Everest staffer? Hey, bring back the mustache Mr. Thurmond, and you'll have even more 'staff members' from Everest hanging on you

And the three-ring circus continues......

i would have preferred Thurmond acknowledge the sorry state of affairs and a realistic assessment that without major changes, the future is not bright. instead, we got exactly the kind of BS speech every career politician provides. so we can now say definitively he will be utterly useless at best, and harmful at worst.

The absolute worst outcome here is that the outcry dies down and life moves on, leaving the system more or less unchanged, and the fates of our children still at risk. Unfortunately, as many know, the system incompetence generally outlasts any passionate pleas for change. This is compounded by the fact that many who might be in the position (both power and money) to take a stand and throw their weight around simply bail-out to private schools. it's a far easier, though expensive, option than fighting the system.

If you can't tell, i'm thoroughly disgusted and not at all optimistic.

How does Atkinson warrant a package like that after all Dekalb's financial shenanigans? Amazing.

I would have appreciated DeKalb County not shell out taxpayer monies AGAIN to fix one of the problems they make. How many times can this happen? How about the still unresolved issue of a couple years ago with Crawford Lewis & the Pope's?

Can you secede from a county?

I think Michael Thurmond is the right person for this job. I think he created a labor department that did what it was supposed to do and it was efficient and served the people. I would like to know who the two dissenting votes were and I want to know when the BOE is going to elect a new chairman.

I have a lot of respect and admiration for Michael Thurmond. He is an excellent choice.

How many teachers could "resign" and still earn out their paycheck in Dekalb. Right. None.

Or have the Board pay for a lawyer to represent them for wrongdoings resulting from irresponsibility or mishandling of funds? Again, zero.

Many years ago Thurmond said in an interview: A good businessman is one who orders inventory on Monday and does not know how he is going to pay for it on Friday (True Story).

I have loved that guy ever since :)

Michael Thurmond is going to find he has jumped straight into the briar patch. Its as though they are blaming Dr. Atkinson for all the ills that have piled up as a result of unprofessional school board behavior over the past several years. She was actively engaged in turning things around. The statements quoted above from Eugene Walker and Jim McMahan bear out the blame game the BOE is playing. They make me sick.

I know more about running this school system than MIchael Thurmond ever will. I went to 12 years of DeKalb schools, and I had two children go through 12 years of DeKalb Schools. I've seen the insanity. I know where the bloat is.

I'll do a better job for half what he's going to get.

I have guarded optimism about Michael Thurmond. My first fear however, is that the state board and the governor will take this step as "progress" and not wipe the board slate clean. They all need to go. Immediately.

Michael Thurmond had a good reputation as Labor Commissioner. Hopefully that will come through in this position as well. His hiring is not enough though. Just a start.

Ultimately, I believe we are going to see new school systems formed in North Dekalb however. Because, even if the governor does fire all the current members and appoint a new board, eventually south Dekalb will elect new members of the same ilk as what has drained this system.

Let us not forget that the Superintendent did not do this alone and is not the sole reason as to why the system is in the situation that its in. This should only be phase one of house cleaning- Next, The Board followed by the internal structures within the administrative offices and finally through the actual institutions themselves. Then perhaps our students, and those really great teachers and staff who are suffering through all of this might stand a chance,

Dianne Joy the two 'No' votes were Jester and Speaks. I applaud them for it. They have integrity.

The BOE agreed to pay Mr. Thurmond $250K (or $275K depending on which source you read) for a one year contract. He has NO experience in education and lots of friends within the administration. I doubt he will do the housecleaning needed to change the downward spiral (read flush) of the school system.

My perception is that this school board has ended up in this mess because they knew nothing about contracts, integrity, honesty and ethical behaviors. The problems are from administrative ignorance and Michael Thurmond turned the Dept of Labor into an efficient department that did serve the people well. I hope that his legal background will aid in clearing up he ridiculous legal quagmires they have found themselves in. Thanks for the names of the two dissenting votes. I could not find that anywhere. I am not sure what experience in education is needed here. Tracy White stated she is qualified because she and her children went through 12 years of dekalb county schools. I did, too, as did my children and now grandchildren. Thurmond also went through the public school system as well as college and law school which qualifies him as much as me or Tracy White. We do not need a teacher as superintendent--we need a hard worker with some vision and desire to straighten this mess out. It is not going to happen overnight but I sure hope he will begin by sending large number of those 100k salaried central office employees to the Department of Labor!

If we need someone to blame for the BOE we need to look in the mirror. Everyone on the BOE is an elected official put there by us. Seceding to a city of... changes nothing and forming a new school system for certain areas is only a short sighted approach. Our current public discussions and attention to the BOE is the most I've seen in a lifetime and a good start but we must use the best option which is the voting booth and vote in better candidates. Just MHO.

$2,600 a mont to cover routine expenses incurred in connection with his position, and the Interim Superintendent shall not be required to submit reimbursement requests for such expenses. Then lets add $750 a month for his personal car use. I get 40,200 in extra salary on top of his salary. I hope this gives him the balls to go after the bad Principals, and teachers, it is not just the top that needs a little house cleaning. Anyone want to name names?

He has already disappointed me. Greatly. Today I hear that he is trying to put off this state board meeting about whether or not the board members will be ousted. WOW! Huge Disappointment!!! HUGE!!!

To Sally at 9:19am Sunday --

We should do everything we can to force our current state leadership to allow us to have a separate charter school system for Dunwoody / Chamblee / Brookhaven. I have been rallying everyone I can to petition their state legislators to pass enabling legislation to make this happen. Please join me in talking to your neighbors, friends
and associates to promote this idea. Thanks!

-- The Maven

Sally --

In case you didn't see it --- http://dunwoody.patch.com/articles/local-lawmaker-plans-bill-for-a-dunwoody-school-system

If it's good enough for Dunwoody children, why don't Taylor, Jacobs, Millar et al do it for our wonderful Brookhaven kids?

-- The Maven

Thurmond on WSBTV Tuesday Feb 12, "I know I don't have the qualifications......"
Hmmmm....
hmm...
uh....