Poll: Was the School Board Right?
Tell us what you think! Was the board right or wrong to decline Superintendent John Harper's recommendation to hire an assistant superintendent who is currently superintendent of Habersham County Schools?
In an emotional board meeting this week, the Bartow County Schools board voted down a recommendation to hire Robert Costley as assistant superintendent.
Three board members voted no, apparently wanting a local person, someone already employed with the school system, to have the job.
But one of the board members who voted to approve Superintendent John Harper's recommendation was outspoken on the issue. Wanda Cagle Gray accused current board chairman and previous superintendent Davis Nelson of holding out for the position.
She said Harper would eventually step down, at which time a current board member would resign and take the superintendent's position.
Davis addressed the accusation, saying Gray needs to produce evidence as to the validity of her statements, according to WBHF — AM 1450.
Costley is the current superintendent of Habersham County Schools. Former assistant superintendent Ben Desper took another job in July.
We want to know what you think. Was the board right or wrong?
Right, wrong or somewhere in the middle? Why?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Bartow County Schools
65 Gilreath Rd NW, Cartersville, GA -
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WBHF 1450 AM
7 N Wall St, Cartersville, GA
Katherine M
12:52 am on Saturday, August 27, 2011
Angie Cornett's reason for voting against hiring Dr. Harper's pick is flawed. There's a reason in the business world when a person is promoted they are usually sent to a new location in another city or state. It is almost impossible for someone to suddenly be thrust into a position of authority over their former co-workers. All of the previous biases, pro and con, concerning the existing staff have already been formed. The same holds true for education and that is why you typically see school boards hire superintendents, assistant supers, and other top level administrators from outside the system. Harper followed protocol and had a panel interview alll of the candidates and the person he picked had impeccable credentials. Something really smells here. Maybe Davis Nelson doesn't want to be superintendent. If he has three board members in his pocket he can call the shots from behind the scenes and by having someone local who he controls as assistant super, Harper's days will be numbered.
It's funny that Nelson and his supporters always blame everyone else, but isn't it ironic that whenever he is involved with the school system there is controversy?
String Bean
12:03 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2011
With the local economy still very weak the Bartow County business community cannot afford more hijinks with the county school system. Countless people raised warning flags when Nelson announced he was running for a school board seat last year. They knew his history and knew that it would just be a matter of time until he starting causing problems. He also serves as headmaster at Excel Academy (conflict of interest?) and all of this uproar makes Excel and the Church At Liberty Square look bad too. The best thing for all involved would be for Nelson to do the right thing and resign his seat.
T. Koch
12:27 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2011
If Dr. Harper's recommendation was fit for the job and the most qualified, he should have been approved. I support Dr. Harper.
Katherine M
11:18 pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
SB, I'm hearing there's a bunch of Liberty Square members not happy about this mess. They feel Nelson being on the BOE is tarnishing their school (Excel). I don't expect him to listen, but he really should step down.