U.S. Justice Department officials recently visited Henry County to talk to school district officials, parents and attorneys after some complained the school system’s student disciplinary practices are too harsh and show racial disparities in punishment.

The federal visit comes amid an ongoing U.S. Education Department investigation of the school district for possible racial and disability discrimination.

Henry County school officials dismiss the criticism, citing data that shows disciplinary hearings have declined from 919 during the 2011-12 school year to 606 so far this school year.

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Sheree Smith (left) casts her ballot at Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. In addition to municipal races for mayors, city councils and school board members, this year’s election also will decide the members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

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Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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