Georgia Injury Lawyer BlogArticles Posted in Education
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Good Georgia Education Lawyer Resolves Former Fulton County School District Employee’s Dispute
A Fulton County school district former employee resolved their dispute today with the school district. Williams Oinonen LLC was gratified to be able to represent our client and obtain a successful outcome. Said our client:
“Julie Oinonen became a driving force that fought for my rights and maximum protection under the fullest extent of the law. She was a glimmer of hope in a time of desperation, and a voice of relief in a complicated predicament. She worked with me to provide services that fit my budget, and kept me informed every step of the way. I am truly grateful for all that she has done to protect my career and to preserve my future. Thank you, Julie!!!”
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Floyd County School Government Seeks To Infringe on Educators Constitutional Right to Due Process, Fair Dismissal Hearings
Gilda Day v Floyd County School District by julie9094
The Rome Tribune featured in the news today that Williams Oinonen LLC filed suit yesterday on behalf of one of the many Floyd County school educator clients, issuing the following statement:
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Williams Oinonen LLC Hosts Covenant College Pre-Law Students: Visits to Office of Fulton County Public Defender, District Attorney, Courthouse, Emory Law, and Georgia State
Williams Oinonen LLC was delighted to welcome back a return group of Covenant College pre-law students in Atlanta. Special thanks goes out to the Fulton County Office of the Public Defender where students enjoyed visiting last semester and learning further about a career as a public defender from the Director Vernon S. Pitts (see above photos), Supervisor D’Andre Berry, and heard fabulous stories from Supervising Trial Attorney Elizabeth Markowitz.
Special thanks also goes out to Paul Howard at Fulton County District Attorney’s office where Assistant District Attorneys April McConnell and Antonio Veal coordinated a very exciting afternoon for the students which included watching a murder trial.
The day also featured a special luncheon at the Commerce Club hosted by Williams Oinonen LLC with special guest and fellow alumni Jeremy Davis of Carlock Copeland.
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Governor Nathan Deal Suspends Six DeKalb County School Board of Education Members
Governor Nathan Deal announced today that he was suspending six of DeKalb County school board members. Deal stated that he has appointed a panel to nominate replacements and selected Brad Bryant, a former school board member of DeKalb, to be the liaison.
This decision was based on the recommendation of the State Board of Education. SACS accreditation agency had put the District on probation in December due to a host of governance problems.
For more information, you can read Governor Nathan Deal’s official statement here.
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Good Georgia Education Lawyer Sues DeKalb County School Board
Williams Oinonen LLC filed suit today on behalf of our client Ms. Denise Davis, a courageous whistleblower and former DeKalb County School District Human Resources Administrator who contends that the DeKalb County Schools unlawfully RIF’d DeKalb County educators throughout the District by failing to comply with the Georgia Reduction in Force statute O.C.G.A. § 20-2-948 and their own District policy.
Specifically, she alleges in her complaint that they circumvented the RIF requirement to consider job performance as the primary factor by eliminating entire positions, then creating new titles that were in effect the same jobs that had been eliminated but were now simply under a different name upon which they selected new hires based on favoritism, friendship, or familial status.
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DeKalb County School District Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson Resigns Amid Controversy
Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson just resigned as Superintendent amid much controversy.
The AJC reports on her resignation stating that the District is currently on probation after SACS the accreditation agency found evidence of fiscal mismanagement and unethical practices.
The recent lawsuit against her was dismissed after our client who had been non-renewed due to a reduction in force was rehired by the District.
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Good Georgia Education Lawyer Resolves Bullying Issue At DeKalb County School District
Good Georgia Lawyer regularly handles education issues, student due process and disciplinary hearings, and teacher/administrator employment matters. Recently, we were very grateful for this testimonial that came from the mother of a son who was being violently assaulted as a bullying victim. Here is a thank you letter she wrote to us:
“This is a testimony of the level of of assistance I received when it came to my son. I could never thank you enough because when I came to you I was at a crossroads about my sons future in middle school as well as in High school because of his issues with bullying . He had been bullied since sixth (6th) grade because of questions regarding his sexuality and because he was coming from a private school setting. My son had been jumped and assaulted on numerous occasions but also threatened because of his diversity and also because of his unfamiliarity to a public school setting. Julie, you assisted me with this issue and further checked to make sure that his transition was easy when it came to a different setting and also a high school setting.
Unfortunately , that wasn’t the case, even going to a different Dekalb County High School, because my son was different and had been labeled as “NOT” gang affiliated he was targeted yet, again. Not because of his sexuality but because he was fortunate. In the midst of all of this I was forced to turn to you (Julie} once again. My son had been jumped by gangs on two (2) separate occasions . . . My son suffers from chronic asthma and was seriously injured and a victim of a brutal assault assaulted twice in one (1) week. Thankfully you (Julie) were at my aid, yet again. and advocated for my son’s rights and made sure that justice was met on his behalf.
Today, my son is in a diverse high school setting thanks to you. Julie, I can never thank you enough because your true passion is in education and serving and empowering our youth. Julie Oinonen, you are truly a blessing! [My son] and I thank you from the bottom of our heart for all that you do, and for caring!!!”
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Senator Emmanuel Jones Discusses Lawsuit Against DeKalb County School District
Concerning the recent lawsuit against DeKalb County School District, Senator Emanuel Jones, leader of the DeKalb’s Senate delegation commented on his concerns about the school district’s failure to respond to open records requests: “When they’re not responding, it just begs the question as to, ‘What are they hiding? What are they covering up?'” he says, “And it’s going to lead to more questions and it’s going to lead to more concerns from the public and all the other stakeholders.”
The AJC featured the story here and WSBTV’s Erica Byfield interviewed Senator Jones on the evening news in a piece that can be read here entitled “Lawsuit Raises Concerns About DeKalb Schools Corruption” The video can be seen here.
The news story quoted our law firm attorneys stating: