Clayton News Daily

School board chairperson: ‘I was misquoted.'

To the editor:

I am writing in regards to the article, "Clayton Schools optimistic about SACS visit." in the Oct. 7 Clayton News Daily. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2010, I was interviewed [staff writer] Curt Yeomans in regards to our visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In the article, it stated that I singled out former Superintendent Valya Lee for being instrumental in making sure that the board was ready for this visit.

He also stated that I said, "Even the former Superintendent, when she was here, was pushing us, and saying: ‘OK, ya'll need to be doing these policy reviews. We need to get this done.'"

I would like to state, for the record, that I never, at any time during my interview with Mr. Yeomans, said the above quotes –– that were written in the paper –– about the Interim Superintendent.

The Interim Superintendent's name was never mentioned Mr. Yeomans or me during our interview. When Dr. Heatley arrived in July, the policies had not been completed. Dr. Edmond Heatley and his staff, along with all nine members of the Clayton County Board of Education worked diligently together to make sure we completed all of the policies for Clayton County Public Schools.

The purpose of this letter is to clear up any wrong implications in regards to our SACS visit, and to give credit where credit is due –– to Dr. Heatley, his staff, our great community, and all the members of the Clayton County Board of Education.

DR. ALIEKA ANDERSON

Chairperson

The Clayton County

Board of Education