Marietta City Schools Face Civil Rights Complaint

MARIETTA, GA — A civil rights complaint has been filed against the city's school system.

Complainants say there is not enough diversity in the system's leadership, and there is a massive gap in testing scores between white and black students, according to CBS46's report.

The school district issued a statement regarding the complaint: "We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment practices, student programs, and dealings with the public. Every day, all of our employees work diligently to ensure all students have support and access to opportunities that promote academic growth."

One former Marietta high school teacher, Ken Sprague Sr., said, "You can walk the hallways and find segregated classrooms, segregated schools in this small district."

See also: Racial Tensions Boil Over at Marietta School Board Meeting

Earlier this year, racial tensions boiled over at a Marietta school board meeting, whose topic was the reassignment of Marietta High School's popular principal, Forestella Taylor.

Taylor, the school's first black principal, was being reassigned as administrator for accountability and program support. Her supporters say she has made a huge difference in the lives of many who attend the school, and they don't want to see her go.

A public comment session was held on May 18, and tensions erupted after hours of discussion. The meeting ended with two people being removed from the building after calling the school board racists.

Before the meeting, school leaders issued a statement that said, "While some at Marietta High School would like to have Ms. Taylor remain in the role of principal, we believe she has remarkable skills that are beneficial to the high school in addition to the other 10 schools in the district."

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