Petruzielo: Marlow's "Lack of Effectiveness" Prompted Complaint

Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo is not the one to mince words when it's his time to voice his opinion. 

In maintaining that tradition, Petruzielo has followed through with AdvancED's call for the district to respond to allegations made by School Board Member Marlow that the Cherokee County School Board can not govern effectively and at least one board member maintains an improper relationship with school district staff members. 

AdvancED is the company that oversees the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, or SACS CASI.

Before diving into specifics, Petruzielo notes the district has witness two substantial changes to its governance structure since the SACS-CASI's Quality Assurance Team in 2011 visited the district as part of its efforts to obtain re-accreditation: the Cherokee County legislative delegation in 2012 passed a bill changing how citizens elect school board members and voters elected Janet Read to serve as the first elected board chair since the change. 

While the district still has concerns over the long-term implications the change from at-large to single member district could pose, Petruzielo states the district has not had any "immediate issues" in relation to the model.

Specifically, Petruzielo tackles each possible violation outlined by AdvancED, which was based upon Marlow's complaint: 

Indicator 2.1 - The governing body establishes policies and supports practices that ensure effective administration of the system and its schools.

Petruzielo points out Marlow has attended all the necessary school board training and since Marlow was sworn into office, the board has updated its policies to bring itself in line with new and revised state and federal laws, the state and federal Departments of Education and the Georgia School Boards Association.

Indicator 2.2 - The governing body operates responsibly and functions effectively.

The superintendent notes the board's meetings are conducted in accordance to the Georgia Open Meetings Act, and has taken action on numerous items since Marlow's term started in January. Both written and video accounts of the meetings are posted online and reported in local media outlets.

Indicator 2.4 - Leadership and staff at all levels of the system foster a culture consistent with the system’s purpose and direction.

Petruzielo recounts the 2011 re-accreditation visit, and the team noting the staff fostered "a culture of improvement for teaching and learning throughout the district." He points to the district increasing its internal and external communications; established a system in which board members can appoint residents to ad-hoc citizens committees; and individual staff members earning state and national recognition with individual awards.

The superintendent also notes the only school board policy violation he felt has occurred is Marlow sending her complaint to AdvancED. Also, the school district in the last 15 years has not violated the Georgia Open Meetings Act or the Georgia Open Records Act, Petruzielo noted.

He also criticzied Marlow's allegation that Board Chair Read has an inappropriate relationship with Barbara Jacoby, the district's director of public information, communications and partnerships.

Marlow alleges that Jacoby tried to interfere with the hiring process at the Cherokee Tribune. Marlow cites a conversation between Jacoby, the former managing editor at the Tribune, and Read, who both were discussing the promotion of former Tribune education reporter Megan Thornton to the Marietta Daily Journal. 

Marlow accuses Jacoby of interfering with the hiring process by stating she hopes it takes a "long time" for Cherokee County's legal organ to find a replacement for Thornton. Peturizleo, who said he was present for the conversation, noted Marlow's account is "misleading and inaccurate."

"In reality, Ms. Read expressed disappointment about hearing that a local talented education reporter had been promoted within the company," he stated. "And Ms. Jacoby, in jest, responded that she hoped it took a long time to find a replacement, as the reporter would not be promoted until a replacement was hired."

This "light-hearted" comment, Petruzielo added, is in no way a violation of the school board's policy, state law or evidence of any inappropriate behavior.

The superintendent added that, in his opinion, it's Marlow's "frustration from her own lack of effectiveness" propelled her to file the complaint with AdvancED, "rather than following the guidelines for effective school board member governance and leadership provided to her through training by GSBA, the school board attorney (Tom Roach), myself and my staff." 

Petruzielo noted he hopes AdvancED will "determine that no further action" is needed by the district so the fear that accreditation could be in jeopardy could be "put to rest."