Susie Ealum criticizes Geraldine Hudley’s record in School Board at-large race

ALBANY — At a news conference Monday, Dougherty County School Board at-large candidate Susie Ealum continued questioning opponent Geraldine Hudley’s claims of “turning around” Radium Middle School’s test scores during Hudley’s nine-year tenure as the school’s principal.

Ealum fired the first shot in the building campaign 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.

“My opponent mentioned she turned Radium Middle School around. Mrs. Hudley, please explain how you turned around Radium Middle School while you were principal, when your eighth-grade scores declined from 2003 to 2009,” Ealum said at the forum. “In 2003, 73 percent of your eighth grade failed the national test by scoring in the bottom 50 percent in math, and in 2009, your eighth grade failed at an increased rate with 85 percent scoring in the bottom 50.”

On Monday, Ealum took aim at Radium’s test scores in science, writing and social studies.

“In science, CRCT scores from 2006 to 2010 show over 60 percent of her school failed the test,” Ealum said while displaying test results. “During her last four years as principal, over 50 percent of her eighth-grade class failed the writing test, and during her last three years as principal, over 65 of her eighth-grade class failed the CRCT social studies test.”

The Herald verified the math and reading scores with the DCSS testing office but has yet to verify the latest numbers.

Ealum asserted the facts show Hudley’s claim of turning around the middle school are not true.

“My opponent is basing her qualifications as a candidate on her claim that she turned Radium Middle School around. I have come today to present the facts about her record. My opponent is telling our community that, as school principal, she turned Radium Middle School around. Her claim is far from the truth,” Ealum said. “According to her CRCT and National test scores, that are public record, my opponent was a failed principal. If you take her average scores from the CRCT across all subjects and all grades over the last five years, she was the lowest performing middle school principal in Dougherty County.

“This campaign is about electing a candidate with the leadership to move our school system forward. We cannot afford to return to a failed leader of a failed school. My experience as a Marine Captain, combat veteran, and businesswoman is the type leadership I believe we need as our at-large school board member.”

Contacted Monday afternoon for a statement in regard to Ealum’s allegations, Hudley did not respond to the request before press time.