WILLIAMS OINONEN LLC

THE GRANT BUILDING, SUITE 200

44 BROAD STREET, NW
ATLANTA, GA 30303
TEL.: (404) 654-0288
FAX: (404) 592-6225

PRESS RELEASE CONCERNING DR. JOHN HARPER, SUPERINTENDENT OF BARTOW

COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
Our law firm represents Superintendent Dr. John Harper. The Superintendent has emphatically stated
that he has done nothing wrong nor would he ever do anything to violate the public trust. The
Superintendent has spent his entire professional career---over a span of the past forty-five years--dedicated to educating our communitys young people. Importantly, the Professional Standard
Commission staff who conducted the investigation recommended a no probable cause finding. We
believe the Committee erred in rejecting the PSC investigators recommendation and overlooking key
findings in what we are told was a closely split decision. The Superintendent is grateful for the Bartow
County School Board Chairwoman and for the members who have expressed their support in his
leadership.
It is unconscionable to see how former elected officials as a result of a political vendetta, engage in a
media smear campaign against a good man who has spent his entire lifetime of work in public service.
As the Superintendent enters the last few years of his career serving the community, it is hurtful to see
how a few of his political opponents have attempted to injure his reputation with self-serving vitriol.
The Superintendent is innocent of any false allegations made against him as a result of a political
mudslinging. It is his right to be presumed innocent.
The right of due process---notice and opportunity to be heard-- is a bedrock principle of our great
country as enshrined in the Constitution. It is our opinion that the process before the Professional
Standards Commission is fundamentally flawed because anyone can make a false statement against
any educator in the state of Georgia whether it is true or not---and the PSC cannot disclose the
information provided by the accuser. The Superintendent has never had the opportunity to review any
statement made against him, nor has he had opportunity to confront his accusers. The only fair hearing
any educator is ever allowed that provides a due process hearing--notice and opportunity to be heard-is during the appeal. The Commissions process is done under seal and in secret, not even shared with
an innocent person falsely accused of wrongdoing. This makes it very one-sided when you cant face
the accuser nor view the evidence to challenge it. It is forcing educators to go into a boxing match
wearing a blindfold. The Georgia Legislature should fix this process to protect the innocent from harm.
Granting a hearing only during the appeal and not prior to it goes against principals of fairness and
justice.
The Superintendent remains grateful of the widespread support that continues to be shown by the
community and grateful for the Board of Education members who have expressed support. He looks
forward to clearing his good name and serving out his commitment to the school system.
CONTACT INFO:
Julie Oinonen
Attorney for Superintendent Dr. John Harper.
Williams Oinonen, LLC julie@goodgeorgialawyer.com 404-654-0288