Charges of misconduct have triggered an ethics probe of the Clayton County School Bboard, by a school accreditation group. The investigation includes allegations of misspent money, intimidation of teachers, and unethical behavior.
School board vice chair Rod Johnson filed the complaint with the non-profit Southern Association of Colleges and Schools ("SACS"). He alleges at least three of members of the board overstepped their authority.
"We can suggest things anytime we feel like we want to suggest things, but to take actual steps and actions, which they have done, they went to meetings and called meetings, they went beyond their duties and descriptions, in terms of a board member."This is the second time the Clayton County School Board has been investigated. In 2003, the school board was penalized for interfering with day-to-day operations of district schools.
Nearly 52 thousand students attend public school in Clayton County. Without a stamp of approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, those students aren't eligible for HOPE scholarships.
The school district has until December 12th to turn over meeting minutes, bid proposals and other documents to SACS to determine the truth of Johnson's allegations.
A spokesperson for the schools denied our request for an interview. However, a statement on the group's website says it will cooperate fully with the investigation.
