Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools
Atlanta Public Schools leaders are scheduled in a few weeks to continue discussions about a long-range plan that’s being praised and panned by parents that could considerably reshape the district for years to come.
Declining enrollment and rising costs led APS officials to develop a plan that would “repurpose” 16 school buildings. Some schools would close, including Cleveland Avenue, Dunbar and Stanton elementary schools. Those students would be rezoned to other schools. Some school buildings, such as the Frederick Douglass 9th Grade STEAM Academy, would close, but those students would join the main Douglass High campus. If approved, the closures could begin in two years.
Parents, community leaders and residents packed a board meeting earlier this month, many raising objections to the plan. Many of the schools that could close are in south Atlanta and, according to state data, have percentages of economically-disadvantaged students well above the district and statewide average.
School Board Chair Erika Mitchell wrote in a guest essay for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that changes are necessary to better serve students, noting the district is built for more than 70,000 students, yet currently serves roughly 50,000 students.
“Our plan is a pathway to reinvestment in the district: better facilities, stronger programming and more opportunity,” Mitchell wrote. ”It will expand early learning, strengthen high-demand career and college pathways, modernize our buildings, and direct more resources into teaching, learning and student supports.”
What’s next? The board has a public hearing on at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at its headquarters, 130 Trinity Ave. SW, to discuss the plan.
About the Author
Martha Dalton is a journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, writing about K-12 education. She was previously a senior education reporter at WABE, Atlanta's NPR affiliate. Before that, she was a general assignment reporter at CNN Radio. Martha has worked in media for more than 20 years. She taught elementary school in a previous life.
