What are Nathan Deal’s options with DeKalb school board? Are parents now more fixed on exit strategies than reform ones?
Gov. Nathan Deal has pushed back his news conference on the DeKalb school board mess to 2:30 today, suggesting that he’s seeking legal guidance on his options in this quagmire.
To recap: On Thursday, a unanimous state Board of Education, under an untested 2010 law, voted to recommend the suspension of six veteran DeKalb school board members. On Friday, a federal judge, while not stopping Deal from suspending the six, prohibited him from replacing them, pending a hearing later this week on the validity of the law.
That put Deal in a bind as ousting the members without replacing them creates a worse-case scenario for DeKalb, no closure, no quorum and no chance that new school chief Michael Thurmond can move quickly on whatever plans he has for the district. (And we have yet to see any real plans.)
Protracting this melodrama will only fuel the increasing push by Lakeside to form its own city and Dunwoody to form its own school system. In the end, DeKalb County could be so fragmented as to be unrecognizable. There has been a surge in notices of community meetings and town halls around issues of winning independence from either the county or the school district.
Such discord makes a unified school vision impossible and hampers any real change if parents are more focused on creating an exit strategy rather than a reform one.
And, in some breaking news, the AJC’s Greg Bluestein just reported:
Gov. Nathan Deal has not yet made a decision on whether to suspend members of the DeKalb County school board, lawmakers who were briefed by the governor said after emerging from an hourlong meeting Monday.
Members of the DeKalb delegation said the governor was weighing several options, including a compromise that would that would avoid a court battle. Under that plan, the governor’s office would closely monitor the school board’s progress if the legal challenges were abandoned. “We don’t know what he’s going to do,” said state Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta.
Here are some possible scenarios for Deal, none of which help DeKalb but do give the governor political points for at least trying.
•If Deal suspends the six members and can’t replace them, he essentially cripples the DeKalb Board of Education which, with only three legitimate board members, would lack the power to do anything.
•To create a quorum, Deal could choose to suspend only four of the six, with the likely two remaining Nancy Jester and Pam Speaks. Then, DeKalb would have a five-member board, which would provide a quorum.
However, Deal would certainly provide even stronger legal ammunition for overturning the law since picking and choosing members to oust supports allegations that the law is arbitrary and capricious. In addition, Deal would then be suspending only African-American board members, which would lay open the racial tensions that this whole process is revealing.
Nobody is clear what the law means when it says the governor has to suspend all “eligible” members. We saw that last week when the state reversed its January position that the governor had to oust all of the DeKalb board members or none of them.
That “all or nothing” explanation was given at the January hearing in response to protests by the three newly elected DeKalb board members that they weren’t even on the board when the district was put on accreditation probation. A month later, the state reversed itself and agreed with the trio, saying Thursday at the state board hearing that the newly elected DeKalb board members were exempted and would retain their seats.
•If Deal doesn’t suspend — which seems highly unlikely to me — he will come under criticism and undermine the state board’s credibility.
Any other feasible scenarios out there today?
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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123 comments Add your comment
Astropig
February 25th, 2013
11:19 am
Deal needs to ignore the politics and “optics” of the situation and do whats best for the kids- Get these people far,far away from the power to do any more damage. And if they sue,so be it.He has the resources of the state of Georgia behind him. These selfish creeps need to be removed forthwith.
Parents for DeKalb Schools
February 25th, 2013
11:21 am
The BOE members in question should resign. This would allow for a special election giving the voters a voice and end the legal quagmire. Most importantly, the 100k children of DeKalb are put first for a change. Win-Win-Win
Find us on Facebook & Twitter: http://ParentsForDeKalbSchools.com
catlady
February 25th, 2013
11:23 am
Unfortunately I think the selfish creeps have the resources, too–taxpayer money to fund their perfidy
Dunwoody Mom
February 25th, 2013
11:24 am
Governor Deal: Forget the BOE, forget the DeKalb Delegation, – all of the adult voices and please keep you eyes, and subsequently your decison, on the true victims here – the school children of DCSS. If this BOE stays, they (students) will be the ones that suffer.
catlady
February 25th, 2013
11:25 am
What votes does the board have upcoming, other than contracts? Can’t their guy, Michael, keep on bringing sanity and fixing the problems of the school system without the board until such time as the feds are happy?
Hamilton
February 25th, 2013
11:27 am
The answer to the second question is yes. For the first, suspension would stop the Board members from looting the DCSD bank account to pay their own legal fees. Maybe they can get King Roy to represent them pro-bono.
10:10 am
February 25th, 2013
11:28 am
If Michael Thurmond is listening to DeKalb’s parents and their disgust with the public school system—he’ll use the temporary power a diminished board gives him and enact REAL reforms.
Start, Mr. Thurmond, by quickly expanding the number of charter schools and giving parents more choices!
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
11:31 am
Fox 5 spoke with Michael Thurmond this morning as he was going in to meet with the Governor. My guess he was going in to plea the case for his buddies or to try to cut a deal. He is spending so much time on this, I question why he is not doing the job he was hired to do, or is he?
There is no easy solution to this. We are damned if we do and damned if we don’t. Parents in our area are already applying to private schools because of this whole fiasco and for sale signs are appearing in yards in our community.
Perhaps the best solution, call for a special election to replace the six that should be suspended. Let them finish out this year but do not allow any expenditures to be approved by the Board without oversight from the State level. These six individuals should be done and not allowed to run for this position again as the taxpayers have said “You’re Fired!”
WilieJo
February 25th, 2013
11:39 am
Maureen is right. Parents are looking at the dysfunction that is Dekalb County and looking for an exit strategy. Either the county starts admitting and fixing its problems or the parents and taxpayers will start seeking refuge from the consequences. As of this morning, more and more parents and tax payers are starting to believe there is no solution to the problems that beset the county. They are evaluating their options, options that range from private school to state sponsored charter to city school systems to relocation. Every delaying step, every racial innuendo, every maneuver that puts politicians ahead of the children only makes the ultimate outcome more destructive to the long term future of DeKalb County.
bu2
February 25th, 2013
11:44 am
I don’t see anything in the law that gives a deadline to the governor to make his decision. The deadlines are for the SBOE.
So he could simply say he would closely monitor the situation between now and the May SACs review. Have the board send him monthly progress reports on each of the SACS recommendations.
Pamela
February 25th, 2013
11:45 am
As long as things are done fair, I don’t have a problem with it. If all of the people that were involved in DeKalb County Schools being on probation are African-American then be it. I could care less. I am African-American and right is right..wrong is wrong!
bu2
February 25th, 2013
11:45 am
Don’t put Dekalb in suspense. Let Sumter County pay for the court fight. Its the same issue.
mountain man
February 25th, 2013
11:49 am
Deal needs to suspend the six, then maybe the judges looking at the case would have more incentive to getting it hurried through the process. Go Dunwoody! I would like to see them set up their own school system.
By the way, did I just read that the Dekalb Board of Ed decided to pay back the deficit over four years? Is that legal? I would think they would need to incorporate it all into this year’s budget in order to stay within the law. Prosecute them!
mountain man
February 25th, 2013
11:51 am
“Parents are looking at the dysfunction that is Dekalb County and looking for an exit strategy.”
Yes, this Board is killing Dekalb County, and Walker is leading the murder (Works for God – sheesh). Parents, flee Dekalb or start your own Charters.
Rick
February 25th, 2013
11:52 am
Although not members of the Board when placed on probation, the new trio was mentioned negatively in the SACS report
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
12:00 pm
What the DeKalb board does not realise is that the state is playing nice and trying to give them an exit strategy. Since this is not working, it may be time to bring in the real investigators and allow them to do their work. I suggest this is the best course of action. They can stop when they reach 1000 infractions, of these they can sort which are the most serious and then put the individuals in court and follow-through with the consequences.
bu2
February 25th, 2013
12:00 pm
That mention in the SACS report was like the textbook thing. On that they didn’t even talk to the CFO. In the SACS report-HORRORS! They were visiting schools! SACS didn’t talk to the superintendent or the new board members about it. The one who commented on it said they did it in coordination with the superintendent.
Mr. Georgia
February 25th, 2013
12:02 pm
This BS is unconstitutional to say the least and obviously racially motivated!! WE HAD AN ELECTION PEOPLE!!! If you all want to replace them so bad wait until the next election and run for the darn seat yourself. This time and energy should be used to explore the option of finding a new and better accreditation agency, SACS is on a power trip that is fueled by “unnamed sources” reporting these allegations. Is there evidence that the School Board stole money or mismanaged funds, NO! People don’t like the way the Board has responded to these critics from North Dekalb, the white moms with all the issues, who need to sit down and shut up and respect the authority of the board!! Their sensative feelings were hurt because some reminded them of who is in charge at a meeting or refused to acknowledge their stupid opinions and allegations in a meeting!! If you are that upset and can not get the level of satisfaction you think you deserve you can always enroll your kid in a private school or better yet create your own charter school!! Removing these people will not solve the issue!! The critics will never be satisfied and are merely building a case for them to attempt to create their own towns and districts!!! Stevie Wonder could see that!!
Bruce Kendall
February 25th, 2013
12:04 pm
Sad!
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
12:13 pm
I would love to see an Asian business person and a Latino stone mason as appointed members of a starter-board. Then, after a year or two, these could run for elected office to continue their seats in a general election.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
12:16 pm
“Asian” includes Indian from India. Or include Burundi, or Farsi, or some other type of international culture and business influence which should rightfully be included in representing DeKalb County.
Atlanta Media Guy
February 25th, 2013
12:20 pm
Gee Mr. Georgia… You work for God too… Maybe you are the son of the former BOE chair, who does not show for work and gets over $65k in salary alone. Volunteers have to come behind him and undo and work this guy actually does. How about the 49 million that Tyson went over budget, they are so glad to have her at Thurmond’s side. Why! She is at fault for our financial woes. Tyson was former CFO Turks boss! Yet we are making this about white moms in the north…riiiiight! Cut the F&F snake at the head right now and return the money to the teachers and their TSA!
LOGIC
February 25th, 2013
12:20 pm
@Mr. GA
The election and the structure of the BOE does not represent the people if you look at the Power of that Vote.
This elected officials have FAILED as a COLLECTIVE BODY to fulfill their duties representing ALL OF DEKALB as they were sworn in to do. As a result, our children and our communities are suffering. They all need to be impeached.
IF you don’t want that, KEEP YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND GIVE ME MY OWN SCHOOL DISTRICT!
All of you who are screaming constitutionality, need to look long and hard at the purpose of representation – protect the people. They are only protecting their own hides with a small number of votes and making the rest of the district pay for it.
The fact that we are allowing this dysfunction shows how truly broken local government is and how ignorant the general population is.
@Maureen -for the record, Dr. Speaks is African American.
big picture
February 25th, 2013
12:23 pm
Being serious here. We are looking for an exit. Any ideas for a good realtor?
paulo977
February 25th, 2013
12:23 pm
Mr Georgia …” WE HAD AN ELECTION PEOPLE!!! If you all want to replace them so bad wait until the next election and run for the darn seat yourself”
_______________________________________________________
Your post tells it like it is….You can’t change people’s hearts and prejudices simply by passing an Act , the change may take years and years and !!!
Concerned for children
February 25th, 2013
12:26 pm
The untamed beast in all of this is SACS, which put the district on probation and threaten to take away the children’s accreditation, that’s who it belongs too. The children pay the price for the actions of adults, based on governance and leadership, which is an issue in most political bodies, look no further than the US Congress. The governor should appoint a bi-partisan committee to oversee the improvements that need to me meet. At the same time, the general assembly need to pass laws addressing this unchecked power that has been bestowed upon SACS. As Deal stated last week, the DCSS was put on probation the academic failures, which I could agree with, rather for governance and leadership, only. I challenge every that follows this blog to go to SACS website and read about what they should be doing as it relates to accreditation and governance and leadership is only one of five standards listed. The other four are never addressed, because it would require some heavy lifting by SACS.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
12:26 pm
Some of these Asian business owners who are always recording and ciphering pennies and dollars on the records sheets of their stores would sure have a different outlook on things. The local skinny yong guy worker at the gas station is going to local tech college. “What are you studying?” “Mathematics / business accounting.” Duh! What a surprise (not). They build their wealth one dime and column at a time. It’s like when Ross Perot was lecturing congress about pennies.
Ross Perot quotes: http://www.qotd.org/search/search.html?aid=6020
Dunwoody Mom
February 25th, 2013
12:27 pm
The students of DCSS don’t have years and years to wait for change. If we wait years and years, there won’t be a school system left…..
mountain man
February 25th, 2013
12:38 pm
Mr Georgia …” WE HAD AN ELECTION PEOPLE!!!
Good. You live with the results then. But don’t expect the good parents to stay in the corrupt school system. Hello, Clayton County II.
skipper
February 25th, 2013
12:47 pm
If folks are stupid (yes stupid) enough to elect dummies and incpmpetents to the board in order to call it “keepin’ it real”, and then are stuck with the results, somebody needs to step in. This board is the laughing stock of the country. Their ignorance in many cases (not all, but many) is surpassed only by their arrogance. Contrary to the banter, it is not all about race. If someone who happens to be black is deemd incompetent, that DOES NOT IMPLY inequality. or prejudice. A green or purple person could see this thing is a cluster!
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
12:48 pm
Paulo, We enjoy all of these nice things (what’s left of them) such as water systems and interstate highway systems, yet we were not around to see when the republic-types bloodied the Indians and set up the house. It is not a simple thing. this hybrid mix and calling it “democracy.”
Dr. John Trotter
February 25th, 2013
12:49 pm
I don’t think that the Governor Deal or Mark Elgart want a lawsuit. It is amazing what can be revealed in discovery. Depositions have a cleansing power about them. Wasn’t it in the deposition of President Bill Clinton in the Whitewater discovery that the situation with the Arkansas lady came out (sorry, but I can’t remember her name right off the top of my head)? He denied it. This was the basis of the impeachment later on. This is also why his legal license was yanked by the Arkansas Bar.
SACS hides its so-called “investigation” documents, if indeed there are any such documents. SACS receives millions and millions of tax dollars (wasn’t last year’s SACS budget well over $22,000,000?). Yet, SACS wants to conducts its business in darkness. The darkness doesn’t like the light, right? A lawsuit against SACS would shed much light on what SACS does and would be devastating to SACS. Also, if Judge Story ties the Governor’s hands, this won’t bode well for the Governor, public-relations wise.
The deal? Let the elected school board members remain in office, with the caveat that the Governor and his staff will monitor the situation closely. This lets all save face which, in situations like this, is important.
I also think that the “Church Fathers” in DeKalb have weighed in lately as well. These business magnates and Emory-associated and Center for Disease Control-associated people of influence have probably made the case that stripping the DeKalb citizens of their right to elect their school board members will not enure to any direct benefit on what goes on in the classrooms, but contrariwise, it will have devastating and deleterious effects on the public relations for the County as a whole. If Governor Deal is able and does remove The DeKalb Six, then this will be written up in political, economic, educational, and general publications throughout the country, making DeKalb County a hiss and a byword and ensuring that it will become somewhat of a wasteland in the future. See Clayton County.
Inman Parker
February 25th, 2013
12:52 pm
A voucher system in this state would eliminate this kind of stupidity. But then public schools would have to actually do their jobs.
Anchorite
February 25th, 2013
12:53 pm
Maureen, can you provide links or insight into what is going on in Sumter Co.? Is it the same situation or different? Also, are Sumter and Dekalb joining suits or will they continue to be separate?
living in an outdated ed system
February 25th, 2013
12:54 pm
I smell a rat here. Why is the board all of a sudden announcing all of these initiatives to respond to SACS’ concerns? It’s clear they are trying to protect their jobs and I think the announcement this morning will backfire on them all.
I must say – @Pardonmyblog has a very interesting solution, but I don’t think anyone at present has the right to call a special election, and I don’t think that resolves the governance issue that threatens accreditation.
The legal maneuvering makes this situation completely unpredictable. I have no idea what will happen, but this is embarrassing for our state, and for the children of Dekalb.
FM Fats
February 25th, 2013
12:55 pm
In order to keep a quorum in place, Deal could give each of the six 3/5ths of a vote.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
12:59 pm
freeze all state monies coming into DeKalb. let DeKalb voters decide if they can survive on what they along bring in.
this should be within Deals powers, does not violate anyone’s free speech, and puts the whole responsibility directly in the hands of DeKalb voters.
if and when DCSS shows a sane board and presents a business plan, Deal can reopen the funds
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
1:02 pm
as to parents – run! get the hell out, and fast.
Digger
February 25th, 2013
1:03 pm
It was Monica Blewclinsky, Doctor.
LOGIC
February 25th, 2013
1:06 pm
Easy solution – change the charter of DCSD and make it unpaid and persecute ethics breaches with an Ethics Council like APS has instated. Watch these leeches run for the hills.
I cannot believe how many people would allow the continued abuse of DeKalb’s children and a (formerly) great metro area. I hope that Deal suspends them all without pay, doesn’t appoint another Board until the 2014 election and makes it “at large.”
If he can’t do this, time to split DeKalb, which only hurts the children who can’t afford other options. If that happens, it is on the conscience of the folks here screaming the “unconstitutionality” of unseating destructive and inept individuals who are completely and utterly incapable of executing the responsibilities of their election position.
What are Nathan Deal’s options with DeKalb school board? Are parents now more fixed on exit strategies than reform ones? | Get Schooled | Georgia News Digest
February 25th, 2013
1:07 pm
[...] Go to this article [...]
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
1:08 pm
FM, Had to pull the Dr. Wagner example of compromise reference, didn’t cha.
FM Fats
February 25th, 2013
1:09 pm
No, Digger. In Arkansas it was Paula Jones.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
1:12 pm
“Parents in our area are already applying to private schools because of this whole fiasco and for sale signs are appearing in yards in our community.”
You forgot your BEST option, HOME SCHOOLING! It’s cheaper AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR YOUR CHILD! You can utilize HOME SCHOOL DISCOUNT PRICES at Fernbank and the Natural History Museum. WE DO! Plan to take your kids on a home school field trip to LULLWATER PARK. We are. Tap into the DeKalb Home School network and find home school “schools” as well as social groups. YOU WON’T REGRET YOUR CHOICE! You will wonder why you WAITED SO LONG!
In the mean time, the same corruptocrats ARE TRYING TO MESS WITH THE HOME SCHOOL LAW! This is nothing but a DANGEROUS power play! If DeKalbites won’t fight for home schoolers NOW, YOU WILL NOW HAVE ONE LESS VIABLE OPTION FOR YOUR PRESENT TROUBLES!
HOME SCHOOL LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20132014/130258.pdf
Say NO to ANY changes in the home school law Section 23
lines 606-616 and 629-655
The current law is Constitutional and fulfills the Georgia Compulsory Education law.
Any changes would mount a Constitutional challenge.
(remove spaces for links)
Bill sponsors:
Rep. Brooks Coleman House Education Committee
ht tp://vote smart.org/candidate/biography/7865/brooks-coleman-jr Phone: 404-656-9210
Terry England
ht tp://votes mart.org/candidate/31952/terry-england Phone: 404-463-2247 Phone: 770-867-8096 (Home)
Phone: 770-867-1601 (Office)
Tom Dickson
ht tp://votesmart.org/candidate/31703/tom-dickson
Phone: 404-463-2247
Phone: 706-694-3908
Margaret Kaiser
ht tp://votesmart.org/candidate/66958/margaret-kaiser
Phone: 404-656-0265
Phone: 404-223-6269 (Home)
Mike Dudgeon
ht tp://votesmart.org/candidate/122760/mike-dudgeon
Phone: 404-656-0298
Phone: 770-490-7983 (Cell)
ACTION:
Call all bill sponsors. They have already retreated back into committee to “rethink” home school law changes as of 2/22.
Tell them you will accept NO CHANGE to the home school law (except to change the 180 days of attendance to the least days currently required for public schools, 165 days.) The current law is Constitutional and fulfills the Georgia Compulsory Education law.
Any changes would mount a Constitutional challenge.
Call your Georgia Representative and tell them not to support any legislation that would modify the current home school law.
ht tp://votesmart.org/officials/GA/L/georgia-state-legislative
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
1:13 pm
one thing I am enjoying about this – ole Nate finally has to actually make a hard decision he can’t dodge or pass off to somebody else. and it’s a classic Sophie’s choice.
no matter what he does, since he refuses to actually LEAD, he’s screwed.
gotta love it
Digger
February 25th, 2013
1:13 pm
Sorry, I get them all confused.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
1:15 pm
I still don’t understand why the fed isn’t RICOing the hell out of DCSS.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
1:16 pm
@ Dr. John
what would be involved in decommissioning DCSS?
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
1:19 pm
I went for a scenic drive and drove past McNair High School DeKalb County Schools. The building is decorated with cement spheres on top of the building. Some of them are broken off / missing. See those round ball-things on top of the building? http://oldwww.dekalb.k12.ga.us/~mcnairhs/McNairNew.jpg Some of them are broken off / gone on the left side of the building. Either that or the building design is lopsided, and I kind of doubt that.
Writing on the Wall
February 25th, 2013
1:19 pm
I am starting to think that we – as parents – should sue to expell and cancel the contract of all these elected school board members that clearly are not doing their job as they ought to.
That would be an excellent precedent to set for accountability in leadership.
By the way, no one is going to buy property with a dysfunctional school system.
Think DeKalb survival people.
And yes, my kids have been attending private school this past year.
Chamblee Dad
February 25th, 2013
1:19 pm
No exit plan for me. Here in Chamblee, our cluster is doing pretty good, more than good in many areas. Would like more $$ for teachers & smaller classrooms with all this wasted $$, but leaving (moving or private) to me wouldn’t help my kids. In fact we added on to our house to stay in these schools, instead of paying for private schools. I LOVE where we live, not the fanciest, could have bought elsewhere, but our neighborhood, & Chamblee in general, it’s worth staying here to me, beyond a measure I can’t fully quantify.
I’ll agree our system-wide problems are beyond comprehension at times, especially now. But enough to leave &/or abandon reform? that would hurt all the kids, especially in the Southside. Why punish them for the mistakes of the adults in charge?
So reform is the goal for this Dad, the call to arms, is not fix MY school, let’s fix OUR schools. You tell me it can’t be done, so you are planning to leave? Then try this:
Go to any of the many failing/underachieving schools, esp. in South DeKalb, walk into a 3rd grade class, pick out the sweetest looking, hardest working girl struggling with the assignment in front of her, who would benefit from any help we can give her, the same help that her single but hard-working mom would give her if she could, look her in the eyes & tell her “sorry sweetie, we won’t do anything to help you – as us adults say – you’re screwed.”
There are kids of her of all ages, all races, in both ends of the county (yes, even up here) in the same boat she’s in. Abandon them? How about we act like grownups instead? When I go home to my 3rd grader tonight, I can look him in the eyes and tell him “we’re trying to do what we can, but we know we need to try even harder – and we will.” It’s a lesson he deserves to witness, not just see in a movie.
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
1:20 pm
” Is there evidence that the School Board stole money or mismanaged funds,”
Mr. Georgia – they ran a DEFICIT. That is illegal under Georgia Law. THere is evidence that htey knowingly voted for a budget that deliberately underestimated certain costs. It was pointed out to them and they passed it anyway. Now they want to pay off that deficit in four years (plus deal with any illegal deficit that arises this year). That is pretty clearly MISMANAGEMENT>
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
1:20 pm
bootney, the fed is chasing the terrists.
marm
February 25th, 2013
1:21 pm
@Mr. Georgia, I would appear that the board is pushing for all the districts in the county with high performing schools to push for independence. None of these people are smart enough to see what damage they have done to the county with this contined drip, drip, drip of bad news. When was the last time that a viable business relocate to Dekalb County? Our tax base has shrunk but none of our elected officials, school board on up to CEO, seem to have the ability to work for the good of the county. Many are trying to put race into it, but seem to forget that they elected and re-elected these jokers and still want to blame someone else for the mess all of us are now having to deal with.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
1:24 pm
here’s one other thought for any parents out there who are debating to stay or go.
Gene the machine has been working directly for God for how long now – and DCSS is this messed up? when Gene loses either power or influence, God isn’t gonna care as much.
in short, this system is a good ten years minimum from a turnaround. and that’s optimistic
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
1:25 pm
Turth, Lullwater Park, that tangly mud hole? phew – enjoy your poison ivy.
WilieJo
February 25th, 2013
1:26 pm
Dekalb County is already ” a hiss and a byword”. The question should not be if we are going to sweep it all under the rug to hide the dysfunction in DeKalb. If there are so called leaders whispering about a solution they need to be out in front, telling the board to go quietly for the good of the county. If instead, the leaders are threatening and conspiring in the shadows they deserve the disaster that awaits. It’s the kids that don’t deserve it.
DeKalb is about to fall apart. Hiding the issues is a bad idea.
MS GEORGIA
February 25th, 2013
1:28 pm
You are “point on” Mr. Georgia! Where were these people 10-12 years ago when we had a drunken Superintendent and BOE? This BOE is trying to clean-up what they left behind!!
William
February 25th, 2013
1:29 pm
Mr. Georgia,
I would love to run.. however the good Lord choose to not give me enough melanin in my skin to win any election in Dekalb (since that seems to be the only criteria … you can be a felon, have only meaningless high school degree … but as long as you have “the look” ..all’s good)
Concerned for children
February 25th, 2013
1:33 pm
The demographics of Sumter County, Georgia are a mirror image of those in Dekalb County, including the Boards of Education.
living in an outdated ed system
February 25th, 2013
1:35 pm
Here’s one article that lets you know what the will of the people is. Looks like a strong vote to remove them!
http://www.peachpundit.com/2013/02/25/majority-of-dekalb-voters-want-school-board-g-o-n-e/
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
1:42 pm
“Go to any of the many failing/underachieving schools, esp. in South DeKalb, walk into a 3rd grade class, pick out the sweetest looking, hardest working girl struggling with the assignment in front of her, who would benefit from any help we can give her, the same help that her single but hard-working mom would give her if she could, look her in the eyes & tell her:
“Our family is going to home school! We are going to pay our way so YOU will have more money and smaller classrooms at your school and can have a good education as well. However, I also know of many single parent home schoolers. We are a caring community and our many organizations make that possible. There are video and online classes as well as home school tutoring centers. Most home school groups have planned outings and moms ARE MORE THAN HAPPY to bring along a working home school mom’s child. Tell your parent to consider this”old school” way of learning.”
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
1:43 pm
Hey Turth, I think you’re referring to the manicured Lullwater Estate on the Emory property where the university president’s house is located with the back access path from the VA hospital (barely a block from the SACS office), not Lullwater Park parallel to Lullwater “Driving Miss Daisy” Drive. That Emory thing is actually the old Candler kid’s house/estate (Coca Cola founding family) secondary to the main Candler house on Briarcliff, which is a block or so from the other Coca Cola family house on Briarcliff that belonged to the Woodruffs. Looks like mama and daddy Candler had the main estate on Briarcliff where they had the first exotic zoo animals, and the kid had his own Lullwater estate with a lake and cows and stuff. Later they deeded it all over to Emory.
Coca, Cola, Pause, Refreshes, Refreshing and Delicious
Chamblee Dad
February 25th, 2013
1:44 pm
To add a little more: our elem. school is Title 1 (but AYP for years) and I spent almost $200K to add on & stay here. I’m no liberal do-gooder or martyr, more libertarian than anything else. But to me, if there is one thing the gov’t should provide to our citizens is a quality education. Obviously we could do better.
What do my kids get in this bargain? A quality education provided by an achieving school – thanks to teachers, parents & staff, and despite the worst efforts of many others. Provided as well by my wife & me, demonstrating how our family values & views education. But they also get a school with more blacks & hispanics than whites, of all socio-economic backgrounds = looks more like the “real world” we live in. Those “minority” parents value education more than they are normally given credit for. So my kids get diversity far beyond what I got during my school years in Georgia in the 70’s. And I truly see them benefiting from it.
So it can be done. My family is living it.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
1:45 pm
Turth, I forgot. I made you a map. http://postimage.org/image/571r1qp1n/
marm
February 25th, 2013
1:48 pm
@Ms Georgia, please don’t use the “the people before them made the mess” Really, if that’s really the case, then these people are useless if in over 10 years, they have not been able to clean it up. I’ve always heard that you won’t get hired by the school system unless you know someone or are related to someone. It’s all there in black-and-white that this is not a myth. If cities continue to siphon off their taxes by becoming independent, you’ll be left with a failed system and nobody to keep it afloat. Everyone needs to push for these people to leave, and we need to push people out there that at least have a decent education and understand what they are elected to dol.
alm
February 25th, 2013
1:52 pm
He could keep Speaks and Walker and cut the rest. They represent the super districts so all voters would be covered. They would also cancel each other’s votes on the BOE.
Chamblee Dad
February 25th, 2013
1:57 pm
Truth. How about she take her child to a school a few minutes away with all her neighborhood friends? Instead of having to load up her nanny in her Lexus & drive across town to your Lullwater field trip. Especially when she’s got to get back to her yoga class after her 9th grader’s private music lessons.
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
1:57 pm
“If cities continue to siphon off their taxes by becoming independent, you’ll be left with a failed system and nobody to keep it afloat.”
Good. It deserves to fail after the way this Board chose self-serving rather than the good of the community. With Walker being #1 in sel-service.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
1:57 pm
@P.C
The land surrounding Lullwater Mansion is “Park”. That way the Georgia taxpayers get to pay for the upkeep of that beautiful property, NOT Emory. LOL! That’s fine with me. We get to enjoy the property previously owned by my great great uncle’s former business partner. My Daddy grew up in one of the original subdivisions. My grandfather taught a few courses at Emory.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
1:58 pm
DeKalb is full of tough stylish producing businesses owned by immigrants. These are not your run of the mill peasants from these faraway lands, these are courageous and competent movers and shakers who come to the United States and navigate a bunch of laws and run producing value-based businesses and I see no evidence of their participation in the DeKalb school board anywhere.
Eugene Walker’s God, this God? (tsunami video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3AdFjklR50
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
2:05 pm
“He could keep Speaks and Walker and cut the rest. They represent the super districts so all voters would be covered. ”
Hey, alm, that might be a very good idea. Until the case is settled that is. As much as I want Walker gone, that just might get Dekalb by until the court dust settles.
RMK
February 25th, 2013
2:07 pm
First and foremost, a decision must be made to end the probabtion status placed by SACS. This is going to hurt Dekalb children tremendously if probation status is not reversed. If suspending or dismissing the board is the answer then that should be done. If there is another option that includes the board but meets the same end, then that should be on the table.
If probationary status turns into lost accredation for Dekalb County then it is a no brainer that those who can leave for other options probably will leave. Good teachers will soon follow. This leaves Dekalb in a worse mess. Dekalb children and parents who stay in the system will be negatively affected and those that leave will continue to see most of their property taxes devotes to a failing school system as they pay for private schooling.
So, IMO in short run the focus should not be on anything else but who can to the best job to get Dekalb County schools off of probation. Once this happens, longview discussions can be on the table to what Dekalb taxpayers want their system to be.
marm
February 25th, 2013
2:09 pm
@Mountain Man, that’s all well and good to say let it fail, but unless you’re willing to buy my house so I can move, because I can’t affort private, then it needs to be made to succeed. It’s unfortunate that the people who have the integrity and intellect to make changes won’t willingly get involved in politics.
alm
February 25th, 2013
2:09 pm
I don’t like Walker either but I couldn’t think of anything else.
Billy Ray
February 25th, 2013
2:14 pm
Exit? No, but join the push for Lakeside City? Yes.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
2:14 pm
@chamblee dad
While this is more the norm for most home schoolers:
ht tp://w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc
the cost savings for home schooling as opposed to tuition at a “tony” private school would certainly afford you and your children such mentioned luxuries. Lullwater Park is free.
bu2
February 25th, 2013
2:14 pm
@private
“Turth, Lullwater Park, that tangly mud hole? phew – enjoy your poison ivy.”
Definitely off topic, but its a good warning for Truth’s kids. The park on Lullwater Drive has poison ivy. Last time I was there I didn’t see any, but I felt the itch and fortunately washed as soon as I got home, so it wasn’t bad.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
2:15 pm
Turth, oh good to see no “homeschooler’s cultural advantage” for you! PS that’s not a mansion, it’s a house. It’s not that big, but it’s heavily built. Those beasts on Briarcliff are “mansions.” One of them is preserved for cultural activities, the other one has fallen into disrepair, set to the side when they converted the property for psychiatric medical research (drilling holes in people’s heads and electro-shock and filming it in treatment theaters). That era, too, is gone. Who knows what they’re doing over there now. I think a couple of independent film makers have filmed scary bit parts in the old experimental treatment insane asylum.
________________________________
(secret post for truth pt. 1) Here’s a video on the place and there is a whole lot they are not telling you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5QM2MxkGM
OriginalProf
February 25th, 2013
2:15 pm
@ Truth in Moderation, February 25th, 1:12 pm.
You say that there are drastic changes in “the home school law,” Section 23, and give legislative addresses to contact about this. What is the specific bill number? What are these major changes, summarized briefly?
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
2:15 pm
(secret post for truth pt. 2)
Somebody posted some photos of “the tunnels.” http://www.flickr.com/photos/judester/230742427/in/set-72157594262952659/
Bobby
February 25th, 2013
2:18 pm
Why don’t we simply put all of Dekalb County into individual cities. Then the residents of those cities can determine for themselves what direction they want to go in. I like the idea of Lakeside for my area both as a city and independent school district even if it means higher taxes. At least those taxes would be going for us and not the likes of Eugene Walker who is seeking to destroy public education for his own personal benefit.
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
2:20 pm
“@Mountain Man, that’s all well and good to say let it fail, but unless you’re willing to buy my house so I can move, because I can’t affort private, then it needs to be made to succeed. ”
Of course it needs to succeed, Marm, but the way to success is to get rid of the current Board. They are fighting that and so are a lot of posters here. YOU elected this Board – YOU need to be screaming at the top of your lungs to get rid of them. YOU could also form a state-chartered charter school (luckily, now).
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
2:21 pm
Something I don’t understand about Dekalb running that $14 million deficit. They do not have the power to borrow money, so when the money ran out of their reserves, what did they use to pay salaries and vendors? Someone got an answer?
MS GEORGIA
February 25th, 2013
2:22 pm
@marm, Why not!! The majority of this board of ED is less than 6 yrs old. Prove that nepotism and mismanagement of funds occurred under the direction of this board. SACS couldn’t. I suggest that critics get their facts straight before they form a lunch mob.
antonio
February 25th, 2013
2:25 pm
if deal replaces these people, he needs to replace them with african-americans, since most of the school system is african american. If not, he’ll get sued.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
2:26 pm
truth, that Lullwater lake house thing is bigger than I recall. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im605MUvPI8 I like how they did the pavement there, flat, smooth, solid, and no curb.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
2:29 pm
If the Emory president made a fire in one of the nine fire places, the lefties would probably come out yelling about the CO2 emissions.
BubblesB
February 25th, 2013
2:35 pm
Let them sue as long as they for it out of their own money. Unfortunately everything is politics and everyone is so afraid they won’t get re-elected that the kids come last.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
2:39 pm
MS GEORGIA, But what do you have to say about them employing about 20 law firms? They’re paying $250./hr on up for people at law firm to make phone calls. IT is way way way off the charts for school system to do this and spend $50 million? doin’ it.
Pardon me, but this activity is about like the spaceship that parks itself over the city in the movie District 9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHihFA8q8xI
Seriously, if you are going to defend this board, you need to include or provide some explanation of this activity. You seem pretty real, so how about if we keep it real? And you address the merit of the complaint?
big picture
February 25th, 2013
2:44 pm
is the press conference being televised?
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
2:44 pm
“Prove that nepotism and mismanagement of funds occurred under the direction of this board.”
How many budgets did they approve (last years?) They approved a deficit budget with known and pointed out underestimated costs – against Ga law. Walker is on this board and has several relatives working for DCSS – some who he asked to be considered.
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
2:48 pm
The State has the power to institue charter schools, what about Charter districts then and the tax money from that district stays in that district. We could have a Dunwoody district, Lakeside district, Druid Hills district, etc. The rest can keep their reps and run their own district!
Hamilton
February 25th, 2013
2:49 pm
It was televised and it’s done – the six will be suspended. Film at 4.
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
2:50 pm
WSB is reporting this:
“Gov. Nathan Deal says he will sign an executive order Monday to accept a state panel’s recommendation to suspend members of the DeKalb County School Board.”
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
2:51 pm
“It was televised and it’s done – the six will be suspended.”
Good Deal! Now the courts need to get off their duffs and rule that the law is NOT unconstitutional. Then we can get some REAL change started in Dekalb.
Chamblee Dad
February 25th, 2013
2:55 pm
@ Truth Please re-read my original post. I have no need for private school, I’m more than satisfied with the public schools in Chamblee – all could do better – I suspect your home school could too, nothing is perfect. My point is a wholesale abandoning of DCSS by many would hurt the kids that need the help of public education the most, and thus benefit our entire community. Private schools are not an option for many in the boat of my hypothetical 3rd grader, any more than homeschooling. No offense if it works for you. Many of these 99,000 we are talking about could not be homeschooled by their parents if they wanted to, and you know that. Do I need to lay out that hypothetical a few thousand times? We used to be good enough to provide that education in DeKalb, we should be able to again. I’m just saying I’m not jumping ship.
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
2:59 pm
“We used to be good enough to provide that education in DeKalb, we should be able to again. I’m just saying I’m not jumping ship.”
What if Dekalb schools lose accreditation, Chamblee Dad?
DeKalb Inside Out
February 25th, 2013
3:00 pm
Do the ends justify the means?
Deal blatantly broke the law that says he must remove all or none. OCGA § 20-2-73 says “[the suspension of the board] shall apply to all local board of education members, regardless of when they were elected or appointed.”
I like to think we are a nation of laws. If not, what are we?
MS GEORGIA
February 25th, 2013
3:02 pm
Mountain Man you should consider your sources before you make these kind of accusations about Mr. Walker. In terms of a deficit budget, is DCSS the only one? If that’s a criteria for investigation or mismanagement, consider the other school systems in GA.
As far as the law firms are considered, think about Crawford Lewis and what he has been charged with. He was very good at keeping you folk in north Dekalb pacified. Mr. Walker played a major role in making sure justice was served for all of Dekalb County and his God is our God.
Chamblee Dad
February 25th, 2013
3:06 pm
@Mountain I’m not walking with blinders on, I’m not letting malfeasance slide, I want change as much as anyone. For now I’m fighting in the system, keeping an eye on all this. Lose accreditation = huge problem. Getting a new board & quality permanent super.could go a long way to avoid that, or turn it around if it happens. If my kids were older – in high school, I would think with more urgency, I’ll concede. If we can hold off SACS while balancing all this, then we’ve got a chance. Why not at leat take it.
alm
February 25th, 2013
3:08 pm
North Druid Hills is looking into creating a city too. Their borders make a lot more sense than Lakeside’s. They don’t cross I85 to try and hijack commercial properties from other communities.
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
3:09 pm
@Ms Georgia – Many of us “folk” in north DeKalb could not stand Lewis either and saw his friends and family program from the get go but people like Walker protected him at every turn. Personally, I don’t think we should be paying for any of his legal fees as he has committed crimes against the district.
BTW – how is that “lunch mob”!
Pardon My Blog
February 25th, 2013
3:13 pm
I don’t think more cities is the answer because all I see are an increase in taxes which would not solve the school issue we would just be feeding the pig more. Charter districts may be the best answer!
Starik
February 25th, 2013
3:13 pm
Chamblee dad, would you feel the same way with a kid in high school in Tucker?
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
3:21 pm
“In terms of a deficit budget, is DCSS the only one?”
As far as I know. Do you know of another school system running a deficit?
Mountain Man
February 25th, 2013
3:22 pm
It is against Georgia Law for a school system to run a deficit.
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
4:19 pm
DeKalb Inside Out, Cue political cartoon with Governor Deal dressed as Pontius Pilot.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:19 pm
God spare me from politicians, pimps, athletes, and faux outraged “Christians” appealing to God
Private Citizen
February 25th, 2013
4:21 pm
(Pilate) Looks like I’m not the first nitwit with this idea.
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:24 pm
it would take too long to list them all line item, but how about
-corruption
-abuse of power
-improper hiring
-abuse of employees / violation of civil rights
-fiscal irregularities
-graft
unless all this somehow does not apply to the DeKalb BOE…..
bootney farnsworth
February 25th, 2013
4:25 pm
@ mountain
doesn’t matter if 1 system or 100 systems are running a deficit. its still illegal.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
4:37 pm
Tim’s update:
Home school Blues…
ht tp://w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=7wu0R_8rH00
vietnamvet
February 25th, 2013
5:02 pm
Something is wrong when legally elected representatives can be removed from office for reason other than violating their oath of office or breaking the law. The Governor should not have the right to undo an election without due cause. It will be a sad sad day if the Supreme upholds this law. Yet, they most, likely will.
OriginalProf
February 25th, 2013
5:11 pm
So, Truth, what is the specific number of the home schooling bill you want us all to protest, and just why should people protest it? What will it change?
JOB
February 25th, 2013
5:22 pm
Why do we continue to elect anyone to serve on our Board of Educations. All professions physicians, nurses, lawyers, beauticians; are governed by their peers. Educators would be more aware of the needs of the schools and how better to aid and make improvements. They would have a vested interest in adequately educating of our children and making the schools more conducive to learning. They would also be better able to select qualified leaders for the systems. This should be a requirement for anyone applying to run for membership on a board.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
5:58 pm
@Prof
Someone keeps deleting my post. The TRUTH is dangerous. All the info is in my original post. If you can’t read it an understand it, don’t call.
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
6:37 pm
@PC
Thanks for your college pics of the Candler Mansion. Even though that is not the home I was talking about…Lullwater Mansion, also belonging to the original Candler. I vaguely remember it’s sad degeneration in the 60″s, as with many Grand Old Atlanta homes. After my research on MKULTRA, its even creepier. If those tunnel walls could talk……
And don’t forget, NEW BRAINS FOR ALL in 2023!
Truth in Moderation
February 25th, 2013
7:59 pm
@PC
Did you mean “Pontius the pilot and the flight to Egypt?”
slobberbelly
February 25th, 2013
11:25 pm
Yeah I’m fixed on exiting these a$$ clowns off the school board. But now that Deal dumped them, bring on the appointments. And to all those DeKalb parents “horrified” at Gov. Deals’ decision, where in the he!! was your “horror” as this clown show trashed our school system. I happened to hear Cunninghan try to use the Constitution to defend his intention to fight his removal. He couldn’t even pronounce the word, constitution. Gov. Deal could appoint 6 tomatoe plants to the BOE and they would do a better job that the 6 buffoons he dropped. He won’t off course. Deal’s smart enough to know that a healthy school system is the key to economic growth and increased tax revenue through higher property values. Lose your accreditation and watch your child’s chance of attending college go the way of your plummeting property value. I only wish the majority of DeKalbs’ voters understood that.
Joe
February 26th, 2013
8:27 am
I am sure glad that I sacrificed and put my kids in private schools. They are at or headed to college with a great education and foundation for college. The racial claims are ridiculous and missing the boat on why your kids are not getting the proper education to propel them to a higher learning. We are not a democracy which is “Mob Rules”. We are a democratic republic which is “Rule of Law”. The governor has “Due Process” to throw the bums out, if they are not doing there job. In this case, being put on probation by SACS is not doing your job. Whether you like SACS or not they have the oversight on our education system and that is the law of the land. The fact that they are going to pay 150k for governance training, shows that they are not capable of doing the job!
kevin
February 26th, 2013
8:41 am
Governor Deal has cause more harm then good. Watch the court come in and say so. Gvt Deal should have stay far away from this issues….he is showing a side of himself that he too…has problems and it is not conceiveable that his action toward others mirrows that he is not perfect. Deal is also not looking at facts; but hearsays. He should move against SACS for destroying Georgia School Systems, Clayton and Dekalb for the sake of money. Watch, it is all about money that is driving this whole thing. Regardless what people and comments are saying…..it is not the interest of the children per sey, it is about the money and the people whom SACS and perhaps Deal do not like.
senseandsensibility
February 26th, 2013
1:36 pm
The rumor is a good percentage of qualified teachers and veteran teachers have had enough and are leaving.. many are applying out of state for jobs that actually pay more and treat you better..This leaves Dekalb with many holes.. poor quality teachers, no leadership on the school board.. a ruined reputation and a even farther slide into the abyss.. teachers are fed up.. they are leaving the sinking ship before they go under as well..