At this last Wednesday, February 15th School Board Budget, Audit, Finance & Facilities Committee Meeting, Chair Paul Womack raised some “concerns” about how the money received from the nine schools who are “burdened” by the cell towers would be allocated and used by the School Board.
What?!?!? You thought all that money was going to help your school, “burdened” by a cell tower? WRONG. Read the contract carefully. The LANDLORD collecting rent for the tower is the Board of Education of DeKalb County. Nothing in the agreement says anything about the school getting any funds, or even a PTA.
Thanks to DeKalb School Board Watch for reporting on this development. Read the notes from the meeting here. Read the rest of this entry »
*** FULL TEXT OF GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATION HERE ***
BREAKING NEWS! A grand jury calls for special investigation of the DeKalb County School Board. In part:
“Recommendation for a Special Grand Jury: Although we have received answers to questions posed to Dr. Cheryl Atkinson, Ms. Ramona Tyson, and Mr. Thomas Bowen, it is clear that the School System remains topheavy and suffers from a perception of conflicts of interest and waste. The citizens of DeKalb County invest a significant portion of their tax dollars in the DeKalb County School System. The perceived effectiveness of the DeKalb County School System also has a significant impact on property values of all homeowners in DeKalb County. In addition, there is the greatest concern for the education of the children of DeKalb County. The DeKalb County School System has been declining in many rankings as compared to other Metro Atlanta school systems as well as various national evaluation methods. We recommend that a Special Grand Jury be convened to investigate the DeKalb County SchoolBoard.” Read the rest of this entry »
Dr. Cheryl Atkinson, Dekalb Co School Board Superintendent
Dr. Atkinson thoughtfully sent each of us who spoke at last Monday’s School Board meeting a letter outlining her assertions that the School Board provided notice to the community of Briarcliff Heights. I will cut to the text that appears in most the letters:
“After much discussion and receipt of public input, the Board of Education voted to approve the placement of T-Mobile cell towers on properties owned by the DeKalb County School District. Over a period of time between 2010 and 2011, three presentations regarding cell towers were made during Budget, Finance, and Facilities Committee meetings. These meetings were announced and open to the public. Prior to the vote in July, public information sessions were advertised and held at each site slated to receive a cell tower. Citizens provided comments and information regarding cell towers during televised Board meetings in June and July. The AJC and other local newspapers provided press coverage regarding the issue. Finally, before the final vote was taken on July 11, 2011 during the monthly Board meeting, the Board of Education held an extensive discussion regarding placement of cell towers on school properties.”
In rebuttal:
Read the rest of this entry »
We just learned today that the Margaret Harris contract was signed by the School Board on December 1, 2011 and countersigned by T-Mobile on December 8, 2011.
By Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson and Board of Education Chairman Thomas E. Bowen.
Cell Tower Lease_Margaret Harris Center
Detailed plans for the site: Exhibit B Margaret Harris
