APS Tribunal Challenged With Tough Decisions

The three person tribunal is made of educators and may they not necessarily know each other.

There’s also a hearing officer that primarily acts as judge.

That person is presented with evidence from APS attorneys and the educator’s representation.

WABE legal analyst Page Pate says the process includes personal testimony.

“Generally in a situation like this the tribunal’s determination is very discretionary,” says Pate.

The panel can look at a similar case and reach a different conclusion just based upon maybe unique facts or the background of that particular teacher or individual that’s before the tribunal.

And that may be enough for the tribunal to agree the educator’s termination should move forward.

But there is a flip side says Pate.

“It is not a court of law where they have established precedent or prior holding they must follow,” says Pate.

“Because of that, the tribunal has a lot of discretion and a lot of leeway and sometimes that’s going to lead to inconsistent decisions.”

Recently the APS tribunal voted there wasn’t sufficient evidence to support Supt. Erroll Davis’ recommendation to terminate the job of Angela Williamson.

She’s a former Dobbs Elementary School teacher implicated in the cheating.

Now, the Atlanta Board of Education will decide to reinstate Williamson or follow through with the Superintendent’s recommendation.