Can Clayton lure new businesses?
A few new businesses are trickling into Clayton County. At a time when much of the attention is focusing on problems in the school system, it’s refreshing to learn new jobs are being created. Read my latest blog entry on Wordpress
Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2008 > April
April 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.
Permalink | Comments (163) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Help Wanted: Fix Clayton County
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are several community organizations working to make Clayton a better place to live, work, attend school and play.
Each group has their own approach to bringing about change, but share a desire to make Clayton the best it can be. They all could also use help and support from residents.
“Clayton County Council of PTAs” (“CCCPTA”): According to council President Cyd Cox, “The CCCPTA is composed of representatives from each of the local PTAs/PTSAs located in Clayton County.
The Clayton County Council is linked to the Georgia and national PTA organizations, creating a network of people working to improve the experience and performance of children and youth in the public schools.
The local PTAs/PTSAs and its members are the grassroots of the council and, in addition to creating a sense of community, can have a major influence on the policies and practices (and laws) related to school functioning.”
CCCPTA will conduct political forums in May and June. Check with your local school PTA/PTSA for next meeting date. Call 678.908.8933 or email CCCouncilPTAs@bellsouth.net; http://www.claytoncollab.org/PTSA.html “
Clayton County Wide Homeowners Association” (“CCWHOA”).
Says co-founder Synamon Baldwin: “It is through the convening of regular town hall meetings, public forums and debates that we will educate and engage the citizenry of our county. We are committed to supporting and developing our Homeowner Associations by providing information and resources necessary to preserve the value of our property and the safety of our community.”
CCWHOA meets on the second Saturday of every month at Morrow’s National Archives. Meetings are open to members only unless otherwise stated. Call 404.396.2706 or email CCWHOA@aol.com.
The “Concerned Citizens Coalition” “…mission is to educate, plan and execute voter awareness initiatives within the county, to inspire civic involvement so as to create a sense of accountability among those we the citizens elect, to preserve accreditation and to bring needed political reform to Clayton County,” says Chairman Bob Hartley. Get the latest updates and action plans at www.socialnetwork.meetup.com/981 or call 866-257-0395.
“Concerned Citizens of Clayton County (“C4”) is a group of Clayton residents “who care about the community and the way in which the leaders in public office conduct the citizens’ business, particularly those whom are Clayton County Board of Education members,” according to Co-Chair Anthony Williams. On Saturday at 4 p.m. C4 will conduct a Mega Town Hall with topics ranging from SACS status, alternatives and options, candidate selection process and more. Go to http://groups.google.com/group/concernedcitizensofclaytoncounty or call 770.374.2144.
“Save Clayton County Schools” is a group of business leaders and elected officials who want to: 1) support the Clayton County Public School system in accomplishing the nine criteria set forth by SACS, 2) recruit and vet qualified candidates for the nine seats on the Clayton County Board for Education, and 3) support with our time, talent and money a qualified candidate for each of the nine seats of the CCBOE. Meetings held as needed. Call 770.692.2043 or email info@saveclaytoncountyschools.org. “
www.give-em-the-boot.com”.
According to website administrator Sgt. Rock, “The purpose is to be a conduit of information concerning the crisis in Clayton County, expose political connections and discuss potential and alleged corruption in government and those that are part and party to the uncivil discourse.
Because the site is personal opinion and individual reporting, there is no implied guarantee of accuracy and the site takes no responsibility for the opinion of others. It is merely a community tool for residents of Clayton County to share information.” The site boasts 162 members and hundreds of guests weekly. Guests may view the site’s content, but not post.
Permalink | Comments (146) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
For safety’s sake, let’s all get along
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Recently, Sheriff Victor Hill denied Clayton County Police Department detectives access to tools they need to solve crimes, such as mug shots, interviewing and taking photographs of jailed suspects. After a negative media blitz, the sheriff reversed his decision.
As per news reports, Hill plans to form a burglary task force and wants access to CCPD statistics in exchange for cooperation.
Even though Hill can retrieve statistics via county computers at any time, Police Chief Jeff Turner turned over six months worth of burglary reports. In return, the sheriff’s office now requires CCPD to fill out paperwork in order to enter the jail.
As a former homicide detective, Hill knows the importance of teamwork amongst law enforcement agencies in order to solve crimes.
However, as of last Friday, Hill was picking and choosing who would be allowed into the jail based upon how much information they provide to him about the cases they are working on, according to the CCPD.
“Sheriff Hill says that he has the citizens’ best interest at heart, but his actions are contrary to his words,” states Chief Turner.
Toss in the recently filed Pink Pony federal lawsuit that could cost Clayton taxpayers millions of dollars more in settlements and legal fees, along with a second ethics violation filed against Hill last week for alleged misappropriation of funds, and one has to wonder what’s going on over at the Justice Center. None of these actions are in the citizens’ best interests.
Let’s just pray that these choices do not affect public safety, and that no criminals inadvertently beat the system over nonsense. Don’t we have enough drama going on in this county as it is?
Permalink | Comments (109) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
What do you think about Clayton schools?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Clayton County school system faces the possible loss of accreditation, unless it meets mandates set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
There are calls for the resignation of the school board. The district is also the focus a grand jury investigation into whether the school board committed any crimes that put it at risk of losing accreditation.
SACS has given the district until Sept. 1 to get its act together.
Tell us what you think about the latest developments with Clayton County schools.
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