tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post3540506626709279135..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Defining Cheryl AtkinsonCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56997831156165884282011-08-26T16:30:13.659-04:002011-08-26T16:30:13.659-04:00Speaking of ORRs, several citizens indicated they ...Speaking of ORRs, several citizens indicated they issued these to see the terms of Atkinson's contract, while they were still working on it. What is posted still has a draft label on it. Is it possible a citizen (or media) issued an ORR for Cox's contract while it was still being worked on and revealed what was in an early draft version? Is it possible that one some called a leak really was the result of an ORR?<br /><br />I still don't think Cox was interested in DeKalb and was using them as fodder for the postion she eventually accepted. News of the leak could have given her reason to bow out without having to say no to the offer.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30647749869050421632011-08-26T16:23:26.275-04:002011-08-26T16:23:26.275-04:00"Atkinson's current school is facing fina..."Atkinson's current school is facing financial budget shortfalls. That is probably what Sandy was talking about. Sandy is a lady of facts and does her own research before spouting off."<br /><br />This statement caused me to take a few days off, hoping someone else would point out how perposterous it was. The Lorain school district has had budget shortfalls for years. Prior to Atkinson arriving, over 200 teachers were laid off, almost 1/3 of the staff. She was able to find grant money to hire many of those teachers back. Add to that, the Lorain Board hires both the superintendent and CFO for the school district. The CFO that left the district prior to Atkinson arriving was blamed for unprojecting revenues causing the Board to over obligate on their budget. Atkinson was the one to help clean this up. <br /><br />To suggest or infer Dr. Atkinson had something to do with declining property tax revenues is false and Sandy knows that. Sandy meant to suggest Dr. Atkinson was involved in financial deficiencies at school systems (that is plural) where she worked with the hope everyone would accept her word as gospel. If this is another example of facts and research, you have been hoodwinked again. Maybe she is a hero to you but submitting multiple ORRs (as she has indicated) takes employees away from their primary mission, educating children. It that OK with you, teacher?Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8247421985398526682011-08-24T11:41:35.407-04:002011-08-24T11:41:35.407-04:00Fred, your standards are too low. There are still ...Fred, your standards are too low. There are still parents who would like leadership that doesn't come in the door shrouding the truth. But the BoE accepts this because it frees them from acting with integrity themselves. They now have free reign to be dishonest. That is the culture of this system. I scratch your back, you scratch mine. I won't ride you for misspent funds because you'll hired my unqualified grown child for a job. I won't disqualify you for lying on your application, because I've been bankrupt myself and have been sued by Ford Motor Credit. The BoE found EXACTLY the person they were looking for. Many of us simply wanted someone with a demonstrated track record of integrity and success. And really, when it is the current and past leadership and the BoE that has run this system into the ground -I find it completely disingenuous when posters blame other posters for the mess we're in. Truly it doesn't matter a whit if we "support" Dr. Atkinson. What does that mean? Our contempt of Crawford Lewis had NO EFFECT on how this district operated. He's gone because of criminal charges, not a "lack of parental support." Puleeeze. Ignoring the mess right in front of us doesn't help!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64154865460929743482011-08-24T10:06:53.552-04:002011-08-24T10:06:53.552-04:00@ Fred
Atkinson's current school is facing fi...@ Fred<br /><br />Atkinson's current school is facing financial budget shortfalls. That is probably what Sandy was talking about. Sandy is a lady of facts and does her own research before spouting off.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-56072995971478497572011-08-24T09:57:25.646-04:002011-08-24T09:57:25.646-04:00See her post on 8/19 at 7:52. That's why I po...See her post on 8/19 at 7:52. That's why I posted what I did.<br /><br />If a reason for not liking someone is based on facts, I do not have a problem with that. Sandy mentioned financial deficiencies in school systems where she served, suggesting she may have had something to do with that. I'd like to see that back that up.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8116589906284023852011-08-24T09:34:34.695-04:002011-08-24T09:34:34.695-04:00Fred, you should take your own advice.
Everyone...Fred, you should take your own advice. <br /><br />Everyone has a right to say their beliefs. There are many that do not like Atkinson, even those in South DeKalb. People are waking up and seeing that their kids aren't getting what they need and that those in leadership aren't able to put the children of DeKalb first.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-55915405608580167202011-08-24T09:34:14.002-04:002011-08-24T09:34:14.002-04:00Yeah, my mother in law used to say that. However,...Yeah, my mother in law used to say that. However, this is a blog, not Cotillion and we just put up the info as we find it.<br /><br />I have never read into Sandy's posts anything about a path of financial destruction at the school systems where Atkinson worked. We have only talked about personal legal issues - and the fact that Atkinson did not disclose them on her DCSS application. <br /><br />FWIW, much of the case made by Heery-Mitchell rests in the fact that Pat Pope is dishonest as evidenced by her untruthfulness on her job application. (Beginning with her name!) oy!<br /><br />At any rate, yes, Atkinson does have past legal issues (personal) in many of her former communities. There are several unpaid bills which the creditors sued her for. She did not disclose this on her application and in fact, answered "no" to question 5 which specifically asks about legal issues. However, the board has been made aware of this and they are content with her responses.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73437835053536914742011-08-24T07:25:39.501-04:002011-08-24T07:25:39.501-04:00Still waiting for Sandy to show the trail of finan...Still waiting for Sandy to show the trail of financial deficiencies in school systems where Dr. Atkinson has been a senior administrator. She was only in Kansas City one year before being offered the job as superintendent of Lorain. Would also like to see proof of the financial situation in Charlotte and Charleston that suffered due to Dr. Atkinson.<br /><br /><br />There is an old saying, if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18854917652088590292011-08-24T07:21:43.316-04:002011-08-24T07:21:43.316-04:00If you remember, another highly placed member of t...If you remember, another highly placed member of the palace brought personal bankruptcy with her to DCSS. Pat Reid (Pope), from Chicago. Her husband's business was construction also. <br />Deja vu all over again.<br />How soon some people forget what got us in this mess!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13171278148923720042011-08-24T07:21:27.231-04:002011-08-24T07:21:27.231-04:00If you remember, another highly placed member of t...If you remember, another highly placed member of the palace brought personal bankruptcy with her to DCSS. Pat Reid (Pope), from Chicago. Her husband's business was construction also. <br />Deja vu all over again.<br />How soon some people forget what got us in this mess!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4840773734215965472011-08-23T22:17:20.768-04:002011-08-23T22:17:20.768-04:00Well said Sandy!Well said Sandy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28197023179923385732011-08-23T19:25:28.530-04:002011-08-23T19:25:28.530-04:00Bankruptcy and Atkinson
Apparently Atkinson follo...<b>Bankruptcy and Atkinson</b><br /><br />Apparently Atkinson follows only the rules that she chooses to follow. Question #5 is clear: Yes or No; if Yes, then attach a separate page of explanation about litigation.<br /><br />Husband's construction business bankruptcy? Really? Take a look at the bankruptcy papers. Go to www.box.net.<br /><br />Nowhere is the construction business named. <br /><br />Why is Atkinson's name the only one on Bankruptcy docket #1? Why is Atkinson's name the only name on the related adversary proceeding?<br /><br />Why is Calvary Academy of the King named as a creditor? Does Atkinson send her children to private school? (BTW -- a bit of investigation reveals that Calvary Academy of the King also does business as Calvary Revival Church which is part of The Father's House, a nationwide network that tithes to Eddie Long and New Birth.)<br /><br />Other creditors include Haynes Furniture, a dental practice, and a resort timeshare to name a few. <br /><br />Construction business bankruptcy -- or personal bankruptcy? <br /><br />Hmmm ... Alpha Kappa Alpha, New Birth connections, changes grades for the well-connected, follows only the rules she chooses, doesn't take calls from principals, maintains silence and/or half-truths in the face of questions and concerns. Yep. Fits right in with the BOE and Palace people.SHShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07809309296308250111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66204769408199347962011-08-23T19:12:22.343-04:002011-08-23T19:12:22.343-04:00I wonder what Sandy Spruill is saying now that the...I wonder what Sandy Spruill is saying now that there is an explanation for the bankruptcy. We can't wait to hear about the trail of financial deficiencies.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04676448124010158751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-2803997748683212432011-08-23T17:22:31.652-04:002011-08-23T17:22:31.652-04:00True. And we never had an issue that they HAD a b...True. And we never had an issue that they HAD a bankruptcy - it happens. We just are not comfortable that she didn't put it down on her application in answer to question 5. It really wouldn't have been a big deal - in fact, I would hope that our incoming super would have LOTS of legal experience - cause she's walking into a legal nightmare. $15+ million and counting!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-36741994888540056632011-08-23T16:52:26.983-04:002011-08-23T16:52:26.983-04:00"Two law firms checked out her credentials an..."Two law firms checked out her credentials and her background...The bankruptcies were due to her husband's construction business "<br /><br />I think that's a perfectly logical explanation, and the bankruptcies should not be any impediment to Dr. Atkinson and in no way reflect on her ability to run DCSS.<br /><br />My best friend's husband is a builder, and they don't know how much longer they can hold on. My friend is an auditor and has always had a secure job, but her husband got caught with property in Reynolds Plantation (kind of like musical chairs - the last person caught with the property loses). I wouldn't say either my friend of her husband are irresponsible. Sometimes that's the way it goes - things are not always under control for a small businessman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21295624644678284152011-08-23T14:42:28.522-04:002011-08-23T14:42:28.522-04:00I have chatted with a couple of board members abou...I have chatted with a couple of board members about this. Two law firms checked out her credentials and her background and the board was made aware of these legal cases. The board found her explanations to be acceptable. The bankruptcies were due to her husband's construction business and she didn't consider the harassment suit against the system to be what the question was asking.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58727835061658663572011-08-23T14:19:47.657-04:002011-08-23T14:19:47.657-04:00Are we ready for "Success for All"? Bye...Are we ready for "Success for All"? Bye bye America's Choice. Hello to our newest packaged product: "Success for All"(SFA). Dr. Atkinson has implemented this program in 3 school systems according to her resume: Lorain, Orange Co., and Hampton Public Schools. She also did her dissertation on it.<br /><br />Does this sound familiar? found on the SFA site: <br />#1. Monitoring student progress is an ongoing activity in all SFAF classrooms. A variety of tools are used to monitor student progress, some formal and others more informal. Informal measures include daily classroom observations by teachers, and classroom observations by school leaders. (instructional coaches you're safe!) <br />#2. SFAF provides intensive initial training combined with extensive ongoing coaching through school visits and national conferences. (Oh boy...another trip)<br />#3. It has an annual budget of about $50 million, most of which is derived from fees from schools for training and materials, supplemented by grants and loans from charitable foundations and government agencies. <br />#4. Doubt it is similar to America's Choice? Read on..The Consortium for Policy Research in Education did a comparison study of Success for All, America’s Choice, and the Accelerated Schools Project in its August 2009 “School Improvement by Design” report. The study showed that SFAF students scored 10 percent higher in reading proficiency than AC, ASC and all other comparison schools.<br />#5. If you are a Title I schoolwide elementary school, you may qualify for a grant of $50,000 <br />to help with first-year costs.<br />#6. The majority of SFA schools pay for SFA using Title I and state compensatory education funding. Increasingly, SFA schools are receiving grants through the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration, Reading Excellence Act, or other federal and state sources. <br />#7. Bet it gets implemented and this criteria isn't honestly met: The overwhelming majority of teachers do support SFA. In the first place, at least 80% of the teachers in a school must vote in favor of SFA, by secret ballot, before we will agree to training.<br /><br />Learn more at: http://www.successforall.net/about/faq.htmlAnonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04030585419295262247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41787277242935042242011-08-23T14:02:10.648-04:002011-08-23T14:02:10.648-04:00Anonymous, you have valid points and we should all...Anonymous, you have valid points and we should all be concerned about her application! I am surprised at the lack of public outcry about this. We deserve an explanantion from the BOE, Atkinson, and Ray and Associates - did they not vet her out? Lying on documents is grounds for dismissal in any other corporate setting. If Atkinson is willing to hide this, what else will she hide? If the BOE is ok with her lying about this, what other deceptions are they going to approve?<br /><br />Do tell more about her connection to New Birth?Anonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04030585419295262247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12277780263954814822011-08-22T22:29:40.800-04:002011-08-22T22:29:40.800-04:00Business As Usual
There has been virtually no com...<b>Business As Usual</b><br /><br />There has been virtually no comment at all about Cheryl Atkinson lying on her job application materials. Folks, this wasn’t just a small oversight. <br /><br />Atkinson answered “No” to Question #5 on her application: <i>“Have you ever been involved, or are you currently involved, or do you anticipate involvement in litigation either as the plaintiff/complainant or defendant/respondent?”</i> Yet, Atkinson was involved in an adversary proceeding in U. S. Bankruptcy Court (Adversary Proceeding #: 98-02135-SCS). Then, there was the case of Aliceson Humphries who filed suit against both the Lorain Board of Education and Cheryl Atkinson. Atkinson should have answered "Yes" and provided an explanation for each litigation on a separate page, as required.<br /><br />Further, there is the possibility of another lawsuit regarding an alleged change Atkinson made which enabled a lesser qualified (although apparently well-connected) student to claim the honor of being co-valedictorian for Lorain’s high school. The honor of being a valedictorian also usually includes some significant financial awards such as full-ride scholarship offers. The full story has not yet come out in the media and it is unclear if legal action is being pursued. <br /><br />Regarding Atkinson’s obligation to fully answer Question #5, here is the verification statement that she signed:<br /><i>“The information in the Application for Employment is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I certify that I have answered all questions to the best of my ability and I have not withheld any information that would unfavorably affect my application for employment. I acknowledge that any misrepresentation or omission of any fact in my application, resume or other materials, or during any interviews, may be the cause for my rejection from employment or may result in my subsequent dismissal if I am hired. I understand that, to the extent allowed by State law, my application file will remain confidential and, if I am interviewed, the interview will be held in a closed session.”</i><br /><br />Further … Ray and Associates, Inc. clearly states in their application package that <i>several</i> current letters of recommendation are required. Only one (1) letter is provided by Atkinson and that letter is not on official letterhead. So, is it real … or another lie?<br /><br />By the way, the BOE knew about Atkinson’s lying and bankruptcies. However, DCSS’s crack – and overpaid – attorneys assured the BOE that neither lying nor bankruptcies was a dealbreaker. <br /><br />Is no one concerned that the BOE wants to appoint a person to manage a billion dollar budget who has apparently filed for bankruptcy several different times – under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?<br /><br />Is it possible that there have been no comments about Atkinson’s lies because, in DeKalb County, lying is business as usual?<br /><br />Is it possible that in DeKalb County filing for bankruptcy instead of meeting one's financial obligations is business as usual?<br /><br />And did I mention that there is a developing connection between Atkinson and New Birth? More to come.<br /><br />DCSS has no discernible moral standards left. Atkinson will fit right in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-10408433099882131102011-08-20T10:36:42.270-04:002011-08-20T10:36:42.270-04:00@Passionate
How can one have a respectful relatio...@Passionate<br /><br />How can one have a respectful relationship with a boss who treats you as if you are a child? As so many administrators,that I have had in my 12 years with Dekalb, feel that this is the norm. Not really sure if this makes these women feel mightier and powerful!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64702114938342989922011-08-20T09:18:32.295-04:002011-08-20T09:18:32.295-04:00@ Passionate
That may be true in some professions...@ Passionate<br /><br />That may be true in some professions, but when your administrators do not really care if children are educated or educated well, that really is impossible if you have morals and know that what they are asking you to do is not in the best interest of the children.<br /><br />Education has become less and less about educating children and more and more about making them feel good. Until parents wake up and realize that, our education system will continue to fail. Even those in "good" schools are receiving an inferior education. I wish that all parents would wake up and realize that. <br /><br />Our older teachers who were educated "back in the day" understand how to educated children much better than the newer teachers from our colleges. I was better prepared to teach right out of the box in the mid-90s. Our older teachers are retiring, many only because they are tired of not being able to teach children, and not because they are burnt out and need to leave. <br /><br />The only way to have a productive, meaningful relationship for teachers who truly want to impart knowledge and make thinkers out of our children, is for policies to change, teachers who are better prepared and who want to help our kids, for the federal government to stop the stupid meaningless programs, for people to stop thinking that more money means a better education, for new teachers to be better prepared to do the job of teaching, and for parents to wake up and realize that their children are not being educated or taught how to critically think.teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376631088818447603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-86580765102493019372011-08-19T23:42:43.300-04:002011-08-19T23:42:43.300-04:00@ teacher
You can’t always help who your boss is, ...@ teacher<br />You can’t always help who your boss is, or whether you get along with them perfectly, but there are things you can do to make sure that every working relationship is a respectful, professional and productive one.Passionate...https://www.blogger.com/profile/07428539988625033252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46029896849446965052011-08-19T19:52:53.063-04:002011-08-19T19:52:53.063-04:00I am concerned about the bankruptcies that have sh...I <i>am</i> concerned about the bankruptcies that have shown up in Cheryl Atkinson's background. It appears that she has had more than one Chapter 7 bankruptcy and more than one Chapter 13 bankruptcy. A person who repeatedly experiences these kinds of serious financial issues is a person who could be tempted to solve her financial woes through misuse of funds.<br /><br />Further, Atkinson has left a trail of financial deficiencies in school systems where she has been a senior administrator. <br /><br />Someone with that kind of personal and professional financial history is not qualified to manage the billion $$$ budget of DeKalb County School System. <br /><br />All that said, lying on a job application is unconscionable -- and it should be grounds for immediate disqualificiation.SHSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11418073293581695162011-08-19T18:51:43.090-04:002011-08-19T18:51:43.090-04:00Board members should be appointed by a grand jury ...Board members should be appointed by a grand jury as they were in Georgia about 20 years ago. They could be vetted on possible past criminal records, financial irregularities, and ethical lapses; and, on a positive note, their aptitude for learning the ins and outs of educational policy, budgetary issues, and ethical responsibilities.<br /><br />The superintendent would be elected by the entire county. There'd be none of the self-defeating factions that we see now.<br /><br />I'd sacrifice the nasty political bickering around election time by nine (or seven) folks (those running and those not, but who are trying to influence the elections as sitting members) for the nasty politics involved in the election of a single superintendent. <br /><br />I don't remember the rationale for Georgia's transition from appointed boards to elected boards, but it has proved disastrous for Dekalb County and many other counties in Georgia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51488610694472179592011-08-19T18:40:19.006-04:002011-08-19T18:40:19.006-04:00Not many years ago, some school systems in Georgia...Not many years ago, some school systems in Georgia wouldn't hire you as a teacher if you had a past bankruptcy on your record.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com