Jury seeks changes to education policy

Web posted Saturday, November 18, 2000

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By Faith Johnson
Staff Writer

The Richmond County grand jury released a report Friday saying the firing process used by the board of education and the way it deals with overtime need improving.

The grand jury met with school officials Nov. 1.

In its general presentments Friday, the jury said the school system has been ``woefully overlooked'' by prior grand juries.

The report also said school officials explained they were initially hesitant to meet with the jury because only two had met with school officials in the past 29 years - both times focusing on specific community concerns.

The jury discussed six general topics with school administrators, including personnel, school safety, magnet schools, finances, alternative centers and school bond issues.

``We discussed issues involving firing personnel and felt that this area needs some improvement,'' the report stated.

The jury also said there needs to be a more efficient check and balance system in the approval of overtime.

Mike Farrell, director of public safety, was forced to resign after an audit report showed gross amounts of overtime in his department. He said his budget had to be approved by school officials.

Richmond County Superintendent Charles Larke did not return two messages left on his pager Friday. But earlier this week he said the grand jury meeting was beneficial.

``They asked general questions,'' Dr. Larke said. ``It seemed that their questions came from things they had been following in the media, like the Alphonza Griffin case. They asked if someone was acquitted in criminal court, how could we have a hearing and terminate their contract. They asked if that was double jeopardy.''

School board members voted June 15 to fire Mr. Griffin - a former Hephzibah High School math teacher and track coach - based on violations of school policies relating to allegations of sexual misconduct with Lakesha Williams, then a Hephzibah High School student. She graduated last year.

A jury in Richmond County Superior Court acquitted Mr. Griffin of the sexual assault charges five months before the school board fired him.

School officials said they welcomed the grand jury meeting.

``I just saw it as a question and answer session,'' Dr. Larke said. ``They asked about (how) we deal with people who violate the code of conduct as far as the strict dress requirements.''

Dr. Larke said administrators offered the jury copies of the budget, the teacher handbook, school calendar and other school documents.

``We don't have anything to hide,'' he said. ``We've said all along we would be glad to provide information to anybody, because when you don't, people think you're trying to hide something.''

Reach Faith Johnson at (706) 823-3765.

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