Thursday, May 9, 2013
This week's news that millions have been found in DeKalb's school budget begs the question: where should the money go? Patch wants your opinion.
Talk about a nice problem to have. DeKalb school officials this past weekend came across $21 million in previously overlooked revenue - news that interim school superintendent Michael Thurmond shared with "stunned" school board members Monday. Thurmond also said another $7 million in unaccounted revenue in the current fiscal year was discovered. So, if you were running DeKalb's school board, where would you spend the money? Teacher pay raises, or hiring more teachers? Better classroom technology? Paying down those legal fees the board's suspended members racked up at taxpayer expense? Or paying down the system's $15 million deficit? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below. See Also: Questions Arise After School Board Millions …
Friday, May 3, 2013
DeKalb's interim school superintendent spoke to the Dunwoody Chamblee Parent Council earlier this week.
DeKalb School Superintendent Michael Thurmond spoke to the final meeting of the school year of the Dunwoody Chamblee Parent Council, and expressed his opposition to the idea of dual accreditation for DeKalb schools. Here is a video of that meeting provided by Stan Jester, husband of former DeKalb school board member Nancy Jester. See Also: DeKalb School Superintendent to Speak at Final DCPC Meeting Thurmond Faces Tough Crowd at Dunwoody Meeting Thurmond Tells Dunwoody Residents 'We Will Keep Accreditation'
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The plan for DeKalb's schools came out late Tuesday.
DeKalb County Schools Interim Superintendent Michael Thurmond unveiled a 90-day plan of action on Tuesday. Shortly after the plan went out, Patch met with Thurmond, who said: "Did you see the plan? Every day things get a little better, but every day you find something else that's wrong. It took years to get that way, and will take a while to fix." Dear DeKalb County School District Stakeholders, My first two months on the job have provided a unique opportunity for me to engage a cross section of DeKalb County School District (herein DCSD) stakeholders in open, honest and frank discussions. I have listened and learned. Now is the time for leadership. Working in partnership with Chairman Melvin Johnson and the members of the DeKalb County …
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The former DeKalb school board member will be addressing the organization at 7:30 am.
Former DeKalb school board member Nancy Jester will be speaking to the Chamblee Business Association at its Thursday morning meeting on April 18. Also on the agenda are updates from local state representatives about developments in the recent legislative session as they pertain to Dekalb schools. The meetings are open to the public. They are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Chamblee Civic Center, at 3540 Broad St. in Chamblee. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the program begins at 8 a.m. There is no charge for first-time guests; the cost for returning guests is $10 and $5 for members. A continental breakfast will be served. Follow Patch's Extensive Coverage of the DeKalb School Board: New School Board Gets Active Live Blog: …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Patch is live streaming and blogging from Tuesday's Brookhaven city council meeting.
Brookhaven made history on Tuesday night, as it adopted its first budget in city history. Also, later Tuesday night, Interim DeKalb Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond and state Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Brookhaven), will address the city council and the audience. Patch is live streaming and blogging during the city council's work session, formal budget vote, and Thurmond's and Jacobs' addresses throughout the evening. The city council will convene a work session at 4:30 pm on Wednesday. The budget vote is set to begin at 6 pm, and Thurmond and Jacobs are anticipated to speak after 7 pm. You can also follow our RSS feed here. See Also: Major Decision Coming Tuesday for Brookhaven Budget Vote Postponed for Another Public Hearing Robocalls …
Monday, March 25, 2013
The council is tentatively set to adopt a budget, and two of DeKalb's most high-profile officials will address the city.
In Brookhaven's road to cityhood, Tuesday, March 26, is set to rank up there with the vote to incorporate and inaugurate its first mayor and city council. After months of debate - not to mention charges and counter-charges over possible tax increases or service cuts - Brookhaven will adopt its first budget in history during Tuesday night's city council meeting at DeKalb PATH Academy. Also on Tuesday night, Interim DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond and state Rep. Mike Jacobs will speak to the city council regarding improvements to the local school system. Thurmond will give a brief presentation on the status of the new board of education and its next steps. He will be followed by Jacobs, who will discuss local …
Friday, March 22, 2013
Brookhaven's Marshall Orson introduced a measure separating the board from the lawsuit filed by suspended members.
The DeKalb County Board of Education held its first meeting Wednesday with a new line-up. This included, of course, the six chosen by Gov. Nathan Deal in a controversial move that drew a lawsuit from suspended members. The most significant action taken Wednesday was a motion for the district to remove itself as a plaintiff from that lawsuit, thus saving taxpayers a considerable sum in legal fees. It passed 9-0 and was introduced by Marshall Orson (District 2 - Brookhaven). Orson, who was elected last year and began his term in January, said in his opening remarks, "My only criticism is that the three of us can longer call ourselves the new guys." He was referring to Jim McMahan (District 4 - Tucker, North Druid Hills, Lakeside) and new …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
A former DeKalb school board member will be live blogging during Wednesday night's board of education meeting.
Nancy Jester, a former member of the DeKalb School Board, will be live blogging during Wednesday night's board of education meeting. Her live blog will begin at 5:50, as the board prepares to convene its first meeting with six new board members that replace the ones suspended by Gov. Nathan Deal. Jester represented District 1, now represented by John Coleman. Brookhaven's school board representative, Marshall Orson, was not one of the six suspended board members. You can follow Jester's live blog here on Patch. Follow Patch's Extensive Coverage of the DeKalb School Board: Five Brookhaven, Chamblee Residents Volunteer for DeKalb School Board DeKalb Schools: 'There Is No Plan' Dunwoody's Nancy Jester Resigns from DeKalb School Board New …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The new members will be sworn in at 1 pm on Wednesday.
Gov. Nathan Deal announced six new DeKalb school board members on Wednesday morning: Deal announced that the new school board members will be sworn into office at 1 pm on Wednesday afternoon at the DeKalb Board of Education offices. “I have reminded these individuals that we were brought to these circumstances because of issues of governance,” Deal said. “I have implored they work together cooperatively. I’ve also reminded them that we have a new school superintendent and I have every confidence that he will lead the school system forward.” Deal said he examined whether to reinstate any of the six suspended board members, but decided “it would be best to enter into this new process with a clean slate.” Deal also said Interim School …
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The announcement is set for 11 am on Wednesday.
Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to announce replacements for six suspended DeKalb school board members on Wednesday. A panel appointed by the governor has spent the last several days vetting the candidates. The panel also met with Deal Tuesday morning to discuss their findings and recommendations. “I am overwhelmed by the extraordinary group of people in DeKalb County who stepped forward to try to help their community,” Deal said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. “I greatly appreciate the nominating panel’s hard work and the difficult choices the members faced when narrowing down a field with so many excellent candidates. These individuals have worked with the best interests of DeKalb’s children in mind, and I’m proud of the …
Road Scholar
8:51 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013
Put it in a rainy day fund that cannot be touched w/o public hearings. Can anyone tell us how much the lawsuits by past board members will cost? I don't think so...if we have to pay them and their lawyers. Wait until next year to see if there is another surplus and how much. more ›