Clayton schools no longer on probation

AJC:

Clayton County became the nation's first school system to lose accreditation in nearly 40 years, undone by unethical behavior by school officials and board members, including, according to SACS,  misuse of funds, conflict of interest, abuse of power and bid tampering.

As 3,500 students fled in the months after, the system lost $23 million in state aid and 300 teachers. Then-Gov. Sonny Perdue removed four school board members for violations of the state's open meetings act and ethics code, and pushed for legislation to allow the state to exert more control over local school boards.

Mark Elgart, President of AdvancED, the parent organization for SACS, said Clayton County has taken a critical step forward.

"It doesn’t' mean they don't have challenges…but they better positioned than they were two years ago," he said.

Parents had a range of reactions.

“Oh my God! This is the best news we have had in years,” said Tammy Walker, who was at her son Keene Walker Jr.'s field day at E.W. Oliver Elementary School Friday. “They [the school board] have truly put in the hard work to make this happen. I’m excited. I’m so glad.”

Deborah Ybarra of  Jonesboro was more circumspect. Her son, Drew Ybarra, attends Jonesboro High.

She did not move because she couldn't afford to.

“To me, this is no different than before because they’re not getting in the schools to understand the teaching and learning processes," she said. "That’s what matters. The problems in the schools are still going to be the same because the only problems that were fixed were administrative."

Clayton Superintendent Edmond Heatley said administrators can now concentrate on building performance.

"It's just a stepping stone," he said. "We are still not where we want to be, but we are no longer where we used to be."

A small cloud remains over the system. Forest Park High School, Kilpatrick Elementary and Worktec, a work-readiness program for young adults with special needs, remain under SACS advisement because of some “emerging” issues, which are already being addressed, said Heatly, who quashed rumors this week that he was planning to resign, saying he's committed toClayton County.