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 …
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 …
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 …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
DeKalb schools' interim superintendent holds his first meeting.
Newly-appointed interim school superintendent Michael Thurmond wasted no time on Monday night as he held his first meeting with board members at the district's Stone Mountain headquarters. “I do not have a magic wand,” Thurmond said, "but every day we will come with one goal in mind: to become better and to inspire and educate our children.” He joins the DeKalb School District at a difficult time - his predecessor's sudden departure, probation from SACS, and a continuing struggle to maintain accreditation. Thurmond promised to restore the reputation of DeKalb's schools, according to the AJC. The nine-member school board, some of whom have only been on the job about a month, is hoping to avoid being removed by Governor Nathan Deal. Parent…
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 …
Tom Doolittle
8:29 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Daily Beast Rankings heavy on Grad Rates--kills GA schools due to new 5-year disallowance and not tracking transfers. Total Bullcrap. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/05/06/america-s-best-high-schools.html more ›