School board report card: Fulton County

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Four views of the board

Daniel Arshavsky, Roswell resident, father of two

Grade: C

“I was very happy with the quality of teaching in my son’s first grade class at Mountain Park, but don’t like the fact that they have eliminated the teachers’ assistants in the first grade and the orchestra program. Extending the school day was not the best choice as well.”

Bruce Piefke, father of two Fulton County students, lifelong Sandy Springs resident, CEO of Atlanta’s Special Events Network, board member of Sandy Springs Education Force

Grade: A

“Grade A for their openness and willingness to seek parental and community input on key issues in a very challenging environment for public school systems. The system works when you have a board that understands their oversight role and a superintendent like Dr. [Cindy] Loe that works hard to build consensus among the board members.”

State Rep. Roger Bruce (D-Atlanta), chairman of the Fulton County legislative delegation

Grade: not provided

“Like other school systems, Fulton County is having to make difficult financial decisions. Unfortunately, a few of the board members have also taken positions in support of splitting the county by resurrecting the former Milton County. As such, it is not clear where priorities are as decisions are being made. Although the superintendent has taken steps to minimize the perception of North Fulton being separate and apart from South Fulton, the board remains split by geography.”

Barbara Payne, executive director of the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation

Grade: C

“Fulton County is the not the best, but it is not the worst. Last year, some Fulton schools ranked in the top 25 of Georgia high schools for SAT scores. This is optimistic. But with their recent millage raise of 1 mill and the loss of programs, you have to wonder: What is the future of Fulton County Schools?”

Current school board members

Linda Bryant, president

District 4, areas of Chattahoochee Hills, College Park, Fairburn, Palmetto, Union City and southwest Atlanta

• Education: Master’s degree in counseling, Georgia State University
• Occupation: Retired
• Years served: 17 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2012)
• Relatives working for system: A sister who is a teacher, two nieces who are paraprofessionals, a son-in-law in personnel
• Children in Fulton schools: Three are graduates
• Two-year meeting attendance record: 85% out of 46 meetings (due to family illness, death)
• Ethics complaints or recall attempts: None
• School board-related training: Georgia School Boards Association
• How she voted on three key issues: 2010-11 budget, in favor; eliminate the elementary band and orchestra programs, in favor; hire Cindy Loe as superintendent, abstained.
• Issue most known for championing: Quality education across all sectors

Linda Schultz

District 1, areas of Alpharetta and Roswell

• Education: Major in information systems, minor in accounting, Georgia State University
• Occupation: Contract programming
• Years served: 5 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2012)
• Relatives working for system: None
• Children in Fulton schools: Sons are graduates
• Two-year meeting attendance record: 96% out of 46 meetings
• Ethics complaints or recall attempts: None
• School board-related training: Georgia School Boards Association
• How she voted on three key issues: 2010-11 budget, in favor; eliminate the elementary band and orchestra programs, voted in favor; hire Cindy Loe as superintendent, abstained.
• Issues most known for championing: Transparency of reporting; analysis of cost factors; and internal checks and balances

Julia Bernath*

District 7, areas of Sandy Springs, Alpharetta and Roswell

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in broadcast news, University of Georgia
• Occupation: Community volunteer
• Years served: 10(current term ends Dec. 31, 2010)
• Relatives working for system: Husband’s cousin is a teacher/assistant principal
• Children in Fulton schools: Three are graduates
• Two-year meeting attendance record: 98% out of 46 meetings
• Ethics complaints or recall: None
• School board training: Georgia School Boards Association
• How she voted on three key issues: 2010-11 budget, in favor; eliminate the elementary band and orchestra programs, in favor; hire Cindy Loe as superintendent, in favor.
• Issue most known for championing: Quality education across all sectors

Catherine Maddox*

District 6, areas of East Point, College Park and Union City

• Education: Georgia Military College and Atlanta Metro College
• Occupation: Retired nurse
• Years served: 3 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2010)
• Relatives working for system: None
• Children in Fulton schools: Two are graduates
• Two-year meeting attendance record: 92% out of 46 meetings
• Ethics complaints or recall attempts: None
• School board-related training: Georgia School Boards Association
• How she voted on three key issues: 2010-11 budget, in favor; eliminate the elementary band and orchestra programs, in favor; hire Cindy Loe as superintendent, in favor.
• Issue most known for championing: Equity for all

Ashley Widener**

District 5, areas of Alpharetta, Johns Creek

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work, University of Georgia
• Occupation: Vice president of Widener and Associates, a government relations and association management firm
• Years served: 4(current term ends Dec. 31, 2010)
• Relatives working for system: None
• Children in Fulton schools: One daughter is a graduate
• Two-year meeting attendance record: 96% out of 46 meetings
• Ethics complaints or recall attempts: None
• School board-related training: Georgia School Boards Association
• How she voted on three key issues: 2010-11 budget, against; eliminate the elementary band and orchestra programs, against; hire Cindy Loe as superintendent, in favor.
• Issues most known for championing: Preservation of the band and orchestra programs in elementary schools; no tax increase

Katie Reeves*

District 2, areas of Alpharetta and Milton

• Education: Marketing degree, University of Kentucky
• Years served: 11 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2010)
• Occupation: Housewife
• Relatives working for system: None
• Children in Fulton schools: Three are graduates
• Two-year meeting attendance record: 98% out of 46 meetings
• Ethics complaints or recall attempts: None
• School board-related training: Georgia School Boards Association
• How she voted on three key issues: 2010-11 budget, in favor; eliminate the elementary band and orchestra programs, in favor; hire Cindy Loe as superintendent, in favor.
• Issue most known for championing: Maintaining traditional math studies

Gail Dean

District 3, areas of Sandy Springs and East Point, and all of Hapeville

• Education: Attended Broward College
• Occupation: Owner of Compass Realty
• Years served: 9 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2012)
• Relatives working for system: None
• Children in Fulton schools: Four are graduates
• Two-year meeting attendance record: 96% out of 46 meetings
• Ethics complaints or recall attempts: None
• School board-related training: Georgia School Boards Association
• How she voted on three key issues: 2010-11 budget, in favor; eliminate the elementary band and orchestra programs, in favor; hire Cindy Loe as superintendent, in favor.
• Issue most known for championing: Budget oversight

* Running for re-election, no opposition

** Not running for re-election

Note: Meeting attendance is from Oct. 2008 to Sept. 2010.

The board voted unanimously in April 2009 to extend superintendent Cindy Loe’s contract through 2012.

-- Compiled by Nancy Badertscher, nbadertscher@ajc.com