Cherokee County School Board member Kelly Marlow released a letter Friday sent to local media and published on her blog in which she claims the school district is “riddled with intimidation.”
In the letter, Marlow defended her June complaint to SACS, accusing the school district administration and board members of denying her a chance to resolve issues with them as a board and of using “fear mongering.”
“I now fully understand why parents, teachers, future, current and former employees, and sadly even board members associated with the Cherokee County School District tremble with such fear when challenging the status quo,” Marlow wrote. “It is precisely the fear tactics used by this administration and the board’s willingness to tolerate them that led to my letter to SACS.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said Friday that Marlow’s letter made false allegations.
“This letter, like Ms. Marlow’s letter to AdvancEd, makes serious and false allegations,” Petruzielo said. “I and my staff are eager to answer any questions from AdvancEd to ensure our SACS CASI accreditation, which was renewed in November 2011 with glowing commendations for my leadership and the School Board’s governance, continues untarnished.”
Among the accusations, Marlow said in the letter that Board Chair Janet Read “would not direct the Superintendent and his staff to answer my direct questions.”
“I feel that this behavior has been a hindrance to the board’s ability to make good sound choices that we are elected by the people to do,” Marlow wrote.
Marlow did not respond to messages for further comment Friday.
Read responded to Marlow’s letter Friday, saying she preferred not to comment.
“After much consideration, I have decided not to address Ms. Marlow’s concerns via the media,” Read said. “I believe I am best serving the 39,000 children of our school district by remaining focused on our main mission — continuing to offer a quality education for every student.”
via Cherokee Tribune – Marlow releases letter saying board riddled with intimidation.
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