State: Could Take Up To 2 Months to Get Harper Case File

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It won’t be anytime soon when the state will take up Bartow County Superintendent of School Dr. John Harper’s appeal of a recommendation to revoke his professional license.

That’s according to the office of Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens. Lauren Kane, director of communications for the state office, said it will take between 45 and 60 days before the case file from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission “make it over to our office.”

Once the Attorney General’s Office receives the file, the case “will either be settled or it will be sent to the Office of State Administrative Hearings for a hearing date,” Kane added.

The commission’s Educator Ethics Review Committee on Thursday voted to revoke the license, and the Commission also found probable cause for that revocation to stand. The recommendation to revoke the licensse stems from a complaint filed in April 2014 by former Bartow County School Board members Matt Shultz and Wanda Gray against Dr. Harper and former Principal Donald Rucker.

The allegations entailed:

It is alleged that the educator (Harper) has been dishonest regarding meetings of the BOE where finances were discussed. It is alleged that the educator has falsified documents by back dating an agreement for use of school facilities by a private business. It is alleged that the educator failed to investigate, report or take action regarding complaints of sexual harassment made by school system staff members pertaining to a school system principal. It is alleged that the educator has engaged in sexual harassment of school system staff members. It is alleged that the educator conspired with others to withhold information from members of the local board of education.

In a statement issued late Friday, Dr. Harper blasted the allegations against him, and vowed to appeal the commission’s ruling that it found probable cause to revoke his license:

“I want to emphatically tell the Bartow community that I have done nothing wrong nor would I ever do anything to violate the public trust given to me by this community. I have spent my entire 45-year career dedicated to serving children and the staff with whom I have had the opportunity to work.

“I am innocent of the false and slanderous allegations made against me as a result of a political vendetta and smear campaign by a couple of former board members. I have told the Commission that I will appeal their recommendation regarding my certification and know that at the conclusion of that appeal, the truth will prevail and all allegation will be dismissed.

“I am grateful for the widespread support that continues to be shown by this community, the current board and the Bartow County School System. I look forward to continue my work for our children and staff as superintendent and my lifelong dedication to education by serving out my commitment to the school system.”

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