The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, May 03, 2018, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextCHAMPION ist Place General Excellence award Winner Georgia Press Association ‘Better Newspaper Contest’ 2007, 2009-2017 SECTION A: VOL. 27 NO. 44 The Official Legal Organ ofDeKalb County, GA. Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker, Stonecrest and Stone Mountain. THURSDAY, MAY3-9,2018 THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM I f (®) DEKALBCHAMPNEWS DDDLIFESTYLE FEATURE: Full Court Press: Basketball tournament raises $20,000 for individuals in need 6B FOR THE LATEST UPDATES VISIT US AT THECHAMPI0NNEWSPAPER.COM POLICETAKES HARD STANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES PAGE4A Denim Day raises sexual assault awareness BY HORACE HOLLOMAN horace@dekalbchamp.com Local leaders, state representatives and survivors of sexual assault gathered for a "Denim Day" rally April 25 to bring awareness to sexual assault, SEE DENIM ON PAGE 11 WILL DEKALB COMPLETE SEWER ASSESSMENTS ON TIME? PAGE7A MUD RUN ABOUT GETTING MUDDY FORA GOOD CAUSE PAGE 8A QUICK FINDER Opinion 6A Education 14A Classified 12A Sports 15A ■641 16 000 01 Fired school bus driver helps organize movement to get rehired A sign advertising the need for new bus drivers hangs at the entrance of DeKalb County School District headquarters on Mountain Industrial Boulevard April 26. Photos by Derek Smith. Melanie Douglas (left) stands with a group of fired bus drivers, parents and community organizers at a press conference just outside the boundaries of DCSD headquarters April 26. BY DEREK SMITH derek@dekalbchamp.com Melanie Douglas worked for 12 years as a bus driver in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). She said while the job wasn't perfect, she enjoyed being "the first person the children meet in the morning, and the last person they see from school on their way home." Her job with the district ended the afternoon of April 19, when a police car pulled up to her home to deliver a letter saying she'd been fired. According to the letter, Douglas was fired because the district "received reliable information" that she "personally promoted and encouraged"the sick-out held April 19,20 and 23 that, according to district officials, resulted in 670 bus driver absences over the three days. Douglas was one of seven bus drivers fired by the district as a result of the sick-out. In a press release DCSD officials said the fired employees were among a group found to actively support or encourage bus drivers not to report to work. "Where's the proof that I did this? To be honest, I didn't pass out anything," Douglas told The Champion. "I spoke at a meeting that [DCSD superintendent Stephen Green] asked us to come to and speak our minds, and I think I spoke my mind a little too well for him." According to DCSD school board member Stan Jester's blog, in a meeting with Green held April 17, drivers outlined more than 50 concerns—including a desire for higher wages and a better retirement plan. Douglas said the list is a result of complaints that go back several years, with no response from the district. "I've been here 12 years, and every other year or so, we raise these same issues and nothing is ever done," she said. "Nothing is ever SEE BUS ON PAGE11

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The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, May 03, 2018, Image 1