A Clayton County School Board member who does not live in the county was voted off the board Monday night, just hours after another member resigned.
Police escorted board member Norreese Haynes from his seat amid the cheers of 1,500 emotional and vocal residents worried about a possible accreditation loss.
to the board meeting at Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro to implore the school board to do everything in its power to hold on to the district's accreditation. About 1,000 people were not allowed inside.
Inside, heckling and booing were often heard, while a heavy police presence outside included a helicopter patrolling overhead.
Several hours earlier, board member Rod Johnson resigned, according to board chairwoman Ericka Davis, who said the resignation is effective March 9.
Johnson said he is resigning after he addresses some of the mandates needed to hold on to accreditation, but declined to give a date.
The board voted 5-3 to remove Haynes from his District 8 seat because a police investigation revealed he is not a legal resident of Clayton County. Haynes has 10 days to file an appeal, according to board attorney Dorsey Hopson.
Johnson and Haynes are two of the four board members asked to resign by a string of groups, including the county's largest teachers' union, a coalition of high school students, the local NAACP and a state association of 48,000 real estate agents. The other two members are Lois Baines-Hunter and Sandra Scott.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accused Johnson of a possible conflict of interest, alleging he voted on issues that affect his wife, a teacher in the district. SACS recommended last month that the 52,800-student Clayton school system should lose its accreditation on Sept. 1 unless it can meet stringent guidelines.
Johnson denies the allegations and said he has recused himself from all votes concerning his wife.
Um huh...
I am so glad the parents and community members of Clayton County took a stand against mediocrity and incompetence when it comes to the education of our children. Frankly, I am tired of the worst schools, with the most violence and the most unqualified teachers being filled with kids who look like mine. Anybody who doesn't think the public school system needs a complete overhaul is a fool. That's why I am a Republican and that is why I will remain a Republican until the Democrats stop pandering to the NEA and come up with a plan for real reform. Our children's futures depend on it. Mine and yours. Put that on everything.
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