Newspapers sue for superintendent finalists' names

The BOE received applications from over 36 people to fill the position being vacated by Shannon Adams, who is retiring. With the help of a consultant from the Georgia School Boards Association, the BOE recently narrowed that list down to four finalists and has scheduled interviews with those candidates on Thursday. One of the candidates is said to be coming from out of state.

Georgia law provides that boards release at minimum the top three names. In 2006, the Jackson County BOE released the names of four finalists and in 2010, the Barrow County Board of Education released the names of its four finalists for superintendent.

“Clearly, the Jackson BOE has narrowed its list to four finalists and should release those names so the public will know who is being considered for this very important position,” said Mainstreet Newspapers’ co-publisher and editor Mike Buffington. “Given the board’s process in narrowing down its applicants from over 36 to four, it cannot now argue that these people really aren’t finalists. This board’s own precedent has been to release the names of four finalists, so why not do that now? Apparently, the BOE chose four names in an attempt to skirt the intent of the law.”

Mainstreet Newspapers is being represented by Michael Daniel of Prior, Daniel & Wiltshire of Athens.

Buffington also said that it appears internal conflicts-of-interest on the board are driving the secrecy.

“This board is very conflicted with family members of board members working in the system and that appears to be what’s behind the secrecy,” he said. “Rather than being open and acting in the public interest, BOE members are giving the appearance that they are trying to protect the employment interest of their spouses or children who work in the system.”