Atlanta Public Schools ethics commission investigates school board chairman Reuben McDaniel

The Atlanta Public Schools ethics commission is investigating claims that school board chairman Reuben McDaniel meddled in the decision to not approve an employment contract for Amy Durham, who taught language arts at North Atlanta High and resigned in October amid allegation of institutional racism at the school.

McDaniel has said he met with parents groups several times, at their request, to discuss their concerns about the school’s administration, and he relayed those concerns to APS administrators. In October, superintendent Erroll Davis removed six North Atlanta administrators, sparking an outcry from parents and students.

McDaniel said Thursday: “I’m pleased to have a conscientious ethics commission looking at this charge, and I feel confident they will find there was no impropriety or inappropriate involvement on my part.”