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Clayton County board approves multiple school leadership appointments; tribunal appeal fails on tie
Summary
The Clayton County Board of Education unanimously approved four administrative appointments, passed the consent agenda and the district CTAE budget, and saw a tribunal appeal fail after a 4–4 split vote.
The Clayton County Board of Education on Sept. 3 unanimously approved four administrative appointments, adopted the consent agenda and the district Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) budget, and voted down an appeal of a tribunal decision after a 4–4 tie.
The board accepted Superintendent Anthony Smith’s recommendations to appoint Cynthia Freeman Smalls as principal of Perry Career Academy; Francis Thomas as principal of Church Street Elementary; Brandy Roman as assistant principal at East Clayton Elementary; and Eldrick Horton as assistant superintendent for high schools. Each appointment passed on a unanimous voice vote, recorded by the chair as unanimous.
Board Chair Ben Stryker introduced the superintendent’s recommendations and called for votes. Mark Christmas moved to accept the recommendation naming Cynthia Freeman Smalls for Perry Career Academy; the motion was seconded and recorded as unanimous. A similar process followed for the other appointments; the board chair announced each vote as unanimous and congratulated the appointees.
The board approved the consent agenda, which included the financial report, SPLOST revenue report, purchasing report, budget amendments, SPLOST construction report, capital purchasing report and personnel changes. Jesse Goree moved the consent agenda and the board voted unanimously to adopt it.
On a separate vote, the board approved the district annual CTAE budget; the motion was moved and seconded and the chair announced the vote as unanimous.
A motion to uphold the decision of a tribunal panel in case 2025-2026-01 failed after the roll call produced an even split. The chair reported the tally as four in favor and four opposed and declared the motion failed.
The board also announced that it would take photos with the newly appointed administrators and closed the business portion of the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Cynthia Freeman Smalls — Principal, Perry Career Academy. Motion to accept superintendent’s recommendation moved by Mark Christmas; second not specified on the record. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Francis Thomas — Principal, Church Street Elementary. Motion moved by a board member; seconded by Mark Christmas. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Brandy Roman — Assistant Principal, East Clayton Elementary. Motion moved by Joy Tellis Cooper; seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Eldrick Horton — Assistant Superintendent (High Schools). Motion moved by Jesse Goree; seconded by Jasmine Bowles. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Tribunal panel decision, case 2025-2026-01. Motion to uphold the tribunal decision moved on the record; seconded. Vote: 4 yes, 4 no. Outcome: motion fails. - Consent agenda (financials, SPLOST reports, purchasing, budget amendments, capital, personnel). Motion moved by Jesse Goree; seconded. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - District annual CTAE budget. Motion moved and seconded. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
The board adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
