About Dunwoody reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 2013)
EDUCATION Jester hopes DeKalb schools see ‘significant reformations’ The DeKalb school board been placed on accreditation probation by AdvancED, a non-governmental accred iting agency. As a result, the DeKalb board mem bers were called to a hearing of the Georgia Board of Education Jan. 17. The hearing will be continued Feb. 21. The state board of education could rec ommend suspending the DeKalb school board members, an authority that rests with Gov. Nathan Deal if he chooses to do so. School board member Nancy Jest er, who represents Dunwoody and Brookhaven in District 1 on the DeKalb Board of Education, shared her thoughts on the future of the school board. Reporter Newspapers asked Jester about the situation. What do you think about * the Jan. 17 hearing with the Georgia Board of Education? A. I expected that the state board would reconvene the hearing at a later date and they did so, setting the hearing for February 21st. School board member Nancy Jester Do you feel the state * school board listened to what you had to say? A. Given that both parties, the state and DeKalb, had ac knowledged that the “hearing” on Jan. 17 would not contain a full review due to procedural constraints (notice for evi dence, witnesses, etc.) a thorough exam ination of the report and facts did not take place. Many of the “facts” described in the AdvancED report were based on my re search and writings regarding the finan cial malfeasance that I uncovered. I was pleased to hear the State Board of Edu cation say publically that they believed that the DeKalb Board should be more “aggressive” in investigating improper spending and budgeting practices. They also questioned other BOE members regarding their support of my findings. Only two DeKalb board members supported me when I brought these matters to their attention -- Don McChesney (formerly the member from District 2) and Pam Speaks (District 8). ■ I What do you expect from y* the Feb. 21 hearing? A. Any expectations I have at this point would be specu lative. What effect do you think * this will have on the DeKalb school system long term? A. I hope this process will re sult in significant reforma tions in the governance structure within the district. I am an advocate for auton omously run schools with no interfer ence from the central office. I believe that parents and communi ties know best what their children need to be successful academically. If we can push all decisions, including policy, cur riculum, calendars, budgeting and hir ing to school governance councils, we have the opportunity to quickly and ef fectively inject innovation and flexibility into our schools. I believe this will result in dramati cally increased student achievement re sults, happier parents and healthy neigh borhoods. I hope this is the long term legacy of this process. ( 1 Do you think this will —y* this have any impact on students? cussed above, the students in DeKalb will receive a much better education and communities will be empowered to provide the unique solutions their students need. 41 have advertised with Reporter Newspapers since 2007, and I can say it is the single best thing I have ever done for my business. 99 - Angie Ponsell Keller Williams Real Estate Agent With 130,000 readers in four great communities, Reporter Newspapers work for our advertisers! To find out how your business can benefit, contact publisher Steve Levene at 404-917-2200, ext. Ill or email publisher@reporternewspapers.net. www.ReporterNewspapers.net lists x ; ;.y. !&:• . , - - ■ Hog! DUN www.ReporterNewspapers.netl JAN. 25 —FEB. 7, 2013 | 27
