Box 6, Folder 1, Document 25

Box 6, Folder 1, Document 25

MINUTES
___ > LOCAL EDUCATION COMMISSION
CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE
FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
FULTON COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
JULY 31, 1964

The Local Education Commission met at 2:00 p.m., in the Conference Room
of the Fulton County Board of Education for the primary purpose of reviewing
the proposed plan of study developed by Dr. Truman Pierce.

Members present were:

P. L. Bardin, Chairman . Fred J. Turner

Otis M. Jackson James White, Jr.

Dr. James L. Miller, Jr. Alan Kiepper, Ex Officio
Mrs. Alan Ritter Dr. John Letson, Ex Officio
W. Kenneth Stringer Dr. Paul West, Ex Officio

The minutes of the June 19 meeting were approved. The minutes of the
July 2 meeting of the Steering Committee were read and approved as amended.

Prior to making a detailed presentation of the proposed study plan,
Dr. Pierce stated that the plan had been developed with the assistance of
Superintendents Letson and West and Dr. Martin and Dr. Henson. He also
stated that the proposed study outline was intended to reflect an under-
standing and awareness of past studies, current conditions and projected
developments of the metropolitan area. (A copy of the plan was distributed
to Commission members present and mailed to members absent).

It was emphasized that the proposed plan is intended as a starting
point and that changes may be made at any time as the study progresses.

Mr. White stated that the question before the Commission is: Should
the two schools be combined? This question needs to be answered as soon
as possible and members of the Commission should be in a position to
answer questions and points favorable and/or unfavorable to combining the
schools so that they can inform the public and receive reactions.

It was pointed out that although the last Local Education Commission did

not specifically recommend consolidation at the time, it did outline a ten
Local Education Commission, continued
July 31, 1964

year improvement program designed to bring the Atlanta and Fulton County Schoolss
closer together and leading ultimately to a single school district. Many of these
cooperative and uniformed programs have been realized. Based on these studies
and other information the Commission should now assume that it will proceed upon
the premise that combining the two systems is desirable.

There was agreement that the next step is to prepare a brief which states:
(a) findings, conclusions and recommendations of previous studies, (b) advantages
and disadvantages of consolidation and (c) data to prove or support the position
to consolidate or not to consolidate. This brief will serve as common information
to all Commission members and as a review of previous studies. Dr. Pierce will
develop the brief and include Items I and V of the proposed plan of study in it.
He will present the first draft of this brief to the Commission in September.

The motion was made that since all previous studies have pointed toward
the desirability of combining the two school systems, the present Commission
accepts the tentative position that combining the two school systems will be
recommended and that attention be focused upon implementing the steps outlined
in the proposed plan of study presented by Dr. Pierce, however, the Commission
has the right to change this decision at any point during the study. The motion
was unanimously approved. .

It was pointed out that the laws should be examined and provisions made
so that the two systems could combine without loss of revenue, services,
benefits, etc., for either system and/or for the employees.

Mr. Turner made the motion that within the limits of finances available
at the present time or in the future, the officers of the Commission be
authorized to employ legal counsel and other needed services. The motion

was seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. af ae y Pera
ECH/dh ; be tile ee:

—_



August 4, 1964 Recording Secretary

Approved by:



Chairman