Lassiter Band Director Removed From Post

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Lassiter High School will have a new band director when school begins again in August.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, former band director Ginny Markham has been relieved of duty by Principal Dr. Chris Richie. Markham will continue on as a teacher as the band director position was an additional, non-contract job.

Neither Richie nor Markham told the MDJ the cause of the change, but Markham opined on a Facebook post quoted by the MDJ that some vocal parents cost her the position.

For well over a year, Markham had been in hot water with segments of the Lassiter band community. Taking over for legendary director Dr. Alfred Watkins would be a challenge for even the most seasoned band director, but Markham faced criticism over her musical knowledge and her ability to lead such a large ensemble.

In a 2013 Patch article, several Lassiter band students and parents expressed frustration with Markham’s abilities. Markham’s critics attempted to convince the Cobb County Board of Education to remove her from the position, but board members refused to discuss the matter publicly. The board did meet with the parents and students individually behind closed doors, however.