Imagine Mableton Principal Resigns

Dr. Marcus Barber, principal of Imagine International Academy of Mableton, announced his resignation to parents in a letter read aloud at the school's town hall meeting on Tuesday.

Below is the letter:

Dear Parents and Students of the Illustrious Imagine International Academy of Mableton,

I open this letter by expressing my sincere gratitude for each of you. The high level of concern that you are exhibiting to the Cobb County School District and its board members is tremendous. In addition, the calls, emails and texts that you have sent to me during my leave of absence really shows how much you truly care about our school as well as my well-being.

With tearful eyes and an overflowing heart, I have decided to resign as Principal of Imagine International Academy of Mableton. This extremely difficult decision comes as a result of continuous issues in regards to my health.

As I stated in a letter addressed to the faculty and staff, "To say that I have made considerable improvements to the school is an overstatement." None of our success would have been possible if it was not for the commitment of and contributions made by our parents and students. In aggregate, parents have volunteered over 30,000 hours at the school in the last two years and our students have increased their academic performance to levels of 89% meeting and/or exceeding in Reading and 78% meeting and/or exceeding in Math on the CRCT while I had the privilege to serve as Principal.

An old spiritual adage says it best, "It is not the building that makes the church, and it is the congregation." With this in mind, it is not the building that makes Imagine Mableton a great school; it is our families (parents and students).

In closing, I strongly encourage all of our families to continue to fight for our Charter Petition Renewal and to remain enrolled at our beloved school until the doors are finally closed which will be never. To the parents, I sincerely thank you for your continued support and cooperation throughout the years. To the students, I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to serve you as well as know that each of you will be highly productive citizens in our community and make all of us proud one day.

Educationally,

Marcus A. Barber, Ed. D.