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Sports: 2B Leopard players honored for season Community: I2A Youth highlight of horse show June 18,2008 The Banks County News 504^ Homer, Banks County, Georgia 30547 • A Publication of MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. • mainstreetnews.com • 26 Pages, 3 Sections Plus Supplements • Vol. 39 No. 45 Banks school system officials investigating BCES incident BY CHRIS BRIDGES A group of Banks County Elementary School parents arrived at the Board of Education meet ing Monday night hoping for some answers in the investigation into a situation involving assistant principal Lori Rylee. The parents left the brief meeting with no additional information than when they arrived. Banks County Board of Education members and superintendent Chris Erwin are continuing their investiga tion into an alleged incident at BCES involving male fifth grade students being forced to drink from a water fountain in which a substance was poured. Some parents fear the sub stance may have been urine. Keith Segars, a parent of a fifth grade student at BCES, spoke once again to the board during Monday’s June meeting. Segars is representing a group of parents who want Rylee removed from her assistant principal position. Before speaking of the alleged inci dent at BCES, Segars congratulated the board members for the quality scores on the recent CRCT. Segars then spoke of the ongoing investigation into the incident at the elementary school saying it was a “disgraceful incident.” “We expressed our desire to work with you about this,” Segars said. “We are here to talk with you to see if you can relay some information to us. It has been a month now.” BOE chairman Ron Gardiner said the investigation is still ongoing. “When we have something we will let you know,” Gardiner said. Monday’s BOE meeting lasted six minutes. A reporter and cameraman from an Atlanta television station were also in attendance. The concerned group of parents has hired an attorney, B. Chan Caudell of Cornelia. Following Monday’s meeting, Caudell issued the following statement: “Too often in our society, no one wants to accept personal responsibil ity for their actions. My clients and I feel that, sadly, this is another instance of someone refusing to admit that they were wrong. This incident hap pened over one month ago and all that we have heard and seen thus far are excuses and denials. “We know that the vice principal at Banks County Elementary School PARENTS SPEAK OUT Keith Segars, center, speaks to a television reporter prior to Monday night’s board of education meet ing. Segars is the spokesman for a group of fifth grade parents at Banks County Elementary School who are seeking the dismissal of assistant principal Lori Rylee, saying Rylee forced male fifth grade students to drink from the water fountain after an unknown substance, possibly urine, was poured into it. The BOE took no action on the matter Monday, saying the investigation is still being con ducted. Segars is shown with attorney Chan Caudell, who is representing the concerned parents. Photo by Chris Bridges forced the boys in the fifth grade to line up in the hallway and drink from a water fountain where there was concern that urine had been poured. These facts are not in dispute. “As parents and as taxpayers of Banks County, my clients are anxious to see if the Banks County School Superintendent and the Banks County Ms. Rylee would like to thank the many parents and colleagues that have continued to support her and acknowl edge her 13 years of dedication to the children of Banks County.” Parents await decision on assistant principal Board of Education will stand up and protect their school children. “The school system has a print ed motto that states, ‘Attitude is Everything.’ We hope the Superintendent and the elected officials will display an attitude of accountability and leadership by hold ing the school official responsible for these deplorable actions. My clients, their children, and the community are closely watching.” The parents also contend Rylee told the students not to talk of the incident or law enforcement or Department of Family and Children Services would be contacted. Several members of the teaching staff at BCES have expressed their support for Rylee in this situation. Numerous teachers turned out during the May meeting to show support for the assistant principal. Stan Baker, who is Rylee’s attorney, issued the following statement follow ing Monday’s meeting: “Ms. Rylee appreciates the fact that the School Board is not rushing to judgment. We are confident that the investigation will reveal that much of the allegations circulating are based on inaccurate rumors and innuendo. Pottery festival planned Sat. The 8th annual North Georgia Folk Potters Festival will be Saturday, June 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Banks County Middle School gym, 712 Thompson Street, Homer. There will be 40 potters from across the southeast, as well as from the Banks County arts depart ment selling their creations. There will be also a raffle for the Banks County Art Department. Each potter who attends donates one of their creations to the art department. The art department will be selling $1 raffle tickets. News - 2-3A •Homer streetscape update given — page 3A • ‘A rude awakening’ — page 4A Other news •Social News — pages 9-11A •School News — pages 6-8B •Public Safety — page 6A •Legals — pages 4-5B • Church — page 8A • Obituaries — page 7A Helmet Club offers role models, summer fun MENTORING PROGRAM A little summer fun was a key element to the first meeting of the Banks County Helmet Club last Friday morning. Banks County High School varsity football players have been paired with younger players to provide them with a role model on and off the gridiron. At left, BCHS assistant coach Tony Bowen and his son, varsity football player Justin Bowen, take part in some needed relief from the heat with a fire hose during the session. Organizers of the club say it is a way for younger and older players to hold each other accountable for their actions and to represent their school and community. See page 1B for more photos. Photos by Lyn Sengupta Vintage Corvette recovered in Rockdale County BY CHRIS BRIDGES A Florida man will have his 1965 Corvette returned to him. Authorities in Rockdale County discovered the stolen vehicle last week and currently have the classic car impounded. It will be returned to owner Paul Smith who had the vehicle stolen while he was in Banks County for the Super Chevy Show at Atlanta Dragway. The Corvette, which is valued at well over $100,000, was reported stolen the morning after Smith arrived in Banks County from Florida. He discovered the Corvette, along with the truck and trailer he used to transport it, all stolen from a local motel parking lot. The truck, a 1983 Chevrolet that Smith also purchased when it was new, is still missing. Family members say Smith would also like to recover the truck, since it has sentimental value even though its monetary value is not as high as the Corvette. The trailer is also still missing. Banks County sheriff Charles Chapman, who has been in contact with Rockdale County law enforcement officials, said the Corvette has not been damaged and is still “in mint condition.” The car was impounded since officials sus pect it may have been used in the commission of a home invasion in Rockdale County. Political forum planned Thurs. Candidates in the July 15 election have been invited to two area events. The Banks County Chamber of Commerce will hold a political forum from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the Banks County High School auditorium. A “meet and greet” with the candidates will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at Hebron Presbyterian Church and Schoolhouse. This event is sponsored by the church and the historical society. The church is located between Sims Bridge Road and Bold Springs Road on Hebron Church Road. Five arrested in county water plant break-in BY CHRIS BRIDGES Five people, including one juvenile, were arrested last week after allegedly breaking into the Banks County water plant located on Water Plant Road in the Commerce area. Banks County sheriff Charles Chapman said it appeared nothing had been taken from the location, but the doorknob had been removed and the suspects had entered the building. Arrests and charged with criminal trespassing were: •Kevin Lee Birr, 22, 354 Water Plant Road, Commerce. •Sharee Rosalee Lunsford, 19, 126 Blackberry Lane, Gillsville. •Kalum Shane Hart, 17, 354 Water Plant Road, Commerce. •Kevin Nathan Carter, 18, 116 Hillcrest Street, Commerce. All four were booked into the Banks County jail and later released on bond. Chapman said a juvenile was also arrested and was turned over to juvenile authorities. The sheriff said investigators were able to track the suspects down rather quickly after conducting inter views in the area. Chapman said investigators believed at least some of the suspects lived nearby.