Parents still await decision on assistant principal

The parents left the brief meeting with no additional information than when they arrived.
Banks County Board of Education members and superintendent Chris Erwin are continuing their investigation into an alleged incident at BCES involving male fifth grade students being forced to drink from a water fountain in which a substance was poured. Some parents fear the substance may have been urine.
Keith Segars, a parent of a fifth grade student at BCES, spoke once again to the board during Monday’s June meeting. Segars is representing a group of parents who wanted Rylee removed from her assistant principal position.
Before speaking of the alleged incident at BCES, Segars congratulated the board members for the quality scores on the recent CRCT.
Segars then spoke of the ongoing investigation into the incident at the elementary school saying it was a “disgraceful incident.”
“We expressed our desire to work with you about this,” Segars said. “We are here to talk with you to see if you can relay some information to us. It has been a month now.”
BOE chairman Ron Gardiner said the investigation is still ongoing.
“When we have something we will let you know,” Gardiner said.
Monday’s BOE meeting lasted six minutes. A reporter and cameraman an Atlanta television station were also in attendance.
The concerned group of parents has hired an attorney, B. Chan Caudell of Cornelia. Following Monday’s meeting, Caudell issued the following statement:
“Too often in our in our society, no one wants to accept personal responsibility for their actions. My clients and I feel that, sadly, this is another instance of someone refusing to admit that they were wrong. This incident happened over one month ago and all that we have heard and seen thus far are excuses and denials.

“We know that the vice principal at Banks County Elementary School forced the boys in the fifth grade to line up in the hallway and drink from a
water fountain where there was concern that urine had been poured. These facts are not in dispute.
“As parents and as taxpayers of Banks County, my clients are anxious to see if the Banks County School Superintendent and the Banks County Board of Education will stand up and protect their school children.

“The school system has a printed motto that states, ‘Attitude is Everything.’ We hope the Superintendent and the elected officials will display an attitude of accountability and leadership by holding the school official responsible for these deplorable actions. My clients, their children, and the community are closely watching.”

The parents also contend Rylee told the students not to talk of the incident or law enforcement or Department of Family and Children Services would be contacted.

Several members of the teaching staff at BCES have expressed their support for Rylee in this situation. Numerous teachers turned out during the May meeting to show support for the assistant principal.

Stan Baker, who is Rylee’s attorney, issued the following statement following Monday’s meeting:

“Ms. Rylee appreciates the fact that the School Board is not rushing to judgment. We are confident that the investigation will reveal that much of the allegations circulating are based on inaccurate rumors and innuendo. Ms. Rylee would like to thank the many parents and colleagues that have continued to support her and acknowledge her thirteen years of dedication to the children of Banks County.”