Hundreds Gather for Community Meeting at North Atlanta High School

Rose Scott, Kristian Weatherspoon | WABE

October 9th, 2012

Standing alone behind a podium, APS Superintendent Erroll Davis addressed a packed gymnasium Tuesday evening at North Atlanta High School.

Davis delivered a calm and detailed explanation for his decision to replace the school’s entire administrative team.

He told the crowd of parents, students, APS board members and administrators that North Atlanta had not made adequate yearly progress from 2007 to 2011.

“What does that mean? That means we are now an NI-4 school. An NI-4 school means that we are under some level of state monitoring and reporting,” said Davis.

Davis said North Atlanta’s low graduation rate was not acceptable and it should be the premiere high school in the district.

“With the commitment of the parents here, with the resources we have here, this high school should be number one in every performance factor,” said Davis.

After Davis spoke, the temperament of the meeting changed and the superintendent stood firm as parents like Sue Rodman lashed out.

“Honestly, how is losing our school to any other entity possibly worse than you,” Rodman said backed by applause from the crowd.

Outside the gym, North Atlanta parent Vivisica [who gave her first name only] was wearing a red T-shirt with bold wording:

“APS

Customer Satisfaction

0%.”

“He came into a crappy system and I understand that but at the same time changing the administration the way you did is not going to get that up because what you just did, you just sent a whole lot of children into a spiral.”

Angela Boardman is a member of the North Atlanta Parents for Public Schools group.

“I am concerned though that other schools that are in direr circumstances than we are with graduation rates and CRCT, why those schools aren’t being a focus of issue as well.”

Dr. Howard Taylor will officially take over as principal of North Atlanta High School effective at end of this month.

For More Information:

You can download a PowerPoint presentation explaining Georgia’s Single Statewide Accountability System for public schools as prepared by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, March 20, 2006. An explanation of North Atlanta High School’s NI-4 score appears on slide 30.