Fulton Public Schools parents voice concerns over "Claim It,' district climate

Parents and students attending the Fulton Public Schools Board of Education meeting Tuesday raise signs with statements included in the controversial "Claim It" activity conducted during a physical education class at Fulton Middle School.
Parents and students attending the Fulton Public Schools Board of Education meeting Tuesday raise signs with statements included in the controversial "Claim It" activity conducted during a physical education class at Fulton Middle School.

Signs shot in the air as the Fulton Public Schools Board of Education meeting started Wednesday night inside the high school library. The signs, held by parents of Fulton Middle School students and some middle school students themselves, included statements found in the "Claim It" activity conducted during a physical education class in March.

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The Sentinel-Record

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In March, students stood in a line as teachers read statements regarding sex, abuse, religion and other sensitive topics. Students could step forward to self identify with a statement. The activity caused backlash from concerned parents and citizens - nine of which addressed the board Tuesday night. Complaints from parents included privacy issues, lack of transparency, suppression of parental involvement and dissatisfaction among teachers. One parent said he wants the district to respond to unanswered questions over "Claim It," and made a specific request for the board to remove the teachers involved for the remaining of the school year and the three years following.

While comments were contentious, some speakers, like Fulton Middle School parent Tammy Gillespie, remained hopeful in making improvements through a joint effort between the district and its patrons. Gillespie first spoke to the board in March after she said her daughter was asked to give a statement about a bomb threat at the middle school.

"There's some really unethical things going on ... (the teachers) may be great people and love kids, but ("Claim It") was wrong," Gillespie told the board Wednesday night. "And, collecting witness statements from my child and others and making them sign their name to it and not telling us is wrong. So, let's make it right together."

Amanda Murdie, an organizer of the recently-formed Parents for Fulton Schools group and mother of a sixth-grade student, said the signs Wednesday night were a visual reminder for the board of the hurt the activity has caused children and their families.

Fulton Public Schools Superintendent Jacque Cowherd apologized publicly at the meeting for what he's called many times an "inappropriate" survey. The district self reported federal privacy law violations to the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education, and Cowherd said it could take the office between six months and a year to complete its investigation.

"I fail to understand how anyone could think those questions were appropriate," Cowherd said. "On behalf of the district, I'm sorry those questions were asked and I hope we don't encounter those types of issues in the future."

In her speech to the board, Murdie talked about broken trust between the district and community - a sentiment also shared by others. Specifically, Murdie said she was upset when she received information from the district stating the activity was in line with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards and the Fulton Middle School health curriculum.

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"I now question each and every decision that this district's administration is making," Murdie said. "If you could be so wrong as to try to defend any aspect of that illegal activity as OK, how am I supposed to trust you with designing and implementing any curriculum for my children? Respect my children, their education and privacy rights."

After approaching the podium, David Gibson, another parent of a Fulton Middle School student, put the board members in a similar situation his child was in during participation in the "Claim It" activity.

"How many of you worry or have worried about paying your bills? How many are of Jewish descent? How many of you have someone in your family who is currently serving time in prison? How many of you believe it's OK to date somebody outside your race? How many of you have been insulted, teased or made fun of by somebody inside this room?" he asked. "You may think those were inappropriate questions for me to ask of you. I agree. It was also inappropriate for my child to be asked those questions."

Gibson referenced Fulton's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) standards that address parental, community, stakeholder communication and involvement with the district. Specifically, he brought to the board's attention:

•Collecting parent survey responses and holding a public forum on ways to increase parent and guardian involvement in children's education;

•Seek parent volunteers to conduct public forum(s) on school involvement issues;

•Create an action plan and address student involvement issues based on survey and forum feedback.

"Again, there's your feedback," Gibson said, gesturing to more than two dozen parents and students gathered.

Including staff, faculty and others in attendance not regarding "Claim It," the meeting was standing room only.

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Bloomberg News

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Gibson said the district lacks in the notification of public meetings, but manages to reach himself and other parents through various lines of communication: email, SchoolReach - a messenger system and announcements in the Fulton Sun.

"To quote, your official position is that you want parental and community involvement. You've gotten your wish. We're involved," Gibson said, again referencing the crowd. "If you really want our involvement now is the time for change. Start taking notes when we speak, start including our thoughts in the synopsis that you post online, start discussing your votes during open session.

"We can and will send our children to a culture that views them as more than just a number ... We will not be compliant, I know that we were, we will not be any longer. That road has already been traveled. We stand now at a fork in the road. You have two choices before you. In one direction there is an amiable partnership between the board and the community. In the other direction there is only contention and dysfunction. The choice is yours - claim it."

This story originally stated the Fulton Public Schools Board of Education meeting took place of Tuesday, April 14. The meeting was Wednesday, April 15. The story has been updated to reflect the change.