By DORIE TURNER (Associated Press)
The head of an accrediting agency had harsh words for the Atlanta school board on Monday, Jan. 24, telling members to stop being selfish and do what’s best for the 47,000 students in the district.
Mark Elgart with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools went before the board, just a week after his organization put the district on probation. He told its squabbling school board to shape up or lose accreditation, which could strip the district of millions in grant money and could put students at risk of not gaining admission to college.
”This isn’t about you. It’s about all of the families and their future and their children,” Elgart said. ”Get past the differences that divide you.”
A board committee voted unanimously Monday before a packed auditorium to accept the SACS report that outlines six actions required by Sept. 30 to keep accreditation. Following an eight hour meeting, the full board voted to accept the report.
Gov. Nathan Deal earlier named Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and Atlanta attorney Beth Beskin to act as his liaisons with the Atlanta Public Schools.
They will serve as the governor’s eyes and ears in the system by attending APS board meetings and meetings with SACS and then report back to the governor on the progress the district is making.
“I am calling on these two leaders to work on behalf of Atlanta’s children,” said Deal. “This week I met with members of the Atlanta delegation and I will make every effort to ensure that our children aren’t harmed by the adults who failed them.”
In addition to key videos of Atlanta officials and community leaders, a Delta Boeing 777-200LR aircraft used to connect Atlanta nonstop to cities such as Tokyo, Dubai, Johannesburg and Tel Aviv, was christened as the “Spirit of Atlanta” during a celebration held in the shadow of the $1.4 billion Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal currently under construction.
Delta started out as a small carrier focused on the Southeast when it moved its headquarters from Monroe, La., to Atlanta in 1941.
In the decades that followed, Delta built the world’s largest connecting hub in Atlanta, and for more than two decades has remained Georgia’s largest private employer and a major economic force in the region.
With 25,000 employees based in Atlanta, Delta is estimated to pump more than $25 billion into the local economy, and is a major contributor to key community organizations, including the Grady Health Foundation, the Woodruff Arts Center, AID Atlanta, Hands On Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity, CARE, the Carter Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
“Delta Air Lines and Atlanta have a unique partnership that has been inextricably linked to the success and prosperity of our city and our airport for nearly three quarters of a century,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “The strong relationships among companies such as Delta, state and local elected officials and civic organizations are what make Atlanta not only a global, dynamic city, but a great place to live and do business. Congratulations to Delta Air Lines, Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson and all employees on the company’s 70th anniversary as Atlanta’s hometown airline.”
“Delta is truly an economic force for Georgia,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “It is our biggest employer and its presence here plays a key role in helping us
attract new investment and jobs. I look forward to partnering with Delta as it sets out on the next 70 years.”
“The success of Delta and the city of Atlanta have been intertwined for seven decades, and it’s hard to argue with the results,” said Anderson, Delta’s chief executive. “Atlanta has grown into a major international city while Delta built the world’s largest hub at the city’s airport. Central to this success has been the historic partnership between Delta, the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia and our thousands of Atlanta-based employees and customers.”
Recognizing one of Atlanta’s longest and most successful business partnerships, the “Spirit of Atlanta” was christened at the celebration with a bottle of Coke. Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company, was honored and made remarks at the celebration. Video speakers included former Mayor Andrew Young, University of Georgia Bulldogs Coach Mark Richt, Symphony Director Robert Spano, and Home Run King Hank Aaron.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Delta on its 70th anniversary as Atlanta’s hometown airline,” said U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss. “Delta Air Lines has come a long way since its beginnings in Monroe, La., to the international commercial airline it is today. For seven decades, Delta has thrived, employing thousands of Georgians and becoming an integral part of our communities. Delta has established itself as an economic engine not only for Georgia, but for the entire Southeast. I am grateful that such a company calls Atlanta its home.”
“As Georgians, we are all proud to be recognizing Delta’s 70th anniversary as our hometown airline,” said U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. “Over the past seven decades, Delta has become an integral part of the community, bringing jobs, businesses and great opportunities to the state of Georgia by connecting us to cities across the country and the world.”
Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year and employs more than 75,000. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com. A breakfast spread gave the VIP visitors a warm reception following the celebration.
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