The Clarke County School has selected an interim superintendent in the wake of placing former superintendent Demond Means on Administrative leave December 9th.
Dr. Xernona Thomas was the board’s unanimous choice.
“So I’m excited to have the support and I recognize that we’re not going to always agree on everything, but if we can consistently agree on being about kids and putting kids first then we’re going to get where we need to as a community,” Thomas said.
Before board members entered executive session and selected Thomas, protestors attended the meeting to voice their displeasure for not reconsidering reinstating Dr. Means.
“I’m going to call is as I see it. It’s political, it’s about Athens Land Trust, it’s about the land at West Broad Street School,” according to Walter Allen Jr., publisher of Zebra magazine.
Athens attorney Ken Dious agrees.
“Two months ago, or last month, they extended his contract they approved his budget, they approved his plan for Pre-K at the West Broad Street School. Two months later you suspend him, for what?”
There was support from other community members in attendance who feel it is time to move forward.
“With respect to the protestors, by all means everyone is allowed to peacefully protest so I don’t fault them at all,” according to Clarke County School District parent Katrina Evans. “I do wish they would focus their energy on how our district can improve from here.”
“I believe that the board is moving the district in a direction that they believe is positive and it is one that will be good for the long-term health of the district,” according to Janet Frick, another CCSD parent.
Dr. Xernona Thomas has been sitting in as Chief of Staff while Means has been on leave.
