Updated: February 1, 2012
The Cherokee County School Board has requested state investigators look into recent incidents surrounding the search for a superintendent.
In a release Wednesday, the board said the incidents include communications sent to members that could be considered blackmail, as well as missing personnel files.
The board said it understands there are differing opinions on who should become the next superintendent, but these incidents will not be tolerated.
“While the board acknowledges that there is significant community interest and varying opinions regarding who should serve the district as our next superintendent and respects that interest and those opinions, the board will not tolerate being subjected to blackmail as we carry out our responsibility to select the person whom we believe can best lead the district,” the release explained.
Posted: January 31, 2012
The NAACP and other African-American groups accused members of the Cherokee County School Board of being racist for not considering a black woman for the open superintendent spot.
Dr. Carlotta Redish, who was named interim superintendent and who has served as associate superintendent for years, was passed up as one of the final four contenders for the top spot.
Monday, members of the county's NAACP branch held a press conference to call the district's school board racist and demand answers on why Redish wasn't named a finalist.
When asked how she would respond to the accusations, board member Robin Harper said the NAACP was simply wrong to make baseless claims that Harper calls false.
Both Willie Crosby and Cheryll Smith, the only two black board members, refused comment when contacted by this reporter.
Dr. Redish also refused comment, though the outgoing interim superintendent Dr. Ed Taylor (with whom Redish has worked closely) said he was shocked Redish wasn't being considered as a finalist.
Taylor resigned last month after saying he could no longer work for a school board who micromanaged and wouldn't "allow him to do his job."
The board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday to interview the third of four candidates for the district's top spot.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement