it deserves and that is being one of the best school systems in Georgia as it once was.
Digger
February 25th, 2013
3:18 pm
‘Do the Right Thing’ to Spike Lee meant burning down the business of some hard-working people. According to their similarly twisted thinking, maybe they already are doing the right thing.
pobo
February 25th, 2013
3:18 pm
Sounds like they are a hot mess, but: they were duly elected
Ashford Park mom
February 25th, 2013
3:19 pm
Smart move using the nominating committee so that the new board members won’t have the stigma of being Deal’s picks hanging over them. And I notice it gives him a chance to ‘get the optics right’ as some would say.
MiltonMan
February 25th, 2013
3:19 pm
Gov. Deal – big mistake there! If the idiots of DeKalb county want to keep electing morons within the county, let them. You could appoint Jesus Christ himself to the board & it would not help the dump of a county.
My2cents
February 25th, 2013
3:19 pm
“After an executive session meeting with lawyers, the board emerged and voted unanimously to settle a lawsuit. The case was a sideline to a multimillion dollar lawsuit involving former construction manager Heery/Mitchell. Heery agreed to settle a companion case it brought over an open records dispute, and the school board ratified the settlement in a 9-0 vote, also agreeing not to seek attorney’s fees” SO HOW MUCH DID HEERY GET?
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
3:19 pm
@DeKalb, not a lawyer, but since the impetus was from SACS, I would think he would be compelled to testify if Boss Hogg’s attorneys want to make SACS defend their decision.
Shrek4259
February 25th, 2013
3:20 pm
Thank you Gov. Deal for having the courage to LEAD! My 2 dads in Decatur et all didn’t &won’t vote for you no matter what. Lets pray our courts will recognize that the voters of GA voted to give the governor this option.
Georgia Teachers Speak Out!
February 25th, 2013
3:20 pm
Does Mark Elgart Protect His Home County Of Fulton? Fulton County, With All Its Mess, Appears To Be The Fair-Haired Child Of The Metro School Systems. I Venture To Guess That If North Fulton Becomes Milton County That South Fulton (Or, Just “Fulton County”) Will Not Be So Blessed By Little Markie Elgart! Ha!
By John R. Alston Trotter, EdD, JD
http://georgiateachersspeakout.com/2011/06/08/dekalb-county-paying-for-accreditation-just-wetting-sacss-beek-ha/
Dekalber
February 25th, 2013
3:22 pm
Yes. Thank you Gov. Deal!!!!! I am a volunteer at a school and the bathrooms are dirty. The teachers are stressed and the staff are under paid. Bus drivers cannot even make ends meet and have to fudge their time sheets for a few extra minutes each day. The school system changes text books like Lady Gaga changes outfits. Don’t they know—kids don’t need fancy textbooks or ‘SFA’—they need smaller class sizes and qualified teachers. Unify Dekalb.
concernedmom30329
February 25th, 2013
3:23 pm
A really high calibre nominating committee. Impressive folks.
southern opinion
February 25th, 2013
3:24 pm
If nothing happens on Friday realtors get ready!!! There should be a flood of houses on the market, especially in south Dekalb. If this is drug out, unless totally by legality, everyone will lose. What will happen when teachers won’t sign contracts? What will happen when charter schools triple enrollment?
Dekalb Educator
February 25th, 2013
3:24 pm
Only an idiot would want the board to remain in place. As an employee and educator of Dekalb it is time for change. The misappropriation of funds and the whole “Do more with less” attitude is hardly about the children and it’s sending my fellow colleagues running for the hills to more stables counties. The First 48 being filed in Dekalb is one of the direct results of a failed school system with no raises, and lowered standards for student achievement. Has anyone made that connection? The new board should have diversity and real credentials.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
3:25 pm
gsmith, I have a lot of respect for Priyanka Chopra and the lyrics of her song about Mumbai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzzc17nXb3U
Everybody’s welcome here
Everybody welcome to my city
We ain’t got no worries here
I know you’re going to like it in my city
You know you’ve got a friend in me
________________________________
It’s a brilliant song! I’d love to see some international cultural representation on the DeKalb school board.
Dekalb Mom
February 25th, 2013
3:25 pm
Anyone want to organize a “DeKalb Spring” rally aimed at getting the ousted members to stop fighting against their removal in the courts with our tax dollars? All of us from all over DeKalb need to do a very public rally with lots of signs asking the six to “Do the Right Thing” and stop fighting their removal! Anyone have any ideas on where/when to hold such a rally and how to publicize? If the Arab Spring ousted leaders through spontaneous rallies organized through social media, why can’t we do it here in DeKalb County?
concernedmom30329
February 25th, 2013
3:25 pm
My2cents,
It almost sounds like DCSS won, since DCSS agreed not to seek attorney’s fees…
DRS
February 25th, 2013
3:25 pm
Considering the county’s sad inability to educate its students all those with kids in the system
(or who pay taxes) ought to be cheer leading the gov. actions. Time start over with new
people — competent people who actually care about education.
Dekalber
February 25th, 2013
3:27 pm
@Dekalb Mom. Your idea is genius. For the venue I suggest the Mountain Industrial complex
Concerned for children
February 25th, 2013
3:28 pm
Coming from a former Congressman who resigned in the middle of the night to avoid serious House ethics violations, now he becomes the moral compass for justice. Give me a break. As stated, this will be struck down by the courts and it opens the state entities involved to possible civil and voting rights violations. Where in the hell has the state been as our children in these low performing schools have and still suffers to this day. They do not give a damn about the children, its about control of these multi-million dollor budgets. If not so, then take on the low academic achievement of these children that are trapped in these school. The first one up for rejection should be SACS. They are an out of control entity that also do not give a damn about the children.
gsmith
February 25th, 2013
3:30 pm
Here are some possible candidates for future school board members or any government office in DEKALB COUNTY
jesse jackson jr
victor hill
bill cambell
rev al sharpton
any of these men would win election in dekalb easily
Ronald Reagan Parkway
February 25th, 2013
3:31 pm
Concerned for children
February 25th, 2013
3:28 pm
I agree with you 110%.
Done with Dekalb
February 25th, 2013
3:32 pm
Sad it has taken so long…I have already put two of my children in private school and am applying the third to a school with small class sizes. It is not because we can “afford” it, it is because we cannot “afford” not to do it. (I love my night job at Target!I. I have two children with attention deficit issues and one child who was “gifted” who received the poorest education with the exception of one awesome foreign language teacher. My elementary aged child has 34 children in his class. Is that working well?
DeKalb County parents and children: I pray for all of us. We ALL deserve better!
Alan
February 25th, 2013
3:32 pm
Ahhhhhhh it sure is nice to not live IN the city with that fantastic “leadership.” Atlanta Mayors, Atlanta Police, Atlanta school board members, etc. See a pattern at all? I feel sorry for the fine folks in Dunwoody.
Bill & Ed's Excellent Adventure
February 25th, 2013
3:33 pm
I nominate @MiltonMan. His commentary is always so insightful and constructive. I just know he’d be the right guy to turn DCSS around!
Whatevs
February 25th, 2013
3:34 pm
gsmith, your comments to provoke, raise ire, and stir the pot are duly noted, but… shouldn’t you be in class? Grownups are conversing now.
DeKalb Rising
February 25th, 2013
3:34 pm
Brad Bryant should have refused to serve. Remember he was a candidate for the superintendent’s job.
gsmith
February 25th, 2013
3:34 pm
can we get a refund on our property taxes !! im tired of paying for other peoples day care
Dekalb Mom
February 25th, 2013
3:35 pm
DeKalber, how do we get this going? I just emailed Betsy Parks to see if she was interested in getting something going. Think we could pull this off for this weekend? Is Saturday or Sunday afternoon better for something like this?
Maureen, do you know if we would have to get permit for something like this at Mountain Industrial? It is huge and could handle a lot of people and would have plenty of parking.
Maureen Downey
February 25th, 2013
3:36 pm
To all, Also, former DeKalb Schools administrator Garry McGiboney is also on the nominating committee. He is now with DOE.
Maureen
LOGIC
February 25th, 2013
3:38 pm
@Concerned for Children
Performance has been sustained and is now starting to be impacted – a testament to the strong system we had prior to the chokehold these “leaders” have brought upon our district. Now that the “stuff” has hit the fan and SACS could no longer turn a blind eye as it does for many, we finally have a way to make some in-roads to fixing a school system that doesn’t have any checks and balances through representation to protect our tax dollars.
The property tax $$$ for the school system is meant for the children and NOT for legal fees and definitely not for running an illegal deficit. All of this screams at the negligence of this BOARD as a collective body.
Shrek4259
February 25th, 2013
3:38 pm
@gsmith -actually Livsey has the Jay-z lyrics hanging in the classroomI
http://eagnews.org/update-georgia-school-posts-vulgar-jay-z-song-lyrics-for-black-history-month/
who cares
February 25th, 2013
3:41 pm
How about putting the cutest little communist in Dekalb on the school board???? Cynthia McKinney, anyone????
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
3:43 pm
nominate @MiltonMan hahaha He’d tell them to all move to Cherokee County, and which dealership has the trucks on sale. whuh haha. ha ha ha. Hey MM, what-cha-going to do when your neighbors on one side are the Mullakhails and your neighbors on the other side are the Woldeabs, and the family across the streets are the Sengtavisouks? Start taking language lessons and being a good neighbor?
Just Sayin.....
February 25th, 2013
3:44 pm
At least we have a legal path to (hopefully) end this drama. It is just too bad that Dekalb county voters are just too stupid to do for themselves what the governor has done.
LOGIC
February 25th, 2013
3:44 pm
We already got Crazy Cynthia out once, bite your tongue on even allowing her back in the district.
HENRY A. TURNER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
February 25th, 2013
3:45 pm
Part of the problem (certainly not all) is the fact that SACS has made clear that it expects each BOE Member to represent the interests of the entire County. Yet, the Dekalb system has the election process set up by Districts and only those in a particular District can vote for their respective Board Member. Time to scrap District voting and make all the BOE seats “At Large”.
LOGIC
February 25th, 2013
3:46 pm
Amen, Henry!
chug
February 25th, 2013
3:46 pm
maybe Deal will get rid of the clowns in Cobb county next!
bu2
February 25th, 2013
3:47 pm
@Maureen
Is it Kenneth Mason? He is connected to KIPP Academy and is on the SBOE.
Keith Mason is a partner with McKenna, Long & Aldridge, who I believe is one of Dekalb’s firms.
Black Conservative
February 25th, 2013
3:47 pm
@ Dekalb Mom – the DeKalb Spring is for the voters in Dekalb County! They were the one’s who voted these folks in office with out doing research on each of them. For their to be school board members who do not have college degrees reflects really poor on the voters. Status quo will not longer be tolerated. Some of these 6 idiots will fight this in court, only again proving they are not responsible stewards of the mantle they were given. To whom much is given, much is expected and they have fell short with respect to the 99K school children. Now if we can only find a remedy for the sorry parents who consistently fail in their responsiblities of preparing their children for school.
Leo
February 25th, 2013
3:48 pm
I’m no supporter of Nathan Deal but finally we have an adult who is willing to make the “hard” but “right” choice for our students. Now, if only the other adults would make that same choice . . . .notably, per the procedure used to remove them, each individual board member has the right to appeal the decision to have them removed. If any of the current BOE members who have been slated for removal disagree with the decision and feel that they are in the best position to do something good for our system, let them appeal through that forum. But leave the hiring of lawyers to question this move in state and federal court to others. This is certainly not how I want my tax dollars spent. I would much rather them be directed to my children’s school and the staff which works directly with students daily.
Leo
February 25th, 2013
3:49 pm
Eugene Walker is what you get when folks are elected “at-large” in Dekalb County. I shudder at the thought of entire board comprised of Eugene’s.
bu2
February 25th, 2013
3:51 pm
Others
James Bostic, a former Georgia Pacific executive
Sadie Denard, external affairs for Georgia Power and formerly on the Atlanta BOE, on Dekalb Tech’s board
Alicia Phillip, Atlanta Community Foundation
All seem to be pretty well connected.
Packed Colon
February 25th, 2013
3:51 pm
They have a genuine and legitimate concern.
You don’t really want the governor over ruling the citizens votes, which is what he is doing here. Now, I agree the overwhelming majority want these hose bags removed, but at what point can the governor no longer remove elected officials? What if it is a personal vendetta? How, as voters are we to answer to that?
Maureen Downey
February 25th, 2013
3:52 pm
@Shrek, Read all the lyrics. A couple may cross a line, although the song is mild mannered compared to many on the playlists of most kids today. Here are the lyrics that the school posted on one bulletin board. Don’t think they warrant the hysteria of the linked article.
Rosa sat…so Martin could walk.
Martin walked…so Obama could run.
Obama ran…so our children could fly.
Maureen
who cares
February 25th, 2013
3:52 pm
The moochers realize that elections have consequences. If the providors have had enough, vote with your feet and MOVE!!!!!! That’s the only way the moochers will realize their failures.
Eugene Walker Must Go
February 25th, 2013
3:53 pm
Of all the poorly spent money used on lawyers by DCSS, I hope the Board sues and wins against the State. The Board are our elected officials and if we want them removed, we should do it. 100% behind the lawsuit. Sue the State!!!!
james
February 25th, 2013
3:53 pm
It’s back to the 30s,40s, and 50s for Blacks in Dekalb County ga
OriginalProf
February 25th, 2013
3:53 pm
**Formerly Prof for more than a year on this blog, I find that someone else has registered under that name with AJC–not me. So now Prof is OriginalProf.**
Very good idea to delegate the responsibility of the replacement appointments to a nominating committee. Takes the onus of choice off the Governor. As some here have noted, excellent choices of the committee members: 3 present or former state board of education members, one a lawyer (Keith Mason); members with DeKalb business ties; one a former member of the DeKalb board of education. I note that at least two are African-American (Jim Bostic and Sadie Dennard), and that too is a plus in this racially charged situation. Godspeed!
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
3:54 pm
Shrek, the only problem with Black History Month is that it supports the year around “all about me” that is promoted for US black culture, and there is no counter balance. Morgan Freeman has posted some great video on the subject. He does not want “Black History Month” and he says to stop talking about race. I think it is a disservice to the kids to assume they are so helpless that they need Black History Month to give them self esteem. They kids are smarter than that. The only message it sends to them is “I can play the race card, if need be” and plenty of them do it. It would be different if there were 11 other “cultural history months” to go with it, but it is basically unethically role-modelling an unethical way of doing things. The kids pick up on this, too. For example:
Teacher: “Okay, high schoolers, here’s your homework!”
Student: “You’re racist!”
This is not a fiction. I’m reporting real event to you. Hey, take your Black History Month and put it back in the toy box. It sure does not teach young people how to succeed in the business world. All those black inventors they talk about sure did not have “Black History Month” in their formation. You can be certain of that.
Just wondering
February 25th, 2013
3:55 pm
Bu2
They may be connected but all (I can’t speak to mason) are well respected. I am impressed that they aren’t the same ole faces (with the exception of Bryant) that we see all the time in DeKalb.
Maureen. What is Masons day job?
Shar
February 25th, 2013
3:55 pm
The next thing that should happen is for the DeKalb delegation to redistrict DCSS into 7 board seats, to comply with the existing legislation that the current corrupt board chose to ignore and to improve governance efficiency.
Black Conservative
February 25th, 2013
3:55 pm
Funny how certain people on this blog claim to be concerned about the children, offer no constructive thought… These people like gsmith and who cares are just as self serving and destructive as the people Deal just dismissed.
Maureen Downey
February 25th, 2013
3:56 pm
@Bu2, Just fixed that. It is Kenneth Mason.
Maureen
concerned voter
February 25th, 2013
3:56 pm
Why should the governer have the right to silence anyones vote. This isn’t something that happened overnight this has happened across at least 2 election cycles and the people still voted for these people.
I know changes need to be made but I dont think he should have the power to remove them. This was placed on the ballot in the wake of Clayton counties board fiasco and people voted for it. I remember when it was on the ballot and I voted against it. Governor Deal is a crook in his own right. I wish we could remove him also. What happens if these people run again in a few years and get voted in again then what.
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
3:58 pm
Maureen – I have a question and thought you might be able to run down the answer. It is against the law for a school system to run a deficit, but DCSS did so last year by $14 million. Since they have no borrowing power, how were they able to pay their bills to keep the power on and pay salaries when the money ran out?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Inman Parker
February 25th, 2013
4:01 pm
Unfortunately, like in so many areas of modern American life and politics, it ain’t over until some nitwit judge has his/her say. What a mess, that so many kids and families are so ill treated by that team of fools called the DeKalb School Board.
LOGIC
February 25th, 2013
4:01 pm
@Maureen
I have to disagree with you on the lyrics – we need to provide the right role models for our elementary school students. When Ludacris sang “paint the White House black” and Jay-Z sings how Obama is “half right” because he is “half white” – these are the hateful things we do not want to expose our children to. Our own president had these people perform at functions and did not call them out on these types of lyrics; however, if a white performer did the same about the likes of any African-American criminal or stereotype, it would be considered pure hatred.
In any case, making it about your skin color is wrong and lauding individuals and holding them up as role models as posting their lyrics in a school is wrong.
OriginalProf
February 25th, 2013
4:02 pm
@ bu2, February 25th, 3:47 pm.
I too wondered about Deal’s choice of Keith Mason who is a lawyer for that firm connected with the DeKalb Board… If it is Keith and not Kenneth Mason, this could be the shrewd forestalling of any future opposition to the choices of the nominating committee.
Fred ™
February 25th, 2013
4:03 pm
I don’t know what to think about this. On one hand, those fools needed to go. I (and my fellow voters in my district and two others) did MY job. I voted the incumbent out. Six other districts failed to do so. Something had to happen.
On the other hand, the Governor decided that he was smarter than the voters of the six districts and wiped out the democratic process. That is also troubling.
I appreciate the comments today as MOST of them are really good. This is definitely a thorny issue and I am proud of my fellow Dekalbites (you can go screw yourself MiltonMan) and others who are concerned about this and offer valid viewpoints. Thank you.
Maureen Downey
February 25th, 2013
4:04 pm
@Original, Kenneth. The governor said he was a member of the state Board of Education, and that is Kenneth Mason, not Keith. I thought I misheard Deal when I wrote down “Keith,” but two people told me that they heard him and he said “Keith.” But he meant Kenneth. Here is the official release:
HENRY A. TURNER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
February 25th, 2013
4:04 pm
TO LEO: As I recall, Eugene Walker had no opposition for his “At Large” position (could be wrong on that fact). Regardless, if all the positions were “At Large’ there would likely be a lot more competition among all the Candidates to get votes from all the Dekalb voters, not just those in their District.
OriginalProf
February 25th, 2013
4:04 pm
However, bu2, I guess I was giving the Governor credit for too much Machiavellian planning. Maureen informs us that it is indeed Kenneth Mason.
Packed Colon
February 25th, 2013
4:05 pm
The point I was trying to make is I think the DeKalb BOE has a legitimate concern with the governor being able to remove elected officials. It can be a slippery slope. I understand that the majority of the citizens in DeKalb want these hoe bags removed, but at what point does the governor stop? What about personal vendettas that my fuel removal of elected officials? Maybe not this governor,but any time in the future if a precedent has been set.
Fred ™
February 25th, 2013
4:09 pm
@Dekalb Mom: While I applaud your idea and enthusiasm, those six knew they were damaging our children all along and just don’t care. They only care about themselves and their “power.”
They know they are losers and don’t care. As such, they won’t stop and will waste every penny of our money that they can.
indigo
February 25th, 2013
4:12 pm
And, when these “all six DeKalb school board members” sue to get their jobs back, who will pay their legal bills?
bu2
February 25th, 2013
4:14 pm
@Fred
2 of the others were elected in 2010 in districts that “threw the bums out.” Only 4 of the 9 have ever been re-elected.
@HT
Dr. Walker was re-elected with 56% of the vote in 2010 according to the AJC against Ella Smith.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:14 pm
what was amazing was to listen to Gene the machine’s presser. according to him, not one of them, ever, did anything wrong. ever
and he would ,know, being so tight with God
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:15 pm
the next step is to sue the gang of six in civil court
AR
February 25th, 2013
4:16 pm
This is a serious question. How will the nomination process work. Usually with a nominating committee, they give their slate of proposed officers, and then if there are no other candidates who want to serve, then the slate is accepted. Once the nomination committee makes their recommendations, then who accepts the nomination. Also, how would one go about getting interviewed by the nominating committee? I am interested in serving my district, and want to know how I can be a part of the process.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:16 pm
its a pipe dream, but it would be sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice if the decent members of the gang of six would just walk away
bu2
February 25th, 2013
4:17 pm
Any word on the time frame Deal gave them to get back with recommendations? Even if Deal wins in court, we are shut down until he nominates someone.
Fred ™
February 25th, 2013
4:18 pm
bootney: I rarely agree with you but I LIKE that idea. Sue the dirty rats to recover the money we spend in court costs.
Fred ™
February 25th, 2013
4:19 pm
bu2: What if the judge rules Nathan can’t replace them? What then? Another election? The CEO (Burl Ellis) replaces them? As others have asked, what stops the ousted losers from running again if there is an emergency election?
This one is TOUGH and deep…….
bu2
February 25th, 2013
4:19 pm
@indigo
Dekalb taxpayers will. And state of Georgia taxpayers are paying the attorneys for their side. So Dekalb pays twice.
Maureen Downey
February 25th, 2013
4:21 pm
@Fred, I think they can run again — nothing in the law prohibits them from doing so. And nothing stops voters from sending them back to the board.
Maureen
Fred ™
February 25th, 2013
4:21 pm
AR: If you are a Republican I’m sure Nathan would LOVE to have you. Contact his office………. I’ll bet bribes are accepted.
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
4:21 pm
“its a pipe dream, but it would be sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice if the decent members of the gang of six would just walk away”
I can see Dr. Walker leading race riots if he is thrown out of office. I am sure Jesse Jackson will be there.
kaitsmom
February 25th, 2013
4:22 pm
Is there any law that prevents them from running again? If not, a law should be enacted to prevent them for running for the same position you were removed from. I am afraid the same uneducated people will vote their beloved representatives right back in. And please do not say Dekalb will get what it deserves if that happens. Some of us would love to sell our house and not give a flip about what happens but we can’t.
Fred ™
February 25th, 2013
4:23 pm
That’s what I thought Maureen, thanks. To say this is unprecedented is a gross understatement. It is very rare that I don’t know what to think on a matter lol as I am very opinionated. I have been mulling this one over since it came up and I am still at a loss.
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
4:25 pm
“What if the judge rules Nathan can’t replace them?”
Then I think the current Board members stay in place. Deal has not yet suspended them, so they have until next Monday to get work done. Maybe a balanced budget?
JLM
February 25th, 2013
4:26 pm
Great Move!!!
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
4:26 pm
“Some of us would love to sell our house and not give a flip about what happens but we can’t”
So the majority drags the minority down to its level.
bu2
February 25th, 2013
4:27 pm
If Deal loses in court, they stay in their jobs. Of course the judge could extend the limbo (with the new ones and old ones both unable to act) until trial, but that seems unlikely.
Hopefully we will know this week if they are in until the trial or out until the trial. Of course if they get kicked out and win, does that invalidate everything Deal’s board did? If they get a temporary stay and eventually lose, does that invalidate everything they do? Its a mess.
Every level of Georgia government is dysfunctional. Cities suing counties, school districts suing the state, counties suing their citizens who want to form a city. Its just a mess.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:28 pm
@ mountain,
there is a big difference between Jester (semi classy) and Walker (race pimp)
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:30 pm
memo to Gene the machine Walker
do you hear the voice of God now? it just spoke loud and clear, and through of all weird vessels, ole Nate Deal
bu2
February 25th, 2013
4:31 pm
@kaitsmom
I think such a law would certainly lose. The constitutionality of the law to remove them in unclear. Stopping them from running again without specific charges against individual board members and due process could not possibly pass muster.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:31 pm
@ Fred
this whole thing is gross, in every possible use of the word
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:33 pm
by now both Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are racing for the airport. wonder which one will get here first?
and will Obama get involved? this kind of circus is tailor made for a politician
DeKalb Rising
February 25th, 2013
4:35 pm
Doesn’t Jim Bostic live in Sandy Springs?
kaitsmom
February 25th, 2013
4:35 pm
@bu2 I think you are right. Heaven helps us, I think Sara, Gene and Jay’s egos are big enough to tell them to run again. I am actually Ok with Nancy and Pam running again.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:38 pm
so what does this mean for Thurmond?
kaitsmom
February 25th, 2013
4:44 pm
Thurmond gets to do his job without the threat of interference. He does not have to feel beholden to the group that hired him. He may have a chance of succeeding now. He should be able to focus on what he was hired to do. Take care of the Children. He might actually be relieved they are gone.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
4:45 pm
I think posting the song lyrics are okay for two (three?) reasons:
1. Using song lyrics is a good idea in general. Kids connect to it. If you’re using lyrics from some bad-dude or bad-girl, you edit out the bad words, which is what this teacher did.
2. I do not like the racial profiling aspect, as others have said, but fact is that Obama is the sitting president and it is relevant. It’s true that Rosa and Martin did some tough work. It’s also true that Rosa was recently facing eviction from her apartment because she doesn’t own her own home, but I thing someone attended to it. I.e. “Rosa” is still in play today. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6659487/#.USvaZhx3_vo
3. I was thinking it might be closer to say that Sidney Poitier laid the ground work for President Obama… and Jackie Robinson… and Charlie Pride.
Imagine being some Laotian kid and going to school and seeing the Rosa -> Martin -> Barack thing during “Black History Month.” Kid would probably be thinking, “Oh, no, not again.” Point is the black-centric thing does get tiresome. Maybe it is running its course.
Kathy
February 25th, 2013
4:45 pm
Perhaps now things can move forward to save the system from losing it’s accreditation. If the Dekalb School System loses it’s accreditation, not only will the children suffer, but the entire county. I worked in Clayton County right after they lost theirs and it was like a ghost town even after they got it back; businesses closed up and/or moved out of the county, and soon after the bus system shut down. Dekalb County can’t take another hit, let’s see the CEO is under investigation, the police department is under investigation, the head of Watershed Management just announced he is resigning effect March 8, 2013. Dekalb County is in need of some serious prayer.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
4:49 pm
bootney, It means Mr. Thurmond performs a function and gets a nice big fat paycheck for a while. I expect he knew what is up all along and is graciously performing some “face time” and “dignity” for the parties involved, which was probably the point of the 14 hour hearing, letting everyone vent and do their thing, whereas obviously there was absolutely no decision making going on at the hearing. It was basically a humane act to give “face” as they say in the Asian culture, something considered to be very important.
Shrek4259
February 25th, 2013
4:51 pm
If the courts strike down our law that gives the governor this option, then we will amend the const next year like we did when they ruled against us on charter schools.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
4:54 pm
Kathy, There’s already plenty of boarded up properties and places / houses for sale in DeKalb County. I drove by a couple of big vacant multi-building boarded up apartment complexes. It was weird. Not exactly blight, it was controlled, the grounds were kept up, but let’s hope there’s no more of it.
Dave
February 25th, 2013
4:57 pm
Am I right that there is no operating school board? The three that weren’t dumped don’t have a quorum. The six that were dumped are “suspended” and can’t act under federal Order. They haven’t been replaced (and were they the Order says the replacements can’t do anything.
Understanding Atlanta
February 25th, 2013
4:58 pm
While they are duly elected officials, they haven’t been doing their job. While I’m not a fan of the law I understand why it exists and we’ll see on Friday what the ruling is. I do believe it’s time for new leadership on the school board that understand their role isn’t to run a school system, it’s to provide oversight and set policy. When the board attempts to influence the daily operations of the school system it’s bound for disaster and that’s been the case for DeKalb since the days of James Halford.
Board members have more selfish motives and aren’t looking at what’s best for the overall system. This allows voters to put in people who understand that I need to put the system first. Everyone isn’t going to get what they want all the time, especially when you’re seeing population shifts and declining enrollment. But if it doesn’t benefit my district its a no-go is not how you run a school system.
SouthernMan1
February 25th, 2013
4:58 pm
Have they tried to blame this on Bush, yet? I’m sure it’s coming. Watch those six pitch a fit now and scream it’s not their fault, it’s racism, it’s blah blah blah. Anything except own up to their own incompetence. Good job, Governor. And good job to you, too, Maureen, for keeping us informed. Bless you.
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
4:59 pm
Actually in the longest of long runs, DCSS and education in general might best benefit from a long, drawn out trial where the secrets of SACS are exposed in full view.
There is probably enough evidence to sway even Boss Hogg’s most ardent supporters, , but it appears SACS might be so knee deep in political power plays they want to keep their info secret, and thus they gave Boss Hogg a leg to stand on.
Boss Hogg ain’t going nowhere; I suspect he knows Markie Mark wants no part of having the inner working of SACS exposed.
DeKalb Inside Out
February 25th, 2013
4:59 pm
Does it bother anybody that the State BOE and the Governor have blatantly broken the law, § 20-2-73, by not removing everybody? Is this a lynch mob feeding on the frenzy of revenge?
Legal Bills – When the current legal battle come to a natural end, I’m sure the NAACP will be happy to pick up the banner and the ensuing legal bills.
AR, If you’re interested in serving your district you should run for the board seat next year. Now is a perfect time to start ramping up.
Private Citizen, Pontius Pilot … no kidding. Rule of law is out the door. Given the frenzy, no telling how this week will turn out.
HENRY A. TURNER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
February 25th, 2013
5:01 pm
Unfortunately, at least with the Dekalb County Board of Commissioners, legal fees advanced by the Taxpayers for defending Commissioners if they are found liable (re: Vernon Jones in the Title VII reverse discrimination lawsuit) are not required to be repaid, unlike in the private sector. Strongly suspect (don’t know for sure) the same arrangement applies to the Dekalb BOE Members.
Mary Elizabeth
February 25th, 2013
5:04 pm
As I had mentioned in a previous post on this blog, precedence will be set by how Governor Deal handles this unfortunate educational situation, which will effect citizens throughout Georgia, well into the future.
With that in mind, I wish to post on this blog what I had just posted on Jim Galloway’s blog (under my new handle of “MaryElizabethSings.”) The part quoted, below, has been excerpted from the article written by Jim Galloway regarding this same subject.
==============================================
“. . .I ran into state Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, who may work with Carter and other Democratic senators on legislation that would give a governor a broader range of options in the future.”
==============================================
Among those options given to a governor, hopefully, will be a means whereby members of Georgia’s State Board of Education, or other designated educational professionals, will be assigned to offer help and support to a public school system, or a public charter school, that may be in jeopardy of losing its accreditation, instead of simply removing duly elected school board members, unless criminal charges against individual board members have been proven true.
Support, rather than condemnation, is a more positive precedent to set, in order to improve any school situation of this unfortunate nature which may materialize in the future.”
BenDaho
February 25th, 2013
5:04 pm
MiltonMan
February 25th, 2013
3:19 pm
Gov. Deal – big mistake there! If the idiots of DeKalb county want to keep electing morons within the county, let them. You could appoint Jesus Christ himself to the board & it would not help the dump of a county.
Agreed. You hear that moving van cranking up? It’s the folks who care about their kid’s education moving out of defraud county, leaving the children of parents who only care about government provided babysitting, er..education to people of their own skin color. When they gradgitate high school with their drooping pants exposing their boxers and sideways ball cap speaking street language wondering why they can’t get a job, you have the people you put on the board of education to thank.
DeKalb Inside Out
February 25th, 2013
5:05 pm
Walker Election
Walker’s win came from came from the support of the affluent Emory/Fernbank area. This analysis talks about the relationship between Walker and the Emory area.
“Walker one four precincts in the Emory area. Not only did he win them, he won them by double digits.”
Precinct Numbers
Run for the hills....
February 25th, 2013
5:06 pm
This teacher exodus is real. Only the best most experienced will find jobs in this environment. My wife teaches in another district and the Dekalb teachers at my kids school have been reaching out to her about jobs outside of Dekalb. Moving is an option for us if things do not get better soon.
stallotiger
February 25th, 2013
5:09 pm
This great, now if the school board was doing there job, most of the people would be out in front fight for them to keep there job, but some of choices they have made over past few years have been bad choices, like the lawsuit and continue to pay for Crawford Long legal fees. Where they are cutting teacher salaries and good programs to enrich our children education.
td
February 25th, 2013
5:10 pm
If the ousted board members run for office again and get re elected by the voters then the children of the county will get everything their parents want them to have. NOTHING
dekalbite
February 25th, 2013
5:16 pm
I’m more bothered that the Board ran a deficit budge which was against state law and there has been no investigation or prosecution. This summer DeKalb had to borrow $90,000,000 (interest not included) from FUTURE tax appropriations because they could not pay the teachers who instruct students along with the other employees:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/school-system-to-borrow-millions-for-daily-operati/nQW89/
If you suck this $90,000,000 out of the future, you are deeper in the hole forever. This was robbing Peter to pay Paul. That’s why it’s illegal to do this:
http://www.audits.ga.gov/NALGAD/36812-6.html
Nancy Jester told the BOE members they were underestimating many line items and they would end up with a deficit especially since they had spent down ALL of the Reserve funds. They did it anyway even after she showed them the math. That is why the state auditor was so concerned in the SBOE meeting the other day. He knows what they did was against the law. That seems to warrant at least an investigation to me.
dekalbite
February 25th, 2013
5:17 pm
Is this post discussion under moderation?
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
5:18 pm
@MEsings
“will be assigned to offer help and support to a public school system, or a public charter school, that may be in jeopardy of losing its accreditation,”
How can the help not be anything but political in nature as long as the “jeopardy” comes from political power plays orchestrated by SACS.
What if El in Atlanta had lost his job and filed suit? You think Markie Mark would have wanted to explain under oath why he though a woman who actively conspired to cover up cheating who be the best board chair to provide “good governance?
Now if there were integrity in the accreditation process (GAC perhaps) then MEsings, perhaps you are on to a productive solution.
indigo
February 25th, 2013
5:20 pm
bu2 – 4:19
So, if we don’t want our tax money to go to paying their legal fees,we are just crap out of luck?
Only in America.
mountain man
February 25th, 2013
5:21 pm
“Walker’s win came from came from the support of the affluent Emory/Fernbank area”
So Walker learned how to pander to the Fernbank crowd so he could keep his seat and employ his relatives. AND he works for GOD.
mountain man
February 25th, 2013
5:26 pm
“Does it bother anybody that the State BOE and the Governor have blatantly broken the law, § 20-2-73, by not removing everybody?”
No, it doesn’t bother me, because they had a reasonable explanation for doing so. Now if you just want to enforce the letter of the law (and skip the word “eligible”), then go ahead and remove all nine. Makes no difference to me.
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
5:28 pm
Re: So Walker…AND he works for GOD.
Any truth to the rumor than in light of this new Walker “crony” that Mark Elgart has placed God on “advisement” and threatened to take his accreditation if he doesn’t seek “governance training”?
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
5:29 pm
His accreditation that is…
Bernie
February 25th, 2013
5:35 pm
Master Nathan has Spoken! …….Let Be Written so Let Be Done!
JacketMan
February 25th, 2013
5:38 pm
Thank you thank you thank you. Governor Deal has shown courage and character in taking on a corrupt institution – the DeKalb County Board of Education.
howdy1942
February 25th, 2013
5:40 pm
I’m glad the Governor acted. I just wish that he had removed all nine. Of the three that remain, at least one was cited by SACS in its report as meddling in schools already. All three have voted to retain that “governance training” law firm and for that law firm suing the State. If any were to stay, it should be Jester and Speaks. They blew the whistle to SACS and to anyone that would listen and they have consistently voted against wasteful spending.
Mary Elizabeth
February 25th, 2013
5:51 pm
@ Beverly Fraud, 5:18 pm
“Now if there were integrity in the accreditation process (GAC perhaps) then MEsings, perhaps you are on to a productive solution.”
=================================================
I am not informed enough about the current SACS situation, mentioned on this blog, and any possible politics involved with SACS, to give an educated opinion about the credibility of SACS, myself.
However, if your assertions are correct about SACS, Beverly, then I agree with you that any obstacles to authenticity and objectivity in the accreditation process must be overcome before any subsequent positive help and support can be forthcoming from professional educators in Georgia’s DOE, or elsewhere, to lacking public school districts (or to lacking public charter schools).
Been there, done that
February 25th, 2013
5:51 pm
I don’t see much hope for improving student achievement no matter what happens with the board. The culture of “I got mine” doesn’t care about others but just their student, their home, their school, their, their, their. Big changes need to happen in the culture that feeds dcss in order for real change to occur. Just look at the board members that have come before, (think Littlejohn & Roberts.).
Tired Taxpayer
February 25th, 2013
5:52 pm
To Decatur Dad –
Deal & SACS are the some of the only true friends your children have now. If you want the best for them, you could ALWAYS put them in private schools. Don’t know what your problem is, but we’re sick of the racial incompetence in Dekalb. It used to be a great county and school system. And then there’s Burrell on his soapbox spending our money. Does it ever end???
Pat & Mike
February 25th, 2013
5:53 pm
@kaitsmom
” I live in South Dekalb and I have not run into any parents who feel they should be allowed to remain.”
And how many of these parents did not bother to vote or voted for the Gang of Five (Walker, Copelin-Wood, Edler, Cunningham and Bowen (now off the BOE and replaced by New Birth’s choice, because he sends so much DCSS money their way, Melvin Johnson)?
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
5:54 pm
The same Sadie Dennard that served on the APS board while Beverly Hall was gearing up a decade’s worth of academic genocide?
Well that’s comforting…
bu2
February 25th, 2013
5:55 pm
@mountain man
Here is the complete paragraph from the linked page rather than the edited part you got:
“Finally a look at the numbers in district 9. Since this is a so called super district, it encompasses neighborhoods from the south and central parts of the county. Ella Smith essentially won the precincts above Memorial Drive, and Walker those south of Memorial. There were some notable exceptions. Walker one four precincts in the Emory area. Not only did he win them, he won them by double digits. He also ran a closer race in all the other precints than Smith did. Smith won ten precints by more than ten percent. Walker on the other hand won 44 by ten percent or more. Walker recieved at least 40 percent of the vote in every precinct except one. Walkers strength was in South DeKalb precincts, but he ran strong enough in all precints unlike Smith. Walker was put back in office by residents throughout the district.”
Beverly Fraud
February 25th, 2013
6:02 pm
From the archives:
Dennard believes Paige’s success in Houston, an urban district serving mostly poor and minority students, isn’t the result of a “silver bullet” or luck.
Umm, that would be Rod “Houston Miracle” Paige? Well she’s was right. It wasn’t luck it was falsifying data
Given her evaluations of Beverly Hall and Rod Paige one would think she’s either A) a notoriously lousy judge of talent and character or B) willing to do what is politically expedient
Perhaps she has some other redeeming qualities other than the two possibilities mentioned above…
bu2
February 25th, 2013
6:06 pm
“If any were to stay, it should be Jester and Speaks. They blew the whistle to SACS and to anyone that would listen and they have consistently voted against wasteful spending.”
So they failed to achieve their objectives and helped get the district on the verge of losing accreditation? With friends like that….
Although I think you give them too much credit for getting the district on probation. They first got on probation shortly after Jester was elected.
What you are really saying is that my district’s representatives are great and everyone else’s are bad. Democracy should be ignored if it doesn’t give me the result I want.
Bernie
February 25th, 2013
6:07 pm
Here comes the slippery slope! The White Man from Town over rules and via FIAT, removes duly elected officials by the People Of The People.
A Republican Dictatorship over a democratic consitentuancy. What happens if these same people are re-elected? Looks like an introduction of more Political cronies, like the VW with the Circus, Send in the CLOWNS.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
6:07 pm
Howdy 1942,
‘Stunned by your comment: If any were to stay, it should be Jester and Speaks. They blew the whistle to SACS and to anyone that would listen and they have consistently voted against wasteful spending.
Who stands for the children?
February 25th, 2013
6:12 pm
Thanks, Maureen, for good and insightful reporting. Thank you Gov. Deal for doing the right thing. (By the way, those of you who blogged about Deal’s problems in the past, what in the hell does that have to do with what’s going on now??) Let’s get over ourselves and move on; let the Nominating Committee do its job (provided that it isn’t blocked) and get us on the road to RECOVERY. To the gang of six: please go on out with some credibility to yourselves and your reputations. Plain and simple. You failed. To the gang of three left: we are watching. You can redeem yourselves by careful review of expenditures; i.e., enough of the legal fees, especially the ridiculous and so-called “governance” fees. Show us you KNOW how to do your job without having to rely on the legal eagles telling you how. Enough already. Should the gang of six insist on retaining their power, it’s time for a march. This tired and weary [70 year old] taxpayer will be among the first ones out there.
Ironic Vision
February 25th, 2013
6:15 pm
Does it seem odd that the nominating committee includes a member who was part of the Dekalb chamber’s Edukalb group that ENDORSED some of the same BOE members the Governor suspended….Walker, Speaks and Edler. Very short memories in Dekalb.
Google "NEA" and "union"
February 25th, 2013
6:18 pm
Bring in the CHARTER SCHOOLS and tuition vouchers!
bu2
February 25th, 2013
6:19 pm
@Who
I didn’t blog about Deal’s problems, but the relevance is this:
Do you trust the people who are going to put unelected people over your schools and taxes? Or do you trust the voters more?
Pat & Mike
February 25th, 2013
6:23 pm
@ Private Citizen
Why are you stunned by Howdy 1942’s comment? It’s the truth. Nancy Jester, and to a limited extent, Pam Speaks, were whistleblowers. They consistently voted against wasteful spending and Nancy brought the whole “cash basis vs accrual basis”, as well as the uninformed budgeting process, to light. Nancy began by trying to work with the other BOE members. To no avail. She was blocked by DCSS’s deliberately opaque finances and by a complete lack of cooperation from the CFOs (Marcus Turk and Michael Perrone). Turk and Perrone were never prepared and able to answer Nancy Jester’s questions in BOE meetings. (Look at the videos of the BOE meetings.) Turk and Perrone always said they would get back to her, but they never did. Nancy was polite, but persistent. SACS admonished Nancy for “intimidating the staff.”
To get the real facts, read DeKalb School Watch [dekalbschoolwatch.wordpress.com] and Nancy’s blog, What’s Up With That? [whatsupwiththat.nancyjester.com].
WEBDuBois
February 25th, 2013
6:31 pm
Georgia is a racist and slave state. I am not surprised by this Governor’s decision. Who in the hell put SACS in charge. Mark Elgart and his Klan gang her extreme racist too! We see through you. SACS didn’t do a damn thang about Atlanta City School Board where Beverly Hall defrauded the children by cheating on tests. The Board wasn’t held accountable and SACS simply didn’t care about Atlanta’s children neither did the governor. As long as Beverly and the Board was giving the northside schools all they wanted everything was AOK. Kaseem Reid and Shirley Franklin sellouts. They defended Beverly and her cronies at the expense of children’s education. WHy hasn’t Paul Howard brought charges against Beverly Hall. The State Board of Education could give a rats behind of what Beverly and her gang did. I hope and pray that Dekalb BOE prevail in the Federal Courts because Ga is still a racist and slave state.
ron
February 25th, 2013
6:31 pm
Yes it’s the correct decision,the only decision. Now if someone would start cleaning out the schools administrations principals & assistant principals.Assiatant principals draw large salaries with little responsibilities.It’s more of a reward for longevity.
Sunnyday4me
February 25th, 2013
6:33 pm
Geez…thank goodness Gov. Deal made the right decision to remove the 6 board members. I’m hoping people don’t pull the “race” card. Let’s put our children first!
bu2
February 25th, 2013
6:34 pm
If you want biased paranoid extreme opinions and a lot of wild unsubstantiated rumors, read Dekalb School Watch.
Nancy’s blog is fine.
Call Me Missouri
February 25th, 2013
6:35 pm
Meanwhile, who is minding the store? Hey, MT, remember the children??? I am not talking about the spoiled brats you have been running behind (the BOE) since you were “hired.” I am talking about the 99,000 students you have ignored since being appointed “Interim Superintendent.” This appointment is another example of the selfishness of some BOE members who didn’t give a rat’s you-know-what about our children, but wanted a mouthpiece and a minion to do their bidding and save their sorry behinds. If you cannot do your true job, Mr. Thurmond, then perhaps the citizens of DeKalb should work for your removal, as well.
Ella Smith
February 25th, 2013
6:38 pm
HENRY A. TURNER, ATTORNEY AT LAW
You are incorrect. I actually felt that Dr. Walker needed some competition so my friends on the DeKalb County School Board Watch encouraged me and I ran against him.
I actually received 44% of the DeKalb County district 9 vote which was wonderful. I have actually been the only one who has at least gave him a run for his money in the past and there have been some very good candidates who ran against him.
I did not expect to win when I entered as I knew the chance was not good. Dr. Walker worked many deals in the Northside of his district regarding the elementary lines of certain area schools to try to assure victory. Dr. Walker really had to campaign and make many promises. In saying this I also think the Southside and Northside of the district felt that a change was needed in this position. I was warmly received in all areas of the county.
I am thankful I did not win this position. It is not because I did not want to serve. It is because of the disfunction of the board. I am sure it is a very difficult situation for the members on the board who really want to make decisions based on what is really best for all the students and citizens in Dekalb. Too many of the current board members are too concerned with their districts and what they can get for their district and not for what is best for the all of DeKalb County citizens and its children.
I want to also say I support what the Governor did. This situation is not just about DeKalb County. If articles hit the National News Channels and New York Times then recuiting new businesses to Ga. will be hard to do regionally and in the whole state. As an educator I also see educating students legally as a responsibility of the state and not the local communities. The state cannot set by and let things get our of control and hurt 99,000 students, just like they cannot set aside and allow this board to possible hurt the entire metro area and the state by preventing new businesses to the region and state.
melanie
February 25th, 2013
6:46 pm
Gov. Deal what he needed to do…these people have not done a positive thing for their schools & the Gov. came in & got rid of them….what ever happened to the children come first? Thank you Gov. Deal for doing your job!! Time to clean house in the schools here in GA!!
Digger
February 25th, 2013
6:48 pm
Despite the constant crap, I know that every day Maureen thanks her lucky stars for the good fortune of reporting the mind-boggling drama that unfolds virtually every day in Georgia education. A writer’s dream.
Jack ®
February 25th, 2013
6:50 pm
I didn’t think Deal had it in him. Very pleasant surprise indeed.
interestedbystanderss
February 25th, 2013
6:51 pm
I hate Dekalb County
single white dove
February 25th, 2013
6:54 pm
The children suffer from this. The commission do not care about education. I am glad the Deal is doing something. He didnt do anything about the state being run into the ground finacially. Still Deals “people” that wasted the sates money are still there!
Tired
February 25th, 2013
6:54 pm
I could fully support the board removal if it were a stand-alone incident.
But Governor Deal has a well-established pattern of disregarding the will of the voters and moving/tossing elected officials at will, to personally choose their replacement. It’s hard to be on board with this happening again, no matter how necessary it might be.
Private School Guy
February 25th, 2013
6:59 pm
This mess could trigger what I consider the nuclear option for the state, with Deal proposing and then passing a state constitutional amendment that would allow the creation of new school districts. The creation of a Dunwoody school district would knock the economic pants off of DeKalb Schools. Druid Hills and Lake side would follow. North Fulton would create a consolidated district putting the brakes on a lot of money flowing to south Fulton. The prevent this nuclear option be board under pressure from community leaders would drop the lawsuit and resign. I would rather see a limited amendment that would split the district in half from east to west. This would leave the newer eastern suburbs(Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Tucket) together and pair the older close in areas such as Chamblee, Lakeside, Avondale and the Glenwood Ave corridor. This would spur development in the non gentrified areas on SW DeKalb.
crankee-yankee
February 25th, 2013
7:08 pm
Cue the clowns…I repeat, I think this is a slippery slope but certainly understand why it has come to this. Deal’s comments certainly indicate he is not 100% convinced the law will hold up to constitutional scrutiny. Probably why he pulled the trigger, to get the ball rolling on a constitutionality decision.
I wonder, in a body of “lawmakers”, populated with a high percentage of lawyers, why is it there seems to be so many laws passed that are deemed constitutionally questionable?
Could it be that the constitutionality of a proposed law is secondary to the political impact it might have for a legislator or party as a whole? Hmmmmm?
jax
February 25th, 2013
7:11 pm
This DeKalb School Board is no better or worse than other ones over the past 6/7 yrs-just terrble but they were elected by DeKalb County Residents like me-not one of the Six was convicted, indicted or even accused of a Crime yet a new untested Ga Law allows another Elected Official to negate these DeKalb County Residents votes, including mine. This charade is an affront to our Country’s tradition
of having One’s Vote Count and to those of us who served in the Military to defend this right – I believe The Governor’s (whom I voted for) action was Unconstitutional -SHAME
bu2
February 25th, 2013
7:16 pm
Looking for other local reports and found Dekalb is already in the San Francisco and Miami papers because of the governor’s suspension of the board.
mountain man
February 25th, 2013
7:17 pm
“This mess could trigger what I consider the nuclear option for the state, with Deal proposing and then passing a state constitutional amendment that would allow the creation of new school districts. The creation of a Dunwoody school district would knock the economic pants off of DeKalb Schools. Druid Hills and Lake side would follow.”
That would be GREAT!!! Pass the amendment THIS YEAR!!! Break Dekalb UP!!!!!
catlady
February 25th, 2013
7:20 pm
Good things that MIGHT come of this:
1. Crooked board members are put on notice–no more business as usual, anywhere.
2. Small cities within Dekalb might push the Dekalb delegation to sponsor legislation to allow smaller, more manageable and accountable school systems. (When is cross-over day?)
3. The judiciary might open a spotlight on SACS and their ways, and bring them into the sunshine.
4. Legislators might consider other accrediting agencies than SACS, opening the floodgate of other states to remove themselves from under its smothering tentacles.
5. Dekalb might undergo a Renaisance of parents willing to fight for their schools.
6. Mr. Thurmond has a chance to PROVE he can make a difference.
Bad things:
1. Ever more attorney fees.
2. More division instead of pulling together.
3. Racial charges.
4. Reinstatement of the status quo.
5. A system too big to work.
Who stands for the children?
February 25th, 2013
7:21 pm
Bernie, nothing to be bitter about. Not every office holder is elected by the people of the people; i.e., the judges appointed to the federal bench, Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals and, for the most part, they do fine. When they don’t do fine, then they are subject to being removed just like anyone else committing malfeasance in office. THIS IS WHAT THIS ENTIRE ORDEAL IS ABOUT—-And yes, it is discomforting, distasteful and an embarrassment to this county, but it had to be done. In summary, of the people and by the people will go on with their lives, and in time will not equate this squalid mess to “voters’ rights,” but rather to “it’s about time” to think of the children (not to mention the cash-strapped taxpayers who have suffered right along with those kids).
OriginalProf
February 25th, 2013
7:22 pm
I was just checking the messy process by which the Clayton County schools lost their SACS accreditation because of its school board actions, and then Governor Perdue removed the board. I came across this: “February 22, 2008: Governor Sonny Perdue appoints James Bostic and William Bryant, State Board of Education members, to serve as liaisons between Clayton County and the state.” Same men now.
Interested Parent
February 25th, 2013
7:23 pm
The lawsuits show how lucrative the position is. The board can’t go out and find another job that pays the same.
Rachelle
February 25th, 2013
7:28 pm
Why should a governor be able to effectively recall county elected officials? It feels wrong.
Elise McClintick
February 25th, 2013
7:38 pm
Finally….at long last! DeKalb had such a fine school system when I was there attending Briar Vista Elementary and Briarcliff High School in the 60’s. Four decades I’ve watched the decline and have been complegtely shocked by the shenanigans going on in DeKalb County. I’m going to my grave thinking that Deal may be the best and only man who can begin the clean up of this County in Crisis and a school system so bloated by it’s pension grubbing employees. You go Deal!
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
7:39 pm
Wonder how Walker feels about being removed from yet another Board due to incompetence? This isn’t the first time!
Jules
February 25th, 2013
7:41 pm
Thank you Governor Deal for doing the right thing!! The SELFISH board members need to do the right thing and step down.
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
7:42 pm
@Rachelle – nothing wrong about it when you are talking about individuals elected to an office that they were totally incapable of handling (Jester excluded). Wish this list had included old Melvin, he is such a weasel.
Sickofthezeclowns
February 25th, 2013
7:43 pm
I can finally say the Governor did something thats going to make a difference! Would be nice if you look out your ivory tower and do something about Fulton County, City of crooked Atlanta and all those crooks in City and State government!
Eugine "The Chosen"
February 25th, 2013
7:45 pm
God told me that Nathan would suspend me… he also told me to go out and buy a couple o’ 40’s of country Club… peace out..
Eric
February 25th, 2013
7:49 pm
LOL..
Thank you Dekalb and the horrific losers that run the school district and argue here to have these incompetents reinstated. This makes our “separation” so much easier to achieve. Good luck after we’re gone.
-The good citizens of Dunwoody, GA (soon to be residents of Milton county)
FedUP
February 25th, 2013
7:51 pm
About time!!! The board has had PLENTY of time to FIX the problems. I am a graduate of Dekalb, lived in DeKalb for most of my life and a retired educator from DeKalb. It is really sad to see how the system has gone down over the past few years. Shame on the board for not getting things right. Thank you Gov. Deal. Now maybe the Board will contain EDUCATED people who are interested in the EDUCATION of the DeKalb children, the welfare of it’s educators, and the concerns of the parents.
397
February 25th, 2013
7:54 pm
So Pardon MY Blog contends that only the White elected members of the Dekalb BOE are competent to serve. I find it most interesting that James Bostic is brought in again to have a hand in resolving the Dekalb board issues. There has never been a bigger sell-out than Dr. Bostic! He is to Georgia’s governors what Steven was to Leonardo DeCaprio’s Calvin Candie.
dekalbite
February 25th, 2013
8:04 pm
Walker has literally hundreds of thousand a year at stake in family income from his family’s employment in highly paid non teaching positions in DeKalb. Did anyone think he would go quietly?
Bull Sullivan
February 25th, 2013
8:05 pm
Gov. Nathan Deal announced today at a press conference that he is removing all six veteran DeKalb school board members….
It is easy to ascribe merely good intentions to this action by the Governor, after all, as he said, “I feel it’s my responsibility to act as the current law stands.” But underlying this action, the latent racism and class discrimination of the old, white, grey haired good ol’ boy network is clearly apparent. The Governor’s action, based on a law passed by a white super majority of legislators in the Republican Party dominated General Assembly in 2010, clearly reeks of the existing white middle class bias against persons or groups who aren’t members of their private club. This action mimics that taken against the Sumter County Board of Education, whose members were found lacking the class and behavior of the well to do State Board of Education, which, how surprisingly, is dominated by white, upper middle class, Republican Party contributors. The seven women serving include three educators, one of whom, Mary Sue Murray, serves as a paid consultant to SACS, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the “so called” accrediting agency that faulted the management and behavior of the DeKalb County Board of Education. SACS, it should be pointed out is a private corporation, a ‘non profit” whose officers and staff are extremely well compensated through funds paid to them by the State and local Boards of Education, public and private K-12 schools and State and private colleges and universities. The majority of Officers and Staff are white, upper middle class bureaucrats, answerable to no one. Their “Accreditation” is not much more than an act of extortion, a private, non -regulated corporation holding sway over the vast majority of all schools in Georgia, and given free rein to do so by the the white, wealthy, Republican dominated General Assembly. Given their office location in Decatur, County Seat of DeKalb County, can anyone seriously state that no bias existed on the part of those who conducted the SACS inquisition which has lead to today’s action by Governor Deal? The people of DeKalb County elected the BOE, DeKalb County is obviously being made a whipping boy for the white elite who are “embarrassed” by the process we learned in High School Civics to call “Participatory Democracy.” I guess the members of the DeKalb County Board of Education just didn’t contribute enough to the Republican Party…they just aren’t members of the Good Ol’ Boys Club. A concern for your child’s education? Not high up on this ethically challenged Governor’s list. As he said, his primary concern is the impact that a loss of accreditation would have on corporate relocation and job development. How about considering, Governor, the impact that ranking in the bottom tenth percentile in Education, on numerous and various ranking lists has on “Corporate Relocation.” People Vote, you appoint, Governor, who is the champion of Democracy?
Joesnopy
February 25th, 2013
8:09 pm
I think this is a warning for the board. He will end up reinstating them soon once Thurmond gets in to look at the problem. DeKalb problem is politics from the CEO office. DeKalb had a strong superintendent. The current CEO went after the man for making a money mistake. The former superintendent is not a crook. Yes the contractor he picked to build the schools was maybe a mistake or I would say he paid too much but the man did not commit a crime. They cannot bring a good case against the man because he did nothing wrong. That board just needs a strong superintendent to put them in line. I bet in the end they will recommend a strong super and all the wasted money will be the issue. They need to still the Futon superintendent. He will not play around. Yes the people do not like the man but he is doing his job. OMG
JJ
February 25th, 2013
8:22 pm
Eric, AMEN!!!
So long fulton county and hello Milton!!! Break up Dekalb before its too late. The economic nuclear bomb blast has already started. Your best teachers will be gone after this school yr. No major corporations will move into Dekalb for the next 10yrs due to this board. It;s a little to late for Dekalb which is sad, used to be the best back in the 70’s/80/s when I attended.
Time to abandon ship and leave Dekalb quickly!!!
vanessa cooper
February 25th, 2013
8:31 pm
I have a pending lawsuit for ADA/FMLA retaliation. Guillory in Transportation laid off all 5 who had used FML or who had a known disability and needed accommodation. I sued, case 1:11-cv-2006, Judge Vining, Ga Northern District Court.
I would join in on the rally.
vanessa cooper
February 25th, 2013
8:35 pm
i appealed to the board as a whole,submitted evidence to them. Now Eugene wants justice. hmmmm, i wonder if he remember when I wanted justice? Now he speaks of God, hmnnnm, I told them i have a father, did they think i was talking about Eddie Long? Now the shoe is on the other foot.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
8:36 pm
Amazing!
The Noble Northerners can get away with blatant racism, but the original Southern white inhabitants WHO BUILT DEKALB, could not.
It was wrong then, AND IT IS WRONG NOW. Yes, reverse integration and bussing seem to be the order of the day. Never mind, that you WOULD DESTROY THE CONSTITUTION to get the control that you want. You were too LAZY to prosecute Board members for any criminal activity. Because they are a minority, it is much easier to get the Governor to do the job for you, unconstitutionally. Welcome to Georgia, but please wipe the dirt off your feet before you cross the state line.
dekalbite@bu2
February 25th, 2013
8:39 pm
“Looking for other local reports and found Dekalb is already in the San Francisco and Miami papers because of the governor’s suspension of the board.”
I have been a DeKalb resident for over 30 years and have no mortgage on a very nice home in an affluent neighborhood with high performing schools courtesy of the parental involvement of my middle and upper middle class neighbors. My home is one of my biggest assets. However, I am more concerned about the education of ALL DeKalb students than the PR that might accompany this.
JJ
February 25th, 2013
8:41 pm
Racial divide is an issue no matter how much you wish MLK sermons were actually followed. There are plenty of black profesional educators who can take over the board and work for the kids. Do any of you parents care what color a board member is if he truly acts ONLY for the benefit of the kids???
So replace the disgraced board with some highly corporate “like color” executives than can turn this around for the kids.
And is there anyway of finding out all the “friends n family members” for the last 10yrs and BOOT THEM OFF THE PAYROLL?????
Sick and Tired
February 25th, 2013
8:53 pm
My husband was one of those people who was out of a job in DCSD this pass July. We did not panic. We did hate. We did not whine. We went on with our lives. But if the board members are allowed to file suit with taxpayers money can he and 300 others that were out of a job tag along for the ride. Each of those people were given walking papers and they for the most part did their job and had good character. Yet we pay those with bizarre character issue severance.
For the record I did not vote for Deal, Walker or Cunningham. I liked all the other guys better. But of the three I would have to say Deal looking better and better to me. At least today!
clem
February 25th, 2013
8:55 pm
i live near decatur and hope the folks who drive with educator tags on their cars can teach better than they drive.
clem
February 25th, 2013
8:59 pm
maybe deal can give them a job a gpb
dekalbite@bull sullivan
February 25th, 2013
9:02 pm
“The people of DeKalb County elected the BOE, DeKalb County is obviously being made a whipping boy for the white elite who are “embarrassed” by the process we learned in High School Civics to call “Participatory Democracy.” I guess the members of the DeKalb County Board of Education just didn’t contribute enough to the Republican Party…they just aren’t members of the Good Ol’ Boys Club.’
Surely you are not a resident of DeKalb County. The children of the “white elite” (and the “black elite” – DeKalb has plenty of those as well) have very good student achievement and the least to lose in all of this.
Look at the student achievement data of the schools that have high populations of poor, primarily African American and non English speaking students in DeKalb:
http://archives.gadoe.org/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=111&CountyId=644&PID=62&PTID=213&T=0&FY=2011
These are the students that are achieving at lower rates than their counterparts in demographically similar school systems. We do NOT have inferior children, parents or teachers. The problem is the management of educational resources.
As a liberal Democrat, I believe ALL students deserve:
1. A safe and clean learning environment
2. Competent well compensated teachers in reasonably sized classrooms
3. Abundant access to cutting edge science and technology equipment and supplies
Level the playing field to see how most students can flourish.
dekalbite@joesnopy
February 25th, 2013
9:10 pm
“The former superintendent is not a crook. Yes the contractor he picked to build the schools was maybe a mistake or I would say he paid too much but the man did not commit a crime.”
Lewis is alleged to have taken his mistress to the Ritz Carlton at Reynolds Plantation during the week when they were being paid to work and no work was done. According to testimony of the then CFO, Lewis also charged a trip to the Bahamas to the P-card (county credit card). Lewis told all of the administrators in many administrators meetings that charging ANY personal expenses to the P-card was criminal, and if they were caught doing this they would be terminated and prosecuted. My supervisor was so paranoid she used to lock up the P-card in the safe. These actions are criminal if he it is proven he did them.
dekalbite
February 25th, 2013
9:21 pm
My comments seem to be caught in the filter.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
9:27 pm
@JJ
“So replace the disgraced board with some highly corporate “like color” executives than can turn this around for the kids.”
If the local school board districts had wanted someone like that, or someone like that actually lived in their district, THEY WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THEM!
Your problem is that you really don’t like the “public” in public schools. You want a private school paid for by the “public”, and that the “public” bows to your wishes.
What will you do when the “appointees” are replaced at the next election? The current school board member’s voters haven’t changed.
Don’t worry! Obama has promised NEW BRAINS FOR ALL IN 2023!
Person
February 25th, 2013
9:27 pm
Its about the children!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, look for a superintendent
Charles Douglas Edwards
February 25th, 2013
9:28 pm
We pray and HOPE for the best education possible for the nearly 100,000 students in the Dekalb County School System !!!
Educating our children is one of the most important things that we do.
GOOD Luck to all the teachers staff and administrators in Dekalb County.
Let’s re-focus our attention back to our students education.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
9:32 pm
can’t help but wonder if a segment of the population would rather the kids be stupid than have white people on the board
jason carter, I’m thinking of you baby.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
9:36 pm
you go, DeKalb. you fight for the right to have ignorant children, so long as black people are the ones making them that way.
keep it real. real stupid.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
9:39 pm
then
“45 years later”
judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
what’s important IS the color of their skin – screw their character
Frustrated in DeKalb
February 25th, 2013
9:44 pm
One of the underlying issues is the quality of people who run for the School Board. Walker won because most thinking people who had more than a two minute conversation with his opponent walked away shaking their heads. Walker’s statement that there is no nepotism in the school system is a blatant lie. Just look at how sone former BoE members pushed their incompetent family members up to the DCSS feeding trough. Wood initially one because voters in Avondale and Columbia areas were angry with the incumbent, Phil McGregor. If Walker and Woods had any self respect for themselves, and cared about the students, they would step down. Walker can run for re-election, but anyone who is listed on his campaign disclosure will be villified by other citizens. And this whole cult of St. Nancy the Jester is a joke. She is as bad as Walker and Wood. Any day now, DeKalb will be on CNN and in national publications, and we can all hang our heads for electing these idiots. Maybe someone from the national press corps can uncover the specifics of nepotism that the local news agencies are unwilling to do. Message to the black legislators who did not stand with the Governor today: The future of the children of DeKalb trumps the race card! The voters will remember this day across the county. Many, many voters in South DeKalb lost faith in Mosby and crew today. Oh that’s right, none of them have children in South DeKalb Schools. And how is it one Stone Mountain legislator sends his kids to Fernbank? When the going gets tough, politicians show their true grit, or complete lack of it. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus took several huge steps backwards when Rep. Haigler was elected Chair.
bu2
February 25th, 2013
10:11 pm
@dekalbite
There were comments that the board should be removed because the loss of accreditation would result in bad PR. We’re already there:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/education/gov-nathan-deal-of-georgia-ousts-6-on-dekalb-county-school-board.html?_r=0
Blaktaxpayer
February 25th, 2013
10:14 pm
I am African American, proudly so…but I am so ready for change in this school system that I don’t want to see a single black on the board. I want a board of old balding white men…some good ol boys who look like Sunny Perdue. They will clean house and recalibrate this thing. Because at this point I am convinced that the friends and family culture will continue with the black folks in. Dekalb has turned me into uncle ruckus. But that is a change…and once it is recalibrated and voters act like that have some sense then we could consider the value of diversity… This is about as bad as when Washington DC voters re-elected crackhead Marion berry as the mayor….sometimes you got to protect people from themselves!
teach one
February 25th, 2013
10:16 pm
Many of you suggest that it’s about the children, however, you post some of the most racist comments. I, for one, think that the board should be replaced, but reading the racist comments on this blogs make me understand the civil right movement even more. I am sure that the majority of S.D. has realized that we made a bad decision with our board members. Even the north end made bad decisions about some of their BOE members, but your racist comments are not needed. We also do not need YOU to elect our board members for us. Many of you are the reasons why there is still a divide between north and south. If voters in S.D. were not familiar with the issues with the school system were to read this blog, they would feel that it is about race. Some of you mentioned Rev. Al, Jessie Jackson, and others; we still need them because of people like YOU. They say that the truth normally does come out in the end. You’ve shown your true color. You need to stick with the facts or you are going to lose many S.D. voters….the students, palace bloat, teacher compensation as compared with other metro districts, attorney fees, etc. The End. Sorry for the errors….Good Night!
really?
February 25th, 2013
10:33 pm
Come on people, I know you must be frustrated but do your really think Deal cares a gnat’s anus about the kids of Dekalb County? Wow, Mr Charlie to the rescue and this is 2013.
Bernie
February 25th, 2013
10:49 pm
Who stands for the children? @7:21 pm – Not Bitter my friend and I certainly understand agree as to the reasons why it was done. Just the process of getting there is indefensible in a democractic society! I felt the same way about the process of hiring and the pay package of Mr.Thurmond is completely out of bounds and UNJUSTIFIABLE.
Today’s decision by this Governor has only made things worse. You now have an sizable amount of the communities Voters feeling their VOTE has no value or worth. Quite possible a re-election of the ousted individuals to be re-elected. Then what do you do?
The Good ole Boy way of business as usual is no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated. This will be a political problem that will be studied for years to come. Unfortunately the children are the PAWNS in this game of Chicken and they will be the ultimate LOSERS!
Too Bad the Adults in the room unable to see the long term and financial harm this uproar has caused. The money that will be spent will be reduced of funds available that should be used in the betterment of the Children’s education and welfare of Dekalb County
big picture
February 25th, 2013
11:08 pm
It could be argued that the voters who put these individuals into office are part of the problem themselves. They are arguably not concerned for ALL of the children of the district. I watched plenty of their “board-speak,” and it was clear that they were voting and making decisions to only benefit their pet schools. Why did SCW feel that she should offer scholarships to students in one school when she is supposed to be looking out for students across the county? This is the point of this particular SACS policy.
The race politics of this county are relentless. They spill into the schools, and the kids lose out. How would you like to be a bi-racial kid in this county? Which “community,” based on the comments of the outsted board members and the new super, do you believe is more open to these children? And students of other races don’t have a chance.
Funny, watching the folks who keep stating that the elections must stand, it seems clear that these are people who do not have children in the schools.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
11:24 pm
“Funny, watching the folks who keep stating that the elections must stand, it seems clear that these are people who do not have children in the schools.”
If the DeKalb County schools are soooooo bad, then why do YOU have your children in them?????
Where is YOUR SACRIFICE to pull them out and home school them, at least until things get straightened out. And don’t tell me you can’t afford it. You’ve got a computer to blog on right? You can always sell your house and move to an apartment or rental. I know PLENTY OF HOME SCHOOLERS who have made such sacrifices. So please, don’t waste your crocodile tears on us. You would rather be LAZY AND SELFISH and not do your duty to make sure any criminal board member is prosecuted and LEGALLY removed. Because, if the current Board had not been charged with criminal wrong doing, then what CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT does the Governor have to remove DULY ELECTED OFFICIALS?
YOU AND THOSE THAT ARE LIKE MINDED ARE NOT WITHOUT GUILT.
RAMZAD
February 26th, 2013
12:48 am
This is a glorious day for DeKalb County. It is instructional that Eugene walker continued his race bait talk about “political lynching” and “kangaroo court.” I am so delighted that his fixation on hate for white people will no longer be part of the DeKalb County school system.
Truth in Moderation
February 26th, 2013
1:16 am
@RAMZAD
LOL! You are new here, right?
Don’t worry, Pres. Obama promises NEW BRAINS FOR ALL in 2023!
Shrek4259
February 26th, 2013
7:30 am
Funny how libs think they have all the answers & know everything. I guess that means running a once great school system in the ground by electing incompetent representatives.
mom of student
February 26th, 2013
7:43 am
Why can’t the board operate like the PTA? Add a parent with a child in Dekalb Schools, a teacher who is embedded in a classroom and knows what the trenches are like every day, no raises, no support, no morale, and a DEKALB business owner who needs this school system to work. Dekalb was one of the best, we need to clean house from the county office on UP! Teachers do not have a say and no one has even asked their opinion. Maybe a walk out of teachers, students and administrators would make a difference.
Big picture
February 26th, 2013
8:00 am
Truth, you act like you know something about me. My house is on the market. I am sick of large classroom sizes and “inclusion” structured classrooms that require students to be interpreters because the system is paying for attorneys rather than resources in the classroom. I have purchased books for my children because the county cannot afford copies that the kids can take home. I have invested tens of thousands of dollars on tutors and outside testing to ensure that MY children are getting the education they deserve.
I believe in public schools and that all classes of children have something to learn from each other. You apparently believe that education dollars are well spent on lawsuits and constitutional rights, not classroom supplies, teachers, and educational outcomes. If you feel so strongly about it, put your own money into Walker et Al’s attorney pot and let education dollars pay for the classrooms for those children who do not have the resources that I have.
Many of us are done. Many of us who have tried to fight the good fight against fiscal mismanagement are giving up. Who is that good for.
But you win. Wanna buy a house, or a 100. I can point out many on the market.
Private Citizen
February 26th, 2013
8:12 am
I want a board of old balding white men…some good ol boys who look like Sunny Perdue. They will clean house and recalibrate this thing.
ha
Private Citizen
February 26th, 2013
8:14 am
Where is YOUR SACRIFICE to pull them out and home school them
Truth, you looney bird, some people have to work for a living.
Shrek4259
February 26th, 2013
8:34 am
The haters on this blog don’t even realize why their circumstances are what they are & will never really improve. Playing the victim never wins. They would rather wallow in misery than to take steps to improve their situations.
Pardon My Blog
February 26th, 2013
9:09 am
@397 – I never said such a thing. Unfortunately, this group (with the possible exception of Speaks) has so much extraneous baggage and have been making alot of questionable decisions which have the appearance of nothing more than making a profit from that decision. Melvin Johnson is a friend of Crawford Lewis and was part of his administration which also cast a shadow on where his heart is. Then you look at their backgrounds, some of it public and some of it not so public, and the closed door meetings in which decisions were made because they knew only 5 votes were needed.
Someone said it best on a previous blog, the students that they have hurt the most are located in their districts!
Who stands for the children?
February 26th, 2013
9:39 am
Bernie, you state a valid point. It is indefensible when one feels their vote is of no value or worth. I have mulled over this situation and, while the actions Deal took are actions that make a voter hold their nose, there was no other choice. Our founding fathers and signers of our Constitution definitely wanted a checks and balance in place. What better example of that than Nixon. The voters put him in office; he abused his power (no mistaking that point since years later the tapes of his conversations have surfaced) and, while he bowed out without Congress having to impeach him, the country was spared. Checks and balances. For every body (this case the DeKalb Board of Education) there is a higher governing body who, given the checks/balances powers, can remove them for probable cause . (From what I see no one is contesting there exists probable cause, given the infractions they committed). So, in the end, considering the options, either let a Board remain in place and financially ruin this county, or remove them before further damage is done, I would have to say what was done simply had to be done. I can live with checks and balances.
OriginalProf
February 26th, 2013
10:54 am
@ Shrek4259, February 26th, 8:34 am: “The haters on this blog don’t even realize why their circumstances are what they are & will never really improve. Playing the victim never wins.”
How true. However, as I read back over the comments here, it seems that “the haters” can refer to “haters of black people in South DeKalb” as well as who I think you mean.
Witnessweeine
March 10th, 2013
8:38 am
Jim Bostic on the nominating committee ? The hachet man? He has no interest in the welfare of the children. He does what SACS wants. OoopOoop, another school system destroyed. YOU WILL SEE.
Witnessweeine
March 10th, 2013
8:46 am
Chug, stop hoping , the Governor and SACS will never take action in Cobb. Look at the make-up of the board. Interesting, huh.