UPDATE: Marlow Ethics Appeal Hearing Set for Monday

Cherokee County School Board member Kelly Marlow will soon have her chance to appeal to the State Board of Education on charges she violated local board policies when she asked an accrediting agency to investigate her colleagues.

Marlow's appeal hearing will get underway at noon on Monday, Jan. 13 at the Georgia Department of Education's building, located at 2070 Twin Towers East in Atlanta.

The hearing will consist of a hearing officer, the defendant — which in this case would be Marlow — and her attorney, said Georgia Department of Education spokesman Matt Cardoza. 

The Cherokee school board in October ruled Marlow violated board's governance structure when she wrote a letter asking AdvancED to investigate her fellow board members.  

It also ruled the District 1 member violated the board's policy that stipulates no private actions should be taken that would compromise the board or the Cherokee County School District. 

The board imposed a $3,200 sanction upon Marlow, which would be contributed towards the cost the district incurred for the hearing.

Cardoza added the appeals process takes between two and three months. The case was docketed in November, so a decision could be reached by the board at its February meeting.

State board rules dictate the board must issue its decision in writing within 25 days of hearing the case. The hearing officer will make a recommendation to the board, but the board will make the final ruling, Cardoza added.

If the board rejects Marlow's appeal, the board member will be able to appeal to Cherokee County Superior Court, according to state code. 

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