Concerned parents pack Clayton County Schools meeting - KMSP-TV

Concerned parents packed Clayton County's school board meeting on Monday night. Last week, the school system received a letter from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools outlining problems that could lead to the loss of accreditation yet again.

School board members presented a united front on Monday, saying they will ask SACS to detail instances of in-fighting, micro management, and other alleged wrongdoing by the board.
     
Clayton County regained full accreditation just last year after losing it in the fall of 2008. At that time, SACS also cited serious problems with the school board.

While concerned parents, educators, and community leaders are demanding accountability, most offered their support to the beleaguered board.

"I do feel that they have some issues with communication, and not really talking to each other, instead talking at each other," said Richard Jones, a parent.

The mayors of Lovejoy and Riverdale say more than the county's educational standing is at stake.

"It affects our tax base. We don't have the businesses. We don't have the homeowners and, in turn, we can't give the board of education the more money that  they need to operate at a higher standard. It all has to do with dollars and cents," said Lovejoy Mayor Bobby Cartwright.

Luvenia Jackson, a retired educator, was sworn in as interim superintendent for Clayton County Schools on Monday morning.

Board members will begin taking public input during the search for a new superintendent, but say the next superintendent will be hired after the November elections.