The Atlanta school board Monday elected its fifth set of new leaders in two years, potentially reigniting the bitter divide between members that once put the district's accreditation in jeopardy.
Reuben McDaniel defeated Brenda Muhammad for the office of chairman and new District 2 representative Byron Amos, who was sworn in last month, was selected as vice chairman. Both seats were won on 5-4 votes.
To some, the divided vote signals the school board is in danger of moving back to its old ways.
“There's been a lot of change. Continuity and consistency is what keeps this board together," said Latrecia New, a senior at Maynard Jackson High School, who spoke in favor of keeping Muhammad in place. "Too much change can be damaging.”
Board members spent 2010 squabbling over leadership and making decisions on split votes. The discord ended in court, with a judge setting parameters on who the new leaders should be. Then in early 2011, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which oversees the district's accreditation, placed Atlanta Public Schools on academic probation as a result of board infighting.
The threat of accreditation loss motivated the board to work together. Board members selected a new superintendent, Erroll Davis, weathered a massive cheating scandal and another change in board leadership. In November, the district's accreditation was improved to "advisement" status, with SACS saying the board had greatly improved but would still be monitored.
With Monday's vote, it was clear board members were no longer in agreement about leadership. But supporters of the leadership change said McDaniel, who heads an investment banking firm, was the best person to move the district forward.
"It is time for a leader to achieve consensus among entire district," said Buckhead parent Julie Salisbury. "Were in danger of pitting neighborhood against neighborhood, we have major budget shortfalls, we have communications issues that require trust and solid leadership and I think person for that job is Mr. McDaniel."
Board officers are to be selected by their colleagues every other January and serve for two consecutive years.
A spokeswoman for SACS said the agency had no comment. Leadership elections are the responsibility of the school board, she said.
The leadership vote was also muddied by a complaint from Atlanta parent and attorney Cynthia Briscoe Brown.
In a sworn affidavit sent to board members, Brown said McDaniel told her he had to run for chairman because Superintendent Davis wouldn't sign his employment contract if Muhammad was re-elected chairwoman. According to Brown, McDaniel said Davis had concerns about the way Muhammad handled vendor contracts.
Muhammad called the allegations against her, "absolutely untrue." McDaniel would not comment on the affidavit. Davis gave high praise to outgoing chairwoman Muhammad, but would not comment on any concerns about her work with vendors. Davis said he signed his contract Friday.
After a long discussion on how to handle the affidavit, the board voted to send the complaint to the district's ethics commission.
As for whether this election will lead the board off course, Davis said only board members can decide the path they will go down.
"This is my first, and hopefully last board election," Davis said.
APS chairman, vice chairman
Jan. 2010 LaChandra Butler Burks, Cecily Harsch-Kinnane
Sept. 2010 Khaatim Sherrer El, Yolanda Johnson
Nov. 2010 El, Harsch-Kinnane
June 2011 Brenda Muhammad, Reuben McDaniel
Jan. 2012 McDaniel, Byron Amos
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