patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

State Board of Education Recommends Removal of Six DeKalb Members

Replay Patch's live coverage of Thursday's marathon hearing.

 


The State Board of Education voted late Thursday night to recommend the removal of six members of the DeKalb School Board to Gov. Nathan Deal.

The board voted unanimously to recommend that Sarah Copelin-Wood, Donna Edler, Eugene Walker, Jay Cunningham, Nancy Jester and Pamela Speaks be removed from the DeKalb school board.

If Gov. Deal follows the board's recommendation, Jim McMahan, Marshall Orson and Melvin Johnson would remain on the board as newly elected members.

The recommendation came after a meeting that began at 8 am and ended at 10:15 pm.

The meeting was the latest in the DeKalb school system's ongoing battle to avoid losing its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, which has already placed the system on probation.

DeKalb's school board had to convince the State Board of Education that it was making progress toward retaining its accreditation. The State Board has the authority to recommend that Gov. Deal remove the board.

The DeKalb school board had sought a temporary injunction of this morning's meeting as it challenges the law that gives the governor the authority to remove an entire school board. A judge ruled denied the request early Wednesday afternoon.

Related Items:

Thurmond: Voters Partially Responsible for School Board Strife

Remove the DeKalb Board of Education

DeKalb School Board Sues to Stop State Board Hearing

Patch Analysis: Thurmond Could Save DeKalb BOE's Jobs

DeKalb School Board Appoints Michael Thurmond Interim Superintendent

Related Topics: DeKalb Board of Education and DeKalb School Board

Jimmy Bridges

8:13 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

How do we stop them from using more of our money to hire lawyers to protect them from what we all want?

Reply
Comment_arrow

contented-NOT

6:59 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

I think I heard stipend of $150k/year is what the chairman gets. I guess it is worth using our money to keep that stream coming into his pocket. What do we pay the non-chairman members?

GA

8:26 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Melvin Johnson as chair is NOT a move in the right direction!

Reply

RandyRand

9:07 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sara Copeland Woods 45 min late to the BOE meeting. Can you believe that she is that disrespectful to all involved? Career Ending Move! Hopefully!

Reply
Comment_arrow

H.A. Hurley

11:56 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Nerve! Such brazen and/or ignorant behaviors. We are all embarrassed for her. Not a clue!

Shawn Keefe

9:19 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Obviously, yesterday's "governance training" session for the DeKalb BOE did not cover basic skills like telling time. Sarah Copelin-Wood arrives 45 MINUTES LATE to this morning's hearing in front of the State Board who is charged with recommending to the Governor whether or not she keeps her job. Furthermore, the odds are high that she FALLS ASLEEP like in the first State hearing before lunch. I look forward to the pictures that come out of this hearing. To those in SCW's district who voted for her, please explain WHY you think she serves the best interests of DeKalb's students and taxpayers.

Reply
Comment_arrow

dianne joy

10:29 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I would like to see the answer to your question, too. Showing up THAT late is inexcusable. She should have allowed enough time for a wreck, bad hair day, long lines at Starbucks and any other lame excuse she could come up with. How embarrassing for everyone.

Adrienne Duncan

10:30 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Finally got video. Hope audio works. All those cameras in the room (news media?) and no one is broadcasting live??? ::smh::

Reply

Scott Holcomb

10:45 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Hey folks, State BoE is aware of tech issues and has been working on them. Try this alternate link.
real.doe.k12.ga.us:8080/ramgen/encoder…

Reply
Comment_arrow

Beth Laing

12:20 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Thanks Scott, can you repost entire link -- it didn't all post.
Thanks

Bill in Brookhaven

11:29 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Mr Byers is giving us an accounting lesson today.

Reply

Bill in Brookhaven

11:43 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013

If I was subpoenaed and not present in a hearing the sheriff would be sent to pick me up.

Reply

Bill in Brookhaven

1:11 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Don't you think they can produce evidence to show that Sarah Copelin-Wood's email was sent to staff? As part of the subpoena for her email, didn't they probably gain access to staff email?

Reply

Scott Holcomb

2:44 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sorry - just seeing that full link didn't paste. I think you need real player for it to work.

http://real.doe.k12.ga.us:8080/ramgen/encoder/gadoewebcast.rm

Reply

Bob Peppel

4:55 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Can we try Smith & Wesson, I don't think they understand English?

Reply

Sharon Daugherty

5:01 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

As much as I want the board gone, I am not at all interested in a board that is appointed by Nathan Deal. Its not just the school board we are losing, it is the power of our votes! It is never a good idea to hand over anything to one body. Once the CEO role is gone and the board is "replaced", what happens to us then?We need a new board, but we need to be the ones that appoints them!

Reply
Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

10:19 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sharon,
I couldn't agree more.
Nathan (shady) Deal has learned the details of manufacturing a crisis and then responding to it.
I don't see how his 'picks' would somehow be more capable of resolving this situation to the best interest of the voters.

Comment_arrow

wiggedout

11:16 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Now, wait a minute; careful what you wish for. The existing board was elected by the citizens of DeKalb County, and how is that working out for us? AND, I would think that Deal would be very interested in appointing people who, for the short time before the next election, would put a much better face on the county (and therefore, the state) than what's there now. Give him a chance, at least (and I'm NOT a Republican, BTW).

Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

11:47 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

wigger,

Just what gives you that faith?

Comment_arrow

contented-NOT

6:59 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

We put the wrong ones in office. I hope we do not have to suffer through our mistake until the end of their term. I don't think the Governor will do as badly as the voters when he makes replacements.

Bill in Brookhaven

7:45 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

What happened this afternoon? I couldn't watch all day. I had to get back to work.

Reply

HamBurger

10:31 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Lakeside is not the school it once was. Very unfortunate. Wonderful area, just not for parents with school age children.

Reply

Bill in Brookhaven

10:38 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Woo hoo! Progress! Finally!

It's a pity about Jester and Speaks, they are collateral damage, but they will land on their feet.

Reply
Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

11:48 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Why is jester, the acolyte of dan weber, held in any esteem?

Comment_arrow

Ann Claps

4:36 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

Ann Claps Bill in Brookhaven - you are so right about Nancy Jester & Pamela Speaks!Two women who could save the day singlehandedly! What a pity!!!

Comment_arrow

dianne joy

7:00 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

It is a shame about Speaks and Jester but I agree they will do okay. I saw Dr. walker say there was no nepotism and he will fight this and let the courts decide. He just doesn't get it, does he? He has 3 family members working for the DCSS! That is not nepotism? He doesn't see anything wrong with anything. Just unbelievable. He has got to go and take the corruption with him. And the last place this school board needs to be is in anger court! Do we pay for that defense, too?

Reality & Logic

10:40 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Political correctness ruins everything.

Reply

HamBurger

10:52 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

Just curious, did anyone actually see Rep. Mike Jacobs on site? Just curious . . .

Please pass the yellow mustard!

Reply
Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

11:46 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I doubt that there was anyone with a microphone for Representative napoleon.

Anyway, his signature legislation to kill MARTA had just passed today, so he had contributors to thank.

Comment_arrow

Mike Jacobs

12:13 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

I was there. Thanks for your inquiry.

Unlike most DeKalb County legislators, I also voted in favor of SB 79 in 2011, which is the law that created the suspension process for the school board. I believe Fran Millar, Tom Taylor and Mary Margaret Oliver voted for it as well.

That law is fixing a major problem.

Comment_arrow

City Yes

8:20 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

I guess Jacobs put it to you, Burger. You and your lover Eddie look like morons as usual.

Comment_arrow

HamBurger

9:23 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

Rep. Mike Jacobs, your presence is nice, but too bad you, Rep. To, Taylor, and Sen. Fran Millar did not involve yourselves with DCSS to the extent that you folks did with the creation of the city of Brookhaven. If you had, corrections could have been made earlier to the system. Really, how attractive is a county with a dysfunctional school system that will take years to repair to citizens and businesses?

Now that you have created your new city, what are you doing to create positive changes in DeKalb County government? You know, we are STILL in DeKalb!

===

City Yes, simpleton, see above. Also, some were there for the complete hearing while others just “popped in” for a few minutes. But, it is comforting that Re. Mike Jacobs made an appearance.

Please pass the yellow mustard!

Comment_arrow

HamBurger

10:12 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

City Yes, by the way, what makes you think that the individual posting as Rep. Mike Jacobs is really him? It could be just another one of your Patch personas!

Special hamburger and Cheerwwine?

Comment_arrow

Rob

12:25 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Quote"
HamBurger
2 hours ago
City Yes, by the way, what makes you think that the individual posting as Rep. Mike Jacobs is really him? It could be just another one of your Patch personas!

Special hamburger and Cheerwwine?" End Quote

OR it could be a pesky little troll who has no life????

Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

2:04 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

mike,

I can forgive Ms. Oliver for voting for this unConstitutional bill.
By the way, how did the Dekalb Delegation vote on your 'Annual Destroy MARTA Bill' yesterday?

Ralph

2:44 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

Laws are in place to provide a process to remove all elected officials who do not do their utis, from the President - removal by congress - federal judges all the way done to county sherriffs and - county board members . That is the way it should be.

Reply

Bob Peppel

7:36 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

I don't really know about Jester but I did vote for Speaks. If you think they should be re-appointed, drop a note to your state legislator and state senator.

Reply

bulldogger

10:06 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

Whatcha wanna bet me that the board members appointed by ND will be mostly black and will not be able to solve any of the problems plaguing the DCSS. Folks, the DCSS/BOE are dysfunctional, have been dysfunctional for years and will continue to be dysfunctional for years to come. Now come on, how many of you really think that the new board/superintendent is gonna go in and have massive layoffs of people who shouldn't have been hired to begin with? Folks, it's not gonna happen.......this is an entitlement to them and they're not gonna go down without swinging. Home Depot/Ace Hardware/Lowe's all have "House for sale" signs. Maybe it's time to prop up the economy.

Reply
Comment_arrow

Reality & Logic

11:33 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

Oh, gawd. Bulldogger, you're right. ND won't risk being politically incorrect, so he'll appoint more incompetent blacks to these positions. This is going to be a dysfunctional county until more people wake up and recognize the fact that political correctness and affirmative action have destroyed a once vibrant and successful school system. This has happened all over the country. Black undertow.

Comment_arrow

Stephen W. Ramsden

7:13 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013

...so, if they're black, they're incompetent? You realize that the county is over 70% African American right? What does the color of the school board members skin have to do with their ability to manage the school system? Just curious?

William Fulcrum

10:29 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

I'm getting ready to hit you all between the eyes but here goes...Until the African American community who, in actuality, run this county stops voting in the incompetent among them this county is doomed to failure. This county and the school system thrived when the balance of power was tipped in the other direction. The African American community can rise up and fix this thing. It's truly in your hands.

Reply

Reality & Logic

11:27 am on Friday, February 22, 2013

William Fulcrum, you are so right!! Thank you for stating the facts! I'm glad to know that there is someone who will face the truth. Political correctness is what's created this horror. I do not believe that the black community can fix this, however, because these useless pukes who run the county are either too self-centered and corrupt or they're just dumb. Probably a combination of all three. Bleeding heart whites have created this mess by allowing political correctness and affirmative action to destroy everything.

Reply

Bob Peppel

12:03 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Do you think that the people who elect Hank Johnson are smart enough to vote for good school board mmembers?

Reply
Comment_arrow

David Warlick

4:14 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Hank Johnson is excellent. Take a few minutes to talk to him. Get to know him.

Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

5:14 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

David,
Clearly spoken truth!
It is a shame that Rep. Johnson's ample sense of humor was used against him by the clowns on wrong-wing radio.
For the last several years, he has always been one of the most open and approachable members of the Georgia Delegation.

Rob

1:15 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Interesting that on Jester`s blog, she is only showing 62 followers?

Like so many other things in Dunwoody, I don`t think her admiration is nearly as powerful as some would have us think.

Reply

"E Pluribus Unum"

2:31 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

A bigot's mind is an incredible work of ignorance, fear, self absorption, and denial.

Reply

Rob

3:39 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

The only thing worse than a bigot is a guy who fills a whole thread using different, multi-gendered names to talk to himself and try to create arguments. So, so, soooo sad!

Reply
Comment_arrow

GoAndie

5:13 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Rotfl--please tell me people don't do this?

Reality & Logic

4:21 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Too often people stating facts and telling the truth are labeled bigots.

Reply

Rob

4:40 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Reference my last post, see above --->

Reply

GoAndie

5:15 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Did they really get rid of six BOE members? I'm glad they are gone!

Reply
Comment_arrow

Rob

6:38 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

And yet another....you really should try and use that "valedictorian" brian of yours, you are not a good sneak!

RandyRand

5:58 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

And now the blame game: blame SACS, blame the test,....blame race. These are the cries of the proven non-competent! As Sara Copeland Woods continued to demonstrated yesterday, being late to the meeting, and late again to testify, and then by being low functioning in her testimony. She is not competent to oversee a $900 million dollar a year entitiy that must produce highly educated students.

Reply
Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

6:57 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Agreed.

Now how will shady's picks do anything to solve this?
What does SACS notions of an appropriate number of board members have to do with anything?
Why do we not have an effective method of evaluating and dealing with individual board members malfeasance?
Could it be that, starting with the Legislature, we have no effective ETHICS rules in place?

Erica M

6:29 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

I'm really upset about the Board being allowed to use taxpayer's funds to defend themselves against their employer, the taxpayer. It's ridiculous. I've sent a note to both Rep. Mike Jacobs and Rep. Scott Holcomb, asking them to initiate legislation to end this and hope you all will also take the time to write them, as well. Please be polite and logical - it goes a long way.

Reply
Comment_arrow

Mike Jacobs

12:06 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Erica, that is a great idea. I will have the bill prepared and talk with Rep. Holcomb about it on Monday. And, you are right, politeness goes a long way.

Comment_arrow

Eddie E.

9:03 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Erica,
Representative jacobs needs to be frank and explain that any legislation would be for the 2014-2015 session as there is no likelihood any legislation could be crafted, submitted, assigned and moved through committee and passed through the House this session. Crossover day is too close and there is much work to be done on existing legislation.

Brookhaven Maven

9:06 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Erica M @ 6:29pm --

Don't waste your time. Neither of these two guys are responsive to the lowly electorate. If they were --- and if they cared --- they would have done something about the problems long before now. They would have been having to live under a rock not to know there were serious issues.

I, too, am extremely unhappy that the DK school board may spend even a penny of my tax dollars on a lawsuit. If it's so important to them, let them spend their own money.

-- The Maven

Reply

"E Pluribus Unum"

10:25 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013

Hey Rob, I missed hearing your sad confession last Saturday. Maybe tomorrow? For your penance, refrain from using the word "troll."

Reply
Comment_arrow

What goes around comes around

10:25 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Get real. That would be like taking a pacifier away from a baby.

Reality & Logic

11:06 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Stephen W. Ramsden, it's not the color of their skin; it's the content of their character.

Reply

Stephen W. Ramsden

11:14 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013

exactly, so why do several people keep using incompetent and black together as if it is a given.?

Reply
Comment_arrow

Reality & Logic

1:24 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

Because of the content of their character.

Just a thought

1:22 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

While I agree it's past time for change, I don't agree that the governor should pick the school board replacements. We have the right to vote for and elect our own representatives. What should happen is an immediate special election so we can decide for ourselves. While I may not trust the current school board, I certainly do not trust that the governor won't fill these seats with his friends and supporters. Which is worse is a matter of opinion. All I know is unlike the governor, I live in DeKalb, and I have a right to vote on my elected officials.

Reply
Comment_arrow

RandyRand

3:55 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

If you believe you should be entitled to vote in a replacement board representative, here is the option, all you would need to do is get your current representative to resign before being dismissed. Now ask yourself, do I honestly think that I could get any of these self centered board members to resign before being removed so that you could vote in a replacement of your choice? This crisis is 100% board created. They the current board has demonstrated that they will bankrupt the school system with legal fee before they would willingly step aside. Thus, we all have to go through this last choice and undesired option. It’s called hitting bottom. And this is where we are at.

Just a thought

4:26 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Having spoken to my board member, Jester, I think she would resign if the others would as well, for the betterment of the district as a whole. But personally i don't think she is the real problem. When it comes down to it, if Walker and Coplin-Wood would go away, I think the others could make some progress. I know some will disagree with me and say throw them all out, but we could say that about every politician (and often do) and all of their replacements as well. Having seen some of our governors appointments, I don't want him deciding for me. He could probably avoid all this future legal mess if he just offered Walker and the others a sweet job at PBS with a $150,000 salary as he did Chip Rogers. But I'm getting off the subject, my point was simply this. I'm a registered voter and I, as well as you, should have a voice in who holds an elected position. That's what democracy is all about. In the meantime, I would sign any recall petition that comes my way.

Reply

Just a thought

5:18 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Rob. I'm not even sure what "troll" means in this sense, but whatever. We are all entitled to our opinions. Most, not all, but most of our elected officials will speak with you if approached. I've attended several board meetings and I've not had any problems speaking to Jester, Speaks or McMahan (new guy, not sure if correct spelling). Again, not sticking up for anyone, as I said I will sign any recall petitions that come my way, but I don't need the governor taking away my right to decide who represents me. Glad that taking away your right to vote makes you roll on the floor with laughter.

Reply

DunwoodyWorkingMan

7:48 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

Troll = anyone disagreeing with Rob. Rob is all bark but not bite and is an impotent resident in that he thinks he is smart yet he is not. Rob dislikes Jester, Davis, Nall, Hneghan, Millar, and Shortal. Rob likes Rob, Rob, Bonser, Wittstein, and Rob

Reply

Ann Claps

10:19 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013

Ann Claps
The very 2 Boardmembers who should NOT be dismissed are Nancy Jester and Pamerla Speaks!!! They are the ONLY 2 on the entire Board with legitamate credentials and track records as well as excellent communications skills! Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater!!!!!!!!

Reply
Comment_arrow

contented-NOT

6:59 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

I don't recall any significant press conferences from either of these two board members that would indicate their feelings were not with the Chairman and did they give yes votes with the Chairman's recommendations? Mama told me, "Don't hang around with the WRONG CROWD because they will get you into trouble".

Ann

3:18 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

Anything with Michael Thurmonds nane on it, no doubt, will be proven to be nothing more than a scam and worthless!

Reply

Leave a comment