Clayton Schools' Accreditation in Jeopardy

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Clayton County's Public Schools are a step closer to losing their accreditation. SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, says they have until September to clean up their act.

SACS began investigating the system in December, after receiving complaints of misconduct by some school board members. Mark Elgart, president of SACS, found that the schools don't meet accreditation standards, and need systemic changes:

ELGART: They could put in a new board tomorrow. Our concerns would remain until they demonstrate over time that they can provide proper governance

A national commission will consider the recommendation to revoke Clayton County's accreditation next month.

In a statement, interim school superintendent Gloria Duncan promised that the system will try to comply with SACS standards. That would mean following the report's recommendations to audit the systems' finances and student attendance records, as well as to enact stronger ethics policies.

Calls and e-mails to the chairperson of Clayton's School Board were not returned.