Atlanta school Superintendent Meria Carstarphen's plan to turn around the struggling school system calls for closing schools that, by Atlanta standards, are succeeding and sending their students to now-failing schools.
The closures will allow her to replace hundreds of teachers, bring in new leaders and save money by closing half-empty schools. District officials says the goal is to improve education for thousands of Atlanta children.
In addition to closing three schools, Carstarphen has also proposed hiring charter school groups to run five low-performing schools.
But her plan doesn’t make sense to some parents.
“Why would you close a school that’s improving?” asked Antonia Mickens, whose daughter attends one of the schools up for closure.
The school board is scheduled to vote on her plan on March 7.
If the school board approves her plan to close schools and turn others over to charter school groups, about 300 teachers and other staff members would lose their positions at the end of this school year. They could reapply for other Atlanta Public Schools jobs, Carstarphen said. Those with strong track records "will be strongly considered" for positions at the new and merged schools, district spokeswoman Jill Strickland said.
Related Atlanta Public Schools news:
- Atlanta turns to charter school groups to rescue sinking schools
- APS proposes school closures, charter school management
- Sickout? Half of teachers absent at APS school up for new management
- National, local foundations with charter school ties fund APS work
- Which Georgia schools are in danger of state takeover?
- Atlanta schools hope big changes will avert state takeovers
Community feedback
Atlanta Public Schools is holding community meetings about plans to close some schools and turn others over to charter school operators. The next meetings are Feb. 29, 6 p.m., Bethune Elementary and March 2, 6 p.m., Woodson Primary. The school board is scheduled to vote on the plans on March 7.
A district survey on the plans will be available until March 2 at talkupaps.wordpress.com.
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