It was a house divided at Thursday night’s Clarke County Board of Education meeting, at least when it came to community members who addressed the board. Supporters of Dr. Demond Means asked the board to reconsider their votes. Charlie Maddox said that he’s started a recall effort to remove board members who voted to oust the superintendent, who is now on administrative leave.
“I think at this time and this point, the voters of Athens-Clarke County need to come forth,” Maddox said. “We cannot wait to 2020, we cannot wait until 2022, so I’m pursuing that recall.”
Others, like Usha Rodrigues, said it was time to move on/move forward.
“I’d like commend the board for its courage in taking this action and I’d like to focus your anger, which I know you’re feeling, on honoring Dr. Means legacy by supporting the next superintendent in continuing his equity work.”
Board members did vote to appoint someone to fill the vacant District 2 seat at soon as possible. The position will be posted, applications are needed by January 10 and the board will vote on a replacement to fill the remainder of the term at its January 16 meeting.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a Georgia citizen, registered to vote, never been convicted of a felony, not currently holding any other elected office, not a district employee and must have lived in district 2 for at least the past 12 months.
They must submit a signed letter of interest, a resume or biographical sketch, and two letters of recommendation. Candidates will have five minutes to speak at the January board meeting and supporters can speak for three minutes.
There was also a request to keep ‘Kiddie Land.” That’s where the children of transit employees and those from the homeless education and foster care programs wait in the mornings before taking the bus.
For more information on candidate qualifications visit website.
