Schools

Cherokee School Board Will Hold Ethics Hearing For Kelly Marlow

The board will move forward with holding a hearing to consider if Marlow violated school board policies.

This article was written by Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch Local Editor Kristal Dixon.

The Cherokee County School Board has unanimously voted to hold an ethics violation hearing for District 1 member Kelly Marlow.

The board made the decision after listening to nearly 10 people from the audience offering varying viewpoints on Marlow, who is only halfway in her first year on the board. 

No board member, all of which were present at the meeting, offered their opinion on the matter before casting their ballot. Most of the audience, which has been critical of Marlow's behavior, gave the board a standing ovation after the vote was made. 

Cherokee High School's auditorium was filled to near its capacity with residents, Cherokee County school teachers, politicians and others who began lining up outside the school around 5:30 p.m. to get a seat to view the proceedings. 

The 10 residents who spoke were not shy about how they felt about the controversial school board member. 

One resident, Christine Rea of Canton, presented a petition in which over 1,200 residents signed a petition on Change.org asking Marlow to rescind her letter she penned to AdvancED asking the organization to investigate the board.

It's safe to say every signature was added to the petition "because the citizens of Cherokee County know we have students, parents, faulty and (an) administration that make our schools and district an incredible place to educate and be educated," Rea added.

Another resident, Donnamarie Alcott, added the complaint was not only "reckless," but "it is without merit and basis."  

However, at least two residents offered support to Marlow. John Hiland of Woodstock noted that "if she’s run off, the Tea Party will elect someone else." 

Woodstock resident Debbie Staver noted it doesn't seem fair to have a "lynch mob against the person who asks those questions."

Marlow will now be given a 30-day notice of the hearing.  If she's found in violation of the board's ethics policy by a two-thirds vote, the board can then move forward to determine appropriate sanctions. 
 
Marlow, along with partner Robert Trim and resident Barbara Knowles, were all arrested and charged in relation to Knowles accusing Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo of trying to run her over with his vehicle as he was leaving the June 13 board meeting. 

Knowles was charged with making a false report of a crime and making false statements while both Trim and Marlow were charged with making false statements. 

Marlow has also been accused of ignoring established chains of command by directly contacting teachers and employees with the Cherokee County School District. 


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