Former school superintendent candidate speaks out

ATLANTA — Parents have concerns about the new school year after things got heated at a meeting about the next Henry County Schools superintendent.

The board pulled back on an offerr to Dr. Timothy Gadson. He spoke up after the meeting, saying he would still like to be considered for the job and wants to appeal the decision.

"I would like to negotiate with the board," Gadson said.

Gadson made his position clear.

"I stand ready to serve as superintendent of Henry County Board of Schools," Gadson said.

On Monday, the Henry County school board voted to take back Gadson's contract offer.

Officials told Channel 2 Action News the reason was because Gadson's contract demands exceeded what has been traditionally extended to previous superintendents.

Gadson was the sole candidate up for the job.

On Tuesday, nearly 300 parents showed up at a board meeting and shared strong opinions about the choice for superintendent and the contract issue.

"Let’s negotiate where we can have some commonality, especially if you're saying he's the best candidate," parents McKenzie McDaniel said.

"I didn't want his contract. I was upset, because he was the only candidate they brought to us to pick from," Lisa Davis, a parent, said.

Things got confusing, when at one point during the meeting, two board members said that they never saw the contract sent to Gadson and admitted that they didn't review Gadson's counter offer until Sunday.

His contract was withdrawn by a majority decision.

Gadson said he doesn't know yet how he will appeal the board's decision.

Cox Media Group