Accreditation

The troubles are so bad that social studies teachers are teaching the board's antics as a civics lesson, said the president of the Lovejoy Middle School PTA.




Dec 16, 2007 - (Jonesboro, GA) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has opened an investigation into micromanaging, misuse of funds, bid tampering, conflict of interest and abuse of power within the Clayton school system. It is the second probe in five years.

The Metro South Association of Realtors, which represents 3,000 real estate agents in Clayton and Henry counties, said Clayton property values dropped 20 percent in the last four years because of the problems. The association wants Gov. Sonny Perdue to impeach the entire nine-member board. The association also blames students' poor showing on standardized tests. They have metro Atlanta's lowest SAT scores and highest failure rate on the CRCT.

On Wednesday, attorneys for the 52,700-student district sent a 1,250-page response to SACS, saying they are concerned about the board's behavior and would cooperate with an investigation. (They said the same thing four years ago after a previous probe placed the district on probation.)

The board's letter to SACS cites a professional development plan, which includes nine training sessions on ethics, abuse of power and board/staff relationships. Five members voted in favor of the ethics, abuse of power and board/staff relationships. Haynes, Scott and Strong did not, nor did board members Lois Baines-Hunter.

However, the letter concedes that the plan has not been effective. It did not elaborate, but only one training session has been held. Haynes and Strong did not attend the session.

SACS is looking at several allegations against Board Member Norresse Haynes' role as CEO of the Metro Association of Classroom Educators, a teachers union.

SACS is looking into Rod Johnson's his role in the interim superintendent's hiring of a bodyguard who had been a school resource officer. The bodyguard, Kenneth Jerome Alexander, was arrested on allegations of touching two teenage female students while working at a Clayton school. He was subsequently fired. This week, a Clayton County grand jury indicted him on child-molestation charges.

From the Atlanta-Journal and Constitution: Records obtained from the school district show Duncan, who was appointed to the interim post in July, has spent more than $2,887 on personal security to escort her to high school football games and other night functions. More than half of that money went to Kenneth Jerome Alexander, fired from the district in 2004 on allegations that he had inappropriate contact with two teen-age girls.

"Taxpayers paid almost $1,700 to this guy to drive her around," Haynes said. "He was fired for touching kids, and then he's around children again."

SACS is also investigating board member Sandra Scott for her role in the February firing of a Morrow High football coach from whom she demand highlight tapes of her son. The coach didn't have them and has since been fired.

PETITIONS FOR RECALLS
Several petitions are circulating for recalls. The state requires signatures from 30 percent of voters, or about 39,000 Clayton residents, to recall a local elected official. The Realtors group is the first organized effort to remove the board.

TT - ONLINE RESOURCES
In the past 20 years, only three school districts — Biloxi, Miss.; Hartford, Conn., and Duval County, Fla. — have lost accreditation. In 1998, the state took over the Hartford school system. For a fascinating look at the 1995 restructuring of Chicago (IL) schools and the Hartford school system, see this report.

Clayton County School Board link
There are NO board meeting minutes online.
The Clayton County Public School System is the 113th largest school district in the United States and the fifth largest in Georgia. Just 12 miles south of Atlanta, Clayton County covers 142 square miles and is home to over 270,000 residents

From GreatSchools.net
There are 15 middle schools in the district. None rate above 5. Twelve rate below that.
There are 37 elementary schools in the district. One rates a 7, the rest are 5 and below.
There are 8 high schools in the district. Half of them are 3 and below.