State lawmakers are responding to the chance a Georgia school system could lose its accreditation for the first time in state history. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has give Clayton County until September 1st to improve its school system. Students in Clayton County schools would lose pre-kindergarten funds, HOPE scholarships, college hopes.
Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced several initiatives to help Clayton County Public Schools maintain its schools’ accreditation. Two liaisons from the state Board of Education will serve as advisors to the county. Governor Perdue has also called for state agency assistance in the three separate audits recommended by SACS so that the system can maintain accreditation. Governor Perdue has also asked for legislation to be drafted that will automatically trigger a referendum to remove a school board if the system it governs loses accreditation.
The head of the Clayton County School board, Erica Davis issued the following statement.
"I appreciate the Governor’s offer to assist our school system in its efforts to maintain its accreditation. I know that our students, parents, school system staff and members of our community have made requests for his intervention and I, for one, am grateful for it. With the experience and expertise of Mr. Bryant and Mr. Bostic as liaisons, along with the state agency assistance to conduct audits of our system so that corrective measures can be taken, I am assured that we will be able to do what must be done to protect the educational futures of our children. I also wholeheartedly support the Governor’s legislation for a referendum to remove a school board if its’ accreditation is lost. While our SACS report indicates that not all of our board members failed to comply with school board policy and SACS standards, the reality is that with any board, the actions of some affect the public trust of the entire board. No governmental entity can
effectively and successfully operate without the support of its citizens. Once public trust is comprised and children become the casualty, the best and only answer is to start anew. "
Ericka Davis, Chairwoman
Clayton County Board of Education
Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced several initiatives to help Clayton County Public Schools maintain its schools’ accreditation. Two liaisons from the state Board of Education will serve as advisors to the county. Governor Perdue has also called for state agency assistance in the three separate audits recommended by SACS so that the system can maintain accreditation. Governor Perdue has also asked for legislation to be drafted that will automatically trigger a referendum to remove a school board if the system it governs loses accreditation.
The head of the Clayton County School board, Erica Davis issued the following statement.
"I appreciate the Governor’s offer to assist our school system in its efforts to maintain its accreditation. I know that our students, parents, school system staff and members of our community have made requests for his intervention and I, for one, am grateful for it. With the experience and expertise of Mr. Bryant and Mr. Bostic as liaisons, along with the state agency assistance to conduct audits of our system so that corrective measures can be taken, I am assured that we will be able to do what must be done to protect the educational futures of our children. I also wholeheartedly support the Governor’s legislation for a referendum to remove a school board if its’ accreditation is lost. While our SACS report indicates that not all of our board members failed to comply with school board policy and SACS standards, the reality is that with any board, the actions of some affect the public trust of the entire board. No governmental entity can
effectively and successfully operate without the support of its citizens. Once public trust is comprised and children become the casualty, the best and only answer is to start anew. "
Ericka Davis, Chairwoman
Clayton County Board of Education
