Clayton.Talk

By Rusty

February 2, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

Welfare moms working the system? Say it ain’t so!

By Don't be cruel!

February 2, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

For many poor children, the school meal is the only balanced meal they receive. Some elderly must chose between rent and prescriptions. Many poor families lmust chose between rent and food. Before we start slamming he poor on this Clayton blog, remember the children who are hungry. America is turning into a third world country because of policies that reward corporations who move American jobs overseas. If middle class America is now the working poor, poor America is up the creek. We are blessed that many of our children HAVE the opportunity to eat a square meal. Instead of slamming poor families on the Claton blog, take a moment and imagine if your child was hungry in America in 2009! It is a rality for millions of poor Americans everyday. Why do we jump to conclusions and think that welfare moms are working the system? Many poor moms have lost their jobs, homes and dignity and free school meals takes a little bit of burden off them

By blackpower08

February 2, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

New York Gov. Get’s caught with his pants down and a Black man becomes Governor.

Bush destroys America and a black man is elected to fix America

GOP is dead and elects a black man to fix the party

Georgia will swing Democrat soon

Do we see a pattern here? White greed has shaken the foundation and blacks are now looked upon to fix the problems!

By ClayCo allows itself to get duped once again

February 2, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

For all the people who complain about Thompson and the board, they just used and abused you, and most of you don’t even know it.

You have a gang beatdown at Jonesboro High and reports of four seperate gangs operating in the school. Knowing the truth is about to come out, what does CCPS do? Puts up a wall of silence, allowing only a spokesman to comment.

Few days later, you have dance team girls gone wild. What does the CCPS do? It sees a golden opportunity to make the gangland story go away, and with the help of ClayCo’s gullible citizens that’s exactly what they do.

You didn’t notice while there was a wall of silence for the gangland story, a few days later CCPS makes Thompson available for comment, makes mulitple board members available for comment, and makes not one, but two spokespersons available for comment?

And of course the AJC plays right along, with three stories on the dance team, and none on the gang violence.

And the general public, drunk on its righteous indignation over the dance team, lets CCPS compromise the safety of students and staff at Jonesboro High with nary a peep from the public.

You want to know why CCPS treats you and your concerns with contempt? Because as a whole, you’ve taught them, by your actions on these two stories, that they can get away with it.

When will people wake up?

By Rusty

February 2, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this

DBC,If people wouldn’t have children they can’t afford then 80% of the kids wouldn’t be on free lunches and 65% of the Clayton county population wouldn’t be leaching off the taxpayers in sec 8 housing.Blackpower,come on bro,that crap goes both ways. Does the name Marion Berry mean anything to you? LOL!

By SA

February 2, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

DBC,

First, there’s a difference between poor and “poor”. You’re insinuating that all meet the income requirements. They don’t. The difference is needs vs. wants, priorities vs. luxuries. I know for a fact that parents of children lie on their applications to get free/reduced meals. I know for a fact that parents who don’t qualify send their children to school with the expectation of getting fed. And when the school identifies that child as having an outstanding bill of $5 and refuses to feed the child who’s parents don’t qualify, parents drive from their $250K home in their $25K car to the school and demand their child be fed for free.

I have no problem assisting those in need. But there’s a difference between freeloaders who use their child for their benefit vs. those who really need it.

By Earl of Cabbagetown/Rex Mill/Ft. Lauderdale

February 2, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

Growing up in Cabbagetown was difficult at times, but we did not know that we were poor. Sometimes, though, we only had a biscuit to take for lunch. We certainly could not afford to buy a school lunch very often. I agree with “Don’t be cruel!” in that children need a hot meal at school, even if their parents cannot afford to pay for it. After all, the banks gave out billions (yes, billions) in bonuses with government “bail out” money. Welfare is welfare, even if it is “Corporate Welfare.” The Clayton County School System has the greatest percentage of free and reduced lunch count in the Metro Area, even higher than the Atlanta Public Schools. It is easy to beat up on a county when the county is down. That is what the media have done with Clayco. Clayco has changed in many respects from a county of working stiffs to a county of unemployed. I am sure that the unemployed parents would love to have jobs so that they can take care of their children. The times are tough now, and the times are particular tough for the parents of school children in Clayco. Like “Don’t be cruel!”, let’s all have a heart for the Children of Clayco. They have been through a lot of late — loss of accreditation, the Dance covered on MSNBC, the O’Reilly Factor, CNN, loss of friends to other systems, gang fights in the schools, etc. I hope that the school board will hire someone who is serious about first establishing order in the schools. Sweeping things under the rugs is not establishing order. Two of the four finalists for Superintendent of the Year in Georgia are African American men, Buford Hicks and Sam King. Why not consider these men? I am sure that the other finalists, Beverly Hall of Atlanta, and John D. of Fayette, would not consider leaving their current posts. Why go all over the country to hire a superintendent who will be no better than Hairston, Pulliam, and Thompson, all disasters in their own right? Of course, I started teaching in Clayco under Ed Edmonds. He was a fireball. He was very short and struted around like a rooster. Earnest Stroud was a great superintendent and acted like a bulldog. They were men of their times and did very little for the black children or educators of the county. I remember when Eddie White was the only African American administrator in the county. But, these men had order in the schools. The students did not curse out teacher and/or beat up the teachers. (I hear that a teacher received a beat down from a student recently at North Clayton High School, but the administration in the school system is keeping a lid of this. Can anyone confirm this story? I receives tidbits of info way down here in Ft. Liqourdale from former colleagues, but many of my sources are dying on me or suffering from dementia.) The Mrs. and I still have our house in Rex Mill, but we are currently renting it out to a a family with two children in the school system. Let’s all ask Rev. Bourbon to lead a prayer vigil for the Children of Clayco. Eli still has his crush on “Alerka Andrews” (as he calls Alieka Anderson; I try to correct him but he still calls here “Alerka”). He and Hilda watch the Clayco Board meetings on cable (he gets over 300 channels). He says that the show has gone from an “R” rating to “PG-13.” He says that he really misses the “R” rated meetings. Hilda and Wilma (Abe’s main squeeze) like Michael King — especially when King is cutting up. All agree that Thompson dresses like a pimp and that the lawyer seems like she likes to hear herself speak. Hey, besides our Clayco Gambling Pools here at the condo, snook fishing off the 4th Street bridge, shuffle-boarding, and bridge playing (which the Mrs. made me take up since she caught me sneaking off to Las Olas Boulevard to the beach to check out the babes), we don’t have a whole lot to do down here. I like the babes at the beach better than playing bridge, but I can’t let her know this. So, exciting news from Clayco is always welcomed. Hey, y’all think that Judge Deborah is going to give back to Eldrin his power? I hear that Keith Martin thinks she should, but Bob Keller thinks that the Wade-Cohilas Team should win. Abe and Eli have started the gambling pool on this. Lots of money has been collected so far with Eldrin carrying a 60-40 edge.

By Childless, for now

February 2, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this

I have no kids so don’t know how this goes but why don’t schools require that parents submit pay stubs or tax returns with their applications to make sure that their kids are entitled to receive a free or reduced lunch? I don’t want to see kids go hungry either but as a person with no kids already paying into an unaccredited school system that I wouldn’t use even if I had kids, I don’t want to pay any more money. I don’t have kids for a reason right now because I knew I couldn’t afford.

By Tippy Turtle

February 2, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

Blackpower 08,

You know it’s 09 now, don’t you? Fool.

By Cousin Elvis

February 2, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this

Hey, cousin Earl, I just read you rambings on Clayco. Although I only lived in Clayco for a few months with you and the Mrs. when I was in high school, I too have a heart for Clayco. I am currently conducting a Prosperity Revival here in Boca with Benny Hinn (boy, now this brother can really rake in some money when we lower the lights and he starts singing, “There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place”). Benny and I were talking at lunch yesterday about how Clayco could emerge (like the Phoenix from the ashes) from its doldrums by petioning the Governor and/or legislature to allow Clayco to become the “Las Vegas of Metro Atlanta.” Tara Boulevard could be full of swanky hotels instead of PayDay Check Stations, Pawn Shops, and Buy-Here-Pay-Here car lots. Any new controversy in Clayco (like the date of re-accreditation and the ruling of Judge Deborah on the Commish Power Struggle) could be put on the boards and folk to wager some money. A certain portion of the monies collected could be earmarked for the school children (lunches, trips for the world-renown Mock Trial Team, band uniforms, etc.). Perhaps Eldrin could step down at the Commish Chief and become the Clayco Gambling Czar. A “Gambling for our Children” campaign could be launched. Welcome to Claco, Home of Charitable Gambling. Hey, ole Hines and Co. showed out last night, eh? We could even come up with a logo for shirts and bags. Clayco. Thugs Unlimited.

By On Looker

February 2, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this

why does CLAYTON always have to get in power struggles??? This latest one….who started it? Is is WAde STARR that pushed for this HOSTILE TAKEOVER??? Mr.STARR’s fingferprints ————-and ALEX COHILAS too have there fingerprints are over this HOSTILE TAKEOVER>

By human power 09

February 2, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this

You can blame Bush all you want but the thing that has destroyed America is all of you people living out of their means. Yes I’m talking to all of you that bought homes and cars you cant afford. Plus I would be willing to bet a years salary that 75% of the people getting free food or reduced food prices for their kids are driving either a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus. Quit being so dang self centered and take care of your kids. you know who you are and you all make me want to puke! expecially black power 08…. you are the scum of the earth!

By J8K

February 2, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this

Black Power,

Blacks are looked upon to fix the problems? You forgot one thing. Those that are supported by whites to fill positions must first live, become educated, and prosper in white society. And there you have it - we still have Clayton County as an example of what happens when they don’t.

By Black Power 08 & 09

February 2, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

To HP 09

You are an idiot. Are you refering to the people who earned 89,000 per year, payed their mortgage and then was laid off? Or, are youtalking bout the mortgage industry who pre qualified people for the homes they could not afford? Or are you taking about the corrupt and greedy Ceo’s like Enron, Maldoff, and the other idiots like yourself on wallstreet who jut gave out hundreds of millions of dollars in bonuses with MY tax dollars? If you think te problems of America rest on the shoulders of the poor then you are as bright as Bush and that junkie Rush Limbough

J8K

Do you really think this is a white society? You whites are the minority! A black man leads the GOP as well as the nation. Keep fcusing on the 3% who are thugs and don’t focus on the 87% who own business,graduate from college and produce for society and I’ll guarantee YOU a years salary that we will keep overtaking you in everything! Tennis, Golf, The White House, The GOP! HA HA HA HA HAA!

you idiots bank the future of your party on Palin? She is clueless! She can see Russia from her front porch?

By Mandingo Warrior

February 2, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget Bobby Jindal From LA. He is the future of the GOP and he is Indian. Whites are losing it. A good example is South Africa. When whites lost power, blacks took over and now South Africa is in the G8! The G8 is a group of powerful economies for you dumb rebels. However, I feel for whites because they blame all the woes in Clayton County on low income blacks but in reality, Crandel Bray, Gerald Matthews and Griswell set in motion the demise of Clayco years ago.

By Earl's buddy

February 2, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this

John Trotter - You are a piece of work. Earl?

There are poor people in our county - the federal govt. helps in having free and reduced lunches in our schools as a means to help those that need it and deserve it. Too bad too many have learned to use the system though - I quess this statistic of 77 percent means only 23 percent of rhe parents can afford the Caddys, the Lexus, the Range Rovers, the Hummers, the Jaguars, the Mercedes the new SUVs I see every single day as they bring their precious charges to school each morning. Ther should be a verifiable means test. And if Mom and Dad are driving better cars than the principals - they should not get it.

There is another problem not mentioned in this article. That some schools allow the kids to charge for meals without any rules or making the parents pay. The kids that find this is possible and tell all their friends - next thing you know a school is over $10,000 in the red and the systen over $100,000 in the red due to shiftless parents out to milk the system yet again.

By Rusty

February 2, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this

Blackpower, newsflash bud, whites make up roughly 70% of the population and as far as the college educated,business owning 89k annually earning bak folks go,where are they? Cause they’re sure not living in Clayton county.

By What Now

February 2, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this

Manding0 - elvis - Earl —- John T give it a rest.

You know the G8 is a political group just as is the United Nations - much of the nations are there only as a political cow to the worst the world has to offer. Both are paper tigers with little real power - nor do they the inclination to use what little power they do have. Just a lot of talk and bluster - hey, that sounds just like you, John T.

By Rusty

February 2, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this

Mandingo, if by “set in motion” approving permits to build apartments which could be filled up with sec 8 voucher waiving parasites the I agree with you.Earl,I’m with you bud, but if they start cracking down on people abusing the system then get ready for the Oh So Predictable cries of….altogether now….rrraaacciiisssmmm.

By J8K

February 2, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

Black Power 08,

Yes, you really do live in white society. The education, the money, the property, the power. White, white, white, white. Clayton is only one dark spec of failure within that society - not white. Obama and Steele may have been allowed to lead by the whites but they’ll be removed just as fast as they came in if they can’t do the job. Guess by whom? Da Whites. Think about it. It hurts when your rug is yanked from under ya. hahahaha.

By Back Power 08-09

February 2, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this

Rusty

Add the hispanics, Asians, blacks and others on a national level. Do you really think they only represent 30%? Your lost man!

J8K Education= One of the worst in the industrial world Money= A collasped monetary system that is now socialized by a republican Property= declining values and more lost homes than the depression

If your proud of your white track record then more power to you!

By Black Power 08-09

February 2, 2009 4:28 PM | Link to this

America is comprised of a bunch of colonial land squaters. The white man has raped, pilliaged and destroyed just about everything he hs touched. The world economic balance of power has shifted. It is shifting. The Europeans saw this and thus the need for a European Union. The US saw this thus the need for the NAFTA. However, China is is entering into a union with the upcoming African Union. This agreement will fuel Chinas need for raw materials. Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa already have more scientific and technologhy engineer PHD’s than America. India is closing the gap. Brazil leads America by light years in alternative energy solutions. The problem with America is that white thinking and supremacy has led to her downfall. You can’t keep people down without being down with them. The World Economic Council predicts that by 2060, The African Union will be the worlds 5th largest economy. Right about the time China will demand payment on Americas debt. Checkmate white America

By Gunny's Friend

February 2, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

Gunny, we appreciate your knowlegde (a mile wide and an inch deep) of world economic issues, but it is a trite boring — but, then again, most of your musings are boring. If you do not know many of the real people in Clayco, you have to talk in lofty and esoteric terms. I do, however, respect your doggedness and determination to dominate this board and the Get.Schooled board. Some parents do indeed abuse the free and reduced lunch program, but for the kids who need a meal, I am glad that they get at least one decent meal per day. Hey, I saw BABY, Noggins, and Phatboi the other day. They were asking about you. I told them that you lived on the Clayco Blog. Hey, whatever makes you happy!

By Rusty

February 2, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this

Blackpower,last census taken in 2000 had the white population at 70.2% the latino’s at 14.4% and the blacks at 12.8% and so on. Check the stats lil “checkmate” bro.

By Fly On The Wall

February 2, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this

A wise man, a sane man, an intelligent man, a man with any hint of a clue, might be moved to ask but one simple question here — why have a child when you can’t even afford to buy him or her lunch? And then, why continue to have child after child when you can’t afford even that meager act? The random situation involving unforseen, unfortunate circumstances aside, one can only be left with the assumption that the so-called “parents” of these children are neither wise, nor sane, nor intelligent, nor with benefit of clue. So sad.

By Waste of time

February 2, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this

It looks like trying to bring awareness of the safety issues at Jonesboro High, is just a waste of time. You can’t educate people who don’t want to be educated. What you can do, what Thompson and the board did do, is give people something to be indignant over, like the dance team story. The people congratulate themselves for a job well done when the dance team is disbanded, all the while not even realizing that CCPS is totally manipulating them.

The funny thing is, these same people like to sit there and call Thompson and the board buffoons. But if they are buffoons, what do you call the people the buffoons played like a fiddle with the dance team story?

My guess is, you call them the average citizen in ClayCo.

By Rusty

February 2, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this

Fly on the wall,let me answer that for you.Why? Because they think they’re ENTITLED.

By David Duke

February 2, 2009 6:08 PM | Link to this

Public schools should give the kids a free meal. They sure in hell ain’t getting an education.

By Prognosticator

February 2, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this

You swine will come on the bIog crying about feeding the poor destitute black children of the county. The no-good swine will throw food away before they feed the staving destitute black children. You must realize that if the swine is so nasty it will take away the poor destitute black children accreditation; they don’t give a damn if they eat!!

By DIRE STRAITS

February 2, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this

Clayton County is in dire straits, the county commission is Fatally Flawed and Dysfunctional Oh, where are those four old white men that took the BOE to Sonny’s OASH and Judge Malihi. Please old white men, resurface and get those unethical commissioners removed, before they hurt the children chance of getting accreditation back. Clayton Commissioners are unethical! Take money from Grave Robbing Stephens. The family members have also filed a lawsuit to halt movement of the graves and are seeking a grand jury investigation. Family members have accused the commission of racism and accepting bribes in the case.

By SNAKEHEAD

February 2, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this

The swine would rather suck up all the school district’s resources in No-bid Contracts. That money can be used to feed the poor destitute children of the county. Another way the school district can “Save” to feed the poor destitute children of the county is to furlough all those white non-classroom personnel in the school district’s administration building. You can even furlough that Big Black six foot six inch Bubble Nose, Sunday Suit Dressing Rooster too!!

By Where's Sonny?

February 2, 2009 6:58 PM | Link to this

Sonny is all too willing to involve himself when board members argue and act foolish at a board meeting.

But where is Sonny when gang members assault and act vicious inside an actual school building?

Looking unified? Very important. Safety of staff and students at Jonesboro High? Not so much.

By EVEN IN 2009

February 2, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of Low Lives run on TV and Newspapers the saga of the Lil Black Children quest for a meal. EXPLOITATION is alive and well in Clayton.

By Another assault?

February 2, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this

There are now reports of another assault in CCPS, this time a staff member at North Clayton High. Have the superintendent, the mulitple board members, or the dual spokespersons been made available to comment on this, like they were on the dance team story, or is the wall of silence going up once again, like it did when WSB-TV reported on the gang assault at Jonesboro High?

I wonder how the BOE members with actual classroom experience would feel if a staff member was assaulted at a school they worked in, and their BOE refused to comment on it, or address it?

Of course the AJC need not concern themselves with the safety of staff and students in CCPS when they can send their crack team of reporters in to tell us what color tennis shoes the various dance teams across CCPS will be wearing.

No wonder readership is up. Readership is up, isn’t it? It has to be, with such wonderful investigative reporting.

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

February 3, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this

I know that I am a man of the cloth (and I’m talking about some fine threads from Brooks Brothers at Lenox), but I do have some major earthy considerations on my mind today…like will UGA be able to sign those eight blue chippers who have not yet committed. Tomorrow’s signing day (for most, at least).

Tomorrow, IIM (the International Illuminati of Ministers) will be meeting in a large conference room of the Thomas B. Murphy World Trade Center. IIM is not unlike the Council on Foreigns Relations the Trilateral Commission, except for the fact that IIM has predilectins toward religion of somewhat. The organization is divided within certain divisions: l. The Stately and Dignified (they pay handome dues because of the enormous wealth of their members); 2. The Humble and Unassuming (they pay less in dues because we know that they have little money); 3. The Straight-up Pentecostals and Snakehandlers (they are members on a pro bono basis because the organization needs some real believers within its ranks); and 4. The Charismatics and Prosperity and Feel No Pain Pushers (they are always subject to a surcharge because of their over-taxation of their members). Well, the IIM members will be scattered to the four corners of Atlanta each evening when the Conference breaks. Some members will dine at the Piedmont Driving Club and the Commerce Club. Last year, I was with a group which dined at the 191 Club on Peachtree Street. This year, I organized a group which will dine at three different down-to-earth restaurants to discuss real issues of the common folk. We will first dine at Butch’s Chicken House Restaurant in Jonesboro tonight and will talk about the free and/or reduced lunches in the Clayton County Schools. On the discussion will be the prevalence in gang actities within the Clayton County Schools. Questions like “What do the citizens do when the superintendent ignores the problem?” will be discussed. Tomorrow night, we will eat supper at the Busy Bee Restaurant on West Hunter Street, and we will discuss the seemingly intractable problems of drugs and umemployment on the streets of the inner city. On Thursday night, we will gather at the Big Chicken in Mariett and discuss “Issue that Plague Population Centers Undergoing Racial and Economic Transitions.”

So, my dear parishioners, please bear with me if you do not see me on this wonderful instrument of change and transformation (the AJC Blog, Clatyton.Talk) for I will be busy with the activities of IIM. Before I step back into the conference room, I would like to urge SNAKEHEAD and Gunny to bury their hatchets and to be nice to each other. I will see both of these brothers of the cloth at the conference being organized by Bishop Eddie Long off Rainbow Drive. His registration fees are pretty stiff but my folk at the Hosea Williams Memorial Church of World Peace and Reconciliation Beginning in Clayco are urging me to attend there also. They want their dog (erh, their pastor) to be the biggest dog in town, even bigger than Creflo and Battle.

By Where is the give-em-the-boot crowd?

February 3, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

Either the give-em-the-boot crowd doesn’t read this anymore, or they don’t want to admit, with 5 times as many comments on the boot blog about the dance team story as the gang violence story at Jonesboro High, that CCPS manipulated them, just like they did everyone else, by using the media to play up the dance team story so the gang violence story would go away.

Outsmarted by John Thompson. That can’t feel good for the boot crowd.

By Better start your stretching exercises

February 3, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

Hey Trotter aka Earl aka where is the boot crowd aka Jimmy Jack aka all these racist posts.

60 days and counting.

Better start your stretching exercises because I know its gonna be hard touching your toes and grabbing your ankles at your age.

By Rev Billy Bob Whiskey

February 3, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

What a load of horse hockey. John T - please go take a valium or something. You are only a footnote in Clayton history. Nothing but a legend in your own mind. Peace.

By PHJ

February 3, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

Now, now, DP, Earl…er,JT. Don’t be ugly. The “Boot crowd” is still here. Say, how is the Poet from the grave? We actually miss you.

By truth hurts

February 3, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this

The only way we now have to identify students at need for free/reduced lunch is the forms they file.

If the system is broken, let’s fix it. There are many families who are lying on their forms. We need more investigations to verify the numbers self-reported on these forms. I think less than one in one hundred is investigated.

This would be a great investigative report for the AJC or local TV station.

If the threshold for free-reduced lunches is too low, then let’s raise it. If there are students without lunch money but no form on file, a social worker should immediately be assigned to determine the cause.

School children should not be going hungry. Parents should be doing all they can to feed the children they chose to bring into this world.

We should not be giving free lunches to children without any investigation into why the parent (usually not parentS) are not able to fulfill her responsibility.

How do we hold parents accountable without harming the children?

By Won't be ugly then

February 3, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this

Some booters are here after all. Well, can you see my point? A gang beatdown occurs at Jonesboro High, and Thompson and the BOE throw up a wall of silence.

A couple of days later this dance team foolishnees happens, and suddenly the wall of silence comes down and Thompson, mulitple board members, and not one, but two spokespersons are made available for public comment. The AJC does their part by writing multiple stories on the incident, but ignores the gang beatdown that was on the news.

Why are people letting Thompson and the BOE get away with using the dance team story, to deflect from the much more important story of gangs operating at Jonesboro High?

By SA

February 3, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

Truth Hurts,

It’s easy. The school should keep a record and not release report cards or promote their child to the next grade until their lunch fees are paid. Of course, the parent can also be encouraged to work it off by volunteering hours at the school.

The School district should also do random sample audits of those “qualifying” for free/reduced lunches by using tax return information. If the sample suggests a high incidence for a given school, dive deeper. When found, press charges.

By WTF?

February 3, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this

A whole lot of us are lurking on this blog but nobody cares about your rants and won’t respond. But we all know that won’t stop trotter, dowdell, attn clayton parents and the many aliases used on a daily basis.

Great idea SA! I’d bet what’s left of my pension that if little darlings weren’t promoted to the next grade until the bill is paid, they’d pay up! that’s how it goes in the real world and that would be another good college prep lesson because they sure won’t release much of anything especially that college diploma, if you owe them a dollar.

By The Informer

February 3, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this

If you want to complain about the newspaper reporter for Clayton County Ms. Megan Matteucci ignoring and not writing the newspaper story for the gang beatdown and gang presence at Jonesboro High School, her supervisor is Ms. Nancy Albritton who is the City and Regional Editor for Clayton County and the City Of Atlanta and her direct telephone number is (404 526-7078 and her e-mail is nalbritton@ajc.com.

Ms. Megan Matteucci’s e-mail is mmatteucci@ajc.com so you can write to her e-mail and voice your complaint and concern that no story about the gang fighting and beatdown at Jonesboro High School was done.

To be fair to Ms. Matteucci, she may have wanted to do the story and her superiors above her and her direct supervisor may have overruled her and killed the story or have prevented it from going to press.

To all of the bloggers and posters who have blogged and posted on their strong concern and displeasure that no newspaper story has been done, please contact or write to her direct supervisor Ms. Nancy Albritton and voice your displeasure over this.

Also, the direct executive superior to Ms. Nancy Albritton and all of the city editors and news reporters is Mr. Nunzio M. Lupo who is The Atlanta Journal and Constitution’s News And Information Editor and he can be reached at his direct line (404) 526-5487 or by his e-mail at nlupo@ajc.com.

All of you are now empowered with direct contact numbers and e-mail addresses to make your voices of concerns, displeasure, and complaints known to the higher-ups and executives of The Atlanta Journal And Constitution Newspaper.

It is my hope that all of you who are concerned will put actions behind the word messages that you have put on this blog and make your voice heard and known.

By Let's be real

February 3, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this

Let’s be real WTF.

First of all, lets acknowledge that you are no true advocate for schools, if you have no concern for the safety of students and staff in CCPS.

You won’t respond, because you can’t respond to the very specific issue I raise. And to be clear, I did raise a very specific issue.

Why is it acceptable for CCPS to raise a wall of silence about gang beatdowns, and then when the dance team story comes out, make Thompson, mulitple board members and not one, but two spokespeople available for comment?

It’s not that you won’t answer that, it’s that you can’t answer that very specific point I raise without admitting it is legit, and that seems to make you want to scream WTF!

By Michael

February 3, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this

Has it occurred to anyone that the gang beat down of a student in a Clayton County school may not be news, or even newsworthy. Has anyone considered that gangs and violent acts in Clayton County have become so commonplace that reporting them won’t sell newspapers.

It is a proven marketing fact that sex sells. Ergo, the dance story leads.

By Michael

February 3, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

I can accept the fact that there may be folks in this county who cannot afford to send lunch money to school for their kids. I can also accept the fact that some folks will try to beat the system. I think that anyone who signs up for free or reduced price lunches should have to register with DFACS, or some similar agency, and show some sort of proof that they are deserving before the freebies begin. If it is proven that anyone intentionally submits a false registration for these benefits, they should be prosecuted and face a heavy fine and a possible jail sentence.

Parents who are faced with jail time will suddenly come up with the price of school lunches. It’s cheaper than bail.

By Proven marketing facts

February 3, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this

Ergo the dance story leads. Yes you make a good, if sad, point; but that doesn’t mean the citizens of ClayCo have to follow. But follow they did; Thompson played the shepherd, and the citizens played the sheep and if they gave group Oscars, I’m sure the citizens would win.

If the responses on the blogs about the dance story, and the non responses on the blogs about the gang violence in the schools, are any indication of the priorities of Clayton citizens in general, I think you can say the citizens of Clayton are getting exactly the school system they deserve.

Too bad the staff and students of CCPS aren’t getting the safe schools they deserve.

By human power 09

February 4, 2009 7:29 AM | Link to this

Black Power I didnt realized you are mentally challenged so I will explain this in simple terms hopefully you can understand. If the unemployment rate in Clayton County is 7% and there are 77.5% of the students getting free lunchs that means that 70.5% of the Clayton parents out there are more than likely living out of their means and would rather have a flashy home or car than feed their kids.

I have noticed one thing over the years, most people that carry hate and spew racism like you do are just dissapointed with theirselves and want to blame everybody else for their miserable lives.

so …get a job, take care of your children and quit living outside of your means and maybe one day you will be happy.

By John 3:16

February 4, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this

HP 09

Your assumption is wrong! The federal guidlines for free or reduced meals are clear. A family of four who earns $35,000 per year qualify. If a family who earned $70,000 per year lost one of the bread winners due to layoff, they qualify. It has nothing to do with living outside their means. People’s financial circumstances change. Are those families wanting to keep their flashy homes or trying to hang on the homes the mortgage companies pre-qualified them to buy. Are they living outside their means or trying to cut spending like responsible parents. There are families who earn $40,000 per year who qualify for federal food stamp aid. What are their options? How can you assume they have not already cut cable, eating out, wasted trips or trips to the beauty salon?

By HP

February 4, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this

I did admit there are those few that do qualify but when 77% of the kids are getting assistance something is wrong. You can blame it on unemployment or low income if you want too but other metro Counties unemployment rates are as high or higher than Claytons but less than 30% of their students are getting assistance.

By change

February 4, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this

People should plan their lives under the assumtion that one day their financial situation WILL change. Instead of having the mentality of “I’ll deal with it if it happens”

By velinda

February 4, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this

HP do not give misinformation to justify your position. All across the state and Metro Atlanta a large percentge of students qualify for reduced or free lunch. Check it out.

By Yep, I'd be embarrassed too

February 4, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

Another dance team story! I don’t think in their wildest dreams, Thompson and the BOE thought it could work out this well for them.

Four gangs operating out of Clayton, a news story about to blow up in Thompson’s face about it, and he lead all the sheep-you know them by their other name, citizens-right down the path of righteous indignation and made the gang story disappear.

Not many seem to be willing to acknowledge the obvious. I guess they are too embarrassed to admit the one they call a buffoon, played them like a fiddle.

By Oh please

February 4, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

HP - Has it occured to you that the reason why the figure is so high is because all those who could afford to leave the school system left long ago? Remember, this isn’t the first round of accreditation issues. Clayton County, as a whole, is a much poorer community than it was five years ago. Not to say that the figure is not disturbingly high. As a school council member, I have seen the statistics, but suprisingly 50% of the entire state’s 1,589,389 student population in 2007 were on free or reduced price lunch. Surely, Clayton County isn’t making up the bulk of that figure.

By Oh please

February 4, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

Check the facts. Many counties have a higher percentage of students on free or reduced price lunch than Clayton County.

text to be linked

By Oh please

February 4, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

Oops. I messed it up but the link is good.

By Jborodawg

February 4, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this

Kimberly asked a simple question; and most of the comments have nothing to do with the question.

No, we should not pay to feed those who can afford it. We should also crack down on those that do get free and reduced price breakfast and lunch. (Breakfast at school?! Incredible!)

Kim, you say you tutor some of these kids. Do most of them wear $100plus Nikes? My wife works at Kendrick and sees these expensive shoes on most of the kids. Logic says: most get free meals; most wear expensive shoes; therefore, something stinks in Denmark.

This is by now a pretty old blog. We need one now on the protests over moving the graves from within a private landfill. It’s absurd to call it racist. (On which side of the racist equation does E.Bell fall?) Stephens MDS has paid extensively for archeological work and trying to contact ancestors. “…The cemetery is inaccessible and had not been visited for years before news of the possible move was announced…” Stephens is paying for the moves and the new site will be quite accessible. Why the sudden interest? Why protest now? The ancestors should be thankful.

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

February 4, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this

Miss Kimberly, You will forgive me for not being on the board much today, eh? I had to break away from the International Illuminati of Ministers (IIM) Conference at the Thomas B. Murphy World Trade Center for an emergency. Coach Mark Richt called me and wanted me to get with Coach Rodney Garner. UGA is putting on a fullcourt press (no pun intended) to secure the services of wide receiver Marlon Brown of Memphis. They remember how I helped deliver Hines Ward from Forest Park High to Coach Donnan at the last minute in 1995, and, of course, D. J. Shockley of North Clayton High had been leaning to Florida State, and Coach Richt asked me if I would help deliver him to UGA. I was glad to help but I needed the skilled diplomatic efforts of both Bishop Bobby Newton and Holy Innocent Larry O’Keefe to land D. J. to the Dogs. I hear that Coach Nick Satan has employed Sir Gunny to use his inimical skills of trash-blogging in the Memphis Commercial newspaper, hoping that his anonymous (multi-moniker approach) trashing of Coach Richt in the Memphis paper will have a negative effect on Marlon Brown with respect to UGA. Coach Satan really wants Brown to team up with Julio Jones in the receiver ranks. Well, I happen to have been a fellow student with young Marlon’s pastor in Seminary. The Right Rev. Stevie Studebaker of the Beale Street Dry Rub Barbeque Baptist Church is my true friend, and we have gobbled up many a Gospel Bird together. We have lunch or supper together every time I go to Memphis or Rev. Studebaker travels to Atlanta. (The last time he came to Atlanta, he visited the Larry O’Keefe I’m the Purist Man Alive in Clayton County Museum off of 42 Highway.) Next week, Rev. Studebaker will be visiting the Clayton County School System doing some research on the relationship between the free/reduced lunch count and test scores. He’s reviewing the extensive research conducted by Dr. Carvin Brown at UGA concerning the positive relationship between free/reduced lunch counts and academic achievement as measured by standardized exams. But, I will not wake to see Rev. Studebaker next week. Both Richt and Garner want me to put on my charm offensive to get young Marlon to sign with the Dogs. I’m not sure that I can pull this one off. I think that Coach Satan has the inside track on this one. But, I am going to call Bishop Newton, the Lawrence Eagleberg of Clayco, and Larry O’Keefe, the Dali Lama of Clayco, immediately to see if we can divine a recruiting miracle, with, of course, the help of the good Lord. But, I am thinking that perhaps the good Lord will not take sides in these collegiate recruiting battles, but how can He side with a coach call Nick Satan? I must make haste. I leave this board for the rest of the day in the good hands of Sir Gunny.

By HP

February 4, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this

I am just going by the stats that the AJC provided recently for the metro Atlanta Area and the fact that Clayton County is the ones pushing for more taxes to pay for lunchs which directly affects me. In the last 10yrs in Clayton County the quality of life has gone way down and the cost to live there continues to rise. My house is barely worth the land it sits on right now because I cant sell it. I am already paying a school tax and dont even have any kids in Clayton County schools and yet they look for more ways to milk more money out of us and at some point you too will get fed up.

By Finally

February 4, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

Beale Street Dry Rub Barbeque Baptist Church

Finally, a church I can believe in.

By J8K

February 4, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this

Since 2000, free/reduced lunches, crime, drug use, gang activity have all increased while quality of life, government stability, and SAT scores have decreased… What’s the common denominator? Hmmmm.

By Rusty

February 4, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this

So the Jonesboro step team is being made famous by Tyra Banks. Is ANYONE suprised? Can’t wait to hear all about how “they was disrespected” by er’body. Mabe they can get a record deal and go on tour with the Jena 6.

By Sizz-lah

February 4, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

No suprise here. Those Pink Pony wannabes and their single mothers love to “get low” with the rumpshaker. What do you want to bet THEY receive free/reduced meals?

By A personal thank you from CCPS

February 4, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

CCPS would really like to thank the citizens for blowing the dance team story totally out of proportion.

They say you can never go wrong underestimating the intelligence of the general public, and the citizens of Clayton proved that once again.

We knew the WSB-TV story on gangs at Jonesboro High had the potential to start making the public ask a lot of questions about the safety of students there.

We were hoping if we played up the dance team, it might deflect some attention. But the public exceeded all of our expectations, by showing zero concern for the safety of students to focus on the dance team.

Sure there are reports that yet another teacher was assaulted the other day, but let’s keep the focus on where it truly belongs; the dance team.

By truth hurts

February 4, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the gang activites and assaults on teachers are becoming much too common at CCPS, as well as other school districts. It just is not news anymore.

And to those offended by the JHS dance routine, anyone in the system will tell you that was tame compared to many other rallies in other schools.

By truth hurts

February 4, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the gang activites and assaults on teachers are becoming much too common at CCPS, as well as other school districts. It just is not news anymore.

And to those offended by the JHS dance routine, anyone in the system will tell you that was tame compared to many other rallies in other schools.

By Ok, who's the bad guy?

February 4, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this

So the BOE drops the search firm, then let’s Glen Brock present a case for heading the search after much debate.

Who’s the good guy here and who’s the bad guy?

By Mojo Mist

February 4, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this

The JHS dance, the gangs, the behaviors, and assults on teachers are not the problem. They are all symptoms of a greater disease - justification and tolerance by a school system for poor oversight, lack of committment, inconsistency, and ineffectiveness of ridding itself from the trash that resides within and refusing to become strong enough to keep it outside where it belongs. I hear a lot of talk about wanting to be a top learning institution, Thompson. But I don’t see a whole lot of action behind it.

When CCPS does not accept the ways of Clayton County anymore and starts placing expectations for exceptional standards (academics, learning environment, behaviors, respect, etc.) above minimal standards it currently has for students, teachers, administrators, parents and all persons affiliated with it, things will not change.

By SA

February 4, 2009 3:15 PM | Link to this

They are both good guys. The last board was hopeless and would not listen. Using Brock to find a superintend. is a great move by our BOE. Local, knows the Southeast, etc. There are many candidates right here in Georgia who know the system, know what we’re up against, and are well qualified.

Kudos to our BOE. Nothing agaist the old firm but they’re too far removed.

By I hope so

February 4, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this

I would hope that after the disaster that was Pulliam, and the disaster that is Thompson, the BOE would no longer fall for the hype of a out of state savior and would focus on local talent.

By Bob Hartley

February 4, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this

YOU ARE INVITED

Clayton County now has it’s own user friendly web portal!

Join tody, design your profile and discover friends, neighbors, Business, and blog about current events and more!

www.claytononline.ning.com

Let’s keep it positive!

By Another

February 4, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this

You say the dance team was doing a Rumpshaker routine. Go figure, That was the dance that each High school dance team in the MLK Jr parade in Jonesboro was doing. The boys really liked it too.

By Big News Flash

February 4, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Big News Flash: Several members of the Jonesboro High dance team have been spotted eating at a local McDonald’s after school today.

Megan Matteucci is currently en route to the McDonald’s to give the citizens of Clayton all the details of this vitally important news story.

By catlady

February 4, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this

The good Dr. in the article needs to know: It is not difficult to get free lunch. You just fill out a form and sign it, and within a few days you get a notice that tells you if you qualify. I have only seen a few folks that applied that didn’t qualify. At our school in the past if someone applied and was awarded reduced price lunch, they were also told to find a way to shave a few hundred dollars off their income (like find a week they didn’t work full time) (REEXAMINE THEIR FIGURES) and apply with that info so they could get the meals free. Our school is over 70% free lunch but until this year routinely had the other 30% accruing thousands of dollars of charges because “we don’t want the kids to suffer for the acts of their parents.” The parents knew there were No—NO—repercussions. FINALLY, this year, they began to enforce a rule: if you get over 5 charges, we notify your parents and you get a sandwich and milk until your account is current. Lo! and Behold! after a few times of that sandwich lunch, the kids either brought in money or their parents got off their lazy * and applied for free lunch. Almost no children are EVER having to get a sandwich now! Amazing, huh? You can train the dog!

There seems to virtually NEVEr be any auditing for truthfulness in the applications. And why should they—the fed gov pays more reimbursement per child for free lunch than the kids who pay put in. It would not be in the school’s best interest to find any “errors”.

While a lot of kids really do qualify, there is a lot of cheating also. How can you “not afford lunch” but send your kid to school with $2 a day to buy junk food snacks?

To the blogger who questioned breakfast at school: how is that for the lazy and inprovident? You should see how junky the breakfasts can be, too.

Now we’ve gone to this dumb thing where the kids can choose what they want completely. There is a little less food waste, but literally tons of money wasted in the paper trays each item rests on. More for the landfill, as well as a lot of paper products bought. What a waste!

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

February 4, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this

Whew! We just flew back into the ATL! Our arms are tired. Nah, actually, Earl’s cousin, Evangelist Elvis, came through for us. He loaned me his Lear Jet, and he flew with me to Memphis. Rev. Studebaker came through! He helped me to help UGA land the greatest receiver in the country coming out of high school this year, Marlon Brown! We all three went to Rendavous (sp?) for some dry-rub Ribs to celebrate. Of course, Elvis made us take him out to Graceland to visit his namesake. Elvis’s mom still thinks that the original Elvis hasn’t passed. But, talking about some free lunches, that free lunch at Rendavous was spectacular. We saw B. B. King sitting in the corner with Jerry Butler (of the orignal Impressions, the same group that Dr. Dowell brought to Clayco in October). We went over to the table to talk with these two musical giants, and Jerry quietly and softly sang a stanza of “Only the Strong Survive.” He urged us to take this message back to Clayco: Only the Strong Survive. You should have seen Rev. Studebaker and me dancing a jig when Marlon signed the Letter of Intent with the Dogs! We were barking up a storm, and we put that Jonebuh Dance Squad to shame. We were doing some major booty-shaking on the Beale Street. Heck, King David danced before the Lord when he was so happy as he Israel. When you are happy, you dance! But, hey, that lap dancing Pink-Pony-South style was a little bit inappropriate. But, I agree with Sir Gunny, the gangland violence is even more inappropriate. But, hey, we’ve now got Marlon Brown to team up with that hoss we got out of South Carolina last year. Joe Cox has some receivers to sling it to next year!

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

February 4, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this

Sorry, but some of my words were cut off when I was writing about King David being so happy when he was hauling the Ark of the Covenant back into Israel. Now, let me go read about the rest of the players that my Dogs signed. Hines Ward, D. J. Shockley, and now Marlon Brown. I want to thank Bishop and Dali Lama for helping us. We couldn’t have done it without them. Bob Hartley (our “Brother”) promised the Brown family a parade down the middle of 42 Highway. Wow, these are some exciting times. Perhaps Glenn Brock can make some more money off of Clayco taxpayers by using his Search Firm for the Brown family when they come to watch young Marlon play. He can search for a hotel and bill this to the Clayco taxpayers. But, they better watch out because he’s been known to trash his own client — like when he called for the resignation of the entire school board when the school board was his client. Did anyone report him to the State Bar of Georgia? Hurry, hurry! Mike Glanton can set up a super, unelected panel to remove the entire Clayton County Commission because they are fussing. Long live Wade Statr! Wade pulled a number on Eldrin. I think it’s funny. Eldrin, this ain’t the 4th Ward; this is Clayco.

By NCAA investigation of UGA recruit

February 4, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this

Rumor has it that the NCAA is investigating reports of inappropriate activities surrounding the signing of prep wide receiver Marlon Brown.

The concern is that UGA boosters may have violated the NCAA rules by doing a dance that is now being referred to as the Dry Rub Barbarque.

UGA officials deny the accusations, saying that the term “dry rub” is merely a cooking techinque and that no dancing took place before, during, or after the recruiting process.

In addition, the governor’s office has issued a statement that denying that Brown received a free fishing license from the governor, saying the license was honorary, and of no monetary value.

Mark Elgart, president of SACS, also released a statement affirming that Perdue has not excerted any outside influence, and that UGA is still an accredited university.

By THE BLACK ABYSS

February 4, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this

Swine like – and – keep talking about a new superintendent, all this crap about what Pulluim didn’t do and what Thompson didn’t do. The only thing these two didn’t do was turn themselves WHITE. The writing is on the wall, the rich whites of the county want a GREAT WHITE HOPE SUPERINTENDENT in here.

That’s the only way they’ll stop EPLOITING your Lil Black Children on TV and in the Newspaper. It’s just like Brock and the swine on this blog say, CCPS need a white man in here that you how to do business in the State of Georgia. Business in the State of Georgia, exclude a Black Man.

Now, we Blacks know that’s a KLAN move. We all know these Clayton Swine can’t stand paying a Negro that this of money $200,000-330,000.

By Earl of Cabbagetown/Rex Mill/Ft. Liqourdale

February 4, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this

Hey, Bob, you ain’t got nothing on that site. I thought I might get my daily Clayco fix from your site, but it ain’t nothing on there but your photo and a suggested topic. Now, if I am all the way down here in Ft. Liqourdale with the Mrs. (and she’s officially banning me from blogging and so forth because she caught me checking out the babes at the beach by Bahia Mar), then why would I choose your site when I can get on ole reliable Clayton.Talk and even catch a lot of Sir Gunny’s insights? I don’t understand. I’ve got to call Alieka Anderson and ask her which site she is on. I hear that she is on ILoveJohnThompson.Com. We already have that Boot group, but, like Sir Gunny, I haven’t seen them lately.

By Educator Chemistry

February 4, 2009 6:59 PM | Link to this

The swine would rather suck up all the school district’s resources in “No-bid” contract. That money can be used to feed the poor destitute children of the county.

One way the school district can “Save Money” to feed the poor destitute children of the county is to furlough all those white non-classroom personnel, Top heavy swine in the school district’s administration building.

They are bunch of DEAD WEIGHT, with all these crackerjack box certifications, but produce no results. That’s why Georgia and Clayton are last in education. Get rid of that weight and we can feed the destitute for years

By THE ABYSS

February 4, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this

Swine like (SA and I hope so) keep talking about a new superintendent, all this crap about what Pulluim didn’t do and what Thompson didn’t do. The only thing these two didn’t do was turn themselves WHITE. The writing is on the wall, the rich whites of the county want a GREAT WHITE HOPE SUPERINTENDENT in here.

That’s the only way they’ll stop EPLOITING your Lil Black Children on TV and in the Newspaper. It’s just like Brock and the swine on this blog say, CCPS need a white man in here that you how to do business in the State of Georgia. Business in the State of Georgia, exclude a Black Man. Now, we Blacks know that’s a KLAN move. We all know these Clayton Swine can’t stand paying a Negro that this of money $200,000-330,000.

By More denials

February 4, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

The AJC reports that Governor Sonny Perdue, and Mark Elgart, president of SACS, have both issued denials that they engaged in a ritual mating dance after the governor removed members of the Clayton BOE in 2008.

Both men also deny ever using the term “dry rub” during their discussions of the system’s accreditation status.

By Bob Hartley

February 4, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this

Clayton Online is not a blog but a social site. Get on, establish your profile, and then creat your own blog. it’s very easy Rev. Anyhow, I’m so proud of Ms. Anderson, She has shown great leadership with the search for a new super, hiring a new search firm etc. I’m confident you won’t find her on iluvthompson.com. Say hello to the lady and enjoy that Florida sun.

By Bob Hartley

February 4, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this

Clayton Online is not a blog but a social site. Get on, establish your profile, and then creat your own blog. it’s very easy Rev. Anyhow, I’m so proud of Ms. Anderson, She has shown great leadership with the search for a new super, hiring a new search firm etc. I’m confident you won’t find her on iluvthompson.com. Say hello to the lady and enjoy that Florida sun.

By Oh please

February 5, 2009 7:46 AM | Link to this

Catlady makes a good point that hadn’t already occured to me. The free/reduced price lunch program is paid for with federal funding, not state or local tax. Also, schools with higher percentages of students on free/reduced price lunches get more Title I funds. It seems there is a lot of ranting, raving, and unfair finger wagging on this blog.

By WTF?

February 5, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this

according to that AJC article linked above, Clayton is somehow paying for these meals even if they are supposed to be federally funded. Maybe because we lost so many students due to the accreditation issue we lost some of the federal funding? the article says the school district could be paying up to $200k for those kids who aren’t paying for free/reduced lunches if the parents don’t pay up. Maybe these are kids who shouldn’t be receiving those freebies anyway not the ones covered by federal funding.

as for “ranting, raving, and unfair finger wagging on this blog.”, when doesn’t that happen LOL!

By America First!

February 5, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this

Kids need to eat. heaven forbid if they can’t eat at home, then let them eat at school. Clayton County taxes are not being used anyhow. This money comes from federal aid. And anyhow, the more free food, the more money the school distric receives. if you have a problem feeding poor Americans with your taxes then call your representativ in congress and ask them to stop feeding hungry Iraqis. I served3 years in Iraq and can tell you we are spending millions feeding those igrates!

By Prognosticator

February 5, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this

From Sonny to Elgart to Brock and the Clayton Rich Whites you guys are not Clandestine. All the Blacks in the metro area see what you are doing and what you have done. First the Multimedia Blitz on Clayton’s Black Politicians, starting with the old school board.

All of us blacks noticed how you swine conveniently * Took the Black Children Accreditation in Clayton on the same day, of Barrack Obama’s DNC nomination and MLK’s I Have A Dream Speech. You did that when the whole nation of blacks wasn’t looking. They were celebrating those fates of Barrack Obama’s DNC nomination and MLK. Now, you are *Exploiting you guys are still the Lil Black kids in Clayton.

The Free Meals, the Dance Team. However the Dance Team got away from you. They got NATIONAL ATTENTION. Attention you don’t want; because you know that this whole accreditation deal is a KLAN MOVE anyway, about white and money. So now you STOPPED the TYRA Show!!

Because you don’t want the whole world to know you swine down here in Georgia have taken 50,000 black kids accreditation and are exploiting them. We blacks see you maneuvering!!!!

By Betty

February 5, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this

I hear you poster Prognosticator! I want them to continue to exploit them, because I have written Michelle Obama about the situation of accreditation loss; since she seems to want to champion a cause and she care about military families. I’m a military spouse and have children in CCPS. My husband is in Iraq. I see she was at the US Department of Education a few days ago. Hopefully she’ll respond to me

By Rusty

February 5, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this

I’m sure the fact that Clayton has devolved itself into a third world country has nothing to do with it’s present problems involving EVERYTHING! It’s all the Klan’s fault.Yes,the Klan is funding the gangs,the sec-8 parasites and the Jonesboro booty dancin’. Hilarious.

By kkkenny

February 5, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this

Prognosticator

That’s actually the funniest thing I have read today, please post everyday because I always can use a good laugh. Hahahahahahahahah!

good stuff

By Looking Glass

February 5, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

Rusty, you’re Blind! You didn’t see the white man export all the jobs overseas for cheap labor. You didn’t see the white man open the southern US borders to allow the New Negro (the brown man) in America to work for the rich white man for less than the Blacks. Most of the time the white man will pay them under the table, unreported taxes That way the rich white man got richer. Yep, you’re Blind and broke also. If you wasn’t broke, you wouldn’t be the this blog talked.

By Rusty

February 5, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

Kkkenny, since your obviously with the Klan, would you please ask your associates to stop exploiting the children so they can go on Tyra and get they accretation back? Btw ya’ll, “The Messiah” lost big in Georgia so I wouldn’t be looking for a whole lotta help from “The One”.

By Looking Glass

February 5, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this

Rusty all I’m looking for is the Georgia/Clayton KLAN Swine to be exposed for what he is RACIST. Exposed for the whole world to see!!.

By Rusty

February 5, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this

@ Looking glass “If you wasn’t broke, you wouldn’t be the this blog talked.” Dude,what language are you speaking? Mabe you lost your job becaue you’re illiterate.

By C'mon

February 5, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

With the majority of the county’s population being African-American, do you really think the Klan stuck around to watch it go down the toilet? If you’re looking for Klan activity, you need to go the Paulding County blog.

By Change In Clayton

February 5, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this

Hey, Earl,

Tell the story of the conversation you heard between your cousin Elvis and the Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon. The one where The Rev. Bourbon had asked MLK to join him at the diner counter to share some pecan pie (MLK’s favorite). You know, where MLK was worried because not only did he have a dream, he also had a nightmare he hadn’t shared with anyone. That one day, blacks would run amuck in Clayton County believing in preference and exclusion, not equality and inclusion as he had preached. And that feelings of entitlement would dominate the County leading to it’s destruction in just a short time. Tell that story. Nostradamus has nothing on MLK.

By AJC coverup

February 5, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

So determined the AJC is to coverup the gang violence story at Jonesboro High, that they won’t even allow it to be mentioned in the Vent.

A story that ran on WSB-TV, where criminal charges have been brought, including violations of the Georgia Gang Violence act, and not only won’t the the Clayton reporters touch it, the Vent won’t even touch it?

Never again should the AJC be allowed to call itself a watchdog of the public interest.

By Bob Hartley

February 5, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

**Sound Off!

Join Clayton County Online

www.claytononline.ning.com**

By KKKenny

February 5, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

Ok crusty i’ll get right on that for you…

oh sorry Tyrant called back and said after she saw how bad the dance team sucked she did not want the ratings of her show to go down. Instead she is doing a special on the new KKK.

By Nospin

February 5, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t mind if all kids were given a free lunch at school. Its hard to learn when you are hungry. Been there,done it, when I was a kid. Dirt poor.

By Mano

February 5, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this

Well - now that that horse is beaten to death - 10 times over - and has deteriorated so - how bout a new wrinkle. Or maybe not.

Did anyone notice how Lee Scott distanced himself - he is letting Lil Vic hang out to dry. When it became apparent little man could no longer be of any use to him. Lil Vic - you should watch how you choose your friends or better yet your mentors and benefactors. For all the benefits Lil Vic was to Mr Big and his organization, he got —— on. You lay in the proverbial bed with the likes of Lee and become even more dirty than you began. Vic should of never gave Lee a Deputy badge and a gun. Good luck Lil Vic.

By Rev. Stevie Studebaker

February 5, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this

Wow, I’m tired. I just returned from settling the dispute between Lane Kiffin of UT and Urban Meyer of UF. This recruiting thing is wearing me out. Richt had us picketing the school in DeKalb where Stephen Hill attends. UGA tied to steal him away from Tech but UGA came in too late, and Hill stuck with Tech. I can’t solve all of these matters. I called Wade Starr and asked if we could use Alex Cohilas to work on these matters. Heck, I live in Memphis, and I am needed each Sunday at the Beale Street Dry Rub Barbeque Baptist Church. Now, John Thompson wants me to call Tyra and ask her if she would re-consider having the “Sluts of Jonesboro” (as they are slanderously called on U Tube) on her show. If she refuses to re-consider, I will call Oprah. If she turns a deaf ear, we will just have a show in the parking lot of Butch’s Chicken House Restaurant and see if Rod Johnson will emcee the event. I hear that he is meeting regularly with Mark Elgart, planning further destruction of the Clayton County Schools. My friend, Rev. Bourbon, did indeed help Dr. King write his “I Have a Dream” speech at the lunch counter of the old Paschal’s on West Hunter Street.

By More AJC coverage!

February 5, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this

Word is, the AJC in its continuing commitment to serve the best interests of Clayton, will finally address the story that has been swept under the rug. The dance team crisis!

Jonesboro High administrators are to meet with parents of the dance team on Monday; look for the AJC to be there to provide all the details of this vitally important story.

Yes, this is the same school that WSB-TV reported a recent gang attack and the presence of at least four gangs operating out of the school.

However, give credit to CCPS for working diligently with the AJC to make sure no students and staff will have access to the AJC reporter, as both CCPS and the AJC agree that it is in the best interests of Clayton that the citizens not be informed of the compromises to student and staff safety.

When it comes to the gang violence story, CCPS has proven it can work effectively with an outside influence, the AJC, to keep the story under wraps, and they have proven they can be unified, as evidenced by the wall of silence put forth by Thompson and the BOE.

Working effectively with outside influences; working in unison to keep up a wall of silence. Elgart will be so proud to see the county making such progress.

Isn’t it ironic that the Thompson, who is frequently referred to as a buffoon by his critics, has those very same critics acting like trained seals for him by showing so much outrage over the dance team the gang violence story went away; which is exactly what CCPS wanted to happen.

Don’t worry trained seals, word is you’ll get another feeding of the dance team story come Monday.

By Rod Johnson is a community asset

February 5, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

There’s talk that many would like to see Rod Johnson return to a more active role with CCPS.

Taking into account his impeccable record in hiring recommedations, perhaps Johnson will offer those skills and conduct a search for a bodyguard for the dance team girls.

His record was impeccable in that regard wasn’t it?

By Laughing

February 5, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this

Gone forever from Clayton politics thank god: Rod Johnson Nedra Ware Connie Kitchens Victor Hill Lee Scott Jewel Scott The last school board Charlie Griswell Crandle Bray ??????

By WTF?

February 5, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this

Isn’t Rod Johnson the one who stayed on the board for months, drew a paycheck, and quit when it was time for him to face the judge about the school board’s misdeeds? HECK NO he should NEVER EVER hold another elected office in this county! It’s bad enough his wife still holds an office here!

At least the final four were woman enough to take their punishment from the judge, Rod Johnson bailed as soon as the going got tough - HECK NO we don’t need someone like that in CCPS on ANY LEVEL!!! NO NO NO!!! don’t even JOKE LIKE THAT!!!

By Broke Mirror

February 5, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

Clayton County is in dire straits, the county commission is Fatally Flawed and Dysfunctional Oh, where are those four old white men that took the BOE to Sonny’s OASH and Judge Malihi. Please old white men, resurface and get those unethical commissioners removed, before they hurt the children chance of getting accreditation back.

Clayton Commissioners are unethical! Take money from Grave Robbing Stephens. The family members have also filed a lawsuit to halt movement of the graves and are seeking a grand jury investigation. Family members have accused the commission of racism and accepting bribes in the case.

By A question

February 6, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this

Haven’t seen the video, so maybe the dancers were as inappropriate as most people say they were. But I’m wondering, how many of those same people who said the dancers were lewd, and filthly and worse have seen the video at least a dozen times?

By sudo

February 6, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

The Video is like a train wreck, you do not want to look but you can not help it and after you do the images will haunt you for a long long time.

By What now

February 6, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

Yeah - and I guess your friend Rev Bourbon - aka Trotter - was also at the Last Supper with the 12 Disciples. John was in elementary school in 1964. Fantasy and the people around this guy - we know now where the drug cartel in Clayton is centered. Quit using and clean up your life.

By Oh please

February 6, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this

I watched the video. Personally, I don’t think their costumes or the dance moves were inappropriate. The only thing that lacked in taste was that they were dancing around boys sitting in chairs. It looked like a toned-down, Sesame-Street version of a lap dance.

By AJC still engaged in a coverup

February 6, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this

There have probably been at least 30 vents on the dance team. Yet still the AJC won’t print a single vent about the gang violence at Jonesboro High, even though they know it’s a legitimate news story as reported by WSB-TV?

Is there any doubt that the AJC is trying to make the news, instead of legitimately reporting the news, when they will censor even the vent?

Maybe if people saw the AJC as a trusted news source, they wouldn’t be losing a million dollars a week.

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

February 6, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this

Free lunches (and their correlation with test scores), bruised egos (Edlrin’s, Wade’s, Alex’s), football recruits (especially the win with Marlon Brown and the loss with Stephen Hill), etc. Wow, this has been a busy week for Rev. Stevie Studebaker (and cousin Elvis) and me this week. I was worn out even last night when Rev. Joseph Lowery and Julian Bond called both Stevie and me to see if we could muster up enough energy to take on one more rather onerous undertaking. Rev. Joe had Stevie and me on a three-way conversation. He said our next mission was to bring about some rapproachment (sp?) between Etta James and Beyonce. At last, we had made it big time among the musical elite. I think that Julian remembered that I was called upon thirty-some years ago (as an upstart Al Sharpton-type) to try to bring reconciliation between Tammy Wynette and George Jones. Needless to say, I was not successful. “He stopped loving her today…” Perhaps the best Country song of all times. I was not successful in this reconciliation attempt. Tammy had been talking to Sir Gunny for a few weeks, and he had confused her. George went on to have a great career, and he’s still singing away today. “At last…” I love that song, but I think Etta was a little ugly toward Beyonce. Jealousy and envy are powerful emotions. Hey, Etta had her day; now, she needs to show some respect and love for Beyonce. Now, Beyonce can do dat Jonebuh Dance!

By Funny about those free lunches

February 6, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

For all the talk about how teachers need more qualifications, more training, more dedication, more accountability and what have you, you can’t point to a single school system in the country that has 75% and above of their students getting free lunch that does better than a school system where 75% of the students are not on free lunch.

That’s not a knock on any single individual, because there a plenty of students and families who do the right thing despite modest circumstances, but if we are going to look at the big picture, maybe we need to start supporting teachers in dealing with society’s issues instead of blaming them for society’s issues.

By Mojo Mist

February 6, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this

Teachers are not to blame. They are only a tool. One spoke in the wheel of education. The fault lies with parents and students who use their freedom of choice and fail to take advantage of it. The fault also lies upon administrators who do not support a safe, productive learning environment for those that do wish to do so.

Teachers often get caught in the middle.

By Sick of you all

February 6, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

What everybody seems to forget is there is no such thing as a “free Lunch” It is paid for one way or another. I have no heartburn with paying for “free” lunches for those who truly can not afford to pay.But those who abuse the system just make my blood boil. There were times when I was not sure where our next meal was coming from. But my choice was my kids needs cam first. Not the big fancy house or car. They were just as protected against the elements in a more modest home that I could afford or a beater that was able to get me back and forth to where I needed to go. I was raised to not depend upon somebody else to take care of my responsibilities but to work two or three jobs if that is what it took to keep a roof over my kids heads and food in their belly’s. That is not to say I would not have taken some help if there was no other choice. But I knew when you take those “FREE” handouts from the Government it gives them the right to dictate how you live your life. That is the true cost of “free”. It removes some of your freedom a little at a time until you have none left. So you see thoe “FREE LUNCHES” are not really free.

By WTF?

February 6, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this

Did anyone notice the banner on the clayton blog by the NAACP? Motivation, innovation, execution?

What has the Clayco NAACP done to claim such a thing?

They are a joke!

By brock

February 6, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this

Other than who they stand for what is the difference in the NAACP and the NEW KKK?

By Elder Willie Goe

February 6, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

I have three sisters who are all teachers in the Clayton County School System. They tell me constantly (especially over Sunday lunches) that the school system in Clayton has gone from bad to worse each time there is a superintendent change. All three sisters tell me that the last change was the absolute worse. They say that John Thompson may be big and tall and so forth, but that his staff that he brought with him is a joke. Discipline no longer exists in the classrooms of Clayton County. There is no backing for the teachers. They think that Thompson is trying to fool the school board members (especially that Alieka Anderson) into to believing that everything is running smoothly in Clayton. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to my sisters who are very dedicated teachers. Alieka Anderson is a school teacher, and she should know better. My sisters (each about two years apart) began teaching in the early 1980s. All three worked in the campaign of Dr. Joe Lovin in 1986. (I used to watch these superintendent races from the sidelines because they were very feisty and sometimes nasty races. My church, the First Church of Prayer and Healing in Conley, was and is my main calling.) I wish someone would wake up and see that John Thompson is not the man for our children. We need some order in our schools.

By Ms. Writer

February 6, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

Can we move Clayton County further down towards Florida?

By Praise John Thompson

February 6, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this

When you have someone with the track record and reputation like John Thompson running Clayton schools, you look pretty darn foolish trying to claim there are behavior problems.

First of all, kids respond to role models, and with his commanding presence, they pratically revere him. Just talk to the kids who have dropped out of the gangs because of his presence and you’ll see for yourself.

He pretty much won the kids over when he shredded those diplomas. The kids thought that while other adults were playing games with their accreditation, Thompson had their back and was going to make sure they got a real diploma, not a bootleg one without his signature.

Sure, some kids aren’t happy now that he’s cracking down on dance routines, but they respect him. It shows that when there is a problem, Thompson stamps it out immediately.

That’s why those complaining about behavior problems are a joke. Look at Thompson’s track record. If there was really a behavior problem, he’d stamp it out immediately, like he did the diploma problem.

But really, all you have to do is go to the schools to see Thompson is no joke when it comes to student success. Those who support what he’s done say you can’t even tell if you’re in an exclusive private school or public school when you go to a Clayton school, that’s how much the behavior has changed. And that’s a testiment to Thompson’s leadership.

Yes, Clayton schools are behind academically compared to the best private schools, but that’s only because Thompson hasn’t had the time to implement his proven track record of reform.

People need to understand that there will be an insane bidding war for Thompson, given what he has accomplished in a few short months here.

Is the BOE willing to take the bold steps that need to be taken, and offer him a package that will make him the nation’s first million dollar a year superintendent if he’ll commit to ten years?

Can you imagine the prestige that would come to Clayton if we had the nation’s first million dollar a year superintendent? Can you imagine the businesses across the nation that would immediately consider Clayton a prime base of operations if they knew Thompson was locked into Clayton for ten years?

Wouldn’t that million dollar a year salary more than pay itself off with that kind of tax base?

When you consider the respect he has in both the African-American and educational communities, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Secretary of Education himself, would be willing to take a call if Thompson needs something done for the children.

Is the board bold enough to offer Thompson a ten year contract? Are they bold enough to offer a dollar amount that will signal to the world that Clayton has finally arrived as the world class school system that Thompson envisions?

Imagine if they did that, and ten years from now the only controversy with the school system were people asking how Clayton got away with underpaying Thompson?

By Just Wondering...

February 6, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this

I was just wondering why the Clayton Board of Education is allowing this new superintendent, John Thompson, and his traveling band of thugs from Pittsburgh (where Thompson was fired prior to being run off from Tulsa) to run roughshod over the rights of the teachers in Clayton County…wasn’t this what brought down Pulliam — an arrogant and incompetent staff which ignored the Georgia laws. Who are the ones in Human Resources whom John Thompson has allowed to turn a deaf ear to the laws of Georgia? It was the BEGINNING of the end of the Pulliam reign when her administration tried to ignore grievances filed under Georgia law against administrators. OCGA 20-2-989.5 et seq. governs the way teacher grievances should be treated in Georgia, not some thuggish out-of-town administrator at the Central Office on 5th Avenue in Jonesboro. They all make the same mistake, to their own administration’s peril. You would think that Alieka Anderson, a teacher in her own right, would make sure that her boy, John Thompson and his cohorts, would not be allowed to be so abusive toward teachers. But, JohnBoy and his little thugs from Pittsburgh, evidently think that Southerners are stupid. Well, time will tell how studpid we are. Yes, time will tell. Alieka Anderson can put on her tatooed-breast charm offensive all she wants (I understand that John Thompson with his pimp-styled clothes has really charmed Alieka), but the people just do not like Thompson and his $400,000.00 contract (including all of the outrageous perks). If Alieka Anderson pushes to give a another contract to John (The Joke) Thompson, then we will make sure that every voter in her district knows about this in graphic details. The voters have a right to know. If Glenn Brock makes another penny off of the taxpayers in Clayton County, again, we will let the voters know. John and Alieka sitting in a tree…oh, do we have a lovefest on this Clayton County School Board? Who else besides Alieka is smitten by Thompson…Garrett? Smith? Bibins?

By Oh please

February 6, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this

Praise John Thompson - Did you hit your head when you fell off the turnip truck?

By Oh please

February 6, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this

It’s funny that you say such things about Aleika Anderson. I’ve heard the opposite. I heard she doesn’t care very much for Thompson at all.

By Wham

February 6, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this

Just wondering - another JT involvement - just getting in another blog entry.

By Just Wondering...

February 6, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this

Nah, I hear that Alieka Anderson, just like most school board members (especially the young ones), has been smitten by JohnBoy…Big, Bad Johnson…the Million Dollar Superintendent. Remember LaToya Walker? She was smitten by Pulliam and apparently thought Pulliam and Gang would have her back in the 2006 election. They tried, but LaToya was shockingly whipped by a 30 year old, Michelle Strong. Alieka’s career will hinge upon her John Thompson decision. Remember Davis Gambrell two-year U. S. Senate career? Young Sam Nunn snatched that Senate seat from him, despite Gambrell’s support from Jimmy Carter.

By Praise John Thompson

February 6, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this

People are using the dance team story to smear Johnson when they should be praising him. Didn’t he put a stop to it?

And what about the Mock Trial team at the very same school? This is the kind of success that can happen when a John Thompson puts his personal stamp on a school system. Why isn’t anyone talking about that?

By Praise John Thompson

February 6, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this

People are using the dance team story to smear John Thompson when they should be praising him. Didn’t he put a stop to it?

And what about the Mock Trial team at the very same school? This is the kind of success that can happen when a John Thompson puts his personal stamp on a school system. Why isn’t anyone talking about that?

By Just Wondering...

February 6, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this

I should’ve read what I wrote before posting. David (not Davis) Gambrell. Also, I did not mean to imply that most of the Clayton County board members were enamored by John Thompson. But, in general, most school board members are easily co-opted. In fact, in Graduate School, courses in administration teach prospective superintendents how easily it can be done. Trips, trips, trips, contracts to relatives, etc. They love to go on trips to places like San Francisco at the local taxpayers expense. Look how co-opted the Alanta and Fulton board members are. Actually, this is prominent all over the States. In Georgia, Mark Elgart will crack his whip like a Simon Legree-type foreman to whip school board members in line. John Thompson’s biggest problem (besides having an incompetent and heartless administration in place) is that Sonny’s two liaisons (Bryant and Bostic of the State Board) warned Clayton board members about hiring Thompson, and the old board still hired him. Now, the new chairperson, Alieka Anderson, appears to be so smitten by Thompson. Thompson will indeed, Brother Wham, be an albatross around Alieka’s neck in her first hard-fought campaign.

By Praise John Thompson

February 6, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this

I better point this out before someone else does. The Mock Team did win championships before Thompson came here.

Still that doesn’t dimish all he’s done. I think the reason you aren’t seening teacher complaints is that they aren’t complaining. He has won them over. You really can’t hear the man speak without being inspired.

He proved he’ll stand up for what’s right with the diplomas. He had to know he’d take heat for it, but that shows you his integrity. He knew that with all that was going on, he had to be the one person who had the children’s back, and made sure that they got a valid diploma that was recognized. What if some child hadn’t gotten into college because the wrong signature was on the diploma?

That didn’t happen and we have John Thompson, and his foresight, integrity, and courage to thank.

Why is the board caving in when almost all the teachers and all the people of Clayton want him here for years to come?

By throwing up

February 6, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this

Yeah! This is something to be proud of parents! Your daughters acting like w*******. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngKre1BrjUY

By I'm mad and sad

February 6, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this

As someone who has lived most of his life in Clayton County, I am mad and sad at the state of affairs in the school system which affects the whole county. Where in the world did those characters on the board find this John Thompson and why did they hire him…and furthermore, why is the chairwoman trying to keep him?

By Citizens we need your help

February 6, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this

We are really hopeful that an AJC reporter will come to Jonesboro High on Monday to report on the meeting between administration and the parents of dance team members.

First of all, don’t worry. If the reporter comes, they will be shadowed by an administrator at all times, and will not have any access to teachers or students who will want to address the gang violence and the threats to their safety.

Still, if we our lucky enough to have a reporter do another story on the dance team, please flood the blogs like you have been doing and talk about how horrible the behavior of those dancers was.

Your blogging on the dance story have really allowed us to put the gang violence story out of the public eye, just at the point that we thought the story was going to blow up, and that Clayton County officials wouldn’t be able to control the damage if that story became well known.

Please, we ask that you keep up the outrage on the dancers, as it has really been helpful.

It is very important that we protect the image of the schools, regardless of the reality, and we thank the citizens for doing their part these last several days.

By I am mad and sad...

February 6, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this

As someone who has lived in Clayton County most of his life, I am mad and sad that our county ended up with someone like John Thompson. Is Alieka Anderson, the chairwoman, nuts???

By Sick of you all

February 6, 2009 5:46 PM | Link to this

So why is the topic about free lunches in school turning into the John Thompson is God blog? The only one that thinks Thompson is so great is John Thompson. Except maybe his wife and That could be up to debate. What has Thompson done about the Gang Violence in our schools? And the only reason he did anything about the dance team is that somebody went to the media. Until then he sat back on his overpaid rear end and did NOTHING The only reason he called to find out if the old BOE still wanted him was the SMART BOE in Alabama decided he was NOT the person they wanted to be in charge of their schools. I guess THEY did their homework and checked out his record. So If john Thompson would stop wasting the taxpayers money by posting on Kimberly Allen instead f actually doing what we pay him for. Maybe we should turn him in for fraud, waste and abuse.

By AMEN to Sick of you all

February 6, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this

AMEN to “Sick of you all.”

By Praise John Thompson

February 6, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this

The facts don’t support those who want to blast Thompson. Fact. The diplomas last year had the wrong signature which could have invalidated the diplomas and costs thousands of students their rights to a legitimate high school diploma.

Fact. John Thompson acted alone in making sure the diplomas had the right name on them. Fact. John Thompson made sure that no student would be rejected by a college for having a diploma with the wrong signature on it. Fact. John Thompson gets full credit for the diplomas.

And what do these facts prove? Fact. There are no gang violence problems in Clayton schools, because if there were, the facts show that Thompson would have already handled it.

Fact. John Thompson is a giant in the educational field, with a national reputation of success. Fact. Clayton County in lucky to have someone of this stature.

By KAMIKAZE

February 6, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this

Elder Willie Goe, you and your sister are stupid, dumb and incompetent. You say there’s no discipline in the schools, yet you have taught here since 1986. Have your three stupid, dumb and incompetent sisters ever tried to institute a discipline plan over those 20+ years? Probably not!

We all know discipline has been a problem in Clayton’s schools for a long time, far longer than Thompson stupid butt has been there. The problem won’t get any better until you, your three sister and your entire congregation go door to door throughout the entire county personally and ask all the over 190,000 parents to start disciplining these children as they grow up prior to school and beyond. You must inform them that the schools are a place for learning, not Babysitting and initiating Discipline.

You know the SYSTEM won’t let the schools discipline children ANYWAYS (Spare the Rod Spoil the Child) is the logo of today. There are PLENTY more RULES that school must abide by these days and you know them. Now you yourself know that the FIRST Superintendent that come in here and do the RIGHT THING and EXPEL/WEED OUT FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR, the worst, most awful, most horrible, most terrible, nastiest 1000 kids to send a message to all the undisciplined parents to start doing their jobs. Well that Superintendent will last until the end of the business of the 1000 EXPULSIONS, if that long.

By G. Gordon Liddy

February 6, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this

Yes, you are so right. He had been superintendent for about a month and was willing to destroy the thousands of beautiful diplomas because Dr. Duncan’s name was on them, not his. He is Braveheart Incarnated. I shake in humility when I am in his (note that I refrain from even saying his name) presence, even if I sit on the back row (near the Clayton Dali Lama, Larry O’Keefe) in the school board meeting room. I so much want to ask for his autograph, this Giant Among Giants. I even want the pygmie’s autograph too. G. Gordon Liddy.

By Bemused...

February 6, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this

I am somewhat bemused at KAMIKAZE’s almost incomprehensible English. What is so sad is that he/she is probably one of John Thompson’s henchmen or henchwomen working at the Central Office who wrote this pathetic entry. Is an elementary understanding of grammar and syntax not required for central office henchmen and/or henchladies? This is embarrassing. I am ashamed to admit that I live in Clayton County. I am glad that my vehicle has a tag about Special Olympics so that people cannot laugh at me for hailing from Clayton County. Miss Kimberly, May I suggest a topic for next week? How about “Is Thompson’s Time Up?” I think that this topic will garner many responses from the community. Enough is enough!

By What's stopping them?

February 6, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this

There is no law that prevents the BOE from developing policies that would effectively deal with severely disruptive students. There are laws that would actually support policy, such as the new law that gives parents up to a certain number of hours off of work to attend parent conferences.

Thus, as a start, the board could mandate parents be required to take off work and attend a conference when a child continues to be disruptive. Not a solution, just a start.

But it’s a start the BOE won’t even consider, because they don’t want the voters mad at them, even if all they are doing is making a child responsible for their behavior.

So we get uniforms, pretend discipline, and pretend leadership.

By ,,,-^..^-,,, I C U

February 6, 2009 6:55 PM | Link to this

The writing is on the wall, the rich whites of the county want a GREAT WHITE HOPE SUPERINTENDENT in here. That’s the only way they’ll stop EXPLOITING your Lil Black Children on TV and in the Newspaper. It’s just like Brock, Elgart Bryant and Bostic said, CCPS need a WHITE SUPERINTENDENT in here that knows how to do business in the State of Georgia.

Business in the State of Georgia, exclude any Black Person including Thompson. MARK MY WORD! These White Folk with their Media Will have a NEGATIVE STORY because Clayton’s School EVERYDAY until the Board vote Thompson OUT.

BANK ON IT. We all know these Clayton Swine can’t stand paying a Negro this kind of money $200,000-330,000.

NOTE: Wake Up Simpleminded Black Folk in Clayton!! This is how white folk pick and choose what Negro or Swine you Blacks will vote for.

By Please, please, please...

February 6, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this

Yes, please, please, please get rid of John Thompson and his fawning school board chair Alieka Anderson. As a Clayton County school teacher, I know that we can’t go down any further. We are flat on our backs — with no support from the administration of John Thompson, and that Alieka Anderson is his enabler. We have no where else go but up. Now, we have to climb up to crawl over a snake’s belly. As teachers in a collective sense, you can now scrape us up like silly putty. We are so downnnnnnnnnn. Please, school board, get rid of John Thompson and bring in someone (preferably from Georgia) with a track record of order and discipline.

By ,,,-^..^-,,,

February 6, 2009 7:08 PM | Link to this

The writing is on the wall, the rich whites of the county want a GREAT WHITE HOPE SUPERINTENDENT in here. That’s the only way they’ll stop EXPLOITING your Lil Black Children on TV and in the Newspaper. It’s just like Brock, Elgart, Bryant and Bostic said, CCPS need a WHITE SUPERINTENDENT in here that knows how to do business in the State of Georgia.

Business in the State of Georgia, exclude any Black Person including Thompson. MARK MY WORD! These White Folk with their Media Will have a NEGATIVE STORY about Clayton’s School EVERYDAY until the Board vote Thompson is OUT.

BANK ON IT. We all know these Clayton Swine can’t stand paying a Negro this kind of money $200,000-330,000.

NOTE: Wake Up Simpleminded Black Folk in Clayton!! This is how white folk pick and choose what Negro or Swine you Blacks will vote for.

By Please, please, please...

February 6, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this

Please, please, please school board. Please get rid of John Thompson and his enabler Alieka Anderson. How did you guys ever vote for Alieka Anderson for the chair? We teachers in Clayton County are so low, and we have no backing from the John Thompson Administration. We would have to climb up to crawl over a snake’s back. You can now scrape us up like we are silly putty. A teacher beat-down at North Clayton…a gang beat-down at Jonesboro. We can go on and on about the cursings that teachers have to endure each day from students. Even shovings and occasionally physical attacks. The parents aren’t much better. They come rantin’ and ravin’ at us on a near daily basis. How can the school board leave this county in the hands of an incompetent and non-caring “superintendent”? If they fired him in other places, what make this school board think that he is any better here in Clayton County? We deserve a better superintendent — preferably one from Georgia with a track record of order and discipline. I am white, and I DO NOT care what color the superintendent is. I voted for Obama, and I will certainly support one of the many good African American administrators in Georgia who can do a fine job as superintendent here in Clayton County.

By Praise John Thompson

February 6, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this

John Thompson has an outstanding track record when it comes to order and discipline. That’s why you can walk into any Clayton County school and think you are in a private school.

The reason the BOE hasn’t addressed behavior problems is simple. With Thompson’s leadership there is simply nothing to address. Other than the dance team, which he dealt with right away, what other incidents have happened?

Once the uniform policy is fully implemented, Clayton schools will look, act, think and feel exactly like the private schools parents spend thousands of dollars a year to attend.

The only thing lacking then will be academics, and in the same way he has used his proven track record of success to address behavior, he will institute, based on the research, the best curriculum to meet the needs of Clayton’s students.

Lock him into a contract now, before the bidding for his services becomes completely out of control.

By fred

February 9, 2009 7:13 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry, I really am

By Oh please

February 9, 2009 8:10 AM | Link to this

Praise John Thompson - Why do you want to believe that the uniform dress code is somehow Thompson’s work? Are you not a parent in the school system? If you were you would know that the school uniform policy was researched, voted on, and implemented in the school year prior to Thompson’s arrival. Don’t give credit where credit is not due. And, as far as diplomas go, do you really think that an admissions office is following Clayton politics so closely that they would know that the name on the diploma was not the name of the current superintendent. And, truthfully why would they care considering that Duncan was their superintendent for most of their senior year. I seriously doubt that any school out to make a profit would have turned someone away for the signature at the bottom of the diploma. After all, the diplomas were still from an accredited institution at that time. Other than the diploma issue, what else do you have to offer as an example of Thompson’s “greatness”. I would really like to know.

By Mojo Mist

February 9, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this

There’s a difference between implementing a dress code policy and enforcing one. Thompson has apparently not taught his administrators this very well. Just go to any school and you’ll see.

By Sick of you all

February 9, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

Gee I did not know that private schools have gang beat downs. Thompson is a overpaid buffoon and the Thompson troll who is praising him is an even bigger one. They must think that we the taxpayers are stupid enough to buy off on this propaganda. I have news for them we aren’t.

By Bob Hartley

February 9, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this

The only measure of success for the Clayton County School Board of Education under the leadership of Ms. Alika Anderson will be did they regain accreditation for the students/citizens of the school district. Everything else is opinion.

Ms. Anderson has shown strong leadership during these transitional times for our school system. Attempts to classify her as a John Thompson’s mouthpiece are just simple and shortsighted attempts to sabotage her and the new school board members efforts to regain accreditation. Do you notice how the blogger (s) never provides specific proof or instances where Ms. Anderson is enamored to John Thompson, Who is stealing Millions of your tax dollars or better yet, How they fail to mention that the previous board acted as if they were not accountable for their misguided actions? The fact is, Ms. Anderson is the one who called for the search for a new Superintendent. The fact is Ms. Anderson is the one who called for a new search firm. I am in agreement with both decisions. The potential new search firm has experience with superintendent searches, they are located in Georgia and will do a comprehensive Superintendent search for half the cost of what the previous search firm charged and will do it within a time frame that will ensure the mandate is met before the SACS review. What more can we ask for?

Alika Anderson had nothing to do with the hiring of John Thompson. That was the worked of the previous board who was removed by the Governor. As a District 8 resident, I am encouraged by the actions of some school board members to comply with SACS mandates and find a new, permanent Superintendent. As President Obama used to say on the campaign trail, “We are faced with a fierce urgency of now.” This no doubt applies to the situation our children and citizens face in Clayton County. SACS will be back in April to decide if we get our accreditation back. That decision will be based on how well the school board met the remaining eight mandates. It’s that simple! Forget all the side chatter about the accreditation issue being about power grabs, access to contracts and poor black kids. Thats all BS. Pure opinion of someone who is threatened by progress and change for thebetter within the Clayton County School District.

Sure gang are present in Clayton County schools. Show me an urban school district that is not affected. Sure the dance team routine was unacceptable. But hasn’t that been addressed? People lost their jobs and students were reprimanded. It’s time to stay focused and move on priority number One which is regaining accreditation. The FBI has the Top Ten Most Wanted list. Why? Because of focus. They can effectively focus manpower, resources and strategies on those criminals that need to be brought to justice. The BOE’s Top Eight list needs to be the fulfilling the remaining eight mandates to restore accreditation.

Will we allow the actions of a few threaten the future success of the many? Focusing on anything other than our “Top Eight List” will be all for naught if the system loses accreditation. And if we do lose accreditation, It will take up to five years to regain it. Let’s analyze the long term consequences of this. In a time of deep recession, stable families will not move to Clayton County, Business will continue to move out and/or not move here in the first place, Homes will continue to sit unsold, property taxes will continue to fall and as a result county and municipal services will continue to be cut. The homeowners who remain in Clayton County will be forced to pay higher taxes to make up the shortfall. What municipal and county services will be cut? I can assure you the law enforcement/firefighter union won’t allow their constituents to be affected too severely so that pretty much leaves services such as libraries, public works, senior services, and recreation.

My point is this. This is a domino effect no one in the county wants to experience. The current BOE has some tough decisions to make and under the leadership of Alika Anderson they are making them. Attempts to smear Ms. Anderson and the progressive and necessary steps of the school board are only red herring attempts to get you the citizen, off track and off focus. As anyone knows who has been in a position to make tough decisions, the first task is to prioritize what decisions must be made that will yield the greatest positive impact on as many people as possible. Is there any disagreement on the fact that accreditation must be regained in April?

Don’t be bamboozled about all the BS about accreditation being about uncle tom negroes, white vs. black, poor black kids, Alika Anderson being John Thompson’s puppet, dance team routines or gang violence. The fact is, the previous board was removed because they acted in a way that threatened the livelihood of all citizens who call Clayton County home.

Keep your eye on the ball and focus on what will yield long term positive returns for the citizens of Clayton County. If anything offer your prayers and support to the school district board members.

By Clifford

February 9, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

You better believe we will keep opur eyes on the ball Hartley. That includes every member of the board. There is no need for you to write these “mesmerizing and false” editorials about Ms. Anderson. We see between the lines and your attempt to muddy the waters is very clear to those of us who do have our eye on the ball. We attend the meetings and have people in places who keep us abreast. we are not fooled by this attempt of certain people on the board including Anderson to keep Thompson. They just can not seem to raise the bar for our students and schools. But four are up for reelection in 2 years. If they do not do the right thing we will replace them!

By The Commentor

February 9, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

The opinions, viewpoints, and insights written by the blogger and poster Mr. Bob Hartley as it relates to our Clayton County School Board Of Education Chairwoman Ms. Alieka Anderson are so very true and right.

Ms. Alieka Anderson has provided superior, stellar, professional, honest, more than just fair, heartfelt, steadfast, tireless,dependable, resolute, strong, powerful, upfront, and outfront leadership, command, and goverance as Chairwoman Of The Clayton County School Board Of Education.

Chairwoman Alieka Anderson along with the working majority on the Clayton County School Board Of Education that are progessive and forward minded thinkers, decision makers, and action doers like Chairwoman Anderson and the decisions that they are making and the actions that they are doing are the main reason that the Clayton County Public School System will gain and acquire their accreditation backed before this school year of 2008-2009 ends.

I also congradulate the fine and great citizens of Clayton County who elected these fantastic citizens on the Clayton County School Board Of Education such as Ms. Alieka Anderson, Ms. Pam Adamson, Ms. Ophelia Burroughs, Ms. Jessie Goree, Ms. Wanda Smith, Ms. Trinia Garrett who all form the working and voting majority that will ensure that the Clayton County Public School System’s accreditation will be restored before this school year of 2008-2009 is completed.

By Oh please

February 9, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this

Thank you, Mr. Hartley. That was a very thoughtful and insightful post.

By Bishop J. Jarrard Rude

February 9, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this

Come, Bob Hartley…blah, blah, blah. Yes, let’s recommend Alieka Anderson for sainthood. I am travelling to the Vatican next week, and I will see Benedic about the matter. If you are going to be Alieka Anderson’s consumate defender and spokesman, then why not try to spell her hame correctly? It’s “Alieka,” not “Alika.” Perhaps this is a ploy on your part to make her more incandescent and charismatic like the late Aliya. Yes, Alieka will go through the obligatory and requisite “search” but her long-term goal is to re-install JohnBoy with another one of his $400,000.00 to $500,000.00 contracts. Hurry, hurry…get the Central Office folk (who refuse to process state-mandated grievances) to respond to this blog to defend their leader. Their jobs depend on this. Alieka cheers: “JohnBoy, JohnBoy, he’s our man. If he can’t do it, nobody can!” Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

By Stoy Worrying

February 9, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

Not disagreeing with everything that was said, and in agreement about a lot of the over the top rhetoric, but if there is one thing we can stop being bamboozeled about, it’s that accreditation is at risk.

The temporary yanking of accreditation has served its political purpose. The actual permanent revoking of it, where this years’ seniors would actually be affected by it, would create a political firestorm that neither Sonny or Elgart would want.

So all the parties, Sonny, the state BOE advisors, and Elgart are currently hosting the masquerade ball and the BOE is providing the entertainment, jumping through hoops like trained circus animals for their amusement.

But the clock will strike midnight, and as much fun as it’s been to watch the BOE perform like trained circus animals, political reality will set in, and accreditation will be restored.

People can argue this point, or they can come back to this forum this time next year, and realize accreditation is a thing of the past.

Now as far as the only measure of success being did the board get accreditation back. If Clayton continues to score in the bottom ten in the state we are going to still call this board successful because they got their accreditation back?

Setting the bar rather low to me.

By Oh please

February 9, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this

It needs to be stated the John Trotter attacks Aleika Anderson because she was once part of his organization. After seeing his pettiness and corruption, she disassociated herself from him and refuses to allow him at least to influence her. I have no definitive information about her alliances with John Thompson, but Dr. Trotter’s posts always carry a unique signature so for anyone new to the blog don’t be fooled by his theatrics. He is delusional.

By Rev. Jimmy Jack Bourbon

February 9, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this

“Alieka Anderson has provided superior, stellar, professional, honest, more than just fair, heartfelt, steadfast, tireless,dependable, resolute, strong, powerful, upfront, and outfront leadership, command, and goverance as Chairwoman Of The Clayton County School Board Of Education.”

Yes, sainthood for Alieka! I will be travelling with Rudy next week to the Vatican. We will sit down with Benny (that’s what we call Pope Benedict) at one of the quaint sidewalk cafe in Rome and discuss establishing an order (not unlike the Franciscan Order named after Saint Francis of Assisi) in Alieka’s honor. Bob Hartley (who infamously used “Put a Brother in the House!” in his campaign in 2002) could start a campaign for Alieka: “Put a Sister in Sainthood!” Yes, I’m getting fired up over this campaign! I know of no other sainted sister (except for perhapsJoan of Arc; she was somewhat of a thug on the battlefield, corrrect?) who has or had a breast adorned with a rose. I wonder if that thug superintendent whom St. Alieka likes so much, JohnBoy the Pimp Thompson, has a few secret tattoos. I hear that John Thompson has one across his chest that reads: “Ignore the Georgia Statutes! Don’t process legal grievances filed by teachers! Hearing grievances will only open up a can of worms, and my house of cards will crumble. Listen, you fools, I want another huge multi-year contract!” End of tatoo, but everyone gets the point. We had a squabble in the middle of our church parking lot yesterday afternoon after church, but more on this later.

By Student and staff safety is BS?

February 9, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this

I’d like the poster who came on here and said the gang violence is a BS issue to come on here and defend that statement.

Are you saying that ensuring the safety of students and staff, and holding the BOE and CCPS accountable for addressing it openly and honestly when safety has been compromised is a BS issue?

Are you saying that CCPS throwing up a wall of silence when the gang violence story broke out on WSB-TV, that the BOE’s silence on it is perfectly acceptable?

And, are you saying it’s perfectly acceptable while at the same time CCPS makes the superintendent, multiple BOE members, and mulitple school spokespersons available to comment on the dance team? Are you saying that the dance team is that much important than staff and student safety?

Excuse me for being offended when someone says that the safety of staff and children is a BS issue.

Excuse me for being offended when people say the BOE is doing a great job, when they threw up a total wall of silence when the gang violence story broke out. And no, this isn’t about attacking a particular faction of the board; all nine of them were silent, so when it comes to the safety of staff and students in CCPS, all nine of them have failed.

Again, please tell us why gang violence at Jonesboro High, the safety of staff and students at Jonesboro High, the wall of silence that CCPS threw up around the gang violence story at Jonesboro High, and suddenly making everybody available to talk about the dance team story, so that the gang violence story would go away are all BS issues?

I think the students and staff at Jonesboro High, and every other Clayton school deserve the safest school environments possible, and I think that students and staff deserve a BOE that will speak openly and honestly about it instead of refusing to comment and throwing up a wall of silence when safety is compromised.

If someone can explain why school safety is not a legitimate concern, and why the BOE’s silence on the gang beatdown story is not a legitimate concern, please do so.

By Sick of you all

February 9, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this

Open note to the BOE and John Thompson. IF YOU KEEP JOHN THOMPSON AND WE DO NOT REGAIN OUR ACCREDITION prepare for a recall petition within days of the SACS decision. You WERE NOT elected to keep the present Superintendent but to get rid of him. You can choose to to believe this warning but so be it.Just don’t be surprised at what WILL come.

By Kenny the Squirell

February 9, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

Is this why that James (Gunny) Yawn (“Oh Please” and many others) always attacks Dr. Trotter on this and other blogs? I hear that Dr. Trotter will no longer defend Mr. Yawn who at one time was the “Director of Communications” at MACE. Mr. Yawn took two of his administrators to court in DeKalb County for allegedly engaging in assault and/or battery against him. Witnesses say that he was essentially laughed out of the courtroom. He also filed a non-meritorious law suit against the DeKalb County School System, and this case too was dismissed. Would you guys like to see copies of these court matters? They are all part of the public records. Hey, Gunny, I set my own schedule. How ‘bout you? I can blog when I want to. I’m just a squirell and live in a tree. But, I have to run to a Squirell Meeting in DeKalb today. You would never believe who is riding with me!

By Yes, Brother Copeland!

February 9, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this

John Trotter … John Thompson … John Trotter … John Thompson … John Trotter … John Thompson … My bet in on John … Ha … Trotter, that is … This is his ninth superintendent … Stroud … Lovin … Livingston … Hairston … Colwell … Chavis … Pulliam … Duncan … Thompson … Yep, my money is on John … Trotter, that is.

By taylor

February 9, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this

You people really need to consider getting a life….really!

By Brother John

February 9, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

That is because Thompson has to answer to the parents of 50000 students. All Trotter has to to is convince a few dozen dimwitted - where-is-my-piece-of-the-pie teachers, that he most certainly attracts.

Trotter would never let himself be in the position to have to answer to the parents of these students. IT was those parents who voted out each one of his little cohorts. He will not run for office - nor will he put his name in the pot for superintendant. He could not stand the heat and of course the backgroud check would be public record and heaven knows he does not want those secrets in the public eye.

By Plate_Eye

February 9, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

77.5% of the kids are on the free lunch program? Clayton County is a ghetto full of low income housing and ghetto people. That should explain everything .