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Carver alumni and parents press Muscogee County board for transparency over staff removals
Summary
During public comment at the May 18 meeting, Carver High alumni and parents urged the board for transparency and accountability after what they described as abrupt removals of staff at George Washington Carver High School and raised concerns about Title IX and 504 handling.
Two public commenters used the board’s public-comment period to press the Muscogee County School Board for transparency and student protections after recent personnel changes.
Belisha Thomas, introduced by the chair as a Carver High alum and an upcoming parent, said community members were “deeply hurt, confused and concerned” by what she described as an abrupt removal of two “very impactful individuals” at G.W. Carver High School. Thomas asked whether decision-makers had spent time walking the halls, talking with students and families, and whether parents, alumni and teachers would have “a meaningful voice” in selecting new leadership. She asked the board to protect the school’s cultural traditions and the magnet program and to provide safeguards for students and teachers.
“Respectfully, we would like to ask, have the individuals involved in these decisions truly walked the halls of Carver, spoken with students, listened with families and taken time to understand the realities many of the students face daily?” Thomas asked.
Leroy Manners followed, describing his family’s experience with Title IX and Section 504 processes and saying his daughter has faced ongoing issues for 225 days. Manners said staff treating students as “the problem” after serious allegations has left families feeling they must litigate on their own behalf and urged the board to “stand up for these kids.”
The chair responded that personnel matters are handled by the superintendent, Dr. David Lewis, and that the board’s role is to evaluate the superintendent and hold him accountable; the chair said transfers and personnel actions are made yearly and involve consideration of school needs and staff strengths.
The public remarks put community pressure on the board to explain staffing decisions and to clarify how families can participate in selections for school leadership. There was no vote or formal board action tied to the comments that night.
