The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) announced Monday that they're putting the DeKalb County school system on probation. The news came as the accrediting agency released the findings of a six-month long investigation into the district.
SACS decided to take a look at the district's financial books after getting numerous complaints from parents, taxpayers, employees and even school board members. SACS points to legal bills totaling $10 million above the budgeted amount, and utility costs that are far more than allotted.
The accrediting agency says DeKalb will be expected to show progress in correcting the problems by next May, when monitors will visit the school district.
The president of SACS says that if specified changes aren't made by December 31, 2013, the district could face the loss of its accreditation.
DeKalb County Schools has cut more than 300 central office jobs and consolidated other positions to save money in light of the budget shortfall they face.
DeKalb School Board Chairman Eugene Walker expressed disappointment but said they would address the problems raised by SACS.
"It's somewhat disappointing, but we respect SACS and we are going to work as diligently as we can with them to do whatever they think is necessary for us to get out of it," Walker said.
Byron Merritt, a PTSA leader at Southwest DeKalb High School, said he was deeply concerned.
"We have been sitting on the sidelines leaving it to the ‘experts' to run the schools, to manage it and the results we are seeing are not what we want," Merritt.
Under new state law, the state school board is to hold a hearing on the SACS report and could make recommendations to the governor including removal of school board members. That hearing will take place within 30 days.
DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis said in a statement, "As CEO of DeKalb County, I am greatly concerned about the potential impact of this decision by SACS on DeKalb County as a whole, and will continue to monitor the situation and to work with the BOE and the Superintendent to address these concerns."
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
