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Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2008 > April > 28
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thompson: Will he help Clayton?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Despite opposing advice from SACS, Governor Perdue’s appointed liaisons and former attorney Glenn Brock, our board of education exerted their authority and hired Dr. John W. Thompson as Clayton County public schools’ corrective superintendent.
Is he everyone’s ideal choice? No. But it is a done deal, so let’s focus on the positives, and where we can go from here:
Thompson has experience working with school boards from hell that specialize in in-house fighting. Also has a reputation for being abrasive, a characteristic he will probably need with our BOE. Doesn’t appear to be a “yes” man.
Turned a $40 million deficit into a $50 million surplus, albeit via raised taxes. CCPS can certainly use someone who will bring money into the system instead of consistently spending and mismanaging our tax dollars.
Tightened stance on truancy by tracking student attendance using an electronic database that automatically issued citations.
Created a student advisory council and parent help centers. Thompson’s ability to get parents and the community as a whole involved in their school system was one of his best attributes.
One consistent opinion I found (even from his critics) while researching Thompson is that he cares about children, which is most important. According to the Clayton News-Daily, his plan to improve CCPS includes:
“• Establishing a transition advisory committee, made up of educators from across Georgia, and the nation.
• Meeting with faith-based leaders, business leaders, students, parents, teachers, community leaders, and teachers’ union leaders to discuss ways to improve the school system. Metro Association of Classroom Educators (MACE) President John Trotter was the only person Thompson identified by name, however.
• Continuing to use the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council.
• Using high performing students, such as Jonesboro High School’s Mock Trial team, Lovejoy High School’s Technology Student Association team, and E. W. Oliver Elementary School’s Stock Market Game teams as role models to encourage other Clayton County students to strive for success.
• Expanding the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement (AP) programs.” Thompson also promises a “properly functioning [school] board”, although he declined to say how he’ll make that happen. Don’t worry Mr. Thompson, Clayton’s citizens will gladly assist you in fulfilling that promise come July 15.
Will any of the above save accreditation? Even Thompson cannot answer that, and those appointed to help have publicly written CCPS off. It definitely will not happen overnight nor without community involvement, but this could be the first step to making CCPS great again.
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