Schools
UPDATE: State Board Upholds Kelly Marlow Ethics Ruling
District 1 Board Member Kelly Marlow said she will appeal the ruling to the Cherokee County Superior Court.
The State Board of Education has upheld the Cherokee County School Board's ruling that District 1 member Kelly Marlow violated its policies when she independently asked AdvancED to investigate her colleagues.
The board issued the ruling during its April 3 meeting. Marlow issued a statement on the board's decision.
"This ruling by the State Board of Education sends a clear message to local elected board members across Georgia: speak out when you see something wrong and you will be punished," she said. "It should not be allowed to stand. I intend to appeal to the (Cherokee County) Superior Court."
AdvancED is the company that oversees the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, or SACS CASI.
The Cherokee school board in October voted to confirm Marlow violated board policy BH Domain 1: Governance Structure, which indicates board members must recognize authority rests with the board as a whole and not individual members; and Domain 7: Conduct as a Board Member, which notes members must not take any "private action" that would compromise the board or district's administration.
The board also voted to fine Marlow $3,600.
See the attached .PDF to review the State Board of Education's ruling.
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