Election will bring major changes to Atlanta school board

A shake-up of the Atlanta school board is coming this fall, when all nine seats will be decided and four incumbents aren’t seeking re-election.

The elections follow four years of cheating scandals, accreditation struggles and school closings.

“It could be a big turnover. The upside is that we’ll get some new ideas,” said board Chairman Reuben McDaniel, who has attracted two opponents running for the at-large District 8 seat. “Hopefully, we’ll get some fresh opinions combined with some stability to make the best decisions.”

McDaniel, an investment management professional with a daughter at North Atlanta High School, faces challenges from attorney Cynthia Briscoe Brown, real estate development company founder Mark Riley and attorney Tom Tidwell.

The newly elected board likely will be responsible for naming a new superintendent, dealing with an upcoming budget crisis and improving lackluster academic results.

“This is a real watershed moment for Atlanta Public Schools. We have had a dismal four years,” said Brown, who is currently running an auto sales business in Cartersville and has a daughter at North Atlanta High. “This is an opportunity for us to get a board that will work together.”

Riley, whose youngest son recently graduated from North Atlanta High, said the decision on the next superintendent will determine the direction of the school system.

“It’s the most important election in this city in a long time,” said Riley, who served on the board from 2002 to 2009 and is managing partner of Urban Realty Partners. “The superintendent hire that the board makes … is the most important thing we’ll do this decade. I think it’s huge.”

Tidwell, the father of two daughters attending Sutton Middle School and Brandon Elementary School, said he wants to reduce class sizes and increase early education opportunities.

“We definitely need a change in leadership. I don’t see the current board, including the chairman, providing leadership,” Tidwell said.

Nearly half of the board will change hands because four members aren’t running again: LaChandra Butler Burks, Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, Emmett Johnson, Yolanda Johnson.

Ideally, the new board should have a diverse mix of parents, community advocates and business people, said Harsch-Kinnane.

“Voters should be paying attention,” said Harsch-Kinnane, who wants to move on after serving two terms. “The school board elections are critical because, even if you’re not directly involved with the public school system, everybody who lives in the city of Atlanta is indirectly affected. The health of the city is tied to it.”

The nonpartisan election will be held Nov. 5, when voters also select Atlanta’s mayor and city council. Qualifying for school board positions ends Aug. 30.

So far, at least 17 people are competing for the nine seats on board.

• In southeast Atlanta District 1, board member Brenda Muhammad is being challenged by small business owner Leslie Grant. Muhammad, who has served on the school board for 14 years and is the executive director of Atlanta Victim Assistance, says on her board website that she's passionate about meeting children's educational needs, particularly those who are underserved. Grant says on her campaign website she would promote innovation, educational equity across the school district and accountability of the board.

• In at-large District 9, former teacher and business lawyer Jason Esteves is competing against parent and retired technology professional Mary Louise Palmer to take over Emmett Johnson's seat. Esteves wants to direct more dollars to classroom instruction and hire a visionary superintendent. Palmer said she'd focus on improving third-grade reading and parent involvement.