In the wake of an investigation conducted by the Griffin-Spalding County School System that officials say revealed grade changing at Kennedy Road Middle School, administrators are awaiting test results prior to making parental notification.

Superintendent Curtis Jones said at this time, he is uncertain how many students may have been affected by what he has described as “an unwritten policy” of KRMS Principal Dr. Brenda Ford that required teachers to make contact with the parents of failing students on three separate occasions. If the threeparental contacts could not be verified by school administrators, the teachers were required to change the students’ failing grades to a 73, or the lowest C.

“I do not believe parents have been identified specifically because we don’t know whose been affected,” he said.

Jones explained that district administrators are awaiting results of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), which they believe may assist them in identifying which students’ grades were changed.

“In this case, I’m wondering who the students are who didn’t pass the CRCT, but received Cs,” Jones said. “That will give me a better idea of who’s been affected.”

Although he said some preliminary scores have been reported, the final analysis of the complete CRCT results will not take place until summer.

Jones said that any student who did not pass the CRCT will have an opportunity to retake the test. This, he said, not only applies to Griffin-Spalding County students, but rather is an opportunity offered by the state.

Ford, who on April 6 received a letter of reprimand from Jones and has now been referred to the Professional Standards Commission for possible further investigation, counters the grade changing accusations with assertions that KRMS’s past and ongoing academic success – as well as that of A.Z. Kelsey (AZK), where she served as principal prior to Kennedy Road – is evidence that no wrongdoing took place.

“When I took on that school (AZK), the children could not read. It had been on the Needs Improvement list for seven years. Before we came over to Kennedy Road Middle School, we (AZK) were no longer on the Needs Improvement list. We were the only middle school not on the Needs Improvement list,” Ford said. “Why is it these students make minimum standard CRCT scores when other middle schools can’t?”

She also cited February 2010 investigations conducted by both the district and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement that examined some local schools’ high number of wrong-to-right erasures on the CRCT.

“My schools were never ones that were in question,” Ford said.

Jones acknowledged Ford’s points, stating, “Kennedy Road made AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) consistently, and has good test scores.”

He then said that grades are an indicator of success on the CRCT.

“I’m not sure – a student whose grade got changed from an F to a C and passed the CRCT – the changed grade may better reflect what the child knows. It may be an indicator they were proficient in the subject matter,” Jones said.

This indicates the importance of a cross analysis of CRCT scores and student grades, he said.

System administrators say they are uncertain how long grade changing has been taking place at KRMS, which means some students affected may already be in high school.

With regard to the possibility that students may have been promoted to high school without the necessary educational foundation for success at that level, Jones said, “We have not gone to that step yet. I see that as a follow up.”

He explained that due to the different type of testing high school students undertake – end of course tests as opposed to the CRCT – the cross analysis becomes more limited.

“That’s not our priority right now,” he said.

When asked if the parents of the identified 85 students affected by grade changing had been notified, Jones said, “I don’t know that.” Ω

Q: A lady’s husband was very ill, so she eliminated or removed every toxic product in their household – bleach, harsh cleaners, tin cans of food, anything perfumed, etc.  What are the things in our homes that might be harmful or toxic?

A: There is a list of things that maybe your home, car, workplace, or anyplace else you may want to visit. Most of these things we assume are harmless because they are, in fact, things we encounter everyday. If they do not emit fumes, flames, or radiation, we may not perceive them as harmful.  Let’s look at some of the things you encounter every day that can bite you.

Formaldehyde is a known cause of cancer according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It evaporates from plastic, seat cushions, glue, carpet, and carpet pads.  It may be in such trace amounts that you don’t smell it.

Lead can ruin your brain and kidneys, elevate your blood pressure, and depress blood cell and reproductive cell production.  A lot of lead has been taken out of the environment, but it will be in paint in older houses. Something we don’t think about much is that lead will be found in the dirt near major highways. It comes out of the exhaust of vehicles.

Everyone likes that “new car smell.” It is exciting because it means you have a new toy—and a new coupon book for your monthly bill. It may also mean that you are breathing vinyl chloride that can damage your liver. Open your new windows and run your new air conditioner in your new car.  Getting a new car is easier and more fun than getting a new liver.

If you are old enough to remember the decade of the 60s, you may recall that some people sniffed glue to get high. While they may have looked very happy, they were suffering significant brain damage. Some glues were actually taken off the market or restricted to adults keep kids from getting them. I remember this well, not because I sniffed it, but because I assembled model airplanes from plastic kits using a glue containing toluene. It has a very sweet, innocent, clean aroma. It goes right through your cell membranes and is a known carcinogen. It has close cousins in benzene and xylene, and you may find any of these in your home. Look at the labels of anything you use that is a cleaner or solvent.

While we are on Memory Lane, I remember seeing my Dad use chlordane, a white powder insecticide. It has been banned for about 20 years. Despite that, it may show up in older houses where it may have been sprayed or aerosolized in the crawlspace underneath you.

I have one more with which I have had personal experience. My wife and I live in a home built in 1948. Our downstairs furnace was about 20 years old and on its last legs. My wife and I would come home from work, turn on the television, and go to sleep. We attributed our sleep to exhaustion from work. When the house got cold, we called a heating and air company. The technician told us that the carbon monoxide levels in our cellar were so high he would not go down there till it had time to ventilate. Carbon monoxide bonds with your hemoglobin much tighter than oxygen, tying up the oxygen receptors in hemoglobin so that oxygen doesn’t get to your tissues, including the brain. It makes you sleepy. It may put you in “the big sleep.” If you have an old furnace, have it checked out. The carbon monoxide that you can’t see or smell may get you.

This is just a beginning list. If you run out of things to worry about today, reflect on these!  What can you do?  Be aware that there are things lying around at home that seem innocent. Be particularly wary of household chemicals when you have children or grandchildren at home. Keep your cabinets locked. Look at the things in your garage and put them on shelves where little ones can’t reach. Ventilate your house. Ask your pest control people what they are using and if you need to take any precautions.

Look at the label of any chemical you are using at home or work. There will be a telephone number you can call and ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).  This is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  The MSDS will tell you whether a chemical is harmful or potentially harmful, what to look for, and what safety precautions to take.

If you are particularly safety conscious, assemble a list of MSDS’s for the chemicals you use and keep them in a pantry. OSHA requires this of businesses, but it’s a great idea for home, especially if you have little people running around. Ω

If you’re a mother, you’ll probably get some nice cards and flowers on Mother’s Day. But of course, your greatest gifts are your children themselves. And since you want to see them happy and financially secure, perhaps you can use this Mother’s Day as an opportunity to consider ways to help your children at various stages of their lives.

So, let’s take a look at steps you can take:

When Your Children Are Young

• Teach them to be savers — Encourage young children to put away part of their allowance, or any money they receive for household jobs, in a savings account. Offer to match their contributions dollar for dollar.

•  Help them become investors — Consider giving your children a few shares of stock in companies with which they are familiar. By following the movements of their stocks with them, you can explain how the markets work and how increasing share ownership is one key to helping build wealth.
• Contribute to a college savings plan — One of the best things you can do to boost your children’s chances of success in life is to help them go to college. You’ve got several good college-savings vehicles available, such as a 529 plans, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and custodial accounts. Your financial advisor can help you choose the vehicle that suits your needs and objectives.

When Your Children Enter the Working World

• Encourage IRA contributions — An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a great retirement savings vehicle. As long as your children have earned income, they can contribute to an IRA, so you may want to help them “max out” on their contributions each year. While you can’t directly contribute to a child’s IRA, you can write a check to your child and encourage him or her to use it for funding an IRA.
•  Make long-term care arrangements — If you needed long-term care, such as an extended nursing home stay, and you had inadequate financial preparations, the burden could fall on your children. Now is the time to consult with your financial advisor to begin preparing for possible long-term care costs.

When Your Children Reach Middle Age

• Communicate your financial situation and estate plans — Don’t leave adult children in the dark as to your financial information. Share everything you can about how much you own, where you keep your assets and how you plan to eventually distribute them. By clearly communicating your situation and wishes now, you can avoid major problems later.
•  Create a durable power of attorney — By creating a durable power of attorney, you can appoint another person, such as an adult child, to conduct your business and financial affairs if you become physically or mentally incapacitated. Such a move can help reduce stress your children may be feeling, while allowing them to make moves that can help preserve your finances.

Mother’s Day commemorates the special bond that mothers have with their children. By following the above suggestions, you can help strengthen that bond throughout your lifetime.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

“Kennedy Road Middle School has failed some of its students by giving them a passing grade when they have not earned it.”

So says a formal Georgia Professional Standards Commission complaint Griffin-Spalding County School System Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones filed April 19 alleging that Kennedy Road Middle School (KRMS) Principal Dr. Brenda Ford is in violation of the Georgia law by coercing or intimidating a number of teachers to change the grades of failing students.

The local school district’s internal investigation against Ford was prompted by a complaint filed by a KRMS teacher that alleged three things – inconsistent and unfair practices regarding attendance; inconsistent discipline of students; and unjustified reassignment of teaching responsibilities.

The initial investigation was conducted by Hoby Davenport, former principal of Cowan Road Middle School, who School District Attorney Tim Shepherd said was contracted to review the allegations against Ford.

In the midst of interviewing KRMS teachers in that capacity, Davenport reported that he became aware of a number of additional issues of concern, perhaps the most serious relating to grade changing and staff morale.

“There is a policy within the school regarding student grades. If a student last year made an F on their report card and this year makes a D or F on their report card, they (the teacher) must have a conference with Dr. Ford, the principal,” he wrote. “Three specific records of parent contact have to be shown during the conference and in a specified time frame. If the requirements are not met to the satisfaction of the principal during this conference, the teacher is required to change the grade to a 73, which is the lowest C a student can earn, according to teachers interviewed.”

A number of teachers admitted they had changed their students’ failing grades due to these conferences, and one said grades were changed prior to the issuance of report cards “to avoid the conference, the confrontation or the repercussions,” Davenport reported.

Shepherd said this constituted not only a violation of GSCSS policy, but also state law, citing the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) 20-2-989.20, which states, “No teacher shall be required or coerced into changing student grades; ethical violation; change of grade by person other than classroom teacher.”

With regard to staff morale, Davenport said it is a “major issue according to many of the teachers interviewed.” He said teachers referenced a negative work environment; coming to work on pins and needles; walking on eggshells; being brought to tears; and even a comment that Ford is a bully.

One staff member recounted an attempt to address the problem with Ford at a faculty meeting, but was rebuffed when Ford responded, “I don’t think we have a problem with teacher morale. If so, I have a problem with principal morale.”

According to that teacher, Ford’s comment ended any discussion of the concern.

In response to Davenport’s investigation, Ford on April 6 met with Jones and received a letter of reprimand, specifically regarding the grade changing.

Ford has said that at that time, she requested an outside investigation be conducted.

“When he told me what was being said, I asked Dr. Jones to go ahead and file the PSC complaint, because that would be someone outside investigating rather than your own people,” she said.

This was a concern she had from the onset, Ford explained, and she claims she did share her feelings with Jones.

“You have to know Hoby Davenport,” Ford said, explaining that he was always “very competitive” and had a school that was never off of the Needs Improvement list, unlike her own schools were.

“When I found out who the investigator was, I called Dr. Jones and told him I had concerns because the investigator wasn’t neutral,” she said. “I told him (Jones) about one specific incident with the investigator. He just told me, ‘We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.’”

Despite her concerns regarding Davenport’s neutrality, his final report dated March 20 stated, “there was no documentable evidence that this (inconsistent and unfair practices regarding attendance) was an issue.”

However, Davenport did find that the complaints regarding inconsistent discipline of students and unjustified reassignment of teaching responsibilities were valid.

The independent investigation Ford said she requested will now be conducted by the PSC, Shepherd said. But, he added that this step would have been taken regardless of Ford’s wishes.

“The information that is in the Professional Standards Commission complaint came directly from multiple interviews, as well as meetings with Dr. Ford, Stephanie Dobbins and Dr. Jones,” Shepherd said. “It’s safe to say that the conclusion of the human resources director and Dr. Jones is that grade changing had taken placed, based on statements made by teachers at Kennedy Road Middle School. Because of that conclusion, Dr. Jones was required to file the Professional Standards Commission complaint, under the code of ethics. It would have been an ethical violation on Dr. Jones part to not file it.”

The PSC complaint alleges that evidence was provided to support the fact that Ford “directed, coerced or intimidated teachers to change student grades.”

To demonstrate the affect this had on KRMS teachers, Jones included a quote from one faculty member who said, “I’ve seen teachers cry that had to meet with Brenda Ford, and they didn’t know what the meeting was about.”

Jones goes on to say that Ford’s unwritten policy was not approved by the school system or system level administrator, and furthermore, states that it is a violation of the code of ethics.

“The manner in which Dr. Ford has enforced her policy has caused some students to be adversely affected while those students whose parents are not reachable benefit (grade wise) from the policy,” Jones complaint states in part. “It is arbitrary to change grades based on the involvement level or availability of the parent(s).”

Despite the very serious nature of the allegations against Ford, she remained firm throughout the district’s investigation that she did not commit the acts of which she is accused.

In response to her denial, Dobbins re-interviewed teachers that had reported Ford’s actions to Davenport. The information provided throughout this process was consistent, and resulted in Jones reporting that Ford violated Standard 4 – honesty, by being dishonest during the course of an official investigation.

Finally, the PSC complaint states, “The actions and school environment created by Dr. Ford do not preserve the dignity of the teaching profession.”

Due to the fact that several witnesses expressed fear and were concerned about the possibility of retaliation due to their cooperation, Ford also stands accused of violating the standard of professional conduct.

Although Jones deemed a letter of reprimand sufficient disciplinary action on behalf of the GSCSS, Shepherd said he could have opted for harsher measures up to and including suspension and termination.

Because the PSC investigation remains ongoing, Jones declined to comment on this story. Ω

The grievance was denied in a 3-1 vote with Michael Kendall , District 1, dissenting.

The board heard evidence from several witnesses, as well as Dr. Jones, Ivey and Jerry Lumley, a Macon attorney hired to conduct an investigation of the matter.

In her complaint, Ivey noted that while visiting KRMS, Dr. Jones made the comment that “he would give $20 for every female employee he saw in a bikini,” and specifically cited GSCS sexual harassment policy.

Several witnesses’ statements said that the context of Dr. Jones’ comment was in response to being asked to donate money for a fundraiser.

Jones told the board that he did not think the comment was appropriate and given the chance, would take the comment back.

Both Lumley and Dr. Jones’s lawyer, David Wolfe, told the board that they did not believe that the comment reached the level of sexual harassment.

“Given the totality of the circumstances and given Ms. Ivey’s statements, it just doesn’t rise to that level [of sexual harassment],” said Lumley.

During the proceedings it was suggested that the grievance was of a retaliatory nature, as Dr. Jones had filed a letter of reprimand with KRMS principle Brenda James-Ford regarding an investigation that resulted in eight KRMS teachers alleging they were told to change students’ grades to a C if the student was failing and they could not make contact with the parent after three attempts.

*This issue of The Grip went to press just hours after the board met, not allowing us to gather all the facts regarding grade changing investigation.  The Grip will follow up as soon as possible. Check back regularly for up-to-date information. Ω

More detailed information to follow.

Image Credit: Mike Thurston

A portion of Hill Street was temporarily shut down today as crews hoisted lumber necessary to build Safehouse Coffee and Tea’s new roof.

Jacob Orr, Safehouse manager, has already sketched a new layout for the much-anticipated return to the old building at 109 S. Hill Street, but for now, he’s keeping them under wraps.  ”We will be in by the end of the year for sure,” he said.  ”As for an opening date, we’ll have to see how it goes.”

Brent Foster, director of the animal shelter, spoke at this week’s Animal Care and Control Advisory Board telling the small crowd and board that due to small numbers of local adoptions, the shelter hours for adoption are from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.  Foster told the board that last week, there were 18 pet adoptions, only two of which were by Spalding residents.

Due to the northern states’ stricter spay and neuter laws, there are often a shortage of adoptable dogs and cats, causing them to send trucks down south, where there is an abundance of adoptable animals. These types of adoptions account for the other 16 adoptions last week, said Foster.

It was pointed out during the meeting that these hours are prohibitive to people who work a regular nine-to-five job and can’t make it to the shelter to view and spend time with the animals.

Foster and County Manager William Wilson decided to extend shelter hours to 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the next three months, starting on April 27.  No calls or animals will be taken during the extended hours of 4:45 to 7 p.m.

Should this trial period be successful, the county may consider extending the trail period. For more information regarding animals at the Spalding County Animal Shelter, visit www.spaldingcountyanimalshelter.com or call 770-467-4772.

ACCAB also voted to table indefinitely the proposal of pet licensing.

More information regarding ACCAB’s other actions will be posted to web soon and published in the April 19, 2012 print edition. 

The projected cohort graduation rate for 2011-12 is 63.68 percent. The projected dropout rate for 2011-12 is 7.21 percent.

Denise Burrell, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction said, “The new cohort graduation rate calculation is disheartening to those students who can and do graduate from high school, although not in four years.

“There are currently 46 students who are not dropouts, are still in school or graduated during this year and who were counted as first time ninth graders in 2007. Yet because they didn’t graduate in 2011, they negatively impact the graduation rate.

“They still graduate with a bono fide high school diploma and walk the field at graduation because they earned it.

“They are graduates – they just don’t count under the new graduation rate calculation.

“Like the Georgia Department of Education, which is adhering to updated federal regulations that require comparison among states using identical formulas, we too want the best data available for Griffin-Spalding students to help them succeed in school and in life.

“We can’t and won’t give up on students who may be behind. There will still be credit recovery opportunities to help students stay on track and catch up. Our job is to educate and graduate more than these numbers show.  We need everyone’s help to be able to do that.”

“We had a young person, approximately 16 years of age, who was shot at Tyus Park,” said Sheriff Wendell Beam. “It appears they were having a cookout. At this time we do not have a motive of why it occurred, but one victim was shot and airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center,” he said. “It’s unconfirmed at this time, but we have reports that he was shot at least twice in the chest.”

Beam said he is unable to verify early reports that the shooting was gang-related, but did confirm that approximately two dozen people were present when the incident occurred.

“It appeared to all be young people, in their teen years. That’s the information we’re receiving now,” he said.

Beam said SCSO personnel remain at the scene of the shooting and additional investigators are interviewing potential witnesses at the Sheriff’s Office.

According to Beam, witnesses are cooperating with the investigation.

“We’re receiving information on who we need to speak with, but at this time, we don’t have anyone in custody,” he said. “At this time, it appears to be a lone gunman.”