Still Facing Skepticism, Atlanta Business Community Gradually Re-engaging With APS

“The concern was the access that the business community had was driving the policy and what we were getting was not improved quality of education. We were getting the image of improved quality of education,” said Quartarone.

It’s not to say Quartarone doesn’t want the business community engaged and ready to help when it can. He just wants a balance of input from parents and business leaders.

“There is a significant amount of skepticism in general from parents and lingering frustration of feeling left out,” said Quartarone.

The business community’s role as the cheating scandal unfolded remains a sensitive subject for many in the city.

Business leaders helped recruit Hall and raised millions for APS during her tenure. They led a blue ribbon commission to investigate the initial cheating charges and failed to uncover systemic issues. A Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce executive later wrote an email backing an attempt to “finesse” the commission’s findings by state leaders. Months later, despite growing evidence of a wider cheating scandal, several key business leaders, including GE’s John Rice, defended Hall publicly. 

Ann Cramer chairs a Metro Atlanta Chamber committee that focuses on education. The former IBM executive dismisses the idea the business community has ever wielded too much influence over APS policies.

“That’s a notion and I don’t know whether the truth is in that in terms of aggressively. I think the business community has always been in a position of being responsive to the school district and yet at the same time caring deeply about the success of the district and bringing resources to bear,” said Cramer. 

Beverly Hall’s successor, Erroll Davis, is a former corporate executive and says the business community’s influence is highly overrated. 

“It’s romantic fiction. The business community has no idea about educational pedagogy and they never try and dictate it,” said Davis. “The only thing the business community wants…they realize the importance of an educated citizenry. And it’s a matter of whatever it takes to get there they’ll be supportive. I have never had any businessman say to me I don’t want to go in that direction.”

Following the cheating scandal, business leaders kept a low profile. That began to change during last year’s board elections. Business leaders, along with Mayor Kasim Reed, raised hundrds of thousands of dollars for candidates. Afterward, at least another $300,000 was raised to help transition new APS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen.

Despite that, APS board chair Courtney English says the system has made a conscious effort to make sure parents, above all else, are involved and engaged. 

“I think this board is committed to real authentic community engagement to make sure parents – not only are we informing of them about decisions that have been made – we want them at the table before decisions are made,” said English.

He reiterated the board wants what he called a big tent, made up of parents, the business community, and faith-based and philanthropic leaders.

Note: WABE’s broadcast license is held by the Atlanta Board of Education. Ann Cramer sits on the board of WABE’s parent organization. 

This report is part of American Graduate – Let’s make it happen – a public media initiative supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to help more kids stay on the path to graduation.