DeKalb parents focused on budget, not DA's searches

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Days after investigators searched DeKalb County schools’ administrative offices, district business returned to another crisis: tackling the $88-million deficit.

DeKalb parents rallied behind interim superintendent Ramona Tyson on Monday -- her second day of the job -- and said they are pleased to see that the district’s ongoing criminal probe is not hindering school operations.

“I’m devastated by the news coming out, but I want to express my appreciation for Dr. [Crawford] Lewis’ bold leadership to take leave,” Brad Beebe, a student parent, told the board. “I’m encouraged by the leadership displayed by the board in appointing Ramona Tyson. She is clearly top notch.”

The board appointed Tyson, deputy chief superintendent of business operations, to temporarily lead the district on Thursday night, just hours after investigators searched Superintendent Crawford Lewis’ home and administrative offices.

Parents told the board Monday night that they were pleased Lewis offered to take leave during the district attorney’s criminal investigation into district’s multi-million-dollar construction programs.

Beebe said he has seen Tyson speak openly with parents about the budget and hopes that cooperation continues in the district’s budget efforts.

Beebe, whose child attends Huntley Hills Elementary in Chamblee, was one of dozens of parents and teachers who attended Monday’s night board meeting, but only one of the handful who talked about the change in leadership. The majority of the parents and teachers talked about the district’s $88-million deficit.

“I think it [the criminal probe] is on everyone’s mind, but because the budget is looming parents are most focused on that,” board chairman Tom Bowen told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Bowen said he is pleased that parents are focusing on what needs to be done with the budget and thinks they are anxious to see how the cuts will affect their children.

Tyson will present proposed budget cuts to the board Friday, Bowen said. Monday's meeting was originally scheduled for last week but called off because of the investigators’ raids.

“Everything is moving forward. We’re still on track,” Bowen said.

Lewis had recommended cutting 148 central office workers, administrators’ salaries, teachers’ work days and school programs, along with closing four elementary schools, to meet the deficit.

“This is without doubt the greatest financial crisis in the history of DeKalb County schools,” said Larry Wilson, a DeKalb schools graduate and grandfather of a DeKalb student. “We need to look at a millage increase, cutting teachers’ tax-shelter annuity, selling vacant properties and consolidating small schools.”

Wilson and other parents urged the board not to cut the Montessori program, Fernbank science course and other programs.

“Ms. Tyson, you are in a very, very difficult spot,” Huntley Hills mother JoAnn Lynen told the interim superintendent. “I encourage you to step up to the plate and hit a home run for our kids.”