School Board candidates duke it out over Geraldine Hudley’s record

ALBANY — Dougherty County School Board at-large candidate Geraldine Hudley held a news conference Tuesday to refute opponent Susie Ealum’s assertion that Hudley’s test scores while principal at Radium Springs Middle School did not mark a school turnaround, as Hudley claims.

“It saddens me that the voting public must be inundated with misinformation about me. As an educated woman, I know that the accused gets to see the evidence,” Hudley, who was principal at Radium from 2001 to 2010, said. “As of right this minute, I have not been afforded the opportunity to review the information that is being used to cast aspersions upon my record. Therefore, I choose wisely not to comment on anything that is being shared by the other guy.

“It is low-level politics that attempts to move me off course. Not now, not ever. My purpose and focus remain serving the dear, sweet children of our public school system.”

Hudley said she was uncertain where Ealum was getting her numbers.

“I don’t know where that information comes from,” Hudley said. “If you want to know about me, simply ask. I have nothing at all to hide. In fact, I find it refreshing that voters do indeed want to know the real candidates and what they stand for, what they plan to do to improve the outcomes of the public school system.

“We are still waiting to hear anything of substance from the other guy.”

Hudley said her record speaks for itself.

“What I can talk about with truth and sincerity is my journey,” she said. “Let’s see if you have the courage to share the whole truth about my experience and qualifications to serve the citizens of Dougherty County. I am still engaged, and I am still working with our young scholars.”

Ealum fired the first shot in the test score issue during closing statements at a candidates’ forum last Thursday, where she brought up eighth-grade reading and math scores at Radium when Hudley was principal. On Monday, Ealum held a news conference during which she also questioned Radium’s test scores in science, writing and social studies.

Reached Tuesday afternoon, Ealum said Hudley is avoiding taking responsibility for her low test scores.

“Everything I have said about my opponent’s test scores are public record, which is available at the Dougherty County School System testing office,” Ealum said. “As leaders, we must take responsibility — 72 percent of her sixth-graders, 59 percent of her seventh-graders and 56 percent of her eighth-graders failed the CRCT science test.

“She is refusing to take responsibility for that.”