GCPS Board Delays Vote on Land-Deal Policy

The Gwinnett County Public Schools board Thursday in Suwanee delayed for a second time a vote on a revised land-acquisition policy. This also was delayed from the May meeting.

The system is considering a revised policy because of controversy created by a series of articles in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that said that some developers made large, quick profits on some land sales to the GCPS.

Board Chairman Robert McClure of Lilburn asked that the board delay a vote to allow the system's internal audit of land purchases to be completed. McClure said that Joe Whitley, who is conducting the third-party audit for the GCPS, "might come up with more information we need to include" in the policy.

The internal audit is expected to be completed "in the next few weeks," Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks said.

Wilbanks -- not an actual board member -- addressed the board and those in attendance about the circumstances surrounding the proposed policy. He said that the AJC articles were "incomplete, misleading and prejudicial."

The board also approved putting Ivy Preparatory Academy of Peachtree Corners, an all-girls charter school, under its control and management. This came despite surprise opposition from the school's leadership. (See other coverage on Suwanee Patch.)

Also, the board recognized 18 students from throughout the system for perfect attendance in grades K-12.

The future of Ivy Preparatory was cast into limbo in May when the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that charter schools can only be approved by local school boards, such as the GCPS. The Supreme Court since has reaffirmed its stance. GCPS officials met with Ivy Prep representatives after the initial ruling.