Dr. Walker Loses Round One; Holds Out Hope with Supreme Court

Dr. Eugene Walker becomes the third of the suspended DeKalb County Schools’ Board of Education members to learn that an Administrative Law Judge is not giving them their jobs back.

Walker told All News 106.7 that he is disappointed in the decision, but not surprise. Walker still believes O.C.G.A Section 20-2-73, the Georgia law that allowed Governor Nathan Deal to suspend the six board members, is flawed. Walker went on to say, “Judge Wood was fair in allowing us to present our case, but he was also clear that he was bound by that law”. At this point Walker says he will just have to wait on the outcome of the constitutionality challenge of the suit that’s now in the hands of the Georgia Supreme Court.  Chief Administrative Law Judge Maxwell Wood ruled Thursday against Walker’s reinstatement request to be reappointed to his elected seat.

Last week Judge Wood ruled against suspended board members Sarah Copelin-Wood and Dr. Pam Speaks. Two other board members, Jesse “Jay” Cunningham and Donna Elder still await the Judge’s decision. The sixth board member, Nancy Jester, resigned her seat in February and was not a candidate for reinstatement.

In February Governor Nathan Deal suspended six of the nine school board members after the district’s accreditation was placed on probation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SACS over governance, financial and student performance issues.

Since then, the remaining three board members, Interim Superintendent Michael Thurmond, and the six new governor appointed members have been in place working hard to save the district’s accreditation. Their efforts were reviewed in May.

In July the DeKalb County School system received a report from AdvancED, the parent company of SACS, stating that the district has made “recognizable progress” in addressing the issue raised by SACS late last year. At that time there were 11 required actions that have to be corrected in order for the district to regain unconditional accreditation.

While AdvancEd is remaining cautionary in its views, right now the district appears to be making progress.

However, Eugene Walker maintains that since he was elected by the people, the Governor’s board suspension actions was illegal.

So one question on the minds of many DeKalb residents now is: What kind of impact, if any, could the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision have on the new DeKalb board and its progress?

DeKalb County students return to school on Monday, August 12.

Please leave respectful comments below:

Nancy Jester Speaks to Get the Cell Out - ATL

March 3, 2013

To:  Get the Cell Out - ATL

Thanks for commenting on my blog!  I spoke extemporaneously, from the heart, so I’ll have to reconstruct my comments.  There should be a transcript soon so I can get them from that.  I’m glad you found them helpful.  As the Mom to three elementary school children – I live this every day.

You asked for clarity on my “8-track, i-pod” comment.  What I mean is that we have a radically different delivery method for content (musical and otherwise) than we did when you and I were children.  We live in a customized world.  We listen to our “playlists”, have satellite radio and Spotify.  We watch cable channels that cater to specific interests.  Yet, we still have the same model for the distribution of education.  On top of the distribution system itself, the product is too often a “one-size-fits-all”.  It needn’t be that way.  We must change this.

I hope that helps in understanding what I meant with that comment.  Especially in our elementary schools, I believe the emphasis on technology is often misguided.  I certainly understand that middle and high school students need to understand how to access data online.  But our elementary school students need the warm, inviting touch that only a person can provide.  This is especially true for our most vulnerable children.  I truly believe that “things” do not teach children.  I should add that “things” do not inspire children; especially our youngest children.  Great teachers inspire our children.

I know how much you care about these issues.  I look forward to working with you in the future to transform education.
--Nancy

Nancy Jester
Web: www.nancyjester.com
Blog: http://whatsupwiththat.nancyjester.com/

Nancy, What's Up With That?

 

Board Member Nancy Jester has started a new blog site called, "Nancy, what's up with that?"  You can find some of the common questions she receives and her responses here:  http://whatsupwiththat.nancyjester.com/

 

 

May 31, 2012

 

 

Hi Nancy,

Keep up the great work you are doing on behalf of the entire county.

I was reading some of the SPLOST IV information you provided to the DeKalb School Watch Two Blog and noticed a link in one of the Power Point presentations.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OversightCommittee

However, when I clicked on it today, May 31, it led to a page that says, “The online application process for the DCSD SPLOST Oversight Committee is coming shortly. Please check back to this website.” But, the Power Point also stated that the cutoff date to apply is June 10, 2012. So, we have 10 days and no way to apply.

Do you know if this online application will be working soon? Or will there be another way to apply? Perhaps the website that was provided could also give the alternative information?

I would like to apply, but that doesn’t appear to be possible. What’s up with that?

Cheryl Miller

(Get the Cell Out - ATL)

District #6