School Board Member Says Leadership Change 'Necessary'

Buckhead school board representative Nancy Meister Wednesday welcomed the election of Brenda Muhammad as the board's new chair, replacing Khaatim Sherrer El.

"The change in leadership that occurred today was necessary for the board to move forward and reunite," Meister, who represents District 4, said in an e-mail to Buckhead Patch. "Mr. El is a terrific leader, and I am confident that Ms. Muhammad will continue the progress that was made under his leadership. I am pleased that Judge Goger reaffirmed that legality of the initial leadership change and allowed a modification to the original order so that today's actions could be taken."

The action, effective immediately, came less than 24 hours after a Fulton County Judge allowed the board to accept Sherrer El's resignation, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said.

Board members asked Superior Court Judge John J. Goger on Monday to release them from a portion of a consent order he issued last year that required current leaders, including Sherrer El, to remain in place until Dec. 31.

The judge issued the order during a lawsuit among board members, part of the conflict on the board that led the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and its parent organization, AdvancED, to place the APS on accreditation probation. SACS gave the school system six conditions to keep accreditation.

Meister said in her e-mail, "The ABE has made significant progress in aggressively addressing the six required actions of SACS. I am committed to working on behalf of the 49,000 students in the system to ensure that a great superintendent is hired, that accreditation is maintained and most importantly that the children who were affected by the CRCT are supported properly."

The CRCT reference is in regard to the test-cheating scandal that marred the end of Superintendent Beverly Hall's administration. Hall leaves office next week. While the board decides on a new superintendent from among now two candidates, the state school board will also meet next week to consider the Atlanta school board's progress in meeting accreditation recommendations. The state school board could recommend that Gov. Nathan Deal remove the current Atlanta school board and appoint new members.

Meister was among those voting for the change on a 7-1 margin. Emmett Johnson cast the lone dissenting vote.

Board memer Cecily Harsch-Kinnane  was on vacation and did not attend the meeting. She remains vice chair, but is expected to resign the post.

Buckhead resident Julie Salisbury, a founder of the Step Up or Step Down organization, released the following statement before the meeting in anticipation of the change: "At Step Up or Step Down, we are hopeful that new board leadership, elected by consensus vote, can re-focus efforts on the many issues impacting the 49,000 students served by the district."

Here is the link to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's article on the board action, published on the newspaper's website.