Clayton County's school superintendent estimates the district has lost 200 to 300 high school students, including athletes and some academic achievers, because of the possible accreditation loss.

Superintendent John Thompson told the school board Monday that he plans to contact the Georgia High School Association about how to retain Clayton's star athletes.

"Our enrollment is not where we want it to be. I found out tonight there is a lot of recruitment for our athletes. It's disgusting," Thompson told the board. "Those are some of the battles we will have to fight."

Thompson said area school systems are recruiting Clayton's "marquee" athletes, particularly juniors and seniors. He said Clayton has enough players for each team, but the transfers will hurt the district.

In March, the GHSA executive committee voted to allow Clayton athletes to transfer out of the district without moving if they are cleared through the hardship appeals process and gain immediate eligibility in sports if Clayton loses accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools gave Clayton until Sept. 1 to meet nine mandates or lose accreditation.

If a student athlete transfers out of Clayton and does not change residency — and the district keeps accreditation — the student will not be eligible to play varsity sports for one year, according to GHSA.

The initial numbers show Clayton has lost 200 to 300 students, but Thompson is waiting until school starts Thursday to see the real numbers. The district won't know the true effect of the possible accreditation loss on enrollment until about 10 days after classes resume. Last year, the Clayton system had 52,800 students.

"I hate the fact that people would take advantage of us is this situation," Thompson said.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School in Fairburn will see about a 10 percent enrollment increase when their classes start Monday, principal Danny Dorsel said. Some of that increase is from Clayton, but not all of it.

"We've gotten definitely a lot more from Clayton County," Dorsel said Monday. "We've gotten more than in the past, but not a flood or major influx."

Because of the 240-student private school's rolling admissions policy, Dorsel expects more Clayton students next month if the district loses accreditation. Two Clayton teachers have also joined the school's staff.

Last week, Clayton school officials turned over 2,300 pages to SACS, documenting what they have done to save accreditation. SACS investigators will be in Clayton Aug. 14-16 to judge the district's progress.

Thompson told the board that he expects a decision by Aug. 28.