Atlanta Daily World

Board Moves To Continue Hearing Of Ousted Teacher

DECATUR, Ga. — The DeKalb County Board of Education moved late Tuesday afternoon to continue its hearing on a Lynwood Park School teacher, who was dismissed following charges he was incompetent and neglected his duties, at 9:30 A. M. Friday Jan. 17 in the DeKalb County Building here.

The hearing was requested by James Cosby, science teacher at Lynwood Park, who was "relieved" shortly before Christmas. His tenure of almost four years was terminated when DeKalb County school superintendent Jim Cherry filed charges against him.

The hearing began at 2:45 in the office of Cherry. The school board was represented by Atty. Murphy Cannon, and Cosby by Atty. W. Harvey Armistead.

Cherry reported to board chairman Charlie Davison, who presided, and others that his charges were to be proved by school records and testimony of persons involved. He charged Cosby with being late for work, absent from meetings and with complaining about schedules and meetings.

"His insubordination has created an attitude which can no longer be tolerated," he said.

Cherry admitted that much of the evidence he had came from Harvey Coleman, principal of Lynwood Park school. Cosby said he questioned all of the charges.

Cherry presented school records alleging specific dates on which Cosby was either absent or late between September 1957 and December when he was relieved. He only offered two excuses for his tardiness during this time, he added.

Cosby was also charged with poor instruction. Cherry said under oath that records indicate he gave unsatisfactory grades to 16 of 28 students in a 10th grade Biology class.

During the 1956-57 school year, Cosby failed 30 of 38 students in his science class, according to the superintendent.

Under cross-examination by Attorney Armistead, Cherry repeated that, "this is no sudden development." The hearing bogged down when attorneys and Cherry fought over technicalities concerning the reporting and departing times of teachers at the school.

Cherry stated earlier that although Cosby was contracted to work a 40 hour week school policy also called for his cooperating with his principal by attending meetings which may be scheduled after the working day. Armistead pointed out that the records Cherry referred to also showed Cosby remained at the school as late as 9:45 P. M. some nights.

Armistead said he was pushing for particulars because "this case may be heard in another tribunal." He did not clarify the statement.

Both the school board and Cosby had a number of witnesses to present in the hearing. However, none were called Tuesday.

Cosby said he had taught in several school systems in and out of the state before going to Lynwood Park a little more than three years ago.

L. H. Pitts, president of the Georgia Teachers and Education Association, was present at the meeting along with Atty. D. L. Hollowell, GTEA counsel. Neither took part in the hearing.