Saturday, February 16, 2013
Some parents think public comments are being used to convey the wrong message to the school board's new Interim Superintendent.
The DeKalb County Board of Education held its first public meeting on Feb. 11 since reaching a costly separation agreement with former Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson. It also was the public's first official introduction to a newly-appointed Interim Superintendent, Michael Thurmond, the former state labor commissioner. The school board complex on Mountain Industrial in Stone Mountain was packed, despite what the camera showed to audiences watching the live webcast. The public speaking time slots were filled to capacity as well, which made up for the relatively light business agenda covered by the board. On the agenda for the evening was the approval of AP Tests, more computers for STEM labs and a small increase in capacity for the …
Saturday, February 9, 2013
DeKalb's new school superintendent has an extensive political background that may play a role in the board of education's future.
Michael Thurmond may be just the man to save the jobs of DeKalb's embattled school board. Whether that's a good thing, remains to be seen. Thurmond was appointed DeKalb's interim school superintendent Friday afternoon, after the board of education narrowly approved a severance package for former superintendent Cheryl Atkinson. Rumors had been circulating since last week that Atkinson was on her way out. DeKalb's school system is currently under probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The board is set to appear before the State Department of Education on Feb. 21 to brief state officials on its progress in meeting SACS recommendations to keep the school system accredited. The state board is then expected to …
Friday, February 8, 2013
The entire culture of DeKalb's school system needs to be changed, as local leaders react to Cheryl Atkinson's removal.
Brookhaven leaders believe the removal of DeKalb School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson is only a small step in rebuilding the county's school system. "Like the Ottoman Empire in 1914, DeKalb's system is the 'Sick Man' of Atlanta Metro public education," said Kim Gokce, chairman of the Cross Keys Foundation. "No Sultan could save the Turkish empire and no superintendent can save this system. The problem is systematic and more deep than one individual. Whatever the board does, Cross Keys will be home to 6,500 students who strive for an education and succeed in spite of system leadership, not because of it." The DeKalb Board of Education is set to approve a separation agreement with Atkinson on Friday. According to a statement from the …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The board is set to meet on Friday at 4 pm.
Updated: Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:17 p.m. A statement has just been released by the DeKalb County School District: The DeKalb County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson have mutually agreed to end their relationship effective Friday, February 8, 2013. The Board and Dr. Atkinson each determined and believe that it is in the best interest of all concerned that there be a mutual separation and they wish each other well in all their future endeavors. Original article: Cheryl Atkinson's tenure as superintendent of the DeKalb County school system is apparently coming to an end. Channel 2 Action News is reporting that DeKalb's board of education will vote on a separation agreement with Atkinson on Friday. The board is set to meet…
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
As speculation mounts about Cheryl Atkinson's future, Don McChesney offers his observations on the school board's last search for a superintendent.
Brookhaven and Chamblee leaders have been watching the school system's travails for months. Now, Patch wants your opinion on Cheryl Atkinson.
It was a hot topic on Twitter this past Friday, and speculation continues that DeKalb School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson might soon resign her position or be replaced by the embattled DeKalb Board of Education. The DeKalb Board of Education was set to choose a new chair and vice chair on Monday, but adjourned without doing so. Its next meeting is on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and Atkinson's tenure with the system may come up during the meeting. Leaders in Brookhaven and Chamblee have been following DeKalb's school system troubles for months, and now Patch wants to know: do you believe our local school system needs a new superintendent? Is Atkinson the best person for the job, or is new leadership needed? Related Items: Social Media Ablaza With…
Monday, February 4, 2013
Board members will meet at 1 p.m. today.
The DeKalb County Board of Education is holding an afternoon meeting today, Monday, Feb. 4 at the organization's headquarters in Stone Mountain. The agenda does not provide a lot of specifics, but a likely topic is the future of Dr. Cheryl Atkinson, the school superintendent appointed by the board in Sept. 2011. There has been speculation in recent days that she may resign, but this has yet to be confirmed. Current board members are Sarah Copelin-Wood, Jay Cunningham, Donna Edler, Nancy Jester, Melvin Johnson, Jim McMahan, Marshall Orson, Pamela Speaks, and Chairman Eugene Walker. Related Items: Follow Brookhaven Patch's Complete Coverage of DeKalb Schools
Friday, February 1, 2013
DeKalb school board says there's nothing to confirm or deny.
Twitter is ablaze with rumors that DeKalb Schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson will resign. The DeKalb School Board is currently under probation by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools. Check out what the world of social media is saying about Atkinson's future with DeKalb schools. Related Items: Dunwoody-Chamblee Parents Council Urges Input at DeKalb Hearing Brookhaven-Chamblee-Dunwoody School System? Petition to Oust DeKalb School Board Gains Momentum DeKalb Schools Probaation: 'Upsetting but Not Surprising'
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Brookhaven and Chamblee parents are encouraged to attend.
DeKalb County Superintendent Cheryl L.H. Atkinson is hosting tonight her Region 1 parents roundtable at 7 p.m. at Dunwoody High School. According to the school district's site, the discussions are part of Atkinson's 90-day entry plan to "listen, learn, and lead" from parents and community members to establish good will, build support and establish communication channels. "I strongly encourage parents and guardians to attend a roundtable meeting and actively participate in discussions pertaining to their children’s academic success," Atkinson said in a district press release. "Together we can build a stronger community and school system." Region 1 consists of the following schools: Atkinson's meeting series started on Oct. 20 and are …
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The day's top headlines for Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Atkinson To Focus On Students, Makes Changes Across System. Riverwood Audit Shows Several Areas Of Concern. Police Investigating Wednesday Morning Bank Robbery. Patch Profile: State Rep. Ed Lindsey Tucker Native Making An Impact At Stanford. Hundreds Celebrate Xerona Clayton Way.
Cheryl Miller
3:29 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
Thanks Luis, I agree. more ›