Latest DCSS Board of Education District Map proposed by Mosby and the DeKalb Delegation
Taken from a Message from DeKalb County Board of Education Member Nancy Jester
(received via e-mail; edited for publication)
This is advance notice about an issue that is surfacing now in the Georgia General Assembly that will affect your area, your schools and your taxes. Current work concerns reapportionment and “shrinking” the DeKalb School System Board of Education (BOE) pursuant to legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly last year. That legislation calls for the DeKalb County BOE to be resized from 9 members to not more than 7 nor fewer than 5.
You may recall that Nancy Jester opposed this legislation because she did not agree with the assumption that a smaller board will be more effective and produce better student achievement results in DeKalb. She was also quite concerned about gerrymandered districts by the DeKalb legislative delegation. The DeKalb delegation is controlled by factions that are connected more with the “friends and family” modality than with educational achievement results. Unfortunately, Nancy Jester’s fears are being realized.
On Tuesday (yesterday), a new map (the Mosby Map) for the DeKalb Board of Education (BOE) was approved by the DeKalb legislative delegation sub-committee. This map has 5 single member districts, instead of the 7 districts most voters were expecting. You can view what the Mosby Map looks like by clicking the photo above. The X’s show where the 5 board members whose terms will continue live. As you can see, the reps will be heavily concentrated in south DeKalb.
The moment this map is approved, you will hear a loud sucking sound as property taxes will be raised to the maximum amount by the BOE (thanks to gerrymandering, 4 of the 5 members live in South DeKalb). North DeKalb property owners who pay the highest taxes that support DeKalb County School System and DeKalb County will be victims of taxation without duly elected representation. Meanwhile, South DeKalb property values continue to decline as a direct result of the greed and ignorance of those who make up the majority of the BOE.
The 5 members who will represent the Mosby Map areas include Nancy Jester, Sarah Copelin-Woods, Donna Edler, Jay Cunningham and Gene Walker. The remaining 4 board members, who would otherwise have been up for reelection this year, will see their terms sunset. There will be NO election in 2012.
Population Count: Census Data by proposed district
The Mosby Map has Lakeside and its Oak Grove, Briarlake, Henderson Mill Elementary and Henderson Middle feeders, placed in a district represented by Gene Walker. This district snakes all the way down to Snapfinger Road, including Miller Grove Middle School. It turns right and goes to Redan Elementary and Rock Chapel Road. This does not represent a community of interest in our opinion. In fact, this gerrymandered “district” on the Mosby Map was designed so that both Gene Walker and Jay Cunningham (whose sister dates Howard Mosby) can stay on the BOE, even though they are neighbors.
Also, Sarah Copelin-Woods will be the representative for Sagamore Hills Elementary, Druid Hills HS and much of its feeder pattern.
On Thursday, February 9, 2012, the entire DeKalb legislative delegation will meet and see the Mosby Map. We do not have a time yet, but we wanted to alert you as soon as possible. We will follow-up once we know a time.
If you care about education in DeKalb County … if you are concerned about the constant rise in property taxes with no improvement in education … if you are ready to ferret out corruption in DeKalb County School System, here is what you must do NOW:
1. Attend the DeKalb delegation meeting if at all possible.
2. Alert your networks, parent groups, PTAs, etc.
3. Contact the media to voice your concerns.
4. E-mail your legislative representatives — indeed, e-mail the entire DeKalb delegation — if you are concerned about these developments. DeKalb delegation email addresses are at the bottom of this email. (Copy Governor Deal and the media on your e-mails.)
If you have any questions for Nancy Jester, please contact her directly. She will be sending an email through her “Constant Contact” distribution list later but wanted you to be alerted as soon as possible.
Nancy Jester (nancyjester@gmail.com)
Legislative Email List:
pat.gardner@house.ga.gov, simone.bell@house.ga.gov, gloria.tinubu@house.ga.gov, tom.taylor@house.ga.gov, mike.jacobs@house.ga.gov, elena@elenaparent.com, scott@repscottholcomb.com, marymargaret.oliver@house.ga.gov, stacey.abrams@house.ga.gov, stephanie.benfield@house.ga.gov, karla.drenner@house.ga.gov, michele.henson@house.ga.gov, billy.mitchell@house.ga.gov, earnest.williams@house.ga.gov, howard.mosby@house.ga.gov, Rahn.mayo@house.ga.gov, pam.stephenson@house.ga.gov, dee.dawkins-haigler@house.ga.gov, randal.mangham@house.ga.gov, curt.thompson@senate.ga.gov, emanuel.jones@senate.ga.gov, fran.millar@senate.ga.gov, steve.henson@senate.ga.gov, jason.carter@senate.ga.gov, ronald.ramsey@senate.ga.gov, gloria.butler@senate.ga.gov
UPDATE!
Proposed map with 7 districts
Nancy Jester has posted a new map offering seven districts for the delegation to consider. Download a full sized pdf here or click on the map to the left to view as a jpg.
Also, the DeKalb Delegation meeting will be held today, Thursday, February 9th at Noon; 605 Coverdell Building (across from the Capitol). Please note that the meeting may be delayed depending on the time that the Session ends.
Parking for the meeting: You can park for $5 in the deck on Jesse Hill.
Doesn’t the Voting Rights Act prohibit drawing of districts on racial grounds? Or is that just federal districts?
I’m not positive (who’s a lawyer out there?!), but I think the Voting Rights Act applies to redistricting for State and Federal races. I don’t know about local races…
Here’s a link to more info about the Voting Rights Act. I have only read a few pages of it. Perhaps it might be helpful. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmaldef.org%2Fassets%2Fpdf%2FRedistricting.pdf&ei=r_AyT9OVHsnEtgeAkP2wCg&usg=AFQjCNFliF-FkI_0c5VUV7DcuseUpBGxgA&sig2=N8ydxklzHE9x4K7bBVs6Lw
I say leave it! They are not really ready for their own unintended consequences. These districts may currently be represented by the people who live on the Xs, but in two years, GUAR – OWN -TEE – they will not win! When they scooped up so many voters in the north, they scooped up people who routinely vote, and who will never, ever vote to send them for another term. New blood will arise from the northern parts of these new districts and they will replace those currently holding those seats. No problem!
You may have a point! Anyone willing to help me do the calculations of number of voters in the northern part of these districts?
Not sure I can agree, MM. While you are correct that they may not win in two years, that’s two years that may have some consequences.
Thanks, Susan for finding the Voting Rights Act info. What I found here (page 4) implies to me that it applies to school board districts
Who does the redistricting?
After the release of census data, political bodies such as state
legislatures, county commissions, city councils and school
boards begin the process of redistricting. Usually, each political
body redistricts itself. For example, the state legislature is
generally responsible for redrawing the lines for congressional
districts as well as state house and state senate districts. Likewise,
local governments at the county and city level redraw their own
district lines.
It also discusses “communities of interest”. This is a little trickier – it defines “communities of interest” as A community of interest can be defined in various ways. It can
be a neighborhood or community that would benefit from being maintained in a single district because of shared interests, views or characteristics. During redistricting, a community of interest
should be kept together within the same district to the extent possible. On page 7, there is this: In seeking to preserve communities of interest, district line drawers should be careful not to divide populations or communities that have common “needs and interests.” Communities of interest can be identified by referring to the census, demographic studies, surveys, or political information to assess what social and economic characteristics community members share. You can also talk to community activists, civic leaders, and review local reports and studies. Some examples of relevant social and economic characteristics are:
• Income levels
• Educational backgrounds
• Housing patterns and living conditions (urban, suburban, rural)
• Cultural and language characteristics
• Employment and economic patterns (How are community residents employed? What is the economic base of the community?)
• Health and environmental conditions
• Policy issues raised with local representatives (concerns about crime, education, etc.)
It continues: Once a sufficient amount of data is collected, maps showing how the socioeconomic data impacts a geographic area can be produced. The resulting maps may demonstrate particular similarities among individuals. For example, a map showing poverty-level residents, non-high school graduates, or households that predominantly speak a language other than English can be used as an indication of a “community of interest” within a particular geographic area.
And finally (page 8)
3) Protection of Incumbents and Achieving Political Goals
The term “political gerrymander” has been defined as the “practice of dividing a geographical area into electoral districts, often of highly irregular shape, to give one political party an
unfair advantage by diluting the opposition’s voting strength.” However, courts have had difficulty determining when officials illegally use partisanship in the redistricting process. In 2004, the Supreme Court ruled, in a fractured opinion, that it was unable to adjudicate a political gerrymandering claim that arose in Indiana. The Court did not, however, foreclose the possibility that it would intervene when sufficient facts and a manageable standard were available. It remains to be seen whether we will see more of these kinds of challenges during the upcoming redistricting cycle What remains clear, however, is that jurisdictions cannot divide
cohesive groups of minority voters who are able to elect a candidate of choice in order to protect an incumbent or political party
I think it is quite legitimate to ask if census and/or GIS information was used in drawing these districts, and, if so, how was it used.
The Devil is making me say this: How many folks from the Fernbank district know that Walker will not be their rep, but rather Copeland-Wood?
SCW and the Fernbank parents…she will have to watch her comments carefully.
McChesney represents Druid Hills.
Walker, like Speaks, represents one of the super-districts.
The Census data was used. It is in the corner of the map. We’ve added a photo of the chart showing strictly the number per district. As you can see, District 1 is 13.6% black, District 2 is 40.49% black, District 3 is 70.88% black, District 4 is 61.15% black and District 5 is 92.84% black.
There are numbers for Hispanic/Latino populations as well. No numbers for whites.
The Voting Rights Act is primarily concerned with minority voting rights. Even though DeKalb is majority minority, they are still considered minorities when drawing lines. Whites are not considered minorities. Therefore, we don’t think the Voting Rights Act applies. DeKalb is fairly unique in this way. Nationally, Black Americans make up about 12.6% of the population. Whites are over 72%.
So I asked this a couple of years ago. When does the majority become the minority? Well it’s happened in DeKalb, there is a problem however, the “new” minority still pays for the majority. Gee, now I know why we’re in such debt! One day the money is going to run out and we can’t print money like the Feds can.
Now we know why Gene has been acting smug lately. He knew what was in the works. The same reason for Steen Miles rant. Nothing like a threat to the new Super that it’s either business as usual or you’ll be out. De Ja feakin’ Vu!
I’m missing something here–two things actually:
1. There’s 5 districts on that map. We’re supposed to have 7 reps. Are the other 2 representing “super-districts”–if so, how are those districts drawn?
2. If we are continuing super-districts, how does Gene Walker move from being a super-district rep, as he is now, to being a rep for a “regular” district in legislation that is meant to draw district lines, not install individual board members in seats?
No. You’re not missing anything. They are proposing five districts. The law says “no more than” seven… So the five that are not up for reelection can stay and no one else will be added. Therefore, no election in November. You’ll have to wait until Nov. 2014 to vote. The odd thing here is, will we then only vote every four years – for all five seats? Looks like that would be the case.
Gene stays because his term goes until 2014. He was elected in 2010. By law, we don’t think you can’t shorten anyone’s term. Anyone know? Lawyers?
I will be one of the first to challenge this map by filing a complaint with the Justice Department!
Where does it say which board member is representing which district?
Latinos would be considered a protected minority under the Act… someone could file on their behalf…they are perpetually misrepresented and ignored in good ‘ole DCSS. Asians might be as well.
Please read my latest email update about redistricting. Please let your opinion be heard and come to the meeting tomorrow if you are available. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=68chkydab&v=001FbEh9Xz0N4KbvuYVnlpwBzPMRV-JvVoc2DTO-Zs2LQIqm_fFPmwHDBvxaaiO1C59XstsH88gtzHXPG75qMuHgqtcHEwjZ4OY5T88sTJ8dqA%3D
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, is a nationwide prohibition against voting practices and procedures, including redistricting plans and at-large election systems, poll worker hiring, and voter registration procedures, that discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a language minority group. It prohibits not only election-related practices and procedures that are intended to be racially discriminatory, but also those that are shown to have a racially discriminatory impact. The Attorney General, as well as affected private citizens, may bring lawsuits under Section 2 to obtain court-ordered remedies for violations of Section 2.
We [Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, U. S. Department of Justice] encourage anyone with a complaint about voting discrimination to let us know what the problem is, where it is, and how it affects minority voters. There are no special forms to use or procedures to follow–just call toll-free at (800) 253-3931, or write to:
Chief, Voting Section
Civil Rights Division
Room 7254 – NWB
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20530
Is it just me or does the proposed map not only perpetuate but actually exacerbate the lack of representation for Cross Keys attendance area schools??? Oh wait, that is how we’ve made the political formula work for years.
Our area schools suffer from having many members with a tiny slice of our zone – this map seems to just make an untenable political situation, well, … hopeless. You can even detect that there is a Cross Keys attendance area based on this map … foreboding if I ever knew foreboding.
Also, is it just me or does this map also set the stage for the Centralized Plan and the move of High Achievers to … Avondale HS.
That should have been: “You can’t even detect that there is a Cross Keys attendance …”
The map on this blog is not the new proposed map and approved map by the subcomittee. The newest one came out around 5pm. It took SCW out of District 2, the new one has fernbank, oakgrove, sagamore, dhills lakeside, etc all in the same region. Jeff Rader sent it out.
http://www.commissionerrader.com/reader-issues/items/latest-redistricting-map-171.html
2/3 way down page is the download for the map.
This is good, I think. No SCW for central, she goes to the south west. This means Womack would stay? and McChesney would be out? Then based on the current locations of Board members, Walker, Bowen, Cunningham and Edler all have a big problem? Check it out. It’s late maybe I am reading it wrong.
The commission maps are different from the Board of Ed maps. Rader is speaking strictly about commission maps.
You have misunderstood.
I sent my email.
Dear DeKalb Delegation, I support the proposed seven seat map for the DeKalb County School Board.
http://dunwoodynorth.blogspot.com/2012/02/dear-dekalb-delegation-i-support.html
Too many maps. Once again our DeKalb leadership is trying to muck up the process with confusing maps and no one seems to know which map is right. Nancy Jester can you straighten this out. I’ve now seen 4 different maps, one looks to be the same while others do not make sense. No surprise. Once we know which map is correct can we please have a new thread identifying the right map?
When and where is the meeting today?
DeKalb’s delegation meets today at noon in Room 605 of the Georgia Legislative Office Building.
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-school-board-map-1339819.html
The “final” reapportionment map that we are aware of from the DeKalb delegation subcommittee was published yesterday on this blog. That map, which shows only 5 districts, also includes the population statistics for each proposed district.
Based on the Mosby Map* shown yesterday on this blog, the BOE members who will hold office, unchallenged — and for many in DeKalb County, unelected — are:
District 1: Nancy Jester (the only BOE member whose district remains essentially unchanged which means she was duly elected to represent the people in that district)
District 2: Sara Copelin-Woods
District 3: Gene Walker
District 4: Donna Edler
District 5: Jay Cunningham
*Howard Mosby is Jay Cunningham’s sister’s boyfriend.
BTW — the ONLY BOE member that we know of who has communicated with constituents regarding the gerrymandered Mosby Map is Nancy Jester, District 1. Nancy has communicated both directly (through her constituent mailing lists) and indirectly (through DeKalb School Watch) to enable all DeKalb citizens to be informed.
The silence from the 8 other BOE members is very telling. It is both COWARDLY (McChesney, Speaks, Womack) and CONNIVING (Bowen, Copelin-Woods, Cunningham, Edler, Walker).
I know this is off topic, but please be aware that there is an upcoming meeting asking for public input into the three-year “2012 DeKalb Technology Plan”. Tens of millions of eSPLOST dollars and tens of millions more in general operations dollars will be spent in the next three years based on this plan.
From “On Common Ground News”:
“DeKalb Schools to host community technology plan forum
The DeKalb County School System will host a public forum on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
The purpose of the forum is to gain community input concerning the School System’s updated plan to implement technology in DeKalb Schools.
The meeting, open to the public, is from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.,at the DeKalb County School System Administrative and Instructional Complex (AIC) auditorium, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain.
Every three years, the School System is charged by the state of Georgia with updating the school district’s overall Technology Plan.
The purpose of the plan is to look across the district, find where the technology needs are, and determine in very general terms what can be done to fulfill these needs…..”
http://ocgnews.com/index.php/local-news/927-dekalb-schools-to-host-community-technology-plan-forum
Look at this DeKalb Watch article on how critical these technology decisions are for every student and every taxpayer.
“SPLOSTIV: Let’s Talk about Technology”
http://dekalbschoolwatch.blogspot.com/2011/10/splost-iv-lets-talk-about-technology.html
And please don’t forget the $11,000,000 eSis/SchoolNet system came from a past DeKalb Technology Plan. Would teacher and parent input have ever sanctioned the purchase of this extremely expensive system that never delivered as promised? This is the first Technology Plan meeting that has asked for public input (thank you Dr. Atkinson!). I hope some interested parents/taxpayesrs can attend.
Nancy Jester is at the meeting and says the rumors are not good – Twitter.
Everyoone must demand that Mosby recuse himself from any vote due to his conflict of interest (dating Jay Cunningham’s sister)!!!
follow @nancy_jester on twitter. She’s at the meeting.
Nancy’s map isn’t a whole lot better than Mosby’s mess except that it has 7 districts. It has Woods district significantly gerrymandered. I wonder what Nancy is trying to accomplish.
There are better maps out there. Oliver has one that makes a lot more sense. It may be necessary to contact the Dekalb Senate delegation to stop the nonsense.
The districts should be drawn to reflect population and communities of interest. They should never be drawn to ensure that certain Board members can stay. I’d have no issue with even allowing those Board members who cannot be up for re-election this year have a “grace” period to move into a new district or face a new election but in the long-run, the districts shouldn’t be drawn to keep these adults. There are ways to maintain the status quo for these folks for a few years without subjecting everyone to districts that don’t make sense for a 10-year period of time.
@ The Deal and Waterman: Thanks for your reports. As more information comes in from Nancy Jester, would you please add it to the comments? Or, if there is a way we can assist you with posting Nancy’s tweets, e-mail DeKalb School Watch blog at dekalbschoolwatch@gmail.com. Your identity will be protected.
According to Nancy’s tweets, they adjourned without voting on a map.
I’m glad there were a lot of people there! Seems to me Benefield and MMO are trying their best to talk sense into the others who are for 5. There should have been at least a weeks notice and the County Commissioners districts and the DCSS District meetings should have been held separately. All these maps for two different reasons have everyone scratching their heads. The only people not scratching are the ones who were trying to sneak this 5 member DCSS debacle without much notice. Mr. Mosby your tactics didn’t quite work today.. All the PEOPLE want is total transparency. We’ve been lacking a lot of that, when it comes to county and school expenditures. Stop the pettiness and bickering and get to work.
If the meeting adjourned, I bet they didn’t have the 10 signatures to move it forward. Keep up the pressure! Today is only the first stop! We can’t let our guard down. We need to show Mr. Walker that he works for US and not just for his cronies and family!
BREAKING NEWS!
Nancy Jester’s Tweets from the Reapportionment Meeting — Start to Finish:
• At the DeKalb Delegation meeting. About to start. Rumors aren’t good. We’ll see.
• Rep. Bell is presenting the Board of Commissioners’ reapportionment. The public present is not permitted to view the maps.
• Rep. Williams has kindly taped up one map on the wall for the overcrowded room to view.
• It’s a shame that the DeKalb delegation is holding this meeting without much notice and in a small room at the Capitol.
• Confusion abounds regarding the Board of Commissioners’ new district map. Is this anyway to run government?!
• Rep. Henson asked for the Commissioners in the room to speak but this was denied.
• The School Board is up now. Rep. Bell is presenting maps to the “delegation only.”
• Rep. Bell has openned he floor to discuss. Mary Margaret Oliver (MMO) says she hasn’t heard from school board.
• MMO believes the 5-person map was secretively backed by some school board members. Interesting.
• The 5-member map is being defended by Rep. Dawkins (?). Says we’ll be like Gwinnett! That’s a good one!
• Rep. Taylor has noted that several delegations are missing.
• Rep. Mitchell believes there is no racial intent to this map. Proceed.
• Rep. Benefield does not support the 5-member map. Wants more overlay with feeder patterns.
• DeKalb Delegation needs 10 signatures to pass it to the next process. Rep. Holcomb wants to know what happens if this doesn’t get the signatures.
• Rep. Oliver doesn’t want to address SB 79. She wants to substitute a 7-member map.
• FYI…I reminded the delegation at their last mtg that the DK BOE sent them a letter last yr and asked them to tell us how to comply w/ SB79
• I don’t defend the BOE but it is not accurate that the school board didn’t communicate. Further I and 3 other members endorsed a map.
• Some are still discussing the past. Still defending 5-member board.
• Rep. Oliver offers a substitute motion. Wants her map to be considered.
• Rep. Stevenson doesn’t want to entertain Rep. Oliver’s motion.
• Rep. Bell and Rep. Stevenson want to go with the 5-person map.
• So far the 5-person map only has 3 signatures. It needs 10.
• It’s interesting that the delegation doesn’t want to consider a map that has been endorsed by 3 Board members.
• Rep. Oliver requests adjournment. Wants to ask the BOE for a map. They have one from 3 of us. Why no acknowledgement of that?
• DeKalb delegation adjourns without a map. Stay tuned…
Thanks, Nancy!
You would think adults could put together a reasonable map. Partisanship isn’t an issue. Instead you have a totally ridiculous Cunningham/Walker/Bowen map and a still bad Jester/Speaks/McChesney map. I can’t imagine Copelin-Woods likes either of those, so I doubt she’s involved.
Nancy doesn’t seem to understand they don’t need another bad map from a subset of the BOE.
I attended the meeting and the entire meeting about the maps for the Commissioners and the School Board Members seems to be a hot mess. They weren’t sure what map they were voting on for the County Commissioners. The entire School Board map “war” was beyond words. There is more to this than the Delegates are saying. I felt it. When the Delegate stated that the 5 member map was chosen because of Gwinnett and then later said that SACS has said that smaller is better and that 5 is better than 7. The questions that I had were: Where is the data that SACS used to come up with this conclusion?, Was this decision based on electing 5 new board members?, Is Gwinnett really that much better than Dekalb?
In my gut, those pushing the 5 Board Member map did not have the kids at heart. I realize that even the 7 member map probably won’t help make the board that much better as it will often come down to a 4-3 vote, but I would feel that our kids would have a better shot and more people putting them before the friends and family members working in the district.
Whom ever came up with Senate Bill 79, needed to sit down and think through the implications of it. This appears to be a bill that was signed with little thought about board member elections and seat time tables. Our state senators and house members need to be more careful when writing and approving legislation. They can’t sign bills without thinking through all of the implications, and if they do, we as a public need to vote them out, for someone who truly has our best interests at heart.
I think we are such a populous, disparate county, 5 is simply too few. The biggest problem is the people elected. And this proposal for 5 has ulterior motives that don’t deceive anyone.
@ bullet,
Nancy is referring to the Delegates consistently saying that the School Board has done nothing. There was a huge to do with the Delegates stating the School Board has done nothing, and Nancy is simply trying to say that this is not the case.
The problem is that the original bill (State Bill 79) was not well written or thought out and now we have to suffer the consequences. I am not sure if 5 or 7 is a better number for school board, but I do know that I don’t like being told who will now represent me now and I have no vote in that matter.
The board has put forward nothing as a group, just one by Nancy’s sub-group and one clearly influenced by Walker and Cunningham. So I think the criticism is justified. We have a dysfunctional board.
Why is the law not amended so that ALL BOE members stand for election in November for a 5 or 7 member Board? The legislature made this law so they can change it. It seems unfair to voters not to mention the rest of the BOE members to carve a district out just for Walker. Many voters in that district will not have voted for him so it comes down to representation with voter input. That will be the case for all of them but the most egregious usurption of voting rights is keeping Walker.
The legislature should change the law.
“This is quick and dirty. We did what was written on paper. If some legislator wants to come back next year and do seven districts for 2014, they can do that.”
-State Rep. Simone Bell, the committee’s chairperson
[Nice that they put in so much effort!]
Read more: CrossRoadsNews – Legislators opt for 5 district School Board map
That is exactly what she said. It was an ugly meeting. I keep praying for an adult to act like one, but realize that most in power in DeKalb haven’t grown up from junior high.
I don’t mind going to 5 members, but those districts should NOT be drawn to protect current board members. I actually prefer Nancy Jester’s 7 district map. IMO every school board member should be running on the ballot in November. That is the right way to fix the problem. This process should not be “quick and dirty”. The DeKalb Delegation needs to do what is right for the people of DeKalb.
I agree with you about total reelection, but that is not possible because the law as it was written does not make any statements about that. It just lowers the number of school board members. Certain Delegates kept referring to Gwinnett as a model and something that SACS had in a report that smaller school boards are better and that they agree with 5 school board members. I am not sure that the DeKalb Delegation is able to do what is right for the children and the citizens. It was a true soap opera and better than many reality t.v. shows on t.v.
It seemed to me that even the committee that voted wasn’t sure what they were voting on or what they had agreed upon. There were questions about the County Commissioner Maps and which that they were actually voting on. The 5 district map had only won by one vote when compared to the 7 district map. Some Delegates thought they were voting on either the 5 or 7. The entire meeting had more rings than a Ringling Brothers Circus.
Has anyone noticed that the 5-district map is familiar? Look closely, the names of the schools haven’t been updated for years! The 5-member map uses REALLY OLD school lines – like areas for “Heritage Elementary” and “Lawrenceville High”. Shouldn’t that fact alone highlight how bad it is? Not to mention, the map is squished from top to bottom so the districts look shorter than they really are. And then there’s the little issue with the south and eastern parts of the county just being cropped out completely!
I guess the comment about it being “quick and dirty” is really how it is! I’m thinking they spent all of 10 minutes on this map of 5. And that includes 5 minutes digging around for the old map! Sloppy!
But these 5 members who will be guiding the lowest performing school system in the metro area were NOT elected by MOST of the citizens in the districts they represent. This is not in any way fair for the taxpayers of DeKalb and the students in the school system. Can’t the legislature change the law and say 5 districts and every DeKalb BOE member is up for election in 2012?
And we are wondering why our children are doing so badly in school? Sloppy and careless. That defines the majority of the DCSS Board of Education members. Clearly that also defines the majority of the DeKalb legislative delegation. These people — BOE members and legislators — also actually get paid to do an important job “quick and dirty.” They are not even embarrassed to do such a poor job. After all, that’s just “walking around money” — barely worth mentioning — right, Gene?
While sitting there listening and watching, I was just dumb founded by the circus in front of me. All afternoon, I have been thinking is this really the best that DeKalb has to offer? Many of those running our schools and legislation have their own motives and that is what they work towards. What would have happened if our Founding Fathers were like this when they created our country? There is no thinking through their decisions.
I am not sure what it’s going to take for good people to run and for the public to elect new people to office. I do know that the corruption that I have felt since moving here in 2007 as a school teacher is worse than I imagined and my imagination is pretty wild.
Thanks for continuing this important service.
The simplest and most straightforward solution to the reapportionment challenge is to simply sunset the two at-large districts.
The boundaries for the 7 remaining districts can be adjusted some, if needed, to accommodate population changes as the law requires for reapportionment. Because DeKalb County is a majority black county, there are few, if any, other adjustments to be made.
There are BOE seats that are up for election in the fall of this year. Should Gene Walker or Pam Speaks want to continue their job … er, ah … their service … on the BOE, they can establish residence and run for a BOE seat in one of those districts that will be electing a BOE member.
To handle this change any other way disenfranchises thousands of people — and clearly leads to taxation without representation and a possible violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
From Parents for DeKalb Schools;
More DeKalb Drama! The District Attorney has called a press conference for 10 a.m. tomorrow to discuss the grand jury’s request in December for a special grand jury to investigate board activity!! Stay tuned!!
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/da-to-address-call-1341244.html
Does anyone know how to interpret the fact that Walker and Bowen have been named specifically as being in attendance tomorrow? To me, it sounds like it will be announced that there will be no special grand jury investigation. I wouldn’t think the DA would specifically invite Walker and Bowen to tell them in front of everyone that they are in trouble.
This was my feeling as well. I think it means that we as a community are screwed and stuck with the incompetent and corrupt board members that they have found nothing.
Has anyone on here heard about some sort of meeting called by the District Attorney tomorrow?
@ the Deal
“I wouldn’t think the DA would specifically invite Walker and Bowen to tell them in front of everyone that they are in trouble.”
I agree. The two members he invited have the most relatives working for the school system.
The most unethical Board of Education member in the history of the DeKalb County School System is now its current chairperson.
Chew on that.
If you’re new to the blog, this man is somehow the chair of the Board of Education for the 26th largest school system in America.
Officials failing to disclose finances
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/officials-failing-to-disclose-320745.html
Parole board member on trial for sexual harassment
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=150517
State paid $190,000 to settle earlier sex harassment suit
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=165732
Streat’s lawyers file another motion on AG
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=193825
Suit accuses parole board member of sexual harassment
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=197712
DK Development Authority: Walker resigns, ‘stimulus’ draft released
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/08/19/dk-development-authority-walker-resigns-stimulus-draft-released/
DeKalb school board tables discussion of ethics code
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/12/08/dekalb-school-board-tables-discission-of-ethics-code/
Sembler donations went undisclosed until election was over
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/06/25/sembler-donations-went-undisclosed-until-election-was-over/
DeKalb school board drops Sembler suit
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/07/24/dekalb-school-board-drops-sembler-suit/
Developer seeking tax break gave $45K to DeKalb political races
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/06/10/developer-seeking-tax-break-gave-45k-to-dekalb-political-races/
P.S. Remember when the DCSS and the BOE sued Gene Walker??
http://www.atlantaunfiltered.com/images/dk%20schools%20vs%20dev%20auth.pdf
How Gene Walker got elected is beyond me. Only in DeKalb. Who died and made this man God of DeKalb. So we have a Felon, Cunningham, who robbed a McDonald’s where he was asst. manager. We have Gene Walker, who loves going to lunch as long as someone else is paying the tab. Plus, this man created the $100 handshake. he’ll be happy to shake your hand, as long as there is $100 in it for him.
His Sembler ties have always stuck to high heaven! His asking for more expense money and a higher salary is proof enough this man’s middle name is corruption. Take Gene Walker out of this equation and I guarantee you our legislators and BOE could come up with decent solutions. As long as this man is in office, Dr. Atkinson has no chance to doing the right things for OUR kids education..
HEY GENE! DCSS SHOULD BE EDUCATING NOT LINING THE POCKETS OF YOUR SELECTED FEW WHO LIVE SOUTH OF MEMORIAL DRIVE.
Last comment: Where is Fran Millar, Mike Jacobs? What do they think about all this? I’d also love to know what Elaine Boyer thinks. Burrell Ellis wants to make DeKalb something special. He has no chance, as long as these legislators think about skin color first and not success! Come on EduKalb WHERE ARE YOU? (I think I know the answer) EduKalb is part of this group! It all makes sense now. DeKalb County = EPIC FAIL!
Jacobs was speaking out against the 5 members yesterday. He asked good questions and appeared to have the children’s best interest at heart.
Update! I wrote this before I saw John’s videos from the meeting. I’ve sent a note to Jacobs hoever, I’ve not heard from Fran Millar. Has anyone heard from him on this issue?
I have posted video from today’s meeting.
http://dunwoodynorth.blogspot.com/2012/02/dekalb-delegation-of-ga-general.html
These videos should be required watching for everyone on this blog!!
http://www.championnewspaper.com/news/articles/1394audit-some-dekalb-schools-salaries-inflated1394.html
“Audit: Some DeKalb Schools salaries inflated”
A recent central office audit found, when compared to similar systems, the DeKalb County School System has some positions paying “substantially” above market and called for a unified salary schedule for all employees.
The audit was the first part of a two-phase project to audit every position within the system; it is slated to be completed in March. It compared DCSS to systems such as Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton and even the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) School System.
DeKalb County Schools spokesman Walter Woods said, although the audit specifically mentioned upper-level secretarial positions, he thinks many more salaries need to be adjusted. Woods cited problems with coding and the organizational structure as factors for the inflated salaries.
“I would say that it’s in multiple departments and we have multiple salary schedules rather than a unified salary schedule,” Woods said. However, he would not comment on specific pay rates that are believed to be out of line.
DCSS provided The Champion Newspaper with a summary of the more than 1,500 page report titled “Phase 1: Findings and Recommendations for Salary Range, Position Specifications and Organizational Restructure Study,” by the company hired to perform the audit, Management Advisory Group Inc.
In addition to the call for pay adjustments and a new salary schedule, the report cited “budget” coding as part of the problem. However, to address the coding issues MAG called for a complete restructuring of the departments within the central office.
“Hundreds of positions that were not housed in the central office, such as maintenance or transportation employees, were actually coded to central office. We’ve had to manually go through and properly code all employees to ensure when we talk about ‘central office’ we mean non-school based central office employees,” Woods said.
The report states that currently, there is “no clear core responsibility definition for various job families such as secretaries, specialists, coordinator, managers for directors, which makes classification of new positions problematic. In the absence of clear guidelines, jobs can be legitimately placed anywhere.”
Woods said the system is working on both the coding situation as well as realigning the central office departments.
“Aligning the departments is going to take more time and we’re going to have to go from position to position,” Woods said.
The report also shows the company’s suggestions for a new organizational structure. Suggestions include a new legal affairs officer, chief strategic planning and accountability officer and chief academic officer.
Woods said the system has not undergone an audit similar to the one performed by MAG in several years, an Ernst and Young study in 2005 being the closest thing. He said the system is looking closely at the report and its suggestions for central office realignment.
“We’re taking it under advisement—ultimately the final decision will be up to the superintendent. I can tell you the goal here is to drive resources to the classroom level,” Woods said.
In case you missed it, DCSS could be $50 million in the hole:
http://www.championnewspaper.com/news/articles/1375school-board-appeals-in-hope-to-avoid-another-lengthy-lawsuit-1375.html
The problem with leaving woods in the Fernbank/Dhills section of Jesters map is this: In two years, the Friends of Dekalb PAC will get together and decide which of them will run for the seat. They will be elected. What’s next, the south side of this district (on the other side of Decatur, that is) will decry it as racial, political, financial, no representation, blah, dittyblahblah, blah!
This little carve out on Jesters otherwise fine map will cause some MAJOR, MAJOR problems we won’t need in two years. You heard it hear first.
Which is why her map won’t happen. It looks like her map is a “reelect McChesney” map. The only other purpose for that gerrymander would be to give Woods competition. But I suspect Woods could hold that district as most of the area (and presumably the population) is south of Atlanta/Decatur.
You have to remember that these districts by law must have the same numbers of adults with only a small variance allowed (1%). It’s not easy to carve out 7 equal regions in DeKalb given that the north end of the county, especially Dunwoody, has grown quite a lot, while the south end has lost thousands of adults in their population. Then, you have to be mindful of the federal Voting Rights laws and try your best to balance the districts racially. Even if we kept the basic 7 districts we currently have and simply drop the super districts (the best solution, really), some border adjustments will need to occur to balance the populations.
Nonsense – Nancy Jester has another, DCSS Staff-drawn map on her website that leaves Druid Hills in BOE district #2. Her map is a deliberate effort to disenfranchise the Druid Hills High School community and McChesney has signed on to that. DHHS has been without representation for the past 4 years and this is an attempt to make it permanent.
But her map was never given a chance! Why not have a discussion on all the maps presented or that were trying to be presented? What’s Ms. Bell trying to hide? That last question was a rhetorical one and I think we all know the answer to that one.
DSWII was beginning to sound like a “L-U-V Nancy” site. I appreciate her work in bringing this public and other things she has refused to keep silent about, but she has her own agenda as well.
Agenda or not, I am enthralled with a board member who can communicate in grammatically correct sentences. Perhaps I’m not the only one.
Hate to say it folks the DA is one of them! We might be surprised but I can guarantee you Gene Walker is calling in all his favors to stay on the board and remain the Chairman. When our former DA went to work for the Obama administration, I knew DeKalb was screwed. Our new DA has strings connecting through all the groups that are involved in this mess.
All I know, I’m tired of being called racist, by our friends who live south of Memorial Drive as well as our current President who resides in OUR White House. The entitlement society has taken root in DeKalb and it looks like our county is headed where Illinois now sits, bankrupt and hemorrhaging cash as well as people to other states around them.
I would love someone from EduKalb, better known as the Chamber of Commerce, how they are going to attract business to DeKalb when you have a such a group of corrupt, uneducated, politicians who love playing the race card anytime they want.
One more thing, I’m surprised that Burrell Ellis is so surprised so many in the north part of OUR county want representation. No county commissioner resides in the area that is trying to annex themselves into Ashford/Brookhaven. This is payback for that, guaranteed! Just think almost 60% of the tax revenues DeKalb TAKES, are from the northern stretches of DeKalb. Keep this up and they’ll be no more money left, THEN WHAT?
Part of the reason that we have no representation on the County Commission is that we keep electing Boyer, term after term. She hasn’t faced any real competition in years. I believe she is in her 18th year as a commissioner. She is useless. But she keeps getting elected because of the R by her name. Aren’t there any solid republicans willing to take her on?
Good point JW! When I lived in her district, I voted for her, since she always took Vernon Jones on.
@ Atlanta Media Guy: You are correct. District Attorney Robert James most likely is one of “them.” I had an opportunity to observe his handling of a specific incident when he was DeKalb’s solicitor. Based on his actions, it appears that James takes his direction from Ron Ramsey — who brought us Eddie “The King” Long.
We will know for sure at noon today when James makes his announcement in the company of Gene Walker, chair of the DeKalb County School System (DCSS) Board of Education (BOE) and former chair/current vice chair Tom Bowen.
If James does not announce at noon today that he is empaneling a special grand jury to conduct a complete, page-by-page, no-holds-barred, independent investigation of the DeKalb County School System and the BOE then it will be abundantly clear that DA James is, in fact, “one of them” and in the pocket of the BOE chair.
I’m generally on board with you AMG, but when did the president call you personally a racist?
BTW, it’s his White House too.
Ned, he did not personally call me a racist. However, it is implied practically everyday by his minions on cable and the blogs. Blame goes both ways too, Republicans! That’s why there is grid lock. No one wants to lose! We can’t find common ground any longer. If I don’t happen to agree with one of Obama’s policies, I am either a “violent” Tea Partier, southern red neck, a bible belt gun toter, Nazi or others not printable. I have had spirited debates with liberals and we remain friends. Then a few weeks ago a democrat campaign canvasser came to my door. When I told them I did not support the President or the Democrats, the young man actually said to his partner, “This neighborhood is full of racists.” I asked him to repeat what he said and he said it again for me. I asked him why he would say such a thing? He told me that there wasn’t much support for O on my street. I asked how that made me and my neighbors racist? He turned and walked away.
I was a Democrat back in a day, I worked on Jimmy Carter’s campaign and my first vote for President was Jimmy Carter. whew.. sorry about that one. I also voted for Clinton. But the party turned a corner and all they seemed to offer me was name calling and gridlock. I’m pretty angry that a man, that the majority of the taxpayers in DeKalb County did NOT vote for, wields so much power! I’ll keep my racist comments to myself, if Gene Walker promises to make his decisions based on what’s best for OUR kids and not the color of his skin.
Just when I thought this website might not be so bad after all, Atlanta Media Guy posts that gem above.
Thank you John Heneghan! Yes, everyone should watch John’s video recordings of the meeting.
Some key points:
* The committee charged with drawing the maps was formed on January 9 (no reason to be “quick and dirty” )
* They claim to have held a public meeting which no one attended and they claim to have received no input from the board after asking several times
* Mary Margaret Oliver stated that the school board was invisible and uncooperative during the process
* In fact the board refused to answer phone calls from the chair of this committee (unprecedented in her experience)
* MMO said she believes the map that was brought forth (with 5 districts) was secretive from ‘some’ school board members who refuse to come forth and discuss it in any public way
* MMO didn’t blame Ms Bell, she blamed the school board for refusing to interact in any way with anyone in her district
* Dee was outraged! She was trying to emulate Gwinnett by going with 5 districts (but then states that Gwinnett’s board is not diverse). She reads an email from David Schutten that really torqued her.
* It was pointed out that they’ve had the data since last May yet nothing was done and here we are at the last minute scrambling (“unconscionable”)
* Stephanie Benfield again proposed her 7 district map which keeps neighborhoods and school attendance zones together
* They are under the impression that since the first 7 member map was presented and rejected, they are stuck with passing the 5 member map, and if it doesn’t pass, they’re not certain what the next step would be
* MMO says she thinks by Roberts Rules that she is allowed to present a substitute motion — the new map with 7 districts Benfield spoke of
* MMO also states that she passed (HB 671) legislation allowing for options to implement SB 79 and no one on this committee even responded or participated at all
* Comment: it was pointed out by (?) that they are in this process late and struggling because the school board and the commissioners did not do their job and design a map to present to the delegation
* Another rep (?) points out that this 5 member map is not a ‘consequence’ (earlier suggested this was an ‘unintended consequence’) he said it is a ‘choice’ and he won’t ‘choose’ this map because it’s not what’s best for the childen of DeKalb
(That’s all for Part 1 — anyone want to write notes from Part 2 of Johns’ video?)
Keep in mind that while every member of the Delegation represents a part (often a very small part) of DeKalb, many, including Ms. Bell, don’t live in DeKalb. DeKalb, especially S and Central DeKalb are currently split into tiny little pieces. This was done intentionally, in 2000, for the Democrats to remain in control of the House and Senate. Many of the districts cross into three or four counties!
There are 19 districts in Dekalb and I believe only 4 or 5 are entirely in Dekalb. The 2010 maps will decrease it to around 15.
I believe Jacobs said that last comment according to the notes that I took.
Ok, so I’ll do PART 2 –
This part is basically a cat fight. MMO tries to explain and get debate on the maps and the bill but she finds herself dressed down by another committee member. Pam Stephenson then gives a history of how they got to where they are and reminds everyone that the SACS report stated that the best size for a school board is 5. She said they had decided to go with 5 as they were trying to model themselves after what they call a “Platinum” school district. (Gwinnett) MMO asked for a substitute motion to include a 7 member map. Stephenson points out that they were convened to accept and sign or turn down the map on the table. If they are going to discuss and debate, then they have to reopen ‘a lot of things’. There’s a whole bunch of discussion about the way to handle the Rules in this setting. No one seems to really understand the official process for committees. Stephanie Benfield pulls out a copy of Roberts Rules of Order. The chair, Simone Bell determines that she is not certain and admonishes MMO for speaking out of turn. She goes on to say the whole process has been “discontentuous” and that every time they get to a point where they can end the process, someone starts it up again because they’re not going to get what they want to get. She says parents were under the impression that HB 79 called for all school board members to run for reelection (it does not) and then they asked for two maps, and said people complained that the people staying on the board were all African-American. But no matter the race (actually one is white), they can’t be put out of office – they are entitled to serve out their terms. She concludes that “We need to finish this today. If someone wants to introduce legislation in 2013 to fix it then that should be the case. But the 5 member map is on the table, the signatures are there, I’m moving forward. That is my decision.” MMO points out that there are only 3 signatures and she is entitled to a substitute motion.
What do you mean, I tried? I’m tired of be called racist by folks who supposedly represent ME! I’m tired of the corruption, the lies! This meeting was called and please correct me if I’m wrong, the public had 48 hours notice on this meeting. Folks kept saying they never heard from the BOE.. THAT’S A LIE! My rep proposed a 7 district map that had two other BOE reps approval, yet they were not allowed to present that map.
This problem of North vs. South started in the days of Vernon Jones, threatening other commissioners and how many times did our Board of Commissioners have to sue Vernon? This is all about race and winning. No one wants to go back to their constituents and say we couldn’t get the 5 map or 7 map done. I didn’t start this race battle and it has a history and very long roots, nothing is going to change that for a very long time.
We need some leadership who will unite us not divide us. MMO and Benefield, God bless them! I do not agree with all their politics, but it was refreshing to see someone presenting othe alternatives. I was a parent at the most diverse school in the county and embraced it! That school was closed because of the Sembler (Gene Walker deal?), which eventually never happened! But the school still closed and now the other two schools, left in our area, are now a little crowded and with the new development coming online in our area, they are bound to get even more populated.
For those new to DeKalb, this problem has been festering for 20 years and I hope it doesn’t get nasty because losing is not in Gene Walkers vocabulary.
One last note! Thanks John for posting a link to your videos of the delegation meeting. If you’re angry, watch the video, it most likely will make you even angrier. John says he enjoys watching laws made, well John, this law has a long way to go before it’s finally made. Stay alert folks, if I offended anyone with my post I apologize, but it’s the way I feel and I think I still have a right to free speech, though I know that could change soon too.
For better or worse, the videos don’t lie. Like the entire SPLOST vote and tying it to HB79, there is some serious shadiness going on with these maps. I knew there was corruption and egomania in our school system and on the board, but this goes to yet another level. I am to the point where I wish the state would just take over. Our kids would be better off with no central office and no BOE. Really. If the entire BOE and palace went away tomorrow, Monday would have some challenges, but I guarantee 100% more learning would go on, which, contrary to the opinion of most of the board and central office, is the point of the school system.
The Deal, I felt the same way. I knew the corruption in our school board and figured it went to county politics, but attending yesterday’s meeting sealed the deal that the corruption is in our state legislatures who supposedly represent us.
It seems to me that no one thought through the implications of HB79 and I am angry at any one who voted for SPLOST if it really was tied to HB79. No one making the laws thought through the implications of their decisions, and frankly I am tired of this type of representation.
No grand jury investigation into the DeKalb County school board based on DA’s talking to some school board members. He thinks they’ve got the problems worked out.
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/district-attorney-no-full-1343499.html
So the foxes are going to put rules in place to make sure the hens are safe . . . .
I knew the DA would wimp out. They had the opportunity to put the chilren and taxpayers in DeKalb County first and he caved to the political pressure….They should all be investigated by the GBI.
The logic seems to be “As long as you promise not to do it again, it’s okay that you did it before. You’ve proven yourself so very trustworthy after all.”
There is ZERO accountability in this county. We make Clayton and APS look very, very good.
Ned
You are so right.
DA: You mean all of the same people who did the not-illegal-but-definitely-wrong things are still in place? Then why would I need to investigate? They can just not do the things they did before, right? Nothing seems amiss here.
Bowen/Walker: *grin*
The AfAms control the DeKalb legislative delegation. The 5 member BOE map is a blatant attempt to have the AfAms control the school system. OK Call me racist or bigoted. But that is what is happening. Walker will stick it to North DK taxpayers every chance that he gets.
3 of the 5 have about 8 family members being paid by DCSS
I have no problem with African-Americans controlling the county or the school system. I just want competent, honorable African-Americans in control. I know that there are such people in the county. And I suspect that they are just as disgusted as many of us of other ethnicities at what has taken place and is continuing to take place in DCSS.
This is a good point. The Voting Rights Act is there to protect ALL minorities, not just African-Americans. We have a very large Hispanic population as well as quite a lot of Asians. The maps must protect their rights as well. In the 5 member map, it could be necessary to trade some of the Hispanics in District 1 for some of the African-Americans in District 2.
Here is a helpful website to enable better understanding of re-districting, reapportionment and gerrymandering: Redistricting the Nation.
Thanks Dekalb Homeowner, that needed to be said. Let’s focus on the bad behaviors of some school board members and not their race–otherwise, we may start sounding racist. I was just talking to a Black colleague of mine, also a Dekalb resident, and he has similar concerns about the new school board districts. He’s a really good guy, but I’m not sure what he’d make of some of the comments here. Keeping it focused on issues and bad behaviors is the best way to recruit like-minded citizens from all over Dekalb.
I’d also like see us focus on redistricting for the time being. There is an immediate need for a grassroots movement which identifies and promotes a single 7 district solution which is most fair for all–will likely require compromise. I’ve seen at lease two 7 district solutions, and hope we can narrow it down to one for all of us to push on. To make sure we don’t get stuck with a real bad one.
Is anyone in favor of pushing our legislators for a referendum to allow shortening of terms so that we could vote on an entirely new board in November? Then districts could be drawn by the census and feeder patterns and not by where our current board members live. Then we campaign like h3ll to get the morons out of office.
@ The Deal
“Is anyone in favor of pushing our legislators for a referendum to allow shortening of terms so that we could vote on an entirely new board in November?”
Why do we need a referendum? Why can’t our legislators just change the law so we have all BOE members standing for election? How fair is it for voters that DeKalb BOE districts are gerrymandered just so current BOE members can keep their seats?
This current proposal would ensure most of DeKalb voters have BOE representatives that they had no opportunity to vote FOR or AGAINST. That’s not representation at all.
DeKalb taxpayers should be writing their legislators and the governor asking that the law be changed so that all DeKalb citizens can vote on the BOE member that represents them. Being placed under an elected official that you were not given an opportunity to vote on is a poor interpretation of the law. If the law needs clarifying, then the Georgia legislature needs to step up to the plate and clarify it.
Anon, that’s what I meant; we agree. Procedurally, we need a referendum in order to allow for the shortening of terms so that we can have a “do-over” in November. If there is no referendum, the committee has to come up with a map that reduces the number of board members while not shortening anyone’s terms and keeps everyone physically located in their own district. It is all of those restrictions (plus a shady BOE chair) that is causing our current problems.
I am not a lawyer, but I don’t think there is any legal way to shorten someone’s term. They are allowed to serve the term length they were elected to serve. Those who promoted the SPLOST IV vote purposely misled voters into believing that voting for SPLOST IV would ensure that we could flip the entire board. That was simply quite wrong and we tried very hard to explain that to voters but we were far outspent by a PAC that was formed. We have to work with what we have. Further, the unintended consequence is that we could very well end up with only 5 board districts with 5 board members, reelected every four years. The law left this open.