Clayton Parents Angry at SACS

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Clayton County parents are still reeling from yesterday's news that their school district will be stripped of its accreditation on Monday. Many believe that SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, should have offered more help.

Jessie Goree is a member-elect of the County's Board of Education. She has intimately followed the district's progress, but still feels that she and other board members never quite got it:

GOREE: And I'm just gonna be honest with you. I don't understand what the rules are for SACS. I just need the rule-book, that's all I'm asking. Just give me the rule-book, and we'll follow the rules.

Goree says she'll work directly with SACS to reinstate accreditation, rather than use the board's legal counsel as go-betweens.

David Barton, another parent in the school system, is more pointed in saying that SACS didn't clarify its requirements or provide aid.

BARTON: And they keep it so ambiguous that it really draws a lot of concern about SACS's standing in this issue.

SACS and two state-appointed liaisons offered to help the school board, but the liaisons quit because the board refused their aid.

Clayton County's original school board has been completely vacated, and only three new members fill the 9 seats.