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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 > August > 25
Monday, August 25, 2008
Time’s up for CCPS and BOE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Soon we will finally get answers from SACS.
Attorneys for Board of Education Chairwoman A. Michelle Strong, and members Lois Baines-Hunter, Yolanda Everett and Sandra Scott will turn in final briefs to avoid ouster by Gov.Sonny Perdue.
I am sure to be labeled “Aunt Tomasina” by some for the following, but I was disappointed that the four remaining board members used race as a defense. As per BOE Attorney Rodney Moore via the Clayton News-Daily, “Oftentimes, we have internal prejudices that we’ re not aware of.” While I agree in theory (regarding both whites and blacks), this situation transcends race.
I concede that based on the information provided thus far, these four were not the masterminds of this mess. But by Baines-Hunter’s own admission, the BOE’s refusal to deal with those who were was obviously a problem.
Further, based on the opinions of residents I have spoken with, it wasn’t solely the fact that mistakes were made. Nobody’s perfect and most understand that. It was partially the BOE’s lack of professionalism and their choice (via attorney) to leave constituents out of the loop throughout on key decisions directly affecting their children’s future and property values. When they were finally ready to talk, not many wanted to hear or believed in what they had to say.
According to the AJC, BOE attorneys also argued that “…no school district in the state follows the open meetings law precisely”, and I don’t doubt that. But how many other Georgia school districts have had this many accreditation issues in such a short period of time?
Once the smoke clears, I pray the decisions made by Administrative Judge Michael Malihi regarding the “final four” and SACS’ concerning accreditation are in the best interests of our children and the county as a whole.
Let’s continue moving forward to make Clayton a place we can all be proud to call home, and leave race out of it. We got off to a good start with the recent primary election results, so here’s hoping that was just the beginning of great things for us. Your thoughts?
Clayton, enjoy your Labor Day! Check out The Beach At Clayton County International Park on Monday, September 1 for their “Boss of the Sauce” Taste Test competition, tailgaiting, high school band drum line performances, live musical performances, back-to-school give-aways and a fireworks show to say goodbye to summer.
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