E. Rivers Principal Named District Superintendent

Former school board chairman resigns

E. Rivers Elementary School Principal David White was promoted to an area superintendent's position Monday in the wake of the state investigation report over the CRCT cheating scandal. The Atlanta School Board approved White's promotion from principal of the Buckhead school to executive director of one of four geographic areas known as School Reform Teams. White will lead SRT 4, according to a news release from APS. He replaces Tamara Cotman, one of the APS officials implicated in the cheating scandal report. Three other principals were also promoted to SRT posts under Interim Superintendent Erroll B. Davis Jr.'s reorganization plan after the CRCT report's release last week. In other action at the meeting, District 2 school board member …

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From the Editor's Desk

APS Needs Stability Now

Present board, while imperfect, is best option to retain accreditation

The Atlanta Public School System just finished the most tumultuous week in probably its most dramatic year since the days segregation ended. Last week's release of the report on the CRCT cheating scandal was even more devastating than the day in January when the APS was placed on accreditation probation. On a trip to Southern Louisiana last week, I was surprised at being asked repeatedly about the cheating scandal. No one ever questioned me about accreditation probation, but the cheating scandal received such a high level of national attention that the entire country wondered what was going on in Atlanta.  The Atlanta School Board ended the week with a welcome effort toward stability by appointing interim Superintendent Erroll Davis for a …

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AdvancED's Elgart Says Accreditation Hurdles Tougher After Cheating Report

Tells WABE's Dennis O'Hayer the outcome now in doubt

From Patch Staff Reports AdvancED CEO Mark Elgart told WABE radio's Dennis O'Hayer that the Atlanta School Board faces a tougher challenge to retain accreditation after the school cheating scandal report's release. The head of the organization that in January placed the APS high schools on accreditation probation told O'Hayer in an interview that the report's finding revealed a more extensive cheating scandal than imagined previously. He said the extent of the problem adds to the board's burden in meeting conditions set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. AdvancED is SACS' parent organization. Here is the link to hear O'Hayer's interview with Elgart on Atlanta's public radio station.

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Step Up Or Step Down Leader Hopeful About APS Changes

Julie Salisbury says board in better position on accreditation

Buckhead Patch in an e-maill asked Buckhead resident Julie Salisbury, a founder of the group Step Up or Step Down, to respond to the Atlanta School Board's change in leadership.  The school board on Wednesday voted 7-1 to elect Brenda Muhammad as its new chair, replacing Khaatim Sherrer El. Here are Buckhead Patch's questions, and Salisbury's responses, on behalf of Step Up Or Step Down, the parents' group that has been monitoring the school board's action to keep accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in placing the APS on probation gave the school board six steps to be met to keep accreditation. Q: Do you think Brenda Muhammad's election will be a big step toward the school system retaining accreditation? What to…

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School Board Member Says Leadership Change 'Necessary'

Board selects new chairman in 7-1 vote

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 …

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APS Board Accepts Chairman's Resignation, AJC Says

But action hinges on judge's approval

The APS board  Monday night voted to formally accept Chairman Khaatim Sherrer El's resignation, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article. However, the far from unanimous action appeared unlikely to meet a judge's criteria and left the board still embattled, the newspaper said.  El and Vice Chairwoman Cecily Harsch-Kinnane will leave their respective leadership posts only if a Fulton County judge approves the move, the AJC said. The board's 5-4 vote included that request as part of its motion but was amended at the last minute by member Yolanda Johnson, who insisted that the board ask the judge to clarify his previous stance that El's leadership was lawful. Before the action, he parents group Step Up or Step Down had called on …

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Parents Group Calls for APS Board Chairman to Step Down Today

Step Up or Step Down Declares It "Move On Monday"

From Patch Staff Reports Step Up Or Step Down leaders have called for Atlanta School Board Chairman Khaatim Sherrer El to step aside at Monday night's meeting. The group organized to monitor the school board after APS was placed on accreditation probation has declared today "Move on Monday," according to a press release from the group. "Weeks ago, current Board Chair Khaatim Sherrer El agreed to step aside from his leadership post in the interest of progress," the group's announcement said. "But Mr. El and some of his supporters continue to stall, spouting conditions and fostering debate over issues that have no relevance to forward motion." "It is time to move forward to address the pressing needs of the 49,000 students this board was …

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