Kelly Marlow's Attorney Plans to Appeal Board Ethics Ruling

The attorney for Cherokee County School Board Member Kelly Marlow said the case against his client is not over.

J. Thomas Salata, who is also Marlow's brother, told WSB Radio that he plans to appeal the case, which could result in the battle landing at the feet of the state Board of Education. 

Patch has reached out to Salata for further comment, but has not heard back from the Alpharetta-based attorney.

The school board on Wednesday determined Marlow violated its ethics policies related to its governance structure and conduct as a board member when she drafted and sent a letter to AdvancED calling for a formal investigation of her colleagues. 

AdvancED is the company that oversees the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, or SACS CASI. 

The board voted 5-2, with both Marlow and Michael Geist opposing, to confirm that Marlow violated the board's governance structure by ignoring its chain of command in sending her letter to AdvancED. 

It also voted 6-1, with Marlow opposing, confirming she in fact violated the board's policy that stipulates no private actions should be taken that would compromise the board or the Cherokee County School District. 

Board members also approved 5-2, with Marlow and Geist opposing, sanctioning Marlow with a $3,600 fine, which will be contributed towards the cost of the hearing proceedings.

AdvancED reviewed Marlow's complaint and offered Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo and his staff a chance to respond to the allegations. However, the agency eventually ruled the district was not in violation of its accreditation policies.