An Open Letter to the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education

Dear Members of the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education,

We write as community members who care deeply about the City Schools of Decatur.

This is not a place anyone wanted to reach, but we feel compelled to call for changes in direction at CSD, including in Board of Education leadership. In a charter school system, where local governance is entrusted directly to the community, we share a responsibility to speak and act when things are not working as they should. 

As the board has discussed the school system’s financial priorities, the possible closure of a K-2 elementary school, and the proposed Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) over the last several months, parents, residents, and even Board members themselves, have raised concerns about community engagement, transparency, conflicts of interest, financial stewardship, and the level of professionalism with which the Board conducts business on behalf of our students.  

The Board’s actions also raise serious questions about whether the legal guidance it received is complete, accurate, and consistent with applicable law and policy, particularly the Open Meetings Act. 

These concerns have not been addressed, and in many cases, they have been dismissed.  

At the same time, the Board’s relationships with the City Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission have deteriorated, with each publicly voicing concerns about CSD’s governance and their lack of collaboration.  

The tipping point came on March 27, 2026, when a majority of the Board voted against a request from Decatur’s legislative delegation to hold a voter referendum to approve borrowing more than $50 million for the ECLC and related projects. CSD Board Chair Dr. Carmen Sulton, Vice Chair Hans Utz, and Board Member James Herndon voted against allowing the people of Decatur to have a voice at the ballot box.  

Public leadership requires both sound judgment and public trust. When that trust is lost, and the leaders have become distractions from doing the work, the obligation is to step aside.  

Therefore, we respectfully request:

• The resignation of Board members whose actions have contributed to this loss of public confidence, and who have not properly fulfilled their responsibilities as trustees of CSD. Chair Dr. Carmen Sulton, Vice-Chair Hans Utz, and member James Herndon must step down so that residents can elect leadership who can rebuild trust.

• The engagement of new, independent legal counsel to ensure principled, objective guidance and to restore faith in the Board’s governance.

• An independent investigation into Board and Superintendent actions, including conflicts of interest, contracting decisions, financial oversight, adherence to the CSD charter, and compliance with Georgia open meetings and open records laws. 

We urge you to take these steps promptly, including submitting your resignations. To help the community move forward on a new path, we suggest this occur prior to or during the next scheduled Board meeting on April 14, 2026.

If these actions are not taken, members of this community are prepared to pursue a recall. We do not approach this lightly. It reflects the seriousness of this moment and the shared belief that a reset is necessary.  

This is the hard, but prudent path forward.

Our students, teachers, and families deserve nothing less.