Distractions still plague DeKalb schools

“We have to keep things moving,” board chairman Tom Bowen said. “There were a lot of little details to work out [with Lewis’ separation], but we can’t let this be a distraction and get in the way of what we have to do.”

For now, school board members said they just want to keep things moving steadily over the next few months.

Stability definitely would be welcome, said Ernest Brown, a father of three, but he doubts the school system will see it any time soon.

“We just need to get through these next few months,” said Brown, a member of the Citizens Planning Task Force, which was charged with naming schools to close. “I’m glad the parties came to some resolution so we can move forward with some of the other issues pressing the system, mainly the budget and improving academic achievements.”

Lewis, who appeared relieved to walk away after 33 years of working for DeKalb schools, said the district needs someone focused on the school system and not the ongoing criminal investigation.

“I believe the board needs a sitting superintendent that will be on site every day,” he said. “My attention is devoted to the other action going on with the district attorney’s office and of course, we are cooperating.”

Even without him at the helm, the results of the criminal investigation still could have a huge impact on the 101,000-student school system.

The district attorney is investigating allegations of wrongdoing involving the school system’s multi-million-dollar construction program. The district’s former chief operating officer Patricia “Pat” Pope is accused of altering construction contracts to benefit her then-husband, architect Tony Pope, along with his friends. Pat Pope has been reassigned, but still works at the school system.

In February, the investigation expanded to Lewis when investigators served search warrants at his Stone Mountain home and school offices. According to the search warrants, investigators were looking for documents and computer files in connection with 10 different potential criminal charges, ranging from theft of federal funds and mail fraud, to bid-rigging and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, according to the search warrants.

A spokesman for the district attorney said that investigation should be completed by the end of May. By then, the school system must finalize a budget with at least $115 million in cuts and tell parents which schools are closing.

The system also must be ready for a $100 million lawsuit against construction manager Heery International, which is scheduled to go to trial this summer.

“We have some big issues out there with the DA’s investigation and the Heery litigation,” Bowen said. “As for day-to-day operations, we’ve done an excellent job and we want to continue that way.”

Bowen said the board hopes to launch a national search for Lewis’ replacement by the end of the school year, but he is confident the interim superintendent can run the system until a permanent leader is hired.

“The key for the district will be identifying a proven leader who can evaluate and understand the district and then execute a plan for it in these tough times for public education,” he said.

Ramona Tyson, the district’s deputy chief superintendent of business operations, has led the district since the end of February when Lewis took a paid lead.

While she has not served as a superintendent, parents and board members have commended her unwavering strength amidst DeKalb’s recent challenges.

“The interim superintendent has been a key staff member on most of the large initiatives in the district over the last few years,” Bowen said. “She is clearly qualified to maintain the day-to-day operations of the district, as well as to complete the major initiatives like the budget and redistricting.”

Tyson declined to talk to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but has told board members that she is not interested in the permanent position.