Atlanta School Board - A Change is a Coming

Atlanta is just a day away from a historic vote for the Atlanta Board of Education that sets the education policy for the nearly 50,000-student school district.

Seven of the nine board seats are being contested on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and with four current board members not running, a majority of the new board that convenes in January could be made up of new members if just one incumbent loses.

The incumbents who are seeking reelection have taken a lot of punches from their opponents this election season. It’s been a tough few years for Atlanta Public Schools, which has endured a cheating scandal under former Superintendent Beverly Hall that has drawn national attention.

Opponents have also banged on a board that bickered amongst itself so much that it threatened the system’s accreditation, and also oversaw a district where only 51 percent of its students graduate in four years.

Incumbents in turn have championed accomplishments, including an expansion of rigorous course offerings, an overhaul of the teacher and principal evaluation systems, and a transformed process to make sure the best educators are recruited and retained.

While incumbent Byron Amos, whose District 2 covers central Atlanta, and newcomer Matt Westmoreland, whose District 3 covers portions of east Atlanta, are running unopposed, the other 25 candidates vying for seven seats have been campaigning fast and furiously.

And everyone agrees, especially Atlanta’s parents and business community, that it’s time for APS and its board to move forward no matter who's sitting on it. The website Financial Deconstruction has been at the forefront of the election coverage and see here for a compilation of the candidate’s closing statements and as well as endorsements from a variety of media outlets.

Voters on Tuesday will be electing four board members – one from their district and three more at-large candidates who will represent the entire city – but there is a strong chance that one or more races will continue further with a runoff.

What is known is the next school board will face a host of challenges beginning in 2014, including selecting a new superintendent, tackling difficult budget issues, determining the role of charter schools, and last but not least, revamping an image that has left the system battered.

Election Day 2013 will be a historic one for the Atlanta Board of Election, indeed. How do you think it will all shake out and are you optimistic about the next board?