Clayton.Talk

By fan

August 25, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

You are right on target. Don’t worry about being called “Aunt Tomasina”. Those phrase’s are used by old people who were failures all there life, and like to blame others for it. It short, loosers feeling sorry for themselves!

By Michael

August 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Kimberly:

Great column!If anyone calls you “Aunt Tomasino” for this one, you should wear it as a badge of honor!

Let’s all pray for an outcome from all of this mess that can set us on a path to greatness.

By Hiram

August 25, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Gov. Perdue should remove the remaining cancer. I pray that Clayton County can move forward now.

By Whatever

August 25, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Well for all intents and purposes it is all over but the shouting, name calling, and finger pointing. What is going to happen is going to happen. I just hope that we get rid of the gang of four And their expensive mistake. So our kids have a fighting chance to succeed in life

By John Stewart

August 25, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Kimberly you are spot on with this column.

My mouth flew open when I heard the BOE’s lawyer pull a fresh back out his back pocket and whip out the race card. I am a black man and I am so tired of this card getting played. The whole lot of them are incompetent and need to go. I hope and pray that Gov. Perdue removes them and this in turn kills their future political careers.

I also hope that this removal finally removes J. Trotters influence on the board with contracts. These board members did not have our children in mind but their own pockets. This is what saddens me the most is that our children always get the shaft. I really hope that the incoming board members have will come and set examples to the community that they will be servant-leaders to our children and community as a whole.

Now AJC blog be prepared for the Trotterites/race baiters throw race into this conversation. It’s amazing what people will do when they are desperate and loosing power.

By Oh please

August 25, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Trotter will still have people on the board so we all have to be watchful. I don’t think that the “final four” will be around much longer, and I just pray for another probation.

Good luck, Clayton! Happy Labor Day!

By Dr CC Person

August 25, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

Kimberly , I think you are just being very honest, we need more people like you both white and black

By John Stewart

August 25, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

To Oh please:

You are probably right with King winning in District 4. Remember he is a Scott crony who has ties back to Trotter. If the board keeps their eyes open they can keep him isolated.

By PHJ

August 25, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

John Stewart,Trotter and all of his many aliases will be here any minute now. We can count on it. He can’t let a voice of reason go unchallenged. That’s why he continuously hijacks this blog.

By Mojo Mist

August 25, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Kimberly, Do not let it bother you for you have correctly laid the responsibility at the feet of those where it belongs. Not for the color of their skin but for their character, disregard for those who put them in office, and lack of personal committment for our children and our communities. The majority of us know where they stand - elected officials who have failed us and themselves miserably. If they are not removed by our Governor first, they will be come election time. Either way, they’re gone. The people have spoken and they have not listened. Let them also know that if we retain accrediatation, it DOES NOT permit them to stay either. The damage they have caused has been done.

Racist comments by Trotter’s and Dowell’s begin in 5…4…3…2…1

By oldtimer

August 25, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Wishing all the best to a new game in Clayton. I worked t here for 30 years and hope the only way to go is up.

By Black Woman In Clayco

August 25, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

To add onto what Mojo Mist says - retaining accreditation (fully or on probationary status) SHOULD NOT permit these faulty BOE members NOR John Thompson to stay on, either. They all need to go & Thompson should never have been hired in the first place.

You won’t get any racist replies on this blog until after hours or right before it shuts down so nobody can respond to them. The ones who post that crap are cowards who don’t like opposition, that’s why they come on here late when everyone else is with their families.

Bravo Kimberly, well said.

By Whatever

August 25, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

If we lose accreditation I want our over priced Superintendent to refund his salary as he failed to keep it for us

By didihearight

August 25, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Dr. John Thompson said on a news clip this morning- I don’t know if it’s old or new? The quote, “I’ve done all that I can do” Do you think he knows something the rest of us don’t?

By Former Clayton Student

August 25, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Well Said Kimberly,

only a few days to go.

I will be praying for Clayton.

Former Clayton Co. Student:

Riverdale Elem. Pointe South Middle Riverdale Middle Lovejoy Middle

By Stan

August 25, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Kimberly, you said it just right. I was appalled when I read about the lawyer claiming the lawsuit was about race. I know they have to use every tool in the interests of their clients, but get real!

As to Thompson: what the school system really needs are a few old Sergeant Majors to take over and things would be smoother real soon.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

August 25, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

One should put aside race (both the “race card” and its ever present companion “they’re playing the race card”) if for no other reason that it distracts from what this SACS investigation is really about: politics.

Come now, do you really think Elgart has any concern for the children of ClayCo? Case in point; what would be real malfeasance, eating dinner with a union head or violating board policy to put a union head’s pet legislation on a BOE agenda? No, not John Trotter’s pet legislation, Sid Chapman’s “Educator Memorandum.

Here’s the backstory (since neither the media, the plantiffs in the hearing, nor the MACE bashers on this board will address it)

As we know, one tangible step that was taken toward addressing discipline was the Teachers’ Bill of Rights. Anybody familar with CCPS knows discipline is an issue, and knows it needs to be addressed.

Everybody that is except Sid Chapman. When the Teachers’ Bill of Rights was proposed, Sid sprang into action for the administrators who run GAE, and cobbled together a proposal to totally gut the teacher’s right to discipline, called the “Educators Memorandum.” (You have to understand that even though lackey Sid is on the books at CCPS as a “teacher” he doesn’t mind undercutting discipline because, thanks to a sweetheart deal between GAE and CCPS, he earns years in the Teachers Retirement System by NOT teaching, but by sitting in a union office all day-this isn’t “inside info” by the way. Sid **openly and brazenly advertises this on the CCEA website!)

Only one problem with Sid’s plan to totally gut the Teachers’ Bill of Rights. The Teachers’ Bill of Rights, having already sailed through subcommitee was scheduled for a vote before the entire board, which would render a subsequent GAE bill pointless (not to mention political suicide to vote to repeal a policy that addressed discipline)

So what did Sid Chapman do? He enlisted the aid of BOE chair Ericka Davis, who in turn enlisted the aid of former MACE member Yolanda Everett.

Everett, not unlike a junior gang member trying to earn her colors, had to show Ericka she was “down with GAE”. So Everett violated board policy by putting the GAE Educators Memorandum on the board agenda with the Teachers’ Bill of Rights without going through the subcommitee process that the Teachers’ Bill of Rights did.

In the end both policies passed (again, even the GAE majority voting bloc realized it would be political suicide to vote against a Teachers’ Bill of Rights, given the 3,000+ documented fights in CCPS)

But what did the plaintiffs want to ask Yolanda Everett about in the recent hearing? Her MACE involvment. They asked nothing about her GAE involvement with placing the Educators Memorandum on the agenda without going through the subcommitte process, even though this is a matter of public record.

This can mean only one of two things. The plaintiffs are woefully ignorant of the inside influence of GAE, or they are choosing to be willfully ignorant of GAE’s inside influence because they are putting politics over students.

How else to explain the line of questioning of Everett and her MACE involvement, but nothing of Everett and her GAE involvement and how it manifested itself in violations of board policy?

How else to explain repeated questions of Michelle Strong and who she ate dinner with and possible “outside influence” yet nothing of Sid Chapman’s inside influence and his sweetheart deal that allows him to earn years in the Teachers Retirement System even as he does not teach in CCPS?

It’s not that these questions of Strong, Scott and the rest have no merit. It’s that they are based on politics not what’s good for CCPS children. And we know this not because of what was asked, but because of what was not asked as it pertains to the inside influence of Sid Chapman, the sweetheart deal that allows him to not teach and the violations of board policy in regard to the Educators Memorandum. While Strong is being grilled on what might have been said in a dinner conversation months ago, incoming board member Mary Baker has been found to have taken money from Sid Chapman and openly admitted in the media that she has entered into talks with Chapman on “what role” Chapman will play in shaping board policy, but somehow that (even though it was in the media) has been ignored by SACS and the plaintiffs. Concern for students; or politics? You don’t have to be smarter than a fifth grader to figure that one out-just got to know how SACS and the CCPS status quo operate.

Those are real instances of malfeasance, not “hotel cheesecake” (which was just plain greedy) and who ate dinner with who (if we are going to talk about food, lets talk about the unsolicited sales pitch Sid Chapman was allowed to make to a captive audience of new teachers at Jackson Elementary school; a sales pitch made after CCPS responded to SACS that solicitations would no longer be tolerated by CCPS. But SACS won’t talk about that because that doesn’t fit the “bash MACE” agenda.

And the MACE bashers won’t address the malfeasance of the GAE majority voting bloc no matter how well documented, because then they can’t use MACE as the straw man to blame all CCPS’ problems on.

Yes though you can leave the race card out of this you can’t leave its equally ugly companion out of it. The politics card.

By District 5 resident

August 25, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

Attn: Clayton Parents, can you please find another cause to preach because this one has been preached to the grave?

Mary Baker took money from CCEA’s political action committee as was stated in her financial disclosure. Please show me your evidence that she openly admitted in the media that she has entered into talks with Chapman on “what role” Chapman will play in shaping board policy, but somehow that (even though it was in the media) has been ignored by SACS and the plaintiffs. I know she has talked to Sid BEFORE she became a candidate, while a member of the Citizen Budget Committee, where she put Sid in his place when he approached her regarding budget issues that he did not approve. Mary did talk to SACS when they were visiting the school system a week ago.

Plus, didn’t PAGE also have an opportunity to speak to teachers?

By Concerned oldtimer

August 25, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Atten; CParents Many of us now see your name and do not read!!

By WTF?

August 25, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

Does anybody even read the books Attn: Clayton Parents disguises as posts on this blog anymore? As soon as I see that name I just start scrolling past that post and right on to the next one. What a long rambling bunch of hooey. Whatever point you are trying to make gets lost in all that sauce.

The sad thing is while this “final four” play the race card to save their sorry butts, there are people out there really getting discriminated against that will not get the media attention they undeservedly got, nor a judge’s ear or justice. That’s the travesty.

I will continue to pray for Clayton AND the dismissal of these 4 losers.

By Intelligentsia

August 25, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Kimberly,

As a Black female, I can not express enough how embarrassed I was to read that the 4 remaining board members would use race as a defense. Kudos to the group that was able to not just talk about holding these people accountable but actually doing it. I wish I was apart of their team.

After visiting the King Center, I entered a blog entry (months ago) that the way to defeat this board was go at them the same way that the civil rights movement went after the oppresive structure in place at that time. 1) Protest : We did that when over 1000 people attended the board meeting.

2)Policy: We did this when the citizens called for a stronger ethics policy. By the way, those citizens were Black.

3)Courts: The so called racist citizens are in the process of addressing them in the courts.

I PRAY this judge remove “these people”. When I write “these people” I am not referring to BLACK people, I am referring to DUMB people.

*PS: This blog has done well to expose Trotter and his destructive ways. Keep up the good work bloggers! Don’t let his dinners, under cover business deals, bought board members go unnoticed! I am reading and believing that he is EVIL!

By Unofficial Poll Man

August 25, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

A White Boy say, the political leadership in Clayton County as well as other areas of the country with large populations of black voters will never improve as long as black power and false cries of racism are revered by the black electorate. A Black Boy say, the political leadership in Clayton County as well as other areas of the country with large populations of black voters WILL improve as long as the black powers in place and the large populations of black voters continue to support the cry of racism by the black electorate. We all know the Government have laws in place to protect against Racism, however, we all know its not the Government fault for Racism its the People who work for the Government that promotes Racism. “Which Boy is right”, this is a question of “Epic Moral and Ethical Proportions”. Please search your souls for the Answer before you respond. Respond One, Respond All!!! Thanks You!!

By ThemRealFolk (Light)

August 25, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Dear Kimberly, This is a nice article to respond to. First, lets lay the blame in its rightful place—Rev. Rod Johnson decided unilaterally to take his complaints about board members to SACS. He announced this in a board meeting in October 2007. I think if the board and the district wanted a SACS investigation the board should have had a majority vote on it, in front of the public in normal televised board meeting.

Not Rod Johnson telling the public that he’d already submitted a complaint to SACS. However, Rod Johnson’s role in the SACS debacle was only the beginning of an even bigger scheme to change the politically elected officials in the then upcoming local elections.

Yep, like we all saw Faces changed in elected offices. Your BOE did a couple of things wrong, first they took bad legal advice to stay silent from the then board chair Ericka Davis and Brock. The BOE hired Brock to represent them something he was PAID to do, however, shortly thereafter Brock started working for the Chamber of Commerce and told the entire board to resign, bad representation.

Early 2008 the scheme by the powers that be was in Full Effect. What better way to sway elections and arouse the community that previously wouldn’t listen to the powers that be than to Attack they Children, thus the threat of accreditation loss. Yellow Journalism played a Big role in the Debacle also. Even though some board members provided the Media with statements demonstrating their innocence the Media wouldn’t print it because it wouldn’t sell Newspapers.

A prime example of that was played out when a reporter was verbally attacked by David Ashe for taking a statement and twisting anyway the Media wanted it. Another example is everybody in District 9 knew the Coach wasn’t fired because everyone had read the coach’s own statement which stated amongst other things “after prayer and consultation from my family I decided to resign from the school.

The Media had the same statement by in October, but the statement wouldn’t sell Newspapers. Then the Big Uproar about a Superintendent Eddie White, Brock, Bostic and Bryant and the powers that be want to return the school system by to years of old by hiring Dan Caldwell. When that didn’t work and they hired Thompson, Eddie White, Brock, Bostic and Bryant all QUIT, however, the Media say they Resigned trying to send a signal.

However the MAIN REASON for this SACS debacle is Sid Chapman and John Trotter. Why can’t we get the County Commission and District Attorney to run these guys out of the County. We may be here again in another fight over Money and Power!!!

By Constitutional Lawman

August 25, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

Having Sonny, to Get Rid of the BOE members may sound good in Theory, but Constitutionally it may be setting a Bad precedence. The Law states “Recalls” in these instance, Sonny will Disenfranchise they VOTERS. If Sonny run them off who will be next statewide?

By Maude

August 25, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

Why hasn’t Sid Chapman sued the AJC for all of the lies posted on these blogs about him? I would love to see John Trotter stand trail for slander. Please do not believe all the mess he prints about Sid and GAE.

By Poll Taker

August 25, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

A White Boy say, the political leadership in Clayton County as well as other areas of the country with large populations of black voters will never improve as long as black power and false cries of racism are revered by the black electorate.

A Black Boy say, the political leadership in Clayton County as well as other areas of the country with large populations of black voters WILL improve as long as the black powers in place and the large populations of black voters continue to support the cry of racism by the black electorate. “Which Boy is right”, this is a question of “Epic Moral and Ethical Proportions”. Please search your souls for the Answer before you respond. Respond One, Respond All!!! Thanks You!!

By John Stewart

August 25, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

To: Clayton Parents aka Dead Poet.

Let’s play your game of repeating yourself with the same post ad nasuem in hopes that you can sway people from the fact the board was corrupt.

Let me play your game with some truth……..here is one of my previous posts.

Let’s play 6 degrees of separation.

Noreese Haynes - Mace President AKA “Don’t push me so hard” says Juan.

Sandra Scott - Mace Member, election also funded by a Clayco favorite

Lois Baines-Hunter - Ms. Find me job before I quit.

Rod Johnson - Election funded by a Clayco favorite

Michelle Strong - Mace Member

Erika Davis - Election funded by a Clayco favorite

Yolanda Everett - Mace Member

Now let’s look at a few things here………..

Outside influences…………hmmm

Let’s see now…………….

Lee Scott funds the elections of 3 of the board members in question. Oh wait I didn’t see this before (sarcasm). Lee Scott has been in cahoots with guess who for years surrounding Clayco politicks? Come on Clayton Parents you can guess. I’ll give you a hint Jeopardy style.

Take it away Alex.

“Now if you get his wrong the AJC blog won’t ever have to hear your redundant quotes about the GAE voting block. Clayton Parents here is the question.” -

This person vowed to destroy the CCPS because he didn’t get elected as Superintendant, has been involved in all of the racially charged election campaigns in Clayco, and has his hands in the mix with CCPS contracts.

Can we say…………….MACE!!!!!

Can we say…………….Lee Scott

Can we say…………….Mr. 3 Mortgages aka almost broke aka Mr Contract Manipulator

Can we say……………In cahoots with Lee Scott, Virginia Gray, Victor Hill, etc, etc.

CAN WE SAY JOHN TROTTER!!!!!!

By Home 4 Sale

August 26, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

I see Hill is trying to sell his home. I see he purchased it for $240,000 and is selling it at $295,000. Did his real estate agent not advise him that the market in Clayton County has not appreciated in the past 5 years? I think due in part to the negative press that Hill brought to the county among the others such as, The D.A. and her political wannabe husband Lee, and let’s not forget the schools.

Where does hill think that the Clayton market is in his favor and no one elses?

By PHJ

August 26, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

JOHN STEWART: A GREAT AMERICAN HERO! TELL IT LIKE IT IS!

By Dr CC Person

August 26, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Where is Victor Hill? has anybody seen him? Is he still in hiding in shame?

By HLS

August 26, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Attn:Clayton Parents same ole broken record Dead Poet Same ole broken record Attn:Clayton Parents same ole broken record Dead Poet Same ole broken record Attn:Clayton Parents same ole broken record Dead Poet Same ole broken record Attn:Clayton Parents same ole broken record Dead Poet Same ole broken record Attn:Clayton Parents same ole broken record Dead Poet Same ole broken record

By Sister Republican

August 26, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Well if you are Aunt Tomasina, then I’m Cousin Tomasina. I was shocked those words came out of his mouth. When one of there own members where the one who contacted SACS about the boards. Did he not see all the AA parents who attended the board meeting? It’s SAD!

By Clayton Taxpayer

August 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

So now the CCBOE, in all its vast wisdom, is spending $31,000+ of the taxpayers money to have a consultant come in and realign school districts because the County has lost so many students - particularly high school students. Some schools have severe overcrowding and others have empty classrooms.

They act like they’re surprised that attendence is down.

These people just don’t get it, do they?

By Whatever

August 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

No the Gang of Four doesn’t “get” it. It has always been about what is best for our kids. Not about what is best for the board members. And I hate to mention it to them but being put on probation instead of losing accreditation or heaven forbid actually losing our accredition is NOT what is best for our kids. “nuf said!

By Mojo Mist

August 26, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

It’s so nice to see our beloved school system in the bottom 10% of the State for SAT scores. Our problems are accreditation and board related? Hardly.

It’s the majority of this county relying on others to educate their children just like they rely on the government for everything themselves. Nice job parents.

By ghebasmom

August 26, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

On one had I agree with you Mojo Mist. As long as parents do not think education is important we will stay in the bottom10%. But that is only part of the problem. There is also the unqualified teachers that have been hired . Not all teachers mind your but a fairly large chunk of them. And then there is the school board who have pushed their own agendas instead of doing what is right for the schools and children they were supposed to care about. So this witches brew is why our students are ranked in the bottom of the heap.

By Attn; Clayton Parents

August 26, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

HLS,

Maybe a “broken record” to you but can you guarantee that no one new ever comes to these blogs? If not, then the blogs serve a purpose, educating new readers on information the media doesn’t talk about.

And, even a “broken record” serves a purpose. After all, why did Rod Johnson resign? Because bloggers, like a “broken record,” repeatedly posted about his wife illegally double dipping and Johnson KNOWINGLY hiring an accused child molester to the point where the mainstream media finally ran the story.

If that had been a “one and done” post, there’s a good chance Johnson’s misdeeds would have gone unreported, and we’d still have Johnson on the board (or for that matter, sullying the Clerk’s office)

So given a choice between repeated postings and Rod Johnson still with the BOE, I’ll take repeated postings every time.

Of course if you’d like to make the case that Rod Johnson on the BOE is better than a “broken record” on the blogs, you’re more than welcome to.

By Casual Observer&Reader

August 26, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

Now look at what the White Folks with all the County’s Money and Media Power have done. They’ve scared the parents of 2000 children into leaving the County’s schools. If they would have stopped Meddling and Trying to change all the FACES in elected offices in this county we would be here.

The Whites didn’t have to worry about their own Kids, because White Kids don’t attend Clayton’s school in any kind of mentionable number anyway, they left eight years ago. You know Whites are the only ones post on this blog anyway.

The White Folks and Their MEDDLING MEDIA, Scared, the uneducated Blacks into taking their kids out of the County. Now they’re in Henry County, now Henry County School System is out of MONEY. You hand of Blacks that do read this blog should know now, listening to white folks you’ll end up in worst shape than that.

The School Board didn’t scare Blacks, YOU, the Whites & Their Media DID!!!!

NOTE: Main Reason Georgia’s Schools and Scores are LAST in the Nation is because The Klan can’t keep their Hand off the School System Statewide! Hahahahahaha!!!

By People In the Know

August 26, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

You Black are so DUMB. Just because Mark Elgart said the School Board was Dysfunctional don’t mean he was telling the TRUTH. Last week those Four Ole Gents found out that at least three of the board members DIDN”T tell SACS the board was Dysfunctional.

SACS, Elgart, The Gov’s Bostic and Bryant sat in a meeting with Clayton’s School Board for two hours with the PUBLIC waiting – then turned around and tried to say the Meeting was illegal—what a White Folks Silly Move.

Here’s the latest White SACS Power Move—the recent SACS visit to Clayton asked all the NEW Board Members a Hell of a Questions—the Question—- Are you new member going to GET RID of Thompson? That not a SACS question—that a Clayton County White Power Question—it gets better!!

They still want a Lily White Superintendent —- so they can keep their HANDS on the Money!!!!!

By Mojo Mist

August 27, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

To Trotter et. al.,

Why is it that you continue to live in a fantasy world believing we don’t see right through you, your attempt to hide amongst the sheep in disguise, and your racist banter?

You’ve dug quite a hole for yourself and MACE already. I guess that’s what happens when you lose vision and your compass. Do yourself a favor and stop digging. You’re only embarrassing yourself.

By WTF?

August 27, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

What a pathetic lot the Trotter/Dowdell folk are. I really hope nobody with any sense is taking that drivel seriously.

By Confused

August 27, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Please be reminded that the blogs about race is all posted by one John Trotter a white man that uses the race card to get blacks fired up to do his bidding and line his pockets. He uses poor blacks like puppets insead of helping them. Trotter makes his living prying on the poor blacks and unaffective teachers. This is 2008 please think for yourself do not let a self serving WHITE man tell you what to think. The problems we are experiencing is not about race it is about people who have done something wrong. If you have to make it about race think about the students of Clayton County what race do you think most of them are? Why can adults ruin th education for 52,0000 children just because the adults happen to be African American? Are you saying that if the board was white and did the same things they would be wrong? Wrong is Wrong no matter what color. The problem did not start with Elgart or the 5 whites who filed the complaint with the governor. The problem started because elected officals but their personal needs ahead of 52,000 children! Please remember Trotter posts on these blogs under many names! He only wants to hurt Clayton County Board of Education because he was fired from North Clayton Middle School. He could not get another school to hire him so he could get vested in the state retirement system. PLEASE DO NOT BELIEVE HIM WITH ALL OF HIS RACISM POSTINGS.

By sharone

August 27, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

I was a teacher in the the CCPS and there are several problems. Clayton County is top-heavy. They hire these so called reading and math coaches. These people never share strategies to improve student performance. All they do is push paper. Clayton County also needs to rid itself of principals from the old regime who have been working for 40 plus years. Time changes, children change, and the teachers of today are not like our parents’ teachers. Why does a predominantly black school have two white administrators? Neither one of them is competent. The principal likes to stand before the all-female staff and give directives. He is intimidated by black men, so he does not hire them. Clayton’s problems are internal. Too top-heavy, incompetent administrators, apathetic parents, and the WORST pay in the metro area. Paying teachers once per month is an antiquated practice. Whatever Clayton gets, it deserves.

By Oh please

August 27, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Attn: Clayton Parents - Rod Johnson did not resign because of this blog. Rod Johnson resigned because he could no longer stand being in the hot seat! The only person to resign because of this blog was Eddie White, and that was only after your good friend, Dr. Trotter, posted hateful and malicious rumors about him.

Trotter/Dowell/Race-baiting hatemonger - If only white people post on this blog, then how exactly was it used to scare the uneducated black parents of 2000 children into leaving the school system. Those that left are not uneducated blacks, but the families that could afford to move or send their children to private school. The honest, tax-paying citizens that use this blog will not allow you to abuse it for spreading your trash and filfth! You are just bitter!

By WTF?

August 27, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

and let’s not forget, Rod Johnson can not take criticism or confrontation from his constituents and/or the public

Why do I say that? Note his “resignation” pattern/timeline.

The first time Rod “resigned” was right before he was to go in front of the firing squard errr, the public, at the big Town Hall meeting at the Performing Arts Center back in April, the same meeting Noresse Haynes was escorted out of. Not long thereafter Rod changed his mind & decided to stay. I’ll bet he also stayed to use whatever little influence he had left to get his wife reelected.

Once again, when he was to go in front of the judge last week, he punked out and decided to resign, only this time since he did so in front of a judge he can’t take it back.

And who bought that crap that Rod resigned because he felt his “friend Eddie White” wasn’t being treated fairly. That was the first time I’d ever heard him say anything about his “friend Eddie White” since this debacle began. Good riddance Rod.

To Oh Please was it comments on this blog that Sandra Scott used in that meeting? I wondered about that and always forget to ask Kimberly or someone on this blog.

Also fellow bloggers please let us THINK about this. Most “uneducated” people regardless of color can’t afford to up and leave the county.

The ones who left are parents who had resources to get their children outta dodge. Also, most “uneducated” people don’t put a value on education, so they wouldn’t leave for that reason anyway.

Nice try John Trotter/Attn Clayton Parents/Dead Poet/several other racist alises. Now instead of dodging why don’t you answer John Stewart’s question or just GO AWAY! We’re not buying what you’re selling!

By HLS

August 27, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

See there - Attn:Clayton Parents aka Dead Poet

You CAN write an intelligent post. Just need to stay away from writing books when you post. And stay away from the phrases,such as “thrown under the bus” - and Rod was the reason SACS in here.

Also calling that hiring of an “accused child molester” is like calling Dr. MLK a “communist sympathizer” - neither accusation was ever proven.

Rod is gone - only 4 more to go. Or can you really - with a straight face - say that those 4 are not just as bad as Rev. Johnson.

Some of your info is insightful amd meaningful. But if people sense you are just beating the Trotter/MACE drum - they will not and should not listen.

Let us pray that the judge will rule today and SACS will give us a repreive and just do probation.

By Oh please

August 27, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Yes, it most certainly was this blog. I remember reading that garbage! Then, after Eddie White complained to Jewell Scott (like she was going to do anything about it), the comment was removed. Trotter personally signed that one, but because of the way AJC runs this blog, they had to call it an “anonymous” post. Leaves one to wonder what Trotter’s motives were for that?!

By Kimberly Allen

August 27, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Hello all!

I want to encourage you all to read and support the blog of our fellow Clayton resident and one our CCPS’s brightest students, (Joshua Penny)[http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/town-talk/entries/2008/08/23/jonesboro_teen.html] of Jonesboro, who will be blogging from the Democratic National Convention this week.

If you look under “recent entries” on the left, you will also see his latest blog entries.

Please take a moment to post on his blog and support one of CCPS brightest students.

Thanks!

Kimberly Allen

By Kimberly Allen

August 27, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Whoops sorry, trying again:

Joshua Penny’s POV from the Democratic National Convention

By Attn: Clayton Parents

August 27, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Oh Please,

Thank you for proving my point about Rod Johnson. And why was Johnson “on the hot seat”? Because the blogsphere repeatedly talked of his misgivings until the mainstream media picked it up.

Not saying it was the only factor, and sometimes the blogsphere can fill itself with too much self importance, but there are times it does make a difference.

Ask Victor Hill if you don’t believe me LOL

By Attn: Clayton Parents

August 27, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

WTF,

Put your money where your mouth is and show us even one racist blog I have posted.

Well?

By 3rd

August 27, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Attention Clayton County Residents Soon to be Ex-Sheriff Victor Hill has been missing since 08-06-08. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Victor Hill, please call the Clayton County Personnel Office so they could decide if he still is entitled to a paycheck.

By Black Rain

August 27, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Victor Hill — His boss man - Headley LEE Scott is probably shopping him around the Southeast right now. If push comes to shove - he can do the old rent-a-cop thing. You know Victor - remember the old times at Home Depot - Inspector Gadget.

By Dr CC Person

August 27, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

I have heard Victor Hill is still in Clayton County area but is waring a paper sack with two eye holes cut in it. If you see someone walking around with a paper sack over their head like that it’s probably Victor Hill

By Mojo Mist

August 27, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Judge rules on the “Clayton 4” - says yank them TODAY!! Bye Bye.

By Vonnie

August 27, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Yeah, it looks like it is all up to Sonny Perdue now. The judge wants those 4 board members ousted. What a glorious day for this county.

By Oh please

August 27, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

YES, YES, YES!! You know the old adage: faith the size of a mustard seed! Now that we can rid ourselves of all the board members, we just might save accreditation after all. No doubt Thompson will take all the credit for it, though!

By Josh

August 27, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

It is a sad day in Clayton County. The leaders of Clayton County including Eldrin Bell opened the door for Perdue to come in and handle our business. Sheer ignorance and status quo maintenance won here. There is no concern for our children.

By John Stewart

August 27, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

YES, YES, YES!!!!!

Yolanda Everett, Lois Baines-Hunter, Michelle Strong and Sandra Scott and John Trotter…………

Hit the road jack and don’t you come back no more, no more!!!!

By ghebasmom

August 27, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Way to go judge, get busy Sonny. And Josh if those bozos had a smidgen of concern for our kids they would have done the right thing and quit in the first place so we didn’t have to go through this. I just hope it isn’t too little too late for accredition.

By Black Woman In Clayco

August 27, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

HALLELUJAH!! THANK YA JESUS!!!!

**TO THE FINAL FOUR, don’t let the doorknob hit ya on the way out the door!!

SONNY - DON’T LET US DOWN!!!!**

By Black Woman In Clayco

August 27, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU to those five citizens who made this possible! Sonny, do the right thing!

By Victor Hill sightings

August 27, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Victor Hill Last seen at unemployment office in Griffin with papers sack over his head

By L'Anessa Glover

August 27, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Thank You Bob Hartley for keeping the pressure on the School Board. You said the Gov. would take action the week of the 25th and it appears he may.

Thank you to all the citizens of Clayton County who worked so diligently to get the garbage off the board. Thank You, Thank You!

By WTF?

August 27, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Who wants to bet that these four losers resign today before they have a chance to be kicked to the curb by Perdue.

Too little, too late. You can’t put this on your resume. Your political careers are toast, exit any side of the stage, just GO!

By Black Woman In Clayton

August 27, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Thank You Bob Hartley! At the last meeting you said that The Governor would remove them this week and they did! You also said accreditation will not be lost because of all the work the citizens have been doing. We thank you for all the work the attorneys have done. The fools who say this is a racial issue just have no clue!

By Victor Hill sightings

August 27, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Maybe ‘Yolanda Everett, Lois Baines-Hunter, Michelle Strong and Sandra Scott.’ will all go hide somewhere i shame too , like Victor Hill. That whole bunch has made a joke out of Clayton county .

By Attn: Clayton Parents

August 27, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Just like I thought WTF. You come on here and say I make racist posts, but when challenged to put up or shut up and cite even a single racist post, you can’t back it up with squat.

If you want to offer a rebuttal to my point of view, try arguing against the merits of my posts, instead of playing the “racist” card, that you can’t cite a single example of.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

August 27, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

Looking at the way the case was laid out, it appears it was motivated by politics and not any concern for Clayton’s children (if you’re going to throw Strong out for having dinner with John Trotter, then be consistent and throw out all the incoming board members who took money and endorsements from CCEA head Sid Chapman.)

Having said that, it’s not like you can make the case that these four have been terribly aggrieved. Citing Strong’s dinner partners as an example of malfeasance is bogus; but not nearly as bogus as illegally calling meetings as vice chairman to install Thompson. But while Strong and Everett were questioned about the “MACE influence” it’s instructive to note that they committed their malfeasance after they distanced themselves from MACE (of course folks won’t acknowledge that, because then they can’t blame MACE for all of CCPS’s ills-never mind that the administrators who actually run CCPS are members of GAE)

But again, at the end of the day, even if they can rightly say that it was politics, what they can’t say is that all of their actions were right and just.

Just because someone oversteps their bounds to call a board meeting they don’t have a right to call, doesn’t mean the other board members should attend. In fact they should make a point of not attending. Especially when the meeting is called under cover of darkness to hire a superintendent that, if they had followed board policy concerning the number of days the public had to comment before the vote, possibly wouldn’t have been given a contract, such would the outrage have been.

Ironically, if those aligned with MACE had put the philosphy of “you can’t have good learning conditions until you have good teaching conditions” first and foremost instead of personal, petty politics, they might still be on the board.

Or if not, at least they could have made the case that they should be on the board. But instead they put mind boggling stupidity first with the way they conducted themselves in the Thompson hire, and thus politics or not, seem to have gotten what they richly and fully deserve.

Ironically, Noreese Haynes talked repeatedly about the violations of board policy when the GAE majority voting bloc was in power. Funny how when a MACE member documents GAE malfeasance, SACS and Perdue just look the other way.

By John Stewart

August 27, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

To Clayton Parents aka Dead Poet:

Maybe you didn’t read what Judge Michael Malihi said

“The probative evidence shows that *the respondents have violated the Georgia Open Meetings Act, have violated the board’s code of ethics for board members, and have engaged in conduct unbecoming of a board member and in breach of the public trust,”*

A judge ruled this. Remember that!!!

You still avoid my linking 2/3rds of the 4 remaining board members back to John Trotter and his divisive racial politics and his connection back to BOE contracts!!! Trotter and those who he influences on the board have got to go!!!

Clayton is on a turn around and the likes of Trotter and his race baiting politics are unwanted in the county now and evermore!!!

We got rid of the Scotts, Victor Hill and God willing the remainder of the school board!!!

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty” -Winston Churchill

By agoodone

August 27, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Now that was truly a good one Mr. John Trotter- blaming the MACE delegation on the board for not being MACE-Y enough. A great way to play it off for sure! Yes, I am biased. Before retirement I did belong to CCEA, GAE and NEA. This was a personal choice. I took a look at your information you used to send out- the blue and orange things before web sites. I’ve read the propaganda, looked at the dog pictures and laughed. I’ve seen the neon signs all these years and have even heard your own comments in board meetings. Please could you just leave us all alone. We’ve suffered enough and just would like to get on with the business of education.

By Show Time In Clayton

August 28, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this

To Confused, You really picked the wrong name, you seem more of DUMBFOUNDED kind of person to me. Let’s go back to my earlier BLOG, (stay with me now). When I mentioned Uneducated Blacks, I didn’t mean poor Blacks or even Blacks that have money to locate their kids in other school, because we all know there are NO rich Blacks in Clayton.

The Uneducated Blacks I’m referring to are the ones that Believe everything that comes out of a White person mouth, the White person Newspaper, the White person TV.

See, Confused, you are Dumbfounded. Most Blacks in Clayton County knows that the White Folks in behind this Whole SACS debacle. They used an Uncle Tom (Rod Johnson) to get them in the DOOR in the whole ordeal. Most Blacks in the county know that Black Folks in this county don’t have the kind of MONEY to Demand this Kind of MEDIA Attention, only the county’s Rich White Folks do.

Those Blacks you’re talking about need to read the book titled, “The Mis-Education of the Black Man”. Confused, let me educate you on some simple-minded blacks like Rod Johnson, you can buy them for a nickel a pack. Dummy like Rod Johnson really DIDN’T mean to bring harm to the children, Rod and his White buyer, really thought by running to SACS they would Frighten off some of the newly elected board member and they’d Quit, it didn’t work.

So the Whites had to PAID PLENTY OF MONEY TO RUN THOSE STRONG BLACK WOMEN OFF. Look at all the Media, Newspapers, Investigations—the Whites of the County made the Taxpayers PAY. The Kids will KEEP their Accreditation, Klan Sonny owed the five ole White Boys a favor—so he’ll probably Get Rid of the remaining board. However, it WON’T end there!!!!

Sonny will have that Clayton County Elections Officer Aunt Tom (Annie Bright) to help him STEAL Clayton Votes from OBAMA!! I saw this in the vent and it’s in the making—-It’s a White Man’s World!!!! White Folks are SO Evil—God will make them pay some day!

By Mandingo Warrior

August 28, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

Those five old white men put in their complaint because they did not get their lion share of the Hartsfield Atlanta Millions allocated to the Clayton County School District because Hartsfield Atlanta Airport lies in Clayton County. Those four black BOE Members stopped those five old white men from getting their money and giving Sonny Perdue his share.Money, Power, Contracts, and Race because those five old white men do not care about the 52,000 black kids getting a dime of the money.

By Oh please

August 28, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

The usual racial rhetoric only comes from one person: Dr. Glenn Dowell. I’ve seen enough of a pattern in the blog to know that for a fact. Dr. Dowell, you are just bitter! As for your 4 strong black women, if they were really all that strong, they would have stepped down a long time ago, and the public would not have had to force their removal.

By Oh Well ...

August 28, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

The racial crappola that is posted on this blog is amazing yet ignorant all at the same time. I wish the AJC would weed these people out.

By Black Woman In Clayton

August 28, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Those strong black women are a disgrace to the the REAL STRONG BLACK WOMEN! Michelle Obama is eloquent and sophisticated. Every time Sandra Scott opens her mouth it’s an embarrassment to all black people. Those strong black women could not muster the courage and integrity to step down forcing the hand of the Gov. to remove them. Those strong black women did not heed the calls from the community, every civic organization and the business community. Those strong black women failed to read the writing on the wall when voters made sweeping changes. Those strong black women’s immoral and illegal actions got them to the point where they are now. So please stop using the race card. They made their bed and now they have to lie in it.

I applaud the efforts of the community to show SACS that we were indeed involved and engaged with this mess. People like Bob Hartley, David Barton, Larry O’Keef and others have united this community to do something about those strong black women. I am a black woman and I am praying they are removed today by the Gov. so that the real strong black women can feel proud about our children’s schools again.

By Concerned Parent in Clayton County

August 28, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

It’s time to start thinking about our children. They are the ones who are actually suffering from all of this. I am black and a black woman. If you can’t do the job, then it’s time to move on and let others in who can do the job no matter what race you are. This is about the children, not you. Move the old out and let the new in.

By Kevyn

August 28, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Accreditation lost. Oh happy day! Now maybe Gov Perdue will have the nerve not to allow political correctness to stand in the way and get rid of the four race baiting worthless whiners.

By raja

August 28, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

The first time since 1969 a school system loses its accreditation. I hope the sorry BOE are happy. Now do you believe you are worthless parasites. We have the worst leadership I ever seen. Thompson was never qualified to get the job done anyway, so I’m not shock at all. I wonder will we make the Governor Sonny Do list now.

By Oh please

August 28, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Unbelievable!! How could SACS choose to punish the children, teachers, and citizens for the actions of some greedy, malicious, deceptive, power-hungry JERKS!! It’s just not right! And for all those who wanted this to happen, remember, what goes around, comes around!

By It's official ...

August 28, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

We have hit ROCK BOTTOM!

By PLEASE BUY MY HOUSE

August 28, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

WOW! YOU PEOPLE ARE AMAZING. I HATE THE SOUTH. EVERYTHING ALWAYS END UP BEING ABOUT RACE. NOW CAN WE GET RID OF THAT HIGH PRICED SUPERINTENDENT!

By stanthefireman

August 28, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Unbelievable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Long time Clayton citizen

August 28, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

We have just become the lowest of the low. God help us.

By fred schwartz

August 28, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

The remaining four board members should be forced out TODAY and give Thompson a ride WITHOUT his paycheck, which he did Not earn.

By fred schwartz

August 28, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

The remaining four board members should be forced out TODAY and give Thompson a ride WITHOUT his paycheck, which he did Not earn. UNBELIEVABLE? This has been in everyone’s face for over a year.

By Kevyn

August 28, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

SACS choosing to revoke CCPS accreditation is in no way about punishing children, teachers or the counties citizens. It’s about fixing problems that the electorate decided to ignore. There comes a time when the truth must be realized. And the truth of the matter is that CCPS are being administered by incompetent fools. Wasn’t it just yesterday where I read that Clayton county ranked last in SAT scores in Georgia?

Some will whine that it is unfair and just not right. What other remedy was available? The superintendent and the school board couldn’t/wouldn’t fix the problems. And the electorate was only interested in voting skin color instead of qualifications. So it’s come to this. People have to realize that there are future generations to be concerned about too. Would you rather these malfunctioning misfits be allowed to continue in their malfeasance?

By John Stewart

August 28, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Ok it’s time that I say what I have to say straight no chaser

Purdue I hope you grow a pair and remove the remaining board members!!!!

Clayton Community I hope we brand every one of these board members with Scarlett letters so that they cannot do this to any child again!!!

Rod Johnson, Erika Davis we haven’t forgotten about you. I hope that Graham-Lawson still goes after you about the illegal land purchase!!!!

John Trotter and Mace know that karma is nothing to play with. Yours is coming to you!!!!! God will see to that!!!!

SACS………You didn’t even follow your own guidelines. Your own guidelines state first a warning, then probation and then accreditation removal. This goes back to the first Clayco board debacle. Elgart something definitely smells.

Here is what I think is our last ditch effort and hope is…….

Clayco its not over yet!!!

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty” -Winston Churchill

By Black Woman In Clayco

August 28, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

May I suggest that since Gov. Perdue can’t seem to make up his mind (he should have kicked them to the curm IMMEDIATELY), that we literally FLOOD his email today with requests to DISMISS THE FATALLY FLAWED FOUR!!!

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL PERDUE DIRECTLY

By Whatever

August 28, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

SACS had no choice. When you do no address the problems the FIRST time you are put on probation. In Fact you Just keep on doing all the things you were told not to. When you go against the advice of SACS to not hire Thompson.When you make the people the state and SACS give you to help keep your accredition WASH THEIR HANDS OF YOU. When You have illegal closed door meetings. When you try to Confuse them with over 2000 pages of BS and lies about how you are doing what you are supposed to. **THEN AND ONLY THEN YOU FORCE SACS HAND. THEY DID THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

By Black Rain

August 28, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Welcome back Glen Dowell— (Did you DO-WELL in the election - how did that go for you). and John Trotter - (let us keep quiet for awhile and maybe they will not call me to court). JT - I saw you and your lap-dog Noreese up in Gwinnett County trying to whip up the folk - on such a non-issue. You will be dissappointed that Gwinnett has a lot more diverse population of Asians and Hispanics- - not just the gullible black folk you have come to depend on in Clayton. You will shown the door and get no support from the parents there.

By Victor Hill sightings

August 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

The sad thing is, a person like ‘Thompson’ is so self centered and arrogant he just dont get it. Then toss idiots like >’ ‘Yolanda Everett, Lois Baines-Hunter, Michelle Strong and Sandra Scott.’< into the mix what did you think was going to happen? Clayton County has been run by incompetent idiots for the last four years. Victor Hill, Jewel Scott and the school board. Again what did people think was going to happen? All those incompetent idiots were put into office by the voters of Clayton County.

By What!!

August 28, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

John Stewart; Thanks for the Gov’s link I have sent mine! I cannot express how angry I am. No more political correctness, These problems started when the Ghetto Blacks moved into this county, Wake up White People!! The day Dan Colwell was fired by Nedra Ware & company was the day this county started to go down the drain. Anybody that denies this is living in some kind of fantasy world. Try and sell your house now, at about 11:00 am this morning, every homeowner in this county lost about 40 thousand dollars. Think any new industry will come to Clayton? NO! Think any businesses swill pack up and leave? YES! We are now the armpit of the nation.

By Fed UP

August 28, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

I would now like to thank all those who made this possible. Thank you Nedra Ware, Thank you Connie Kitchens, Thank you Harry Ross, Thank you Jesse Jackson, Thank you Gail Davenport, Thank you Carol Kellum, Thank you Latoya Walker, Thank you John Trotter, Thank you Noreese Haynes, Thank you Sandra Scott, Thank you Loise Baines-Hunter, Thank you Rod Johnson, Thank you Michelle Strong, Thank you Lee Scott, Thank you Jewell Scott, Thank you Victor Hill, Thank you Crandell Bray, Thank you Charley Griswell, Thank you inept local clergy, Thank you to the uninformed apathetic voters/non-voters of Clayton County. Are your childrens future of any concern to you now? It is said that more than 50% of Clayton residents are renters. Well, now is the perfect time for you to remove yourself and take the problems you brought with you.

By HLS

August 28, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Please - everyone send a message to the do-nothing Sonny Purdue. Urge him to act, Now.

By Kimberly Allen

August 28, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Haven’t seen this on AJC yet, too bad this action came too late.

Governor Removes Four Members of Clayton School Board

Judge Michael Malihi has ruled that four Clayton County board members should be removed for violating their oaths of office. Governor Perdue had asked the judge to look into complaints against Michelle Strong, Sandra Scott, Lois Baines-Hunter, and Yolanda Everett. All four were declared guilty of violating the state’s open meetings law, violating the board’s code of ethics, and breaking the public trust.

On Thursday, Perdue issued an executive order removing the four women from the school board; special elections will be held in November to replace Scott and Strong, while Baines-Hunter and Everett will be barred from running again — they were up for election this year.

By Jazz

August 28, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

I am new to Clayton Co, but it has been an education already! I would like to buy a house here, as I like the community, the convenience, and the area down by Spivey Lk is beautiful. But there is no way I want to invest that much money in a community that cannot keep its schools accredited.

It is such a shame because I have met committed education professionals, have been impressed by the achievements of the many talanted students, and was happy to see so many offer themselves as candidates for school board. I was disappointed that all of the school board members did not resign, as they should have. Race has little or nothing to do with it.

I was very disappointed in the low turnout for the primaries, however, because it will take the community as a whole to rise up and demand better. Good luck to those parents, professionals and community members who are struggling. They can’t do it alone.

If you want to save your property values and maintain the local economy, if you want to provide the future of Clayton County with well educated young people, if you want to restore pride in your community, there is only one way: working together with commitment to the goal of a quality school system. If you don’t fix it, more good people will just leave, creating a downward cycle. Good luck - I’m out of here.

By FED UP

August 28, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

HEY - GOV. SONNY PERDUE - TOO DAMN LITTLE - TOO DAMN LATE.

Go back to being a bleeding heart liberal Democrat - too afraid to hurt someone’s feeling - bending over backwards to be politically correct - even to the detriment of 52000 students.

By CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHN TROTTER & MACE

August 28, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

I must give you your props (hands clapping wildly).

Not long ago, John Trotter via his MACE organization promised to destroy Clayton County Public Schools Apparently he has succeeded and probably surpassed his own expectations.

Job well done John Trotter, I have to give it to you. When you make a promise you keep it even if you have to use tools such as Noresse Haynes, A. Michelle Strong, Lois Baines Hunter, Sandra Scott and the other MACE members you helped to elect onto the board.

Again, job well done.

By Kimberly Allen

August 28, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

There will be a meeting at 7:00pm at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center TONIGHT!

I am not sure what they’re gonna talk about, but this is what I was told.

By Oh please

August 28, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

We do not have time to wait for the new school board to shred Thompson’s contract. We have got to take action now.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

August 28, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHN TROTTER AND MACE,

You forgot one little detail in your diatribe: the majority voting bloc during this entire debacle was not members of MACE, it was comprised of members of GAE.

The land deal? Approved by a majority voting bloc of GAE.

Barbara Pulliam? Approved by a majority voting bloc of GAE.

The vice chairman and chairman (Rod Johnson and Ericka Davis) who conspired with Elgart to bring SACS into this? Members of GAE.

You can make the case that some board members used MACE to get elected, then turned around and acted like complete fools but at the end of the day the majority voting bloc was GAE.

By Concerned Citizen

August 28, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

P** Off Yet?

If so, get involved!

www.socialnetwork.meetup.com/981

By HLS

August 28, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Attn Clayton Parent

Look out — your brown nose is so far up John Trotter a$$ - he will have to open his mouth so you can blow your nose.

By NicholsonforBoE

August 28, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens of Clayton County. As we all have heard the recent news of SACS decision I am both in saddened and motivated. We are at a time in our history that yes we can make a difference. This next election is as important as ever. Once elected, I will be one hundred percent committed to bring accreditation back to Clayton County and ensure within all of my power and authority to do what is necessary for our children to have the education that we as parents and elected officials have the duty to provide them. Now is the time that we can act to do what is right for our children’s futures and the future of America. The battle may have been lost, but we can win the war. Together anything is possible and we will stand up and say to SACS that our children should not bare the blame for others. So, I ask for your vote on Nov. 4th. Together, anything is possible.

— Diana Nicholson Clayton County School Board Candidate District 5 www.nicholsonforboe.org

By Concerned oldtimer

August 28, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

I hate to have this happen. But after reviewing recent testing data….Clayton’s only problem is not just the school board. Many schools are low preforming and SAT scores are in the toilet. I hope we get new staff all the way around and new things happen by next fall.

By What Now

August 29, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

To the BOE members who thought they go get into and win a Pi$$ing contest with Mark Elgart and SACS. You lost. And so did 52000 students in the Clayton system. Your overblown egos and pursuit of the almighty dollar has destroyed the futures of the 45000 black children that you claim that you hold so dear. You did in 8 years what you say the white man had been trying to do for 150 years. Shame on you and the voters who voted you into office. I hope the powers that be or even citizens can and will pursue legal ramifications to see you punished for this travisty you have visited upon out county. Not only will our children be so negatively affected by this situation, but every resident, homeowner and business also. Are you proud of yourselves? Now that you are gone, I forgive you. But do you really want to walk around this county with the parents of 45000 black students who know who you are, what you look like and what you have done to their children. Hell has a special place for you. You should also forget any thought of legal redress - do you really want a jury of your peers from among the parents of Clayton county students? On second thought - PLEASE do it.

To Sonny Perdue - you are an ineffective leader - your supposed conversion from the Democratic party is shown to have been a farce - you are no better then Roy Barnes. Sad you were too afraid to do what was right until you had both a Judge and SACS telling you it was the right thing to do. Gov. Perdue - it was the right thing to do 6 months ago when it would have made a difference to the accreditation issue. Why do you dismiss the situation of 45000 black sutdents because you do not want to step on a few black politician’s toes? What should mean more to you - a half dozen corrupt leaders and politicians or the lives and futures of 52000 students. Shame on you for not being decisive when it is something this important. Shame on you for berating the voters - when it is you as top offocial in the state who is charged with seeing that, at the end of the day, justice is done when things go so terribly awry. Since you cannot run for Gov. again - why not make this a top priority of the remainder of you time in office. Help our children.

To Mark ELgart - you may feel that this was the only way. Many of us in the county - hoped that you would see the changes being made by the voters in this county and the changes madeby the electorate showed in the last election, as a positive change. Voting out BOE members up for re-election, voting down a corrupt DA and Sheriff, denying a corrupt man to a commisioner seat, voting out a ineffective state senator and parents showing up, enmasse, to protest and show their desires and distrust to the BOE. We felt these positives could sway you to at least probation, not so. It is still unfathomable that the actions of some BOE members would lead you to destroy what is good about our system and that you are so unfeeling about so many students lives. Our teachers are teaching and our students are learning. How many school systems do you know that while going thru this ordeal, have been able to nurture not one but two national MOCK TRIAL championships, schools sending graduating students to GA. TECH, MIT, IVY League schools, middle school winning a championship dealing with our economy and the Stock Market - over high school entrants, nuturing the only IB schools in the metro area south of I-20 and the formation of the ELite Scholars program. It should now be your charge and overwhelming passion to help guide the completely new school board to the place they should go. Many are new to this and need to understand all that is expected and this should be explained in no uncertain terms. Help our children.

By HLS

August 29, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Attn Clayton Parents - You just cannot help it, can you.

Repeating something over and over and over - thinking it will sink in - even without any validity. SACS was not here because of the land deal. Black and white officials, black and white parents and black and white teachers called on SACS. It was all those who brought SACS to bear on the idiots we had on the BOE. You try to give Rev Johnson way to much credit but not to the real heros, black and white, mentioned above.

And your diatribe over the “voting block” holds no water. When Loise Baines-Hunter hardly ever voted on anything anyway - and when she did - voted lockstep with Sandra Scott and our favorite SPpecial-Ed guy Noreese Haynes. Being against anything and everything that came before the board is not a action to be proud of. All of their actions showed they felt nothing for the children of this county. Only for themselves and their benefactors. They did nothing but perpetuate the actions of Nedra and the 4 other fools from years past, mirroring MACE and JT.

Being an apoligist for MACE does you an injustice. Those helped over the years by Trotter/MACE - have their attitude - because it was always nurtured by JT to be just that. It is dis-ingenuous to disavow them only when the public becomes up-in-arms about their attitude/actions.

By HLS

August 29, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Attn Clayton Parents - You just cannot help it, can you.

Repeating something over and over and over - thinking it will sink in - even without any validity. SACS was not here because of the land deal. Black and white officials, black and white parents and black and white teachers called on SACS. It was all those who brought SACS to bear on the idiots we had on the BOE. You try to give Rev Johnson way to much credit but not to the real heros, black and white, mentioned above.

And your diatribe over the “voting block” holds no water. When Loise Baines-Hunter hardly ever voted on anything anyway - and when she did - voted lockstep with Sandra Scott and our favorite SPpecial-Ed guy Noreese Haynes. Being against anything and everything that came before the board is not a action to be proud of. All of their actions showed they felt nothing for the children of this county. Only for themselves and their benefactors. They did nothing but perpetuate the actions of Nedra and the 4 other fools from years past, mirroring MACE and JT.

Being an apoligist for MACE does you an injustice. Those helped over the years by Trotter/MACE - have their attitude - because it was always nurtured by JT to be just that. It is dis-ingenuous to disavow them only when the public becomes up-in-arms about their attitude/actions.

By Maxx4955

August 29, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

I like most people am quite saddened by the current turn of events. Our kids, concerned citizens and property values have been thrown under the broken bus of despair. I must say I am angry and dismayed by what just took place. I too would like to point a finger at someone else, but what would that do…It won’t change the decision from yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, the BOE, they were a horrible example of African American leadership..one after the other.. but we share a lot of the blame ourselves. We voted them in collectively without a thorough knowledge of who these people were… it’s no different if you were considering marrying someone…you best and better meet their kinfolks..cause once you say I do…you marry them all. It would have been nice to annul the marriage between us and BOE…but elections are a little different…you live with the bitter and angy officials you vote in. The voting system as we know it is a recipe for disaster and unforseen failure. I live in a great neighborhood in Ellenwood with great neighbors I love. We didn’t deserve this. Don’t think for one moment that I’m playing the victim or race card here but….I don’t believe this would have happened to our surrounding neigboring counties for example..Henry, Fayette, Cobb,or Fulton County. Maybe the difference lies in the stackholders of those communities. Maybe they fight,they all fight until wrongs are corrected. Maybe there is certain level of fear these officials have for the stakeholders. They hold their elected officials accountable to the very end. We must change they way that we do business here in Clayton, we must change our mindsets in terms of our how we view our cities. I live in Ellenwood but Riverdale is still apart of my community…the larger community that is…If you live in Lovejoy, Forest Park is still apart of your community..if you see wrong going there..report it. We have to stop acting and thinking like outsiders. If you see trash in your OWN neigborhood..Stop and pick it up..it’s that simple. We know that polluting is a crime, report it if you see it… get their license plates and call the authorities. We must get involved. One last thing. This was in fact a defining moment for our county…but….let’s not allow this situation to define who we are. We will get over this hurdle. When your child comes home today from school, hug them long and hard and tell them how much you love and care for them and lastly tell them and promise them with the encouragement that only God himself can give that they are SIGNIFICANT and loved.

By Attn: Clayton Parents

August 29, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

HLS,

I don’t think I’m giving too much credit to Johnson. I think you’re giving too much credit to Elgart if you think he responded with any concern from “average folks” like teachers and citizens.

You can look to Fulton County to see that Elgart isn’t concerned with what teachers and parents think. Other blogs have detailed how they repeatedly asked Elgart to look into Fulton schools, yet he never even so much as gave it a cursory glance.

He didn’t have secret meeting with “average folks” before the investigation. He had them with Ericka Davis and Rod Johnson. One only has to look at the great lengths Elgart went to to protect Davis (not a single mention in a twenty seven page report?) to see this wasn’t in response to any real “concern” about CCPS students. It was politics, pure and simple.

And I’m not sure why you mention Baines-Hunter’s voting record as proof that the GAE majority bloc didn’t exist; she was never part of that voting bloc.

That the GAE majority voting bloc did exist is irrefutable. That’s why the members of GAE on the board mentioned it in their personal bios, and that’s why those who want to set up MACE as the “straw man” to blame all this on don’t want to address it.

As far as those helped by MACE having “attitudes”. That’s just a slap in the face to the teachers MACE has helped when it comes to dealing with lack of support for teachers, retaliation against teachers, violations of teacher’s rights, and abusive administrators.

And if you think that teachers always get support in matters of discipline, and never get retaliated against when they try to protect their rights, then you must be living in GAE fantasyland.

Doesn’t mean that everybody ever associated with MACE has been perfect. But can you say that about any organization? What you can say about MACE is that MACE has been the only organization to tell the truth about what teachers face about lack of support for discipline, useless government paperwork, and administrative policies that handcuff teachers who are trying their level best. (Or would you rather argue that there is no dysfunction in our society, government bureaucracy works oh so well and it’s really all the teachers fault?)

HLS do you really want MACE gone? If so, the answer is simple. Restore the discipline. Take away their issue, and give teachers the teaching conditions they need and deserve. But that would require a backbone that the other organizations, and for that matter CCPS seem to lack.

By John Stewart

August 29, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

To Clayton Parents aka Dead Poet aka Earl aka John Trotter (You say you aren’t Trotter but and most believe you are and will address you as such)

I think I say this on behalf of all Clayton Parents………

KICK ROCKS!!!!!

You know what? You are a bit too knowledgeable on the inner workings of the board and SACS. How do you know there were secret meetings with Ericka Davis and Elgart? HOW EXACTLY DO YOU KNOW?? You are able to get information ever so quickly and disperse it via the blog sphere.

I really started putting things together this morning regarding the vengeful and venomous info spewed about GAE and other teacher organizations. Jealousy and MONEY!!!! You are p** that the GAE has more access to teachers than you do. Then you use the race angle and discipline (about the only thing I agree with you on) to gain the majority of your teachers. Had fun out in Gwinnett the other day crying racism?

Now I understand why Elgart said that Thompson wasn’t qualified and preferred someone be picked from Georgia. If a Supt was picked from GA they would have been familiar with your antics and could have stopped you in your tracks. They would have been able to look up your ties to BOE contracts, they would have seen your fingerprints all over the alternative school contracts. But what did you instruct Charlies Angels opps demons to do???? You told them to give Elgart a big F U by picking Thompson. What you didn’t anticipate is how power drunk your girl Strong got with her role as chairperson and how eager she was to get Thompson in by holding illegal meetings. All you did was drag Elgart into a p** contest and guess who showed that ther were packing like a Porn star?? Not you!!!!

Now please shut the h*ll up about the GAE majority voting block because that is gone now. Now we demand that you……..POOF BE Gone!!!!! Go and figure out how to pay for your 3 mortgages without race baiting.

Parents the only recourse that we have now is to call SACS on the carpet to find out why they didn’t follow their own guidelines and threw us under the bus with accreditation revocation instead of probation. Isn’t it strange that the first time CCPS was placed on probation because of the unholy trinity; Trotter was behind it by using race. I wonder why SACS never gave CCPS a warning back then and put us straight on probation. Do you think it was a war between Elgart and Trotter then? Hmmm!!!!!

I think the only way we can put pressure on SACS it to get some media attention on SACS to find out why didn’t they follow their own guidelines?

By HLS

August 29, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Dead Poet

I am sorry. I thought this was all about our children and their futures. I did not know it was about the poor illiterate moron board members and their pathetic lives. Our children are just starting out in life and these BOE fools and their mind master JT, show they think less about these kids than Lester Maddox did those many years ago. I see from your comments - you and the other MACE apologist, feel that other things are more important that the children of our county.

By the way MACE was here years ago and said nothing about discipline - parents were addressing that issue back when he help make Nedra “the new sheriff in town” and to “make right all the past wrongs”. It was that attitude by the MACE Quintet voting majority - that help lead us to this point where 52000 children are in a school system without accreditation. Nobody in Clayton ever heard of SACS until Trotter influence help us get on this long slippery slide to ruin.

John Trotter shows what a small man he is - when he goes this far because of three years of tenure that Clayton refuses to give him.

By contracts?

August 29, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Did that famous “majority voting block” vote to hire that oh so effective “corrective superintendent”? Did the GAE hammer out the differences to make that contract a little more palatable and to bring the man complete with smoke and mirrors to the rescue of our county? If SACS could assure us that we would be better off without this superintendent (wait, they already said that) - would he resign and slink off with that nice bit of salary for 14 months and benefits package? I’m thinking the answer to all of these questions is NO!

By raja

August 29, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

From what I read no school never lost their accreditation because before that happen the state would take over the school district. Thats why this never happen since 1969. Sonny can sit by and let something like this happen is appalling. My daughter is a Junior in high school and devastated by this. I tried to prepare her but she didn’t think it would happen because the students did nothing wrong.

By Oh please

August 29, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Trotter certainly had his hands all over Thompson’s contract, but if he is willing to ammend it for the sake of the children, then I say he still deserves a chance. For me, that will be the definitive proof if Thompson deserves the salary and the perks. Is he willing to do what is best for the children and relinquish his control back to the school board? Of course, we don’t have much of a school board at the moment.

By susu

August 29, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Elgart & SACS completely changed the rules by which CCPS was playing, changed the finish line and the targets. They are in cahoots with the Gov and his “liaisons.” This is all about politics and Elgart getting media attention for himself and SACS worldwide. Talk about personal agendas!!!! Elgart = egomaniac!

By Whatever

August 29, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

That’s right blame SACS and not the bozos and their over priced hit man. For everything. It doesn’t matter that we were already on probation for the same types of behavior. It doesn’t matter that Every action the board made for the past four years has been questionable at best and illegal at worst. It doesn’t matter that They were given resources and told over and over what they had to accomplish to keep accredition. but they were to stupid or into the power trip to do so. THAT’S RIGHT blame everybody but the guilty parties. The school board, our “esteemed’ (not) Superintendent, and we the voters who voted them in then failed to take action when we saw the train wreck coming.

By susu

August 29, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

I blame the board for getting us into this mess, but after CCPS submitted the report and did the work SACS told them to do, SACS should have at least put CCPS on probation, not change the rules, change the finish line, etc. and make all of the kids and the entire county suffer.

All of the sudden, it wasn’t that they had to have a forensic audit, it was that they had to have one and fully address all of the recommendations. How was CCPS supposed to do that in 6 days!? They got the audit response from the independent auditors on July 25th and had to have everything done by August 1st.

By Concerned oldtimer

August 29, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

CC only completed one of the nine objectives they were supposed to correct. In any grading system that is 11%. Come on quit trying to blame others.

By Whatever

August 29, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

susu, the board was already on probation. SACS had NO choice to revoke accredition when they so callously chose not to fix the problems. It was not political on the part of SACS, but it was political on the part of the uncaring board. They thought they could get away with the same ol’ same ol’ show a little smoke and mirrors and fool SACS. But they thought wrong didn’t they? By the Way apparently Our “esteemed” super is still doing wrong by having another closed door meeting this afternoon. Hasn’t learned much has he?

By VirusData

August 29, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Hell, all the Lee/Jewel Scott and their cronies and Victor Hill and the whole Clayton County Democratic Party thinks that Clayton County is nothing but a BIG CASH COW so they all can rob us all of our tax dollars as they are using everyway so they can to get Paid; as I always have said ” FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAILS ” and ” PAPER TRAILS “, that will open up many more citizens eyes and get seriously p** at all of them…….

By AntiVirusData

August 29, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Clayton County School System has a 60 Million Dollar Surplus. Henry County School System is BROKE, need money, that’s what the NEWPAPER say. A 60 Million Dollar Surplus, the only School System in the STATE with that much SURPLUS, One of the school systems in the STATE with money, but No Accreditation.

The REASON Clayton County School System has money is Because they STOPPED paying those Four White Good Ole Boys and their friends that took them to court, for doing nothing But Siphoning the district Money allocation from Hartfield Atlanta International Airport , which lies in Clayton County. Elgin Bell helps them steal and helped cause this MESS.

Elgin Bell and those Four White Good Ole Boys and SACS Elgart don’t give a Damn about you Blacks or your Children. They only care about MONEY! You Black better call the U.S Department of Education and the FBI in to investigate because Sonny and his CREW are in Cover-up mode, or suffer like the Ignorant Blacks that YOU are.!!!!!

By Dear John

August 29, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

John Trotter, I think it is high time that you get out of town. Now is the perfect time for you to go see you w******* in Brazille. That’s right the brazillian prostitute that you have funneled over $100,000 of MACE member’s dues to. You think everyone is not laughing at you. Got a girlfriend in Brazille that you keep sending money to, but have never met. I’ll bet she is really a man. But then again I hear you swing that way too. I would hate it for you when all of the MACE members find out that there is no financial security or support for them. Just a sorry a* man that can’t even pass the BAR….ooopps, did I let that secret out too…..lol

By AntiVirusData

August 29, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!!

By Politically Correct

August 29, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

A White Boy say, the political leadership in Clayton County as well as other areas of the country with large populations of black voters will never improve as long as black power and false cries of racism are revered by the black electorate.

A Black Boy say, the political leadership in Clayton County as well as other areas of the country with large populations of black voters WILL improve as long as the black powers in place and the large populations of black voters continue to support the cry of racism by the black electorate. “Which Boy is right”, this is a question of “Epic Moral and Ethical Proportions”. Please search your souls for the Answer before you respond. Respond One, Respond All!!! Thanks You!!

By VirusData

August 29, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

This is for AntiVirusData

Please come up with your own little nick and please no do use mine please.

Now as far as your statements, the Truth Hurts, as we all know whets being going on here in this County. These Elected Self-Serving Clowns that was put into these positions with NO and yes I said NO Experience to do these jobs and that is true fact, because Jewel Scott, Victor Hill, Terry, Whole Past School Board and the Clayton Democratic Party members because over half of them works for Victor Hill at the Sheriff’s Dept.

So you can cry and throw stones at me but their own actions has proven me right, and the fact’s and their record speaks for their own self’s.

And now since they are out of office at the end of the year, I hope the Fed’s will come in and investigate them all and if any if they find something to put them all in the Federal Pen so be it that’s where they all need to go regardless of race, color, sex or religion, because a crook is a crook plain a simple.

By Jay Bird

September 1, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

I think Mr. Thompson should step down since he is one of the reasons we lost our accreditation. The board needs to be punished not the kids because this was their actions not the kids.

We need to march on the capital and get Sonny to help us clean up this mess. Also we need to vote better in the future. All elected official positions has an impact on our county. So far we have already put some in there that don’t belong in the run off. The sheriff position is coming up and, we need to do our homework. I am already hearing so mess about Kem Kimbrough that don’t sit well with me. Guys, we don’t need to put an ego in office again!!! Check everyone out.

By Whatever

September 1, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

There they go again posting the last few minutes of the blog saying objectionable drivel. but I see we had a few able to post after them. HA HA. but there are still a few out there with Ghetto mentality who want to keep people down and out in the ghetto. A wise person has to ask Just what is in it for them to keep their “fellow” blacks hopeless and powerless. by keeping incompetent and crooked blacks in office just because they are black. Especially when there are honest and competent blacks who are willing to do the job?

By Christian

September 1, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

I believe the boy crying Racism is wrong. We need to unite together to make this a better county for all of us not just the blacks and I am black.

This is one of the reasons we are in this mess. You can vote color without experience if you want, you will get the same junk you had for the past four years, law suits, can’t try cases, people being hire and don’t know their jobs etc.

Wake up folks we are now at the bottom of the barrel, so are our kids. We need to think about clawing our way back up instead fo thinking about black and white.

By Here We Go Again

September 1, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

The New School board is already having illegal meetings. Give me a break!

Alika and Trina STEP DOWN NOW PLEASE! Before you do any more damage. And lets get rid of Thompson .

By Attn: Clayton Parents

September 1, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

John Stewart,

So many MACE bashers…so little time. But about that “Six degrees of separation.” It’s not really the most instructive prism through which to look at things; given the nature of ClayCo, anybody can be connected to someone noxious with “six degrees of separation”.

Example. John Stephens the owner of the land in the land deal begats Ericka Davis who pushed through overpaying by MILLIONS with very questionable (illegal?) methods, begats Sid Chapman CCEA President to whom Davis, when the heat got too hot on the land deal and other issues, emailed Sid saying “Sid, it’s time for you to field a new slate of candidates”.

See what I mean?

A far more instructive exercise would be zero degrees of separation. Who voted to spend MILLIONS extra on the land deal? Ericka Davis, Rod Johnson, and the GAE majority voting bloc. Zero degrees of separation. Who voted to bring “Queen Babs” Barbara Pulliam in? Ericka Davis, Rod Johnson, and the GAE majority voting bloc. Zero degrees of separation. Who got Elgart involved for *their own political agenda? Ericka Davis and Rod Johnson, members of the GAE majority voting bloc. Zero degrees of separation.

It’s not until you get to the Thompson contract that you can find a disastorous board vote that didn’t have the fingerprints of the GAE majority voting bloc on it.

And even that wasn’t a “MACE voting bloc” as much as it was (to address to post of “contracts?”-again so many MACE bashers, so little time) members of GAE and MACE putting aside their differences for the express purpose of acting inexplicably stupid.

And for all the rumor and innuendo about MACE, why doesn’t anyone address the fact that GAE openly and brazenly admits that CCEA members’ dues go to subsidizing Sid Chapman’s retirement?

I don’t think anyone begrudes a teacher their pension given the years spent “in the trenches” earning it. But I wonder how CCEA teachers feel about (or if they are even aware of) their dues subsidizing Sid Chapman who, thanks to a sweetheart deal between CCEA and CCPS, is earning years in the Teachers’ Retirement System WITHOUT actually teaching?

Maybe that’s why Sid was so willing to try to totally gut the Teachers’ Bill of Rights with the administratively backed Educators Memorandum.

I wonder how CCEA teachers will feel, once they become fully aware of it, that their dues go to subsidize the retirement of Sid Chapman, who will get the exact same retirement benefits they got from working “in the trenches” especially especially if they ever get around to reading the fine print on the Educators Memorandum and realize that Sid tried to *abolish their right to remove disruptive students from the classroom?

Guess ole’ Sid doesn’t mind cutting teachers off at the knees seeing as how ole Sid, thanks to his sweetheart deal, can pontificate from the comfort and safety of a union office, and thanks to their dues no longer has to walk the walk in the classroom.

You talk about the “outside influence” of MACE John Stewart. Why don’t you ever address the inside influence of CCEA and Sid Chapman, especially since they tried to use that influence to weaken discipline policies in CCPS?

By Politically Correct

September 1, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Christian said, He believe the boy crying Racism is wrong. We need to unite together to make this a better county for all of us not just the blacks and I am black. Christian, the first thing that shed light on Whites on this Blog is to say, I am Black—Hello, White Boy.

Christian, you it was Christian Slave Masters who first bought Black Slaves to America. Another thing read your HISTORY, even one of the Founding Father of this Country, Benjamin Franklin once said, “There are NO Prerequisites or Experience required to be a Politician or hold an elected office in the country.

One more thing, you and most whites only Prerequisites is a Candidate MUST be WHITE. Remember if they haven’t held the position they’re running for Where did they their EXPERIENCE. For me, “I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.”

However, Racism is perpetrated by Whites, “Facts or Facts, the World know that!!!

By notinthetrenches

September 1, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Pontificate! There’s really only one person who comes to this blog to pontificate and I think we know who that is. Now, let’s see “GEA dues pay for retirement?” How’s that working for you? Mr. T-are you collecting teacher retirement while sitting in the safety and comfort of a union office? I’m guessing that you are not or that little vendetta that you swore out against Clayton County Schools would not have been so important. By the way, my TRS check comes from funds that I contributed along the 30 odd years of teaching and abiding by the rules of the 2 systems that I worked in. I was even passed over for promotion at least once but I just kept working and didn’t vow to destroy the system where that happened.

To the board members who were just removed- I really don’t wish you harm or ill will or sickness or accident or anything like that. However, if something happened to your job or livelihood or salary, those of you who have them, it would not be terribly upsetting; but. a little justice for 48-50 thousand students depending upon whose numbers you read.

By Watcher

September 1, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

I really thought is was very interesting from someone that posted on another blog or forum., As I have to agree with what has be said here.

But Michael B. King is just not a what most one would call a normal Elected Official here in the County either, he is also a suppose to be a Professional ( I had to Cough really hard when I stated that ) Attorney in this State, which he is a Crook and also being connected to Lee/Jewel Scott and Victory Hill and he also represent most of the Lee/Jewel Scott and Victor Hill cronies by filling frivolous lawsuits.

Like he (Michael B. King ) really cares about anything us as Taxpayers or our children by being up on the Clayton County School Board, he is up there trying to get his cut into the pie on either money or on contracts to get more Lee/Jewel Scott and Victor Hill cronies to have a hold on these contracts, which I already know one of them does with the Sheriff’s department and he is using a false name to hide his true name ( David Reed which lives up in Gwinnett County ) he is the one that got in trouble up in Forest Park during the 2007 election and was locked up for trying to influence their Election..

All Michael B. Kings main purpose is to try to give Lee/Jewel Scott and Victor Hill cronies to have more control in this County, Michael B. King has run for everything in this County in the past to try to get Elected to some type of a Elected position in this County since 2000, just like Lee Scott has done the same also……..

Michael B. King also has a serious behavior as being totally unstable mentally and judgmental problem?s , like he seems to hate woman in general that speaks their minds or disagree with him, he also seems to be like his Masters Lee/Jewel Scott ideals of being a racist.

So we all need to watch this one very, so very closely.

this is how I and my husband see it, I would not believe everything I read my that AJC Reporter since she has in the past miss quoted many things in most of her articles she writes in the past., but also if their did not have a quorum in the first place with only 3 members being there then they did not violate in having a Official meeting in the first place since they could not hold one, as Michael B. King thinks he knows the Law and he does not know nothing because he is know as the frivolous Attorney that makes up State Laws that’s not on the State Books.

So with that being said Michael B. King did not do the right thing but only GRANDSTANDING and Lying by saying they had a meeting and it was illegal for his on Greedy self serving ways or agenda and trying to make a name for himself up on that board in the citizens eyes that does not know on how things really work.

And your totally right about Thompson with that so called Contract he suckered the Old School Board into just like John D. Stephens did with that Swamp Land deal for 18 + Million Dollars.

By Politically Correct

September 1, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Christian said, He believe the boy crying Racism is wrong. We need to unite together to make this a better county for all of us not just the blacks and I am black. Christian, the first thing that shed light on Whites on this Blog is to say, I am Black—Hello, White Boy.

Christian, as you know it was Christian Slave Masters who first bought Black Slaves to America. Another thing read your HISTORY, even one of the Founding Father of this Country, Benjamin Franklin once said, “There are NO Prerequisites or Experience required to be a Politician or hold an elected office in the country. One more thing, you and most whites only Prerequisites is a Candidate MUST be WHITE.

Remember if they haven’t held the position they’re running for Where did they their EXPERIENCE. For me, “I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.”

However, Racism is mostly perpetrated by Whites, “Facts or Facts, the World know that!!!

By Black Man in Clayco

September 1, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

Congratulations, to Bob Hartley, David Barton and Larry O’Keefe for Playing politics and assisting the Powers That Be in this county and the State in for momentarily taking your own children plus 52,000 others Accreditation. Good Job, Dummies!!!!

By The World is Watching

September 1, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Governor Purdue the 60 Million Dollar Surplus in Clayton County School will go a long way in Improving on your State, 1.6 Billion Dollar Deficit.

Don’t stop there, they have Millions more from Hartfield-ATL International. What amazing incompetence on the part of the State Board of Education!! How many of these bureaucrats have ever taught a class, talked to a real teacher about teaching, or even have their own children in public schools?

Certainly education in Georgia needs improvement. Parents and students must take responsibility as well as teachers. But it is incomprehensible that the State Board of Education would know that such discouraging and disruptive results were assured and blithely went ahead with their pet project.

I recommendation that Superintendent Kathy Cox: It’s really quite simple… Resign Today!

By Attn: Clayton Parents

September 1, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Notinthetrenches,

Thank you for proving my point with the following quote. “By the way, my TRS check comes from funds that I contributed along the 30 odd years of teaching…”

You earned yours with funds you contributed, by actually teaching. Sid Chapman is earning his from funds (from union dues) that CCEA/GAE contributed, and is “earning” his by NOT teaching.

No wonder he doesn’t mind undercutting discipline policies. He doesn’t have to walk the walk in the classroom.

By We All Created this Monster

September 1, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge.” Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” The county and the world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

By trellie

September 1, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Hi, I do not know whether Michael King is a crook or not, but there should be no secret meetings whether against the law or not. WE JUST LOST ACCREDITATION! We should do everything in the open to get it back. NO SECRET MEETINGS NEW BOARD MEMBERS! SACS do not like Dr. Thompson, so he must go for the sake of the children and the school system. BYE! BYE! Dr. Thompson. The two new board members that were at this meeting, you are riding on thin ice, if it was up to me you would be voted out today. Clayton Co. Let’s not put up with anymore imcompetence from this new board.

By Sammy Ojean

September 1, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Hi, trellie

There was a good point made that everyone is missing here, If that School Board Meeting was illegal then How?

Because if they did not even had a quorum in the first place with only 3 members being there then they did not violate in having a Official meeting in the first place.

That’s just common sense, But I would hope person on this blog eduate yourself on the Georgia Opens Meeting Laws.

Now if they did have a quorm and meet behind closed doors that was not in a Exective Session then they all would have voliated the State Law.

By Sammy Ojean

September 1, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Here you all go for the State Law on Open Meeting:

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1

GEORGIA CODE Copyright 2008 by The State of Georgia All rights reserved.

* Current through the 2008 Regular Session *

TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 14. OPEN AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 (2008)

§ 50-14-1. Meetings to be open to public; limitation on action to contest agency action; recording; notice of time and place; access to minutes; telecommunications conferences

(a) As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Agency” means:

(2) “Meeting” means the gathering of a quorum of the members of the governing body of an agency or of any committee of its members created by such governing body, whether standing or special, pursuant to schedule, call, or notice of or from such governing body or committee or an authorized member, at a designated time and place at which any public matter, official business, or policy of the agency is to be discussed or presented or at which official action is to be taken or, in the case of a committee, recommendations on any public matter, official business, or policy to the governing body are to be formulated, presented, or discussed. The assembling together of a quorum of the members of a governing body or committee for the purpose of making inspections of physical facilities under the jurisdiction of such agency or for the purposes of meeting with the governing bodies, officers, agents, or employees of other agencies at places outside the geographical jurisdiction of an agency and at which no final official action is to be taken shall not be deemed a “meeting.”

(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, all meetings as defined in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be open to the public. Any resolution, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other official action of an agency adopted, taken, or made at a meeting which is not open to the public as required by this chapter shall not be binding. Any action contesting a resolution, rule, regulation, ordinance, or other formal action of an agency based on an alleged violation of this provision must be commenced within 90 days of the date such contested action was taken, provided that any action under this chapter contesting a zoning decision of a local governing authority shall be commenced within the time allowed by law for appeal of such zoning decision.

(c) The public at all times shall be afforded access to meetings declared open to the public pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section. Visual, sound, and visual and sound recording during open meetings shall be permitted.

(d) Every agency shall prescribe the time, place, and dates of regular meetings of the agency. Such information shall be available to the general public and a notice containing such information shall be posted and maintained in a conspicuous place available to the public at the regular meeting place of the agency. Meetings shall be held in accordance with a regular schedule, but nothing in this subsection shall preclude an agency from canceling or postponing any regularly scheduled meeting. Whenever any meeting required to be open to the public is to be held at a time or place other than at the time and place prescribed for regular meetings, the agency shall give due notice thereof. “Due notice” shall be the posting of a written notice for at least 24 hours at the place of regular meetings and giving of written or oral notice at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting to the legal organ in which notices of sheriff’s sales are published in the county where regular meetings are held or at the option of the agency to a newspaper having a general circulation in said county at least equal to that of the legal organ; provided, however, that in counties where the legal organ is published less often than four times weekly “due notice” shall be the posting of a written notice for at least 24 hours at the place of regular meetings and, upon written request from any local broadcast or print media outlet whose place of business and physical facilities are located in the county, notice by telephone or facsimile to that requesting media outlet at least 24 hours in advance of the called meeting. When special circumstances occur and are so declared by an agency, that agency may hold a meeting with less than 24 hours’ notice upon giving such notice of the meeting and subjects expected to be considered at the meeting as is reasonable under the circumstances including notice to said county legal organ or a newspaper having a general circulation in the county at least equal to that of the legal organ, in which event the reason for holding the meeting within 24 hours and the nature of the notice shall be recorded in the minutes. Whenever notice is given to a legal organ or other newspaper, that publication shall immediately make the information available upon inquiry to any member of the public. Any oral notice required or permitted by this subsection may be given by telephone. (e)(1) Prior to any meeting, the agency holding such meeting shall make available an agenda of all matters expected to come before the agency at such meeting. The agenda shall be available upon request and shall be posted at the meeting site, as far in advance of the meeting as reasonably possible, but shall not be required to be available more than two weeks prior to the meeting and shall be posted, at a minimum, at some time during the two-week period immediately prior to the meeting. Failure to include on the agenda an item which becomes necessary to address during the course of a meeting shall not preclude considering and acting upon such item.

(2) A summary of the subjects acted on and those members present at a meeting of any agency shall be written and made available to the public for inspection within two business days of the adjournment of a meeting of any agency. The minutes of a meeting of any agency shall be promptly recorded and such records shall be open to public inspection once approved as official by the agency, but in no case later than immediately following the next regular meeting of the agency; provided, however, nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit the earlier release of minutes, whether approved by the agency or not. Said minutes shall, as a minimum, include the names of the members present at the meeting, a description of each motion or other proposal made, and a record of all votes. In the case of a roll-call vote the name of each person voting for or against a proposal shall be recorded and in all other cases it shall be presumed that the action taken was approved by each person in attendance unless the minutes reflect the name of the persons voting against the proposal or abstaining.

(f) An agency with state-wide jurisdiction shall be authorized to conduct meetings by telecommunications conference, provided that any such meeting is conducted in compliance with this chapter.

HISTORY: Code 1981, § 50-14-1, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 235, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1061, §§ 1, 2; Ga. L. 1993, p. 784, § 1; Ga. L. 1999, p. 549, §§ 1, 2.

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-2

GEORGIA CODE Copyright 2008 by The State of Georgia All rights reserved.

* Current through the 2008 Regular Session *

TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 14. OPEN AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-2 (2008)

§ 50-14-2. Certain privileges not repealed

This chapter shall not be construed so as to repeal in any way:

(1) The attorney-client privilege recognized by state law to the extent that a meeting otherwise required to be open to the public under this chapter may be closed in order to consult and meet with legal counsel pertaining to pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the agency or any officer or employee or in which the agency or any officer or employee may be directly involved; provided, however, the meeting may not be closed for advice or consultation on whether to close a meeting; and

(2) Those tax matters which are otherwise made confidential by state law.

HISTORY: Code 1981, § 50-14-2, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 235, § 1.

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-4

GEORGIA CODE Copyright 2008 by The State of Georgia All rights reserved.

* Current through the 2008 Regular Session *

TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 14. OPEN AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-4 (2008)

§ 50-14-4. Procedure when meeting closed

(a) When any meeting of an agency is closed to the public pursuant to any provision of this chapter, the specific reasons for such closure shall be entered upon the official minutes, the meeting shall not be closed to the public except by a majority vote of a quorum present for the meeting, the minutes shall reflect the names of the members present and the names of those voting for closure, and that part of the minutes shall be made available to the public as any other minutes. Where a meeting of an agency is devoted in part to matters within the exceptions provided by law, any portion of the meeting not subject to any such exception, privilege, or confidentiality shall be open to the public, and the minutes of such portions not subject to any such exception shall be taken, recorded, and open to public inspection as provided in subsection (e) of Code Section 50-14-1.

(b) When any meeting of an agency is closed to the public pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, the chairperson or other person presiding over such meeting shall execute and file with the official minutes of the meeting a notarized affidavit stating under oath that the subject matter of the meeting or the closed portion thereof was devoted to matters within the exceptions provided by law and identifying the specific relevant exception.

HISTORY: Code 1981, § 50-14-4, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 235, § 1; Ga. L. 1999, p. 549, § 3.

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-5

GEORGIA CODE Copyright 2008 by The State of Georgia All rights reserved.

* Current through the 2008 Regular Session *

TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 14. OPEN AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-5 (2008)

§ 50-14-5. Jurisdiction to enforce chapter

(a) The superior courts of this state shall have jurisdiction to enforce compliance with the provisions of this chapter, including the power to grant injunctions or other equitable relief. In addition to any action that may be brought by any person, firm, corporation, or other entity, the Attorney General shall have authority to bring enforcement actions, either civil or criminal, in his or her discretion as may be appropriate to enforce compliance with this chapter.

(b) In any action brought to enforce the provisions of this chapter in which the court determines that an agency acted without substantial justification in not complying with this chapter, the court shall, unless it finds that special circumstances exist, assess in favor of the complaining party reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Whether the position of the complaining party was substantially justified shall be determined on the basis of the record as a whole which is made in the proceeding for which fees and other expenses are sought.

(c) Any agency or person who provides access to information in good faith reliance on the requirements of this chapter shall not be liable in any action on account of having provided access to such information.

HISTORY: Code 1981, § 50-14-5, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 235, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1061, § 4; Ga. L. 1998, p. 595, § 1.

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-6

GEORGIA CODE Copyright 2008 by The State of Georgia All rights reserved.

* Current through the 2008 Regular Session *

TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 14. OPEN AND PUBLIC MEETINGS

O.C.G.A. § 50-14-6 (2008)

§ 50-14-6. Violation of chapter; penalty

Any person knowingly and willfully conducting or participating in a meeting in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00.

HISTORY: Code 1981, § 50-14-6, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 235, § 1.

By trellie

September 1, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

Regardless of whether it was legal or illegal, it was too soon and it looks fishy, even if it was not. Don’t let your good be evil spoken of. There are many who differ on the reading or interpretation of the Open Meetings Act.

By Intelligentsia

September 1, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Why are we subjected to the rants from MACE. The ongoing comments about Sid Chapman and GAE is moot. Even if MACE tricked every teacher in Clayton County to join its FOR PROFIT organization, they still would not be able to compete with GAE. GAE is the affiliate of a national PROFESSIONAL organization. They offer teachers more than the ridiculous long letters, and poster board protests as a mean of support.

I will continue to ask this simple question,” why is MACE not at the center of Fulton’s board of Education, DeKalb’s board of education, or Atlanta Public Schools’ board of education?

All of these districts are urban and are dealing with the same issues that Clayton deals with. These districts will not allow Trotter and his cronies to infiltrate and destroy their districts. Clayton needs to take note.

By Intelligentsia

September 1, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Why are we subjected to the rants from MACE. The ongoing comments about Sid Chapman and GAE is moot. Even if MACE tricked every teacher in Clayton County to join its FOR PROFIT organization, they still would not be able to compete with GAE. GAE is the affiliate of a national PROFESSIONAL organization. They offer teachers more than the ridiculous long letters, and poster board protests as a mean of support.

I will continue to ask this simple question,” why is MACE not at the center of Fulton’s board of Education, DeKalb’s board of education, or Atlanta Public Schools’ board of education?

All of these districts are urban and are dealing with the same issues that Clayton deals with. These districts will not allow Trotter and his cronies to infiltrate and destroy their districts. Clayton needs to take note.

By Sammy Ojean

September 1, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

Hi trellie

Regardless of your reading or interpretation of the Open Meeting Act it is State Law and always will be until modified or changed By the State Governor and Legislators.

This State Law is like any other State Law that is on the books. And as for the other part of you post “ Don’t let your good be evil spoken of ” , as I have not evil spoken of no one on this forum as of yet like what I have seen others on here that has in the past.

All I was trying is to help educate some of the posters on this forum so they can make better decisions on what they post to know what they are talking about without you bashing and throwing stones at each other.

By WTF?

September 2, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

Can’t we just do away with the board all together? Thompson, Anderson, King, They all need to go. Why are they screwing up already?

By Attn: Clayton Parents

September 2, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

The information on Sid Chapman is “moot” when he used his inside influence to try to abolish the teacher’s right to discipline? In a system that had 3,000+ documented fights?

And the only thing MACE has been the center of is “the blame game” from the status quo, seeing as not a single MACE member is an administrator (you know, the ones who actually run this “fatally flawed” system)

Funny how we haven’t seen the details of the attendance audit. Is that because one of the main administrators responsible is on the GAE board of directors?

Moot? I don’t think so. Germane is more like it.

By trellie

September 2, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

SAMMY OJEAN:

I was not addressing that comment about don’t let you good be evil spoken of toward you. All is directed toward the board and the “secretive meeting” because it was not posted nor annoucnced on the website.

By trellie

September 2, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

SAMMY OJEAN:

I was not addressing that comment about don’t let you good be evil spoken of toward you. All is directed toward the board and the “secretive meeting” because it was not posted nor annoucnced on the website.