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Time’s up for CCPS and BOE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Soon we will finally get answers from SACS.
Attorneys for Board of Education Chairwoman A. Michelle Strong, and members Lois Baines-Hunter, Yolanda Everett and Sandra Scott will turn in final briefs to avoid ouster by Gov.Sonny Perdue.
I am sure to be labeled “Aunt Tomasina” by some for the following, but I was disappointed that the four remaining board members used race as a defense. As per BOE Attorney Rodney Moore via the Clayton News-Daily, “Oftentimes, we have internal prejudices that we’ re not aware of.” While I agree in theory (regarding both whites and blacks), this situation transcends race.
I concede that based on the information provided thus far, these four were not the masterminds of this mess. But by Baines-Hunter’s own admission, the BOE’s refusal to deal with those who were was obviously a problem.
Further, based on the opinions of residents I have spoken with, it wasn’t solely the fact that mistakes were made. Nobody’s perfect and most understand that. It was partially the BOE’s lack of professionalism and their choice (via attorney) to leave constituents out of the loop throughout on key decisions directly affecting their children’s future and property values. When they were finally ready to talk, not many wanted to hear or believed in what they had to say.
According to the AJC, BOE attorneys also argued that “…no school district in the state follows the open meetings law precisely”, and I don’t doubt that. But how many other Georgia school districts have had this many accreditation issues in such a short period of time?
Once the smoke clears, I pray the decisions made by Administrative Judge Michael Malihi regarding the “final four” and SACS’ concerning accreditation are in the best interests of our children and the county as a whole.
Let’s continue moving forward to make Clayton a place we can all be proud to call home, and leave race out of it. We got off to a good start with the recent primary election results, so here’s hoping that was just the beginning of great things for us. Your thoughts?
Clayton, enjoy your Labor Day! Check out The Beach At Clayton County International Park on Monday, September 1 for their “Boss of the Sauce” Taste Test competition, tailgaiting, high school band drum line performances, live musical performances, back-to-school give-aways and a fireworks show to say goodbye to summer.
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Will CCPS do it?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While SACS decides the fate of Clayton County Public Schools, a judge decides the fate of the four remaining board members.
Most of the board members who got us to this point in time are gone or will be by January, which should help make them less “dysfunctional” as determined by SACS. However, two remain from the old regime and recall efforts against A. Michelle Strong (District 1) and Sandra Scott (District 9) have not been abandoned.
“There was a lot of concern, but little action in both elections. We’re using that as a measure to decide if a recall will be successful or not,” says Maggie Martinez, Chairperson of the District 1 recall effort. “It would be prudent to wait on the final decision of the administrative judge and decide what to do from there. We will also factor in Michelle Strong’s decision after September 1 and the results of the special election.”
Some good news is auditors did not believe school officials intentionally falsified attendance records as SACS suspected, although there was evidence of cronyism and other unethical behavior. More good news is 91 percent of our teachers signed on for another year, and the district was able to bring in 400 new teachers despite the accreditation threat, according to the AJC.
Hopefully these things, along with several newly elected board members and 2,300 pages of evidence, will be enough.
I must congratulate students who took control of their destiny by taking part in Clayton State University’s joint enrollment program, as well as those student athletes who were able to move on. It is too bad that CCPS could lose top students, but if I were a student or their parent(s), I’d do what was in the pupil’s best interest.
Do you have children in CCPS, or did you remove your child? Do you believe this administrative hearing will be a factor in SACS decision? Do you think CCPS will keep accreditation or get probation? If you live in Districts 1 or 9, will you support a recall at this point?
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A new day in Clayton?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“It’s like Christmas in August,” says 14-year resident Lee Duncan. “These elections gave me new hope for this county that we can get back to what we used to be and how we used to be. Maybe I won’t have to move after all and won’t be embarrassed to tell people where I live anymore.”
That is the sentiment of many residents I’ve spoken with since Clayton County voters dismissed Victor Hill, Jewel Scott and potentially Lee Scott’s brand of leadership. It was also great to see voters reject the racial rhetoric/scare tactics spewed throughout campaign literature of some of the losers and even on this blog.
However, just because we have new people in office does not mean we can lose interest. We still have to hold our elected officials (past, present and future) accountable for their actions or lack thereof, or we’ll be right back in this position again.
We have more research to do as well, as there are still important elections to be decided for our county in November.
Most importantly, school board members up for election are: Wanda Smith v. Della Ashley (District 2); Ophelia Burroughs v. Diana Nicholson (District 5); and Mary Baker v. Marcela Bodkin (District 6) in a September 16 special election to finish out the remainder of Eddie White’s term (through December 31).
Kem Kimbrough and Jack Rainwater will compete for your vote for Sheriff.
Jim Martin v. incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss.
Deborah Honeycutt v. incumbent Congressman David Scott.
Are you happy with the election’s outcome so far? Has this regime change given you hope for the future Clayton County? What changes do you want to see in Clayton, by whom and where? Got any suggestions for our new leaders?
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Local elections: Out with the old?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is the first time that I have ever paid such close attention to local elections. Although I voted in every election I could, this is the first time I felt my vote could really make a difference in the outcome.
These runoffs have become equivalent to watching a heavyweight title bout, with the winner(s) either taking Clayton County in a new direction, or maintaining the status quo.
I’m just curious … is anyone out there satisfied with the current status quo in Clayton County? The runoff candidates are:
County Commissioner: Eldrin Bell (I) versus Lee Scott.
District Attorney: Tracy Graham-Lawson versus Jewel Scott (I).
District 3 Commissioner - Wole Ralph (I) versus Angela Redding.
School Board: District 2 (Lindsey McDaniel, III v. Wanda Smith); District 3 (Jessie Goree v. Charles Davis); District 4 (Michael King v. Milton Mack); District 5 (Ophelia Burroughs v. Jennifer Talley); and District 6 (Mary Baker v. John Askew).
Sheriff - Victor Hill (I) versus Kem Kimbrough.
The race is not over for this winner or Clayton residents as Jack Rainwater waits to see who he will face come November
U.S. Senate: Vernon Jones v. Jim Martin.
I advance voted late last week and the good news is, at least in my area, the turnout was higher than in July according to poll workers I spoke with. That’s progress! Come back after the election to either celebrate or commiserate depending on who you vote for.
On another note - Clayton County Public Schools reconvene on Thursday. Given all our children have gone through lately, please show them some support by participating in CCPS’ annual “Day One” project. “The role of the volunteer is to welcome students with a friendly smile when they arrive, give them a pen or pencil, and offer words of encouragement. This should only take about 90 minutes,” according to Rhonda Burnough, Coordinator of Day One.
You may volunteer at the school of your choice. Please contact Burnough at 770-473-2760 to sign up.
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Help for Clayton homeowners facing foreclosure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Housing Authority of Clayton County is formulating a plan to bail out homeowners in arrears.
According to the Clayton News-Daily, we lead the metro Atlanta area in delinquent mortgages and foreclosures.
“Many people found themselves duped by predatory loans after the fact, and was then told they couldn’t do anything about it but pay up or lose their home,” says James Searcy, Chairperson of HACC’s Foreclosure Prevention Committee. “What the [HACC] plan would do is help restore home ownership for those working with our program.”
Clayton residents are already inquiring, and being advised to call back in about 30 days.
HACC’s self-funded plan is not to be confused with the recently approved American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act. H.R. 3221 will provide $4 billion in grants and loans to state and local governments to purchase, rehabilitate and resell, or rent out foreclosed homes, and offer tax credits to first time homebuyers. Another $180 million is earmarked for housing counseling and additional licensing for mortgage originators.
Although we resisted the temptation to buy above our means and take on a risky loan, under different circumstances we could need this help, and would welcome it. Plus there are other legitimate reasons people are getting foreclosed on, such as illness and jobs lost in this unstable economy.
“As we progress, the goal is to help rebuild pride in adversely affected neighborhoods which in turn would benefit the economy and reputation of our county,” added Searcy, who suggests contacting your lender and attempt to work out a payment plan, or consult a Realtor or credit counseling service for guidance until their plan is in place.
Were you or someone you know a victim of predatory lending? If your home was up for foreclosure, wouldn’t you take advantage of these opportunities? Should Clayton get involved with those who for whatever reason are unable to pay their mortgage?
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A White Boy say, the political leadership in Clayton County as well as other areas of the country with large populations of black voters will never improve as long as black power and false cries of racism are revered by the black electorate. A... read the full comment by Politically Correct | Comment on Time's up for CCPS and BOE Read Time's up for CCPS and BOE
The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take Accreditation. SACS, Mark Elgart and Gov Sonny Perdure Did!! The Clayton County School Board didn’t take... read the full comment by AntiVirusData | Comment on Time's up for CCPS and BOE Read Time's up for CCPS and BOE
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