Law Firm: Harper's Accusers Engaged in "Smear Campaign"

Photo: Dr. John Harper. Credit: Bartow County School System

The law firm representing Bartow County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Harper, who is appealing a recommendation by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission’s Educator Ethics Review Committee to revoke his license, is declaring its client’s innocence of the allegations launched by two former school board members.

Atlanta-based Williams Oinonen, LLC on Thursday released the statement, which reiterates Harper’s position that he has done nothing wrong nor would he ever do anything to violate the public trust,” the statements reads.

Former Bartow School Board members Matt Shultz and Wanda Gray filed the allegations against the superintendent, which allege Harper has been dishonest about district finances, falsified documents by backdating agreements, failed to investigate sexual harassment complaints, engaged in sexual harassment and conspired with others to withhold information from other school board members.

The statement from the law firm continues:

The superintendent has spent his entire professional career — over a span of the past 45 years — dedicated to educating our community’s young people. Importantly, the Professional Standard Commission staff who conducted the investigation recommended a no probable cause finding.

We believe the committee erred in rejecting the PSC investigator’s recommendation and overlooking key findings in what we are told was a closely split decision. The superintendent is grateful for the Bartow County School Board chairwoman (Anna Sullivan) and for the members who have expressed their support in his leadership.

It is unconscionable to see how former elected officials, as a result of a political vendetta, engage in a media smear campaign against a good man who has spent his entire lifetime of work in public service. As the superintendent enters the last few years of his career serving the community, it is hurtful to see how a few of his political opponents have attempted to injure his reputation with self-serving vitriol.

The superintendent is innocent of any false allegations made against him as a result of a political mudslinging. It is his right to be presumed innocent.

The right of due process — notice and opportunity to be heard — is a bedrock principle of our great country as enshrined in the Constitution. It is our opinion that the process before the Professional Standards Commission is fundamentally flawed because anyone can make a false statement against any educator in the state of Georgia whether it is true or not, and the PSC cannot disclose the information provided by the accuser.

The superintendent has never had the opportunity to review any statement made against him, nor has he had opportunity to confront his accusers. The only fair hearing any educator is ever allowed that provides a due process hearing — notice and opportunity to be heard — is during the appeal. The Commission’s process is done under seal and in secret, not even shared with an innocent person falsely accused of wrongdoing. This makes it very one-sided when you can’t face the accuser nor view the evidence to challenge it. It is forcing educators to go into a boxing match wearing a blindfold. The Georgia legislature should fix this process to protect the innocent from harm. Granting a hearing only during the appeal and not prior to it goes against principals of fairness and justice.

The superintendent remains grateful of the widespread support that continues to be shown by the community and grateful for the Board of Education members who have expressed support. He looks forward to clearing his good name and serving out his commitment to the school system.

Tell us: What do you think of the law firm’s statement?