School Board Special Election Set for March 19

Voters who cast ballots at Cartersville's Zena Drive, Beaver’s Drive and Cassville precincts are set to decide the Bartow County Board of Education Post 3 rep.

Should Cornett Face a Stiffer Charge? Was the Teen at Fault?

The former Bartow County Board of Education vice chairman and District 3 rep resigned following her highly-publicized arrest on a misdemeanor charge at the Cartersville Walmart. Tell us what you think.

The arrest and resignation of Bartow Schools vice chairman Angie Cornett has made national headlines—the Today Show aired a segment on it—and stirred a lot conversation. Folks have opined not only on the incident—Cornett allegedly rammed with her SUV a teen who was saving a parking spot at Walmart in Cartersville—but also on topics ranging from possible anger issues to the rights and wrongs of saving parking spaces.  "What [Cornett] did was wrong and punishable but if she was a good board member i believe she should have been able to retain her job," commented Cartersville Patch user steve. "i mean my goodness if people can forgive a michael Vick [and] michael jackson what she did was minor in comparison."  Others aren't so forgiving. The …

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Ken Hicks

7:56 am on Monday, January 14, 2013

Big difference between saving a seat in a theatre and a parking space. And the girl is 17, hardly a "child". The teen was rude by common standards with her act, BUT that in absolutely no way excuses the action by the accused. With what we do now of the event and the video evidence GUILTY on both counts.   more ›

Bartow Schools Special Election Could Be March 19

Bartow Elections Supervisor Joseph Kirk says he expects the board to soon call an election to fill the unexpired term of former county school board vice chairman Angie Cornett.

Updated, Jan. 12 The Bartow County Board of Elections approved March 19 as the date of the special election to fill the unexpired term of Angie Cornett, The Daily Tribune News reports. Qualifying for the Post 3 seat is set for Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. Advance voting is set for Feb. 25 through March 15 at two locations. The last day to register to vote for the special election is Feb. 19. Original Report March 19 is the tentative date of a special election expected to be called to fill the unexpired term of former Bartow Schools board vice chairman and District 3 rep Angie Cornett, said Bartow County Elections Supervisor Joseph Kirk. It's the first date, by law, a special election to fill a vacancy can be held. Cornett resigned Thursday, …

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What Are They Saying About Angie Cornett?

We compiled a collection of reports about and reactions to the arrest of the Bartow County school board vice chairman, who allegedly ran down a girl in a dispute over a parking space.

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Gail Engelhardt

4:34 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013

The Parents in Bartow County need to wake up and realize this is just the tip of the iceberg. Corruption abounds in Bartow County and with the BBOE as well. They have had various complaints filed by concerned citizens and taxpayers, but more people need to see for themselves what is going on. Quit letting them shove it under the rug. Make them be accountable to you and make sure your child is …   more ›

School Board Member Arrested After Allegedly Striking Student with SUV

Following the incident in the parking lot of the Cartersville Walmart, Bartow County school board vice chairman, Angie Cornett, was jailed on a misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct.

Updated Sunday, Dec. 30 In an interview with The Daily Tribune News, Cornett called the charge "bogus." Cornett told the newspaper she was halfway in the parking spot when the teen leaned into and up against her vehicle. "I was at a standstill at that point because when I saw her I stopped," Cornett told the Tribune. "I backed out and got into the parking space across from it and called the police. ... The ambulance came, she refused medical treatment—there was nothing wrong with her, and in fact, afterwards she walked into the Walmart laughing and continues her shopping." Cartersville Patch asked Cornett to comment via email and Facebook, but has not received a response. Original Report A Bartow County Board of Education representative at…

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2nd SACS Complaint for Bartow School Board, Superintendent

Two Bartow residents are asking the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to investigate Bartow County school board members and Superintendent John Harper for alleged policy and standards violations.

Updated Dec. 10 AdvancED Vice President of Communications Jennifer Oliver confirmed her organization received the second complaint. "The complaint has been forwarded to our Accreditation Team for review," she said. "They will assess it as to whether there is a violation of Accreditation Standards or policies." Original Report Discontent with the Bartow County school board continues, as two local residents have filed a second Southern Association of Colleges and Schools complaint this year. "We were told by the complaint and we have previously responded in length to the concerns outlined in the complaint," Superintendent John Harper told Cartersville Patch when asked if he or the board had a response. The first complaint of 2012 was filed …

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Ethics Complaint Filed Against School Board Member

Pine Log resident and candidate for chief magistrate of Bartow County, Paul Nally, asks Superintendent John Harper to impose sanctions against Vice Chairman Angie Cornett.

The content of recorded phone calls and text messages attributed to Bartow County Board of Education Vice Chairman Angie Cornett raises "serious questions" about her adherence to ethics policies and may "demonstrate an unlawful dissemination of confidential personnel information," according to an ethics complaint filed last night. Bartow resident and Democratic candidate for chief magistrate, Paul Nally, filed the complaint, which asks Superintendent John Harper to conduct an inquiry into the veracity of the calls and texts published on bartowforabetterboe.com. The communications have embarrassed at least one parent and outraged some local residents. Sanctions could include removing Cornett's authority to decide personnel matters, and her …

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Parent to School Board: 'Embarrassed' by Member's Actions

Problems continue for the Bartow County Board of Education, which heard more about recently published phone calls and text messages at its Monday work session.

Fallout from the release of recorded phone calls and text messages continued last night as the Bartow County Board of Education met for a work session. The husband of a system employee who school board Vice Chairman Angie Cornett called by name in a previous public meeting spoke during Monday's work session, according to The Daily Tribune News. Todd Barnette said board policy requires personnel and discipline records remain confidential and prohibits related discussions in public meetings. Taxpayer and parent Kim Wagnon took it a step further and called for a resignation. "I was appalled...and in the back trying to stop the board member from breaking y'alls rules; your own rules...," said Wagnon in video captured by BartowPolitics.com. "I …

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