APS head Davis discusses removal of North Atlanta High administration with angry parents, students

To contact us Click HERE
AtlantaPublic Schools Superintendent Erroll Davis Jr. faced a capacity crowd ofparents and students at North Atlanta High School Tuesday night to explain theabrupt removal of the interim principal Mark MyGrant and several top members ofhis administration last Friday.

APS Superintendent Erroll Davis Jr. 

Hismessage was clear: Administrators were abruptly reassigned because the schoolwas, at one point, in danger of being taken over by the state, for poorperformance Davis told a hostile meeting with parents and students in a filled gymnasium.
“Thisschool needs to be a lot more than it is,” Davis told an audience that was bothstunned and angry. “If we didn’t do anything here, the state would have seizedthis school and fired all the leadership in the process.”
Schoolofficials removed interim principal Mark MyGrant, assistant principal MelissaGautreaux and three of the school’s academy leaders Friday. But, denyingreports by some media and parents, Davis said none of those removed from theirpositions were escorted by security out of the school.
HowardTaylor of Gwinnett County Public Schools has been hired as North Atlanta High’snew principal and will start Oct. 29. In the interim, Sid Baker, formerprincipal of Sarah Smith Elementary, will serve as principal and eight centraloffice administrators will also help with the transition.
NorthAtlanta High is known for its International Baccaleureate program, one of theoldest in the southeast, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report.In 2011, its graduating seniors received more than $20 million in scholarships.

The crowd started gathering early for the 6 p.m. meeting with Davis in
the gymnasium of North Atlanta High School. 

The AJCreports that 52 percent of its students receive free or reduced lunch, belowthe system average of 76 percent. In 2010-11, the most current year available,SAT scores were 1,439 — higher than the system average of 1,312, according tostate data.
But thesituation Davis described to parents Tuesday night was much different. Hereported that  test scores lagged at theschool and administrators became apathetic. The school’s graduation rate standsat 62 percent. He also pointed to structural flaws in the school, although hewouldn’t be specific.
“Thisschool has a lot of potential,” he said. “But its performance data says itneeds to be turned around. This should be our premier school in this city,” he toldthe large audience gathered in the school’s gymnasium. 

"We are moving into a $100 million facility," Davis said referring to the news high school to open in 2013. "I want out performance as a system and as a school to be on that level as well."   

Howard Taylor who
will begin as the new
principal on Oct. 29. 

Davispointed to performance data for the school that shows for “2007-2011, a 5 yearperiod, this school did not make AYP (average yearly progress).  We are aNI4 school, under state monitoring and reporting.  If you miss one moreyear, 6 years, you go to NI5 status.  If we did nothing here and had thesame performance this year as last and went to NI5, the state would have seizedthis school and fired all leadership in the process,” he explained.
“Thegood thing is the state has given us an AYP waiver and the state will not takeover this school,” he announced.
“We aremoving to Common Core, a higher standard, and I think it is a legitimatequestion for me to ask ‘If I have a team that didn’t make the lowest standardsfor the past 5 years, why would those leaders make the higher standards overthe next year?’ he told the audience.
“Graduation rate here 62%, but 7th from the bottom in APS,” hesaid.  “Sixty-two percent means we are failing every 4 out of 10 of ourchildren.”  
Davistold the audience, “I looked at performance and I’ve come to the conclusionthat with a dynamic new principal coming that I want him to have everyopportunity to succeed.  He’s turned around schools, he can pick goodleaders and he’s gotten outcomes and results.  I am putting him in aposition to do that,” he added.

Mark MyGrant, who was
removed as interim
principal on Friday.

In themiddle of Davis answering a parent’s question, removed interim principal MyGrant, whohas vowed to clear his name, walked through the gym to screaming and applausefrom students and parents.

Those who arrived early to the meeting were greeted by students on the sidewalks with signs reading "We deserve answers," according to the Northside Neighbor newspaper. And earlier in the day, parents held a press conference at the school where they distributed shirts saying "APS Customer Satisfaction 0%," the Buckhead Reporter reported.
Startingalmost a half-hour after the announced 6 p.m. meeting time, Davis began bytelling the audience, “Many of you have wanted to ask me questions and this iswhy I’m here.  Thank you for showing passion for your school, particularlyfor the students. It’s important for you to understand how this process worksas well,” he said.
“Let meadmit in advance, we potentially may have an unsatisfactory discussion,” Davistold the audience of parents and students. “As many of you well know, it’s inappropriate todiscuss specific personnel matters in a public forum. I will not talk aboutindividual matters.”
He saidthat after he presented his overview, “I will answer some questions. You willhopefully get, if not satisfaction, clarity,” he added. Questions he got andquestions he fielded for more than an hour and a half.
Onequestioner asked Davis: “When did you decide that it wasn’t necessary to notifyour parents before you made this decision.”
Daviscalmly, but forcefully answered: “Your question implies that I should consultparents on every personnel issue. There is never a time when I seek a set ofpermissions from people who do not have to carry out the duties that come withthe responsibility.”
For anunedited blow-by-blow account of Davis’s opening remarks and the questions andanswers during the session as reported live by APS staff, go here.