April 18th 2024.
The DeKalb County School Board recently made a significant decision regarding former Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris. After a controversial dismissal in 2022, the board has approved a settlement of over $300,000 for Watson-Harris. This decision was finalized with a vote of 6-1, and according to 11 Alive, the settlement includes $325,000 based on Watson-Harris's original contract terms, as well as an additional $16,000 for attorney fees.
Watson-Harris's tenure with DeKalb County Schools came to an abrupt end in April 2022 when she was unexpectedly fired during an executive meeting. She expressed feeling blindsided by the board's decision to authorize a separation agreement, effective immediately. The dismissal took place amidst tensions surrounding the renovations at Druid Hills High School. In 2022, videos went viral of students showcasing the disturbing conditions, including mold, sewage leaks, and crumbling walls.
The students' claims of constant leaks, raw sewage, exposed wires, and rampant mold were supported by evidence in the videos. The students took action and demanded that the school address the unacceptable conditions. This issue gained attention from State School Superintendent Richard Woods, who addressed the DeKalb County Board of Education on April 25, 2022. Woods questioned why these issues were only addressed after the students brought them to light, rather than being identified and promptly addressed by the responsible adults. He also stated that there has been a lack of leadership, responsibility, and urgency in providing safe and fully functioning facilities in DeKalb County Schools. This prompted Watson-Harris to take immediate action.
In response to Woods's statement, Georgia Department of Education and Woods called on the DeKalb School Board to address the unsafe and unsanitary conditions at Druid Hills High School. The current plan proposed by the board was deemed insufficient, and the officials urged for a collaborative effort to fix the issue. However, the DeKalb School Board Chair, Vickie Turner, defended the dismissal of Watson-Harris, stating that they were not afraid to make changes and were doing it for the sake of the children. She also acknowledged that not everyone may agree with their decision, but they are moving forward with a heart for the children.
Despite Turner's defense, the decision to dismiss Watson-Harris was met with criticism from some DeKalb School Board members. Marshall Orson, in 2022, expressed disappointment over the decision, stating that Watson-Harris was an exceptional leader. Following her departure, Dr. Vasanne Tinsley took over as the interim DeKalb County Schools Superintendent. After a search for a permanent replacement, Dr. Devon Horton was appointed to the position, with a contract that extends until June 30, 2025, and the option for a third-year extension.
In addition to this development, there has been news of a disabled Atlanta teen reported missing in DeKalb County. This is a separate issue but still relevant to the county's school system and its policies. The DeKalb School Board's decision to dismiss Watson-Harris has sparked discussions and debates, and only time will tell what the future holds for the school district.
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