It is not racism to try to help DeKalb students
“Though the public has an interest in its elected officials being able to serve in the offices to which they’ve been elected, there is an even greater public interest at stake here. The interest of the public in a healthy school system outweighs the interests of the board members in serving in their positions.”
Those two simple sentences, written by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Story in his ruling Monday, capture the essence of the controversy surrounding the DeKalb County School Board.
Students are more important than politicians. Not exactly rocket science, right? Yet too many members of the school board lost sight of that fact, assuming a degree of inflated self-importance that made an already difficult district impossible to govern. The fact that those members — most prominent among them Eugene Walker — continue to operate under the delusion of their own ego, even after reminders to the contrary by the state Board of Education, the governor, the DeKalb public and now a federal judge, speaks volumes.
In the wake of Monday’s ruling, the six members of the board suspended by Gov. Nathan Deal should resign, in the interest of those they supposedly serve.
Unfortunately, Walker and other board members have been encouraged in their obstinance by others who have lost track of priorities. Last week, leaders of the Georgia and DeKalb County chapters of the NAACP stood on the steps of the Capitol to condemn the governor for daring to intervene on behalf of DeKalb’s students, and went on to suggest that his actions were motivated by racism.
It is hard to understand the misplaced priorities that drive such statements, and hard to ignore the damage they can do in such a sensitive situation. Yes, racism does still exist, and it does still affect governmental policy and action, from health care to education to transportation. But crying racism as a political tactic, with no evidence that it is playing a role, cheapens the problem. It also ends up encouraging the very attitude that it supposedly condemns.
One important manifestation of racism is apathy — the malign neglect of struggling minority communities by a majority that cannot be bothered to care. If racism was the governor’s motivation, the easy thing to have done was absolutely nothing. Deal and the state Board of Education could have washed their hands of the problem and allowed events to take their course. And we all know what that course would have been:
Hamstrung by its board, the district would be stripped of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which had already put it on probation. Loss of accreditation would in turn have devalued property throughout the county, and more importantly it would devalue the diplomas of DeKalb graduates.
The crisis would snowball from there. With accreditation lost, the competition and distrust between communities within the district would explode. Political clamor would grow for private alternatives to the public-school model. Armed with a major crisis in the state’s third-largest school system, a conservative Republican such as Deal could have used the opportunity to open the doors further to vouchers and private charter schools.
Instead, he chose to intervene and accept a degree of ownership in the problem. For that, he is rewarded by so-called community leaders with suggestions of racism?
It’s important to note that other black elected leaders, including House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, a Democrat and a DeKalb resident, have stood in public support of Deal’s decision. Like the governor, they have nothing to gain politically by such a step, and in fact take a risk by reaching across partisan and racial lines on such a potentially emotional issue. But they too recognize that the education of schoolchildren must take precedence.
The NAACP leaders, on the other hand, show little sign of being motivated by such concerns. Their interest was much more narrow: trying to save the positions of the six board members, five of them black, who had been suspended by the governor. Despite the noble history of their organization, they have acted as if the “P” in NAACP stood for “politicians.”
It stands for “people”.
— Jay Bookman
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664 comments Add your comment
barking frog
March 5th, 2013
9:09 am
What happens next election ?
Peadawg
March 5th, 2013
9:10 am
“So, the Crooked Deal is not such a Bad Deal after all? Whodda thunk it?”
Let’s wait to see how he handles replacing the board members first.
Old Boy
March 5th, 2013
9:10 am
Well written. I respect the fact that your columns are based on what you believe (even though I generally disagree with it) as opposed to a particular party line.
Browncoat
March 5th, 2013
9:11 am
Wow, a Bookman opinion article I agree with!!!! The four horseman must be on the way……..
Abstinence-only state
March 5th, 2013
9:11 am
Jay, great column, and I agree wholeheartedly. Can’t help pointing out, though, that “obstinacy” is the word you’re looking for. I guess you’re mixing it up with “abstinence,” and why not? It would be nice if the various parties would abstain from continuing to fight.
Get It Right
March 5th, 2013
9:11 am
Re: “One important manifestation of racism is apathy — the malign neglect of struggling minority communities by a majority that cannot be bothered to care.”
You also have the apathy of the minority communities. They impatiently wait on the working majority to supply them with their “entitlements” and, once received, waste them and take no responsibility in taking care of what they have received. As evidence, look at the cost of school maintenance in Dekalb. I am witness to several years of MLK Day projects. We always clean up and fix the same things at the same school. As long as a thing is supplied at no cost without an expectation of reciprocal responsibility, then the receiver places no value on it. We see that here in the Dekalb school system. To paraphrase, it is the soft racism of lowered expectations.
larry
March 5th, 2013
9:12 am
If the DeKalb County school system has their authority taken away by the governor for any reason(s) perceived by the Governor and the Federal Court, when will the court make a decision about the “public voucher system” GA has in place currently.
We are using public money to pay for private schools that those same failing minority students can not take use for their education.
Where is the so-called outrage by the Governor?
You are not going to find it. That’s the reason i’m saying this is purely politics.
DownInAlbany
March 5th, 2013
9:12 am
Good commentary, Jay! We hear “racism” so much these days, that the word has lost it’s power.
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:14 am
Noun 1. obstinance – the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome.
2. obstinance – resolute adherence to your own ideas or desires
H. E. Pennypacker
March 5th, 2013
9:16 am
Nancy Jester may have had some good ideas, but operated in a manner that made Ted Cruz’s brief Senatorial term seem conciliatory. As such, she had become part of the problem and will not be missed.
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:16 am
If the Governor and Legislator motives were altruistic, why have they ignored the rest of the failing GA school systems?
Welcome to the Occupation
March 5th, 2013
9:16 am
“and in fact take a risk by reaching across partisan and racial lines on such a potentially emotional issue”
Isn’t that redundant in a place like Georgia?
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:17 am
As to the law allowing Deal to take this step, it may indeed be ruled unconstitutional at some point. We’ll have to see. But fighting through that legal process while at the same time trying to save the system’s accreditation would be impossible. That’s why resignations are the best step forward.
skipper
March 5th, 2013
9:18 am
Jay,
Nice post….tough call. The elephant in the room is that by and large, the system is going to remain largely minority. Folks are not gonna move in and send their kids to one of these nightmares. Even most of the crusaders have kids on the fringe schools, not the inner-city ones. So, the culture is going to have to change.
The right to vote does not mean the ability to do so. This board is a blatant demonstration of that. The parents need to value an education (many do, just not enough) and at some point, and I do not know how, actually, the CULTURE OVER ALL must change. Truthfully, since the system will largely be much more black than white, the opportunity exists to try and show that the people will elect competant members, instead a bunch of self-serving folks guilty of nepotism and everything else. Despite all the mistrust and wrong-doing in the past, voting in buffoons will not solve any problems.
Regnad Kcin
March 5th, 2013
9:20 am
So, is this a precedent?
Can elected officials remove other elected officials, who have not been convicted of a crime?
Does Nathan Deal have the power to remove Democrats from elected city, county and/or state positions? If not, why not?
Bosch
March 5th, 2013
9:21 am
“You also have the apathy of the minority communities. They impatiently wait on the working majority to supply them with their “entitlements” and, once received, waste them and take no responsibility in taking care of what they have received”
Case in point, part two.
Regnad Kcin
March 5th, 2013
9:22 am
Why bother to vote at all – we can let the governor appoint all officials, since this proves he thinks he knows better that voters do “what is good for them.”
barking frog
March 5th, 2013
9:23 am
obstinance is the o in gop….
Shine
March 5th, 2013
9:23 am
When will students statewide become more important than Delta Airlines, railroads, Arthur Blank and the Falcoons, plane makers, all deadbeat corps, etc etc etc………they get tax breaks, freebies, etc etc etc and teachers get furloughed and days cut out of our school year.
Erwin's cat
March 5th, 2013
9:24 am
Nice read Jay….Good job
godless heathen - owner of many things he does not need
March 5th, 2013
9:24 am
Senate Bill 229 would legalize fireworks in Georgia. First beer on Sunday and now (maybe) legal fireworks.
What a great time to be alive.
Joe Hussein Mama
March 5th, 2013
9:25 am
Peadawg — “Let’s wait to see how he handles replacing the board members first.”
Indeed. Any shade-tree mechanic can pull a transmission. Only a few of them are able to fix the thing and put it back in the truck in working order, though.
“If You Can’t Beat’em, Change The Rules”: Georgia Republicans Seek Repeal Of The 17th Amendment
March 5th, 2013
9:25 am
In the latest example of the GOP’s selective reverence for the Constitution, six Georgia Republicans are trying to end the election of U.S. senators by popular vote — just as a new poll shows that the GOP’s footing in the state’s upcoming Senate election is less secure than previously thought.
The Douglas County Sentinel reports that state representatives Dustin Hightower, Mike Dudgeon, Buzz Brockway, Josh Clark, Kevin Cooke, and Delvis Dutton — all Republicans — have introduced a resolution to repeal the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 17th Amendment, which was adopted in 1913, mandated that senators be elected by popular vote; before its passage, senators were selected by state legislatures.
Cooke, who authored the resolution, told the Sentinel “It’s a way we would again have our voice heard in the federal government, a way that doesn’t exist now.”
“This isn’t an idea of mine,” he added. “This was what James Madison was writing. This would be a restoration of the Constitution, about how government is supposed to work.”
Successfully repealing the amendment would require two-thirds approval by both houses of Congress, followed by ratification by at least 38 states — giving the Georgia lawmakers next to no chance of accomplishing their goal. After all, most voters would prefer to keep the power to elect their own representatives — especially considering the pervasive corruption that has characterized the election process within state legislatures.
Still, the timing of the move is interesting. Coincidentally, on the same day that the Sentinel reported on the Republicans’ repeal plans, Public Policy Polling released a new poll showing that the GOP is in real danger of losing another Senate seat in 2014.
Despite the fact that Democrats have not won a major election in Georgia in 13 years, PPP finds that the race for the seat currently held by retiring Republican Saxby Chambliss is a complete toss-up. Democratic congressman John Barrow trails five likely Republican candidates — U.S. Representatives Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey, Tom Price, and Jack Kingston, and right-wing activist Karen Handel — by an average of just 0.4 percent.
If former senator Max Cleland (D) jumped into the race, he’d start out with a lead over all five Republicans.
Republicans should be deeply troubled by their weak numbers in Georgia, ostensibly a deep-red state. If they lose Chambliss’ seat, it would all but end their hopes of capturing a Senate majority in 2014. The six Georgia lawmakers’ solution to the problem appears to be taking the decision out of voters’ hands, which fits a broad pattern of Republican behavior since the 2012 election. Once again, the party’s prevailing strategy appears to be “If you can’t beat them, change the rules.”
http://mykeystrokes.com/2013/02/21/if-you-cant-beatem-change-the-rules-georgia-republicans-seek-repeal-of-the-17th-amendment/
kayaker 71
March 5th, 2013
9:25 am
The essential problem centers around attitude, especially that of the NAACP. I think these buffoons would support Dennis Rodman for the school board just because of his race. Education never came into the mix when they discussed the issue. It has, and always will be with them, protecting even the incompetent, just because of their race. Cynthia Tucker was right. They belong in the dust bin of history.
Erwin's cat
March 5th, 2013
9:25 am
Regnad – since this proves he thinks he knows better that voters do “what is good for them.”
I get it, but in this case…he’s right
Markoo
March 5th, 2013
9:25 am
Personally, I feel it is racist of someoen like Dr. Walker to assume there aren’t competent African-Americans that could be appointed in his place. It seems Walker assumes anyone meeting the criteria to be nominated as a replacement must be of some other race.
The Carnivore
March 5th, 2013
9:25 am
Well, if the welfare of students is too important for “racist” decisions, then why not appoint all white boards for each metro Atlanta county? The dysfunctional problems in the counties that have failed have a common theme.
Thomas
March 5th, 2013
9:26 am
As usual you and the AJC are “top shelf” on local issues.
Uh,Lil A'ynie...
March 5th, 2013
9:26 am
…leave Forsyth County (or were you referring to the city of Forsyth) out of this – our schools are just fine, thank you very much…at or near the top in all categories of educational measure…
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:27 am
It appears the major problem facing the DeKalb County school system was based on lack of funds to adequately educate the students and maintain the physical structures. A forensic audit did not seem to satisfy the accreditation agency.
Their first complain was legal bills exceeding $10 million dollars above the budgeted amount. Wonder if other school systems have legal bills exceeding the budgeted amount(s)?
http://www.examiner.com/article/dekalb-county-schools-accreditation-placed-on-probation
And, Jay...
March 5th, 2013
9:28 am
…even though you have corrected your erroneous assumption that northern Dekalb county is “white”, isn’t the fact that you thought this to start proof of YOUR racist bias?
Synonomous
March 5th, 2013
9:28 am
Careful, Bookman. They’ll tar and feather you as a racist too if you keep talking like this.
Thogwummpy
March 5th, 2013
9:29 am
Now let’s hope Bookman will retain the memory of his own column going forward, when his colleagues and activist associates cheaply level specious charges of “racism” at us conservatives—when the allegation is nonsense; but (like with the Dekalb Board) is merely an intellectual bullying tactic intended to falsely impeach challenges. It’s become stanard Left playbook, the non-stop crying wolf. Don’t criticize Obama….to do so is….RAAAAA-CIST! It’s become so prevalent, so insulting, that a backlash is way overdue.
Bosch
March 5th, 2013
9:29 am
kayaker,
Pot meet kettle? Like how you buffoons elect other incompetent buffoons simply because of the R after their name?
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:29 am
@kayaker 71
If it were left to you, blacks always have “bad attitudes” because they ???????
barking frog
March 5th, 2013
9:30 am
democracy does not insure that people will make the
right decision but it does insure that it is their decision…
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:30 am
…even though you have corrected your erroneous assumption that northern Dekalb county is “white”, isn’t the fact that you thought this to start proof of YOUR racist bias?
With a reach like that, you make Dikembe Mutombo look like Kevin Willis.
Hey, Thogwummpy...
March 5th, 2013
9:31 am
…is that you Neal?
barking frog
March 5th, 2013
9:32 am
Obama should be allowed to remove and replace the
Georgia legislature….
Doggone/GA
March 5th, 2013
9:32 am
“Don’t criticize Obama….to do so is….RAAAAA-CIST”
We get on one idiot here who makes that claim…and 100 idiots who complain about it for weeks afterwards
Georgia on my mind...
March 5th, 2013
9:32 am
Please do not re-elect Nathan Deal. He is bad for Georgia.
Fred ™
March 5th, 2013
9:32 am
Backwards Nick: While many of us here in Dekalb question the method the board was axed or the legality or the constitutionality or the motivation………… in the end we are pretty much ALL glad it was done. Those folks needed to go. Is it cowardly of us to allow that in this instance the ends DOES justify the means? Probably. But I can live with that. They had to go and they sure as hell wouldn’t step down voluntarily.
Uh, Dikembe...
March 5th, 2013
9:33 am
…DOES look like Kevin Willis – does this mean that you just admitted that you are racist, Jay?
Bosch
March 5th, 2013
9:33 am
Thog,
And where has anyone called racism for criticism of Obama? Again, that’s only a myth in the minds of twisted cons.
kayaker 71
March 5th, 2013
9:33 am
Bosch and Jackie,
See, this isn’t about education at all. It’s about a group of incompetent black people who are losing their jobs, about to be fired by a white Republican governor. See, now that wasn’t so hard, was it?
Shar
March 5th, 2013
9:33 am
This does set a scary precedent, even more so in light of the fact that DeKalb is primarily Democratic and the school system primarily black while the governor was not supported by either constituency.
However, its scarier to think of the consequences of inaction. Capable, experienced teachers and administrators fleeing (a loss that takes years to recover from), students failing to learn and leaving the system (with or without a degree) utterly unprepared to participate in today’s economy, much less that of ten years from now (losses that take a generation or more to recover from) and a system so resentful and at odds that the bills already introduced in the Legislature to permit splitting the district get passed and the southern part of the county is permanently cast off economically.
The governor was elected because he had an R after his name, and lazy voters did not bother to learn about his ethics problems, his financial issues or his track record. The DCSS board members were elected because they had a D after their names and their skin color was presumed to tell all the voters needed to know about their competency, character and intentions, regardless of their performance in office. Lazy voting is a cancer on our democracy. It may be time to remove all party affiliation information from the ballot.
Welcome to the Occupation
March 5th, 2013
9:33 am
“Careful, Bookman. They’ll tar and feather you as a racist too if you keep talking like this.”
A hint of solidarity eh?
Georgia on my mind...
March 5th, 2013
9:33 am
barking frog
March 5th, 2013
9:32 am
Sounds like a good idea to me!
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:33 am
“Don’t criticize Obama….to do so is….RAAAAA-CIST! It’s become so prevalent, so insulting, that a backlash is way overdue.
Whines like that FAR, FAR outnumber actual incidents in which Obama critics are condemned as racist. Methinks you doth protest too much.
Uh, Fwed...
March 5th, 2013
9:35 am
…you actually posted something worthwhile – “in the end we are pretty much ALL glad it was done. Those folks needed to go”.
Thanks…
joe
March 5th, 2013
9:35 am
This is exactly what happens when an electorate puts a person in office who has no business being there…they voted on skin color instead of qualifications. Am I talking about the DeKalb school board? No, I’m talking about the idiots who voted for Obama. However, same situation does apply to DeKalb as well. If residents of that county voted for the most qualified, no matter their skin color, perhaps that county wouldn’t be on the same path as Clayton.
Remember, you sleep with dogs, you get fleas…
Stevie Ray
March 5th, 2013
9:36 am
indigo
March 5th, 2013
8:48 am
Thanks for the thoughtful response. We clearly see eye to eye on your first point…of course as long as suggesting responsibility by individuals (al a Bill Cosby) is deemed racism or bigotry, nothing will change…or at least it would seem difficult.
As respects a color blind society, I’m not optimistic that will occur in the means I think you suggest….at least not here and not in our lifetime…As you mentioned, change must come from both sides…not just laws that punish or protect…
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:36 am
@kayaker
If these people were so incompetent and have exhibited that so-called incompetence, why have they not been charged criminally?
It appears the incompetence is that you have looked this situation with your myopic, racial sunglasses on.
Do you believe the public voucher system enacted by GA is racist?
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:38 am
@joe
Sounds like you voted for the current Governor and Mitt Romney.
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:38 am
And it is certainly interesting how these things inevitably revert to ” …. but, but Obama!”
Hold that thought...trivia question of the day...
March 5th, 2013
9:38 am
This is exactly what happens when an electorate puts a person in office who has no business being there…they voted on skin color instead of qualifications. Am I talking about the DeKalb school board? No, I’m talking about the idiots who voted for Obama.
_____
How would you feel if President Obama had the power to remove Mayors and Governors? You are bending over a little too far. If he removed Nathan Deal that was elected by a majority of “White” voters, would he be wrong?
Bosch
March 5th, 2013
9:39 am
What kayaker? No “swooping down out of trees?” losing your racist touch are we?
Fred ™
March 5th, 2013
9:39 am
Remember, you sleep with dogs, you get fleas…
Sounds like you need a dip.
http://www.colleyvilleanimalclinic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Colleyville-DogBath-250×347.jpg
Brosephus™
March 5th, 2013
9:39 am
Jay
I was gonna say that I disagree with the governor having the power to step in and remove people that have been duly elected by the citizens. I think that goes against the very democratic principles that we claim to live by. There has to be some personal responsibility that has to be accepted by the voters of Dekalb County.
Then, I read most of the first page of comments, and I saw differing, yet well articulated, opinions on what’s happening there. I was almost convinced that maybe Deal’s actions are necessary, but then I read this one comment here:
The Thin Guy
March 5th, 2013
9:08 am
As a resident of Dekalb County I hate to see tax money wasted. Every election I skip the school board stuff because I don’t know any of the candidates…
The root problem isn’t race or incompetence. The root cause to Dekalb County’s issues is voter apathy. I’m willing to bet that the votes cast in BOE elections are not even half of the votes cast by the citizens of Dekalb County. I’ll go look for that information to see if I’m correct, and if/when I find it, I’ll post it on the board.
That said, even with the state BOE weighing in, I don’t think it’s a good idea for the governor having the power to remove elected officials, especially when they are not in his direct chain of authority. Those who cheer it now will probably feel completely different when the parties/races/people involved are reversed 180 degrees.
Stevie Ray
March 5th, 2013
9:40 am
JAY
Racism occurs more on right than left as far as I can tell. Bigotry is an absolute draw…even on this site. At least in terms of the definition that is not limited to race….bigotry to consider anothers opinion is quite common…not to pick nits..
Luny421
March 5th, 2013
9:40 am
Kudos, Jay. I rarely agree with your positions, but when i do, I’ll give credit where credit is due. The whole point is this has become a political mess, and you’re right, what’s best for the kids is being lost in that mess.
Brian in Dunwoody
March 5th, 2013
9:40 am
The real sad part of all this is that cities like Dunwoody are attempting to leave Dekalb county schools and form their own school system. This is a terrible idea. A rising tide raises all ships, I care about ALL the children of dekalb county. Sadly, the current board doesn’t seem to be interested in the ABCs of education. I have been struggling for years to eliminate the “Block Schedule” which does an incredible dis-service to the students, and costs the county millions of dollars a year (yes I did that analysis). Block schedule is sad in so many ways, and yet this board continues to stand by it. This is the main reason I am happy they have been fired. Let’s get some good educators in there who can fix ALL the problems in Dekalb and keep the county system together, not fragment into a “have” and “have not” model. I could care less about the race in all this, but I do care passionately about the students in this. And THEY are not being served.
stands for decibels
March 5th, 2013
9:40 am
As a resident of Dekalb County I hate to see tax money wasted. Every election I skip the school board stuff because I don’t know any of the candidates.
Thin Guy, I appreciate the honesty–that’s not an easy one to admit, but I suspect your sentiments are probably shared by a lot of people reading this.
I know that I, personally, have gone from actually campaigning for a school board challenger (knocking on doors and the like) to seeing the incumbent’s re-election as a foregone conclusion and not bothering, myself, so I am hardly without sin myself.
Two questions, hopefully of a non-gotcha/non-partisan nature, just tossing it out there:
1) Why is it that so many people pay so little heed[1] to school board races/elections, even though so much of the money that these voters actually pay in property taxes–which may very well be the single biggest tax bill they pay in a given year, possibly outstripping federal income taxes, even, in many cases–is headed to fund their work?
2) what could be done to improve this situation, to have a healthier democratic participation amongst this constituency?
I don’t have good answers myself, which is why I ask.
———-
1. the linked report claims “While systematic data is unavailable, it is not unusual for school board elections [nationwide] to report turnouts of 20 percent or less.” That’s pretty dang low.
skipper
March 5th, 2013
9:41 am
“The ballad of the Dekalb School Board”
or
“How to make the Dee-troit School system look competant.”
JUST THE FACTS PLEASE
March 5th, 2013
9:42 am
it’s a shame that anybody would think race played an issue in this, those dummy’s had their on motives and issues they were concerned about.I MEAN COME ON MAN !!! . that situation should have been handle a long time ago . It was a joke all over the news all over the USA .The kids suffered for these FOOLS to stubborn to do what was right .the parents of that school system should have taken ACTION a LONG time ago. It”s really embarassing it really is
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:42 am
Skipper, a bit of advice: If you’re going to make snarky comments about the abilities of others, use spellcheck first.
rightwingextreme
March 5th, 2013
9:43 am
Jay….wow…..you’re espousing conservative philosophy there. Didn’t know you had it in you. Now if you would begin to expose the negative influence of the Teacher’s Unions in our schools you’d be on to a Pulitzer.
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:44 am
Four out of the top ten high schools in GA are located in DeKalb County.
If their incompetence is so bad, why does the schools rank head and shoulders above the rest of GA?
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/georgia
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:45 am
” Now if you would begin to expose the negative influence of the Teacher’s Unions in our schools you’d be on to a Pulitzer.
Well, since Georgia by state law has no teacher unions — and since many of the states that do have strong unions also have the highest-performing schools in the country — I guess I’ll never win Extreme’s version of the Pulitzer. Ah well.
kayaker 71
March 5th, 2013
9:46 am
jackie, 9:36,
You can put a racial tag on most anything you please, and, unfortunately, many do. My ‘myopic” look at this whole situation boils down to this…… We have a predominantly black school board that is not doing their job, elected by a bunch of people who are more concerned about the racial makeup of the board than the education of their children. We have an outmoded, outdated black organization entering into the mix and criticizing those who are trying to do their job in a competent manner and calling these decisions “racist”. This seems pretty clear to me, no matter whose sunglasses I might have on. There have been many more comments today about the “unfair”, “racist”, “bigoted” people who are trying to correct a bad situation than about the children that they are doing it for. This should be about students, education, competency…… instead, it seems to center on asinine comments about someone’s racial prospective. Liberals…….
Not sure, Jay...
March 5th, 2013
9:46 am
…but couldn’t skipper have been making satire of his first sentence with his second sentence?
stands for decibels
March 5th, 2013
9:47 am
And it is certainly interesting how these things inevitably revert to ” …. but, but Obama!”
It might’ve been interesting four years ago. Now, not so much.
Jay
March 5th, 2013
9:47 am
“You can put a racial tag on most anything you please, and, unfortunately, many do.”
Wow. Considering the source, that’s amazing.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
March 5th, 2013
9:48 am
IT WAS RACISM
RACISM RUNS RAMPANT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY…….. ITS JUST LIBERALS BURY THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND
THURBERT BAKER WAS AND IS A BETTER MAN AND PUBLIC SERVANT THAN ROY BARNES
HOWEVER, THE WHITE RACIST DEMOCRATS PUT ROY ON THE TICKET AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST THURBERT (WHO WOULD HAVE BEAT DEAL- ANOTHER CROOKED AND SLIMY WHITE GEORGIAN)
DEMOCRATS WILL NEVER MOVE FORWARD UNTIL THEY PURGE THE PARTY OF THESE WHITE DEVILS HIDING BEHIND THE PARTY TALKING POINTS
Concernedmom30329
March 5th, 2013
9:48 am
Jackie
Only two DeKalb schools on that list and one of them has a magnet program which by senior year is the overwhelming majority of the graduates. Lakeside is on that list because of the quality of teaching but equally important the quality of student that walks in the door. And both Chamblee and Lakeside have seen a decline in scores in recent years.
Brosephus™
March 5th, 2013
9:48 am
With a reach like that, you make Dikembe Mutombo look like Kevin Willis.
Not in my house… ha ha ha…
George P. Burdell
March 5th, 2013
9:49 am
Jay:
This is one of the best columns you have written in my opinion and you are right on target with all of it. I can understand concern with having elected officials removed from office by another elected official, but the interests of the students far outweighs whether these 6 should keep their jobs. It is very telling that it is clearly in the best interest of the students for the 6 to step aside but they seem bound and determined to fight it all the way. I wonder if they would be so concerned about precident if it did not directly involve their own jobs. I kind of doubt it for some reason. The real issue here going forward is going to be to find a way to engage the public to be more informed voters and not just elect the person that the organizations tell them they should. If we don’t solve this problem, we can get rid of this set but we will just turn around and elect another equally poor group. Dekalb County and Georgia cannot afford to have that happen.
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:49 am
@kayaker
If it were not such a specious and disingenuous position that you hold, I would say more to refute your claims. However, your own words fully explain your positions and it requires no explanation.
Did you read the post about the ten best high schools in Ga with 4 of those 10 being in DeKalb County?
Incompetence?
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/georgia
Uh, Jackie...
March 5th, 2013
9:50 am
…I only see 2 schools from Dekalb County n the top 10, and one is a charter school – how did you get the number 4? Are you a graduate of a Dekalb county in the southern part of the county?
Loves Me Some Obama Kool-Aid
March 5th, 2013
9:51 am
GT @ 8:16
So you can only be truly black and not a token if you are a Liberal. What sheer idiocy. Does your mother know you are on the computer?
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:51 am
@Concernedmom30329
And your qualification of the assessment does what to prove your point?
Starik
March 5th, 2013
9:51 am
Dr. Walker and the Board are sincere in their belief that racism is behind the effort to remove them; that’s because they are incompetent to recognize that they are incompetent.
stands for decibels
March 5th, 2013
9:51 am
I guess I’ll never win Extreme’s version of the Pulitzer. Ah well.
Tireless, Hardworking Reporter Has Already Won Greatest Prize Of All
‘The Love And Respect Of My Family And Community,’ Esteemed Journalist Says
.
.
(couldn’t resist.)
Joe Hussein Mama
March 5th, 2013
9:52 am
K71 — “This should be about students, education, competency…… instead, it seems to center on asinine comments about someone’s racial prospective. Liberals…….”
Except that first, K71 finds it necessary to complain about:
“predominantly black school board that is not doing their job”
“elected by . . . people who are more concerned about the racial makeup of the board than the education of their children”
” . . . outmoded, outdated black organization”
“. . . calling these decisions “racist”.
For someone who’s ostensibly bemoaning the ‘racist’ comments and motivations of others, K71 sure does seem tightly wrapped about the issue himself when it comes down to it. Maybe that’s why I hear Bobcat Goldthwait’s voice every time I read one of his posts.
Conservatives . . .
Bob
March 5th, 2013
9:52 am
Deal did not have sole authority to remove the members if a court then decides if the decision is legal. Good thread today Jay, if the same thread came from a conservative the regulars would be saying the thread was wriiten by a racist tea party member.
stands for decibels
March 5th, 2013
9:53 am
Not in my house… ha ha ha…
[golf clap]
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:53 am
@Uh
I am not a graduate of DeKalb County schools.
Are you a graduate of one of these schools in the southern part of your city?
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/GA/schoolrank.aspx?pagetype=bottom10&level=3
Billybob
March 5th, 2013
9:53 am
“Yes, racism does still exist, and it does still affect governmental policy and action, from health care to education to transportation”
Expound on this a little more Jay………
" Vote For Obama Because He's Black "
March 5th, 2013
9:55 am
There was a reason for Lester Maddox walking down Ponce DeLeon with an ax handle.
Show me any form of government be it federal,state,city,county that is run by blacks that is doing “a great job” and ” flourishing” and I’ll show you some oceanfront property in Indiana.
Majority black governments,school districts are stinkpots. Doesn’t matter if it’s Detroit,Philly,Chicago.
Look 80 miles down the road in Macon,do a little google search on Bibb County Public Schools.
Atlanta is just another stinkpot.
Black professionals are buying in Gwinnett,Cherokee,Fayette.
I wonder why ?
Abstinence-only state
March 5th, 2013
9:55 am
Sorry (as in, my mistake) if your dictionary (which you don’t name) shows “obstinance” as a standard form. Merriam-webster.com gives a one-word definition of “obstinance”: it’s “obstinacy.” Since the word comes from the Latin “obstinantia,” obstinance actually makes more sense. But “obstinacy” has a good 500-year history in English, so I’ll, um, obstinately stick with obstinacy.
Jackie
March 5th, 2013
9:56 am
@Concernedmom30329
I think all public schools, be they charter or not, are administered by the school boards of their district.
Lt Col Razorback
March 5th, 2013
9:57 am
Jay,
Perhaps the DeKalb School Board issue isn’t with racism – but with party affiliation? The question is, “Of the six dismissed DeKalb School Board members how many are Democrats; and how many are Republicans?”
I don’t know the answer, but I’ll bet almost all are Democrats. That is not to say that anything would be any different – if they are Republicans.
In StarWars, Episode III, Revenge of the Sith, Senator Palpatine tells Anakin Skywalker that the Sith Lord, Darth Plagueis, was so powerful that all he feared was – “losing his power”. In that respect, the dethroned DeKalb school board members are the just same as the Sith Lords of StarWars!
Isn’t it amazing how life emulates fiction? And hat it doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. Politicans are the same as Sith Lords. They only want to hold on to their power!!! 
vietnamnet
March 5th, 2013
9:58 am
Saying this situtation is all about race is wrong. To say that this situation has nothing to do with race is wrong. A better solution would have been to have an elected body, State Board of Education, to monitor and give advice and consent to the board until a new election.
I am against an unelected body( that never said a school board should be removed during the era of segregation) is now saying an elected body should be removed. An elected body that has not violated the law. An elected body that has never said it would not follow the law.
Are the student ’s education important? Yes! Is our system of goverance important? YES. Without the latter we donot have the former.
Final note: When one has to preface their remarks with this has nothing to do with race…
td
March 5th, 2013
9:58 am
I agree that under the present law the Governor made the right decision for the students because SACS was going to come in and pull the accreditation of the school system.
As a conservative, I also agree with a part of Dr. Walker’s argument. I have a major problem with a law written that allows one elected official to come in and remove another elected official for any other reason then have committed a crime.
Incompetence in office is a decision that should be made by the voters that placed an official in office and they should be the only ones to fire such an official. Everyone will have a different definition of incompetence and I could see some huge problems in the future with expansion of such an idea.
Aquagirl
March 5th, 2013
9:58 am
Why is it that so many people pay so little heed to school board races/elections
Lil Aynie answered that back at 8:28, many of these local elections and offices are left over from bygone days.
It made sense to elect your sheriff and school board when you didn’t move several times over the course of your life and lived and worked within one county. There’s also increased complexity and bigger budgets for these systems, it’s quite a temptation for the Eugene Walkers of the world. Lots of money and power with little oversight = disaster.
Lt Col Razorback
March 5th, 2013
9:59 am
“that” it doesn’t matter
Peach02
March 5th, 2013
9:59 am
I will tell you what’s racism, the fact that North Dekalb/Dunwoody has the nerve to try and seperate and form there own school board is appauling. This is segregation and racism at it’s greatest. As a parent of South Dekalb I am deeply disappointed they the government is considering this mess. I am home owner in South Dekalb who can not walk away from a home to move to North Dekalb because of the bickering of the school board members. Where is the NAACP?
MACH
March 5th, 2013
9:59 am
A RACIST WILL NEVER ADMIT THAT RACISM IS THE PROBLEM. HE DOESN’T REALIZE THAT IT WILL BE HIS ULTIMATE DOWNFALL.
Stevie Ray
March 5th, 2013
10:00 am
JAY
I don’t watch much TV so I’m likely the last person to see this….
http://www.myspace.com/video/saturday-night-live/cold-opening-sequester/109220636
Did you find this funny, hilarious, or an afront?
django
March 5th, 2013
10:01 am
Hold on here Jay. You actaully wrote something that makes sense? But if you think a little harder though Jay you’ll understand why Georgia is a bright red state. The dem party uses the racism tact at every turn which has completly turned off the white voter. Sooner or later it will happen on the national level with Hispanics joining whites in voting Republican.