Big Changes Proposed for DeKalb Schools

At a meeting last night, DeKalb County school board proposed closing Avondale Middle and High schools and using the sites to house new magnet programs.

The proposal is part of a school consolidation and redistricting plan that calls for closure of 13 other public school closures countywide. The plan expects to eliminate more than 11,000 empty seats countywide.

"We need quality options," said Avondale Estates resident Patti Ghezzi, the mother of a 4 year-year-old. "If we could have magnet schools, it would enable parents to pursue options. The more options we have, the better. Avondale Middle School just does not have the academic reputation that a lot of families are looking for. Avondale High School does not have a strong identity. The more options the better."

Also under the proposal, Medlock students will move to Avondale, Laurel Ridge or McLendon elementary schools. Other schools also would be consolidated into Avondale Elementary, which has a capacity of 686 and is currently only 67 percent full.

School system consultants with MGT of America who helped design the proposal told school board members they were laying out options they expected to change with additional public and school system input.

"Some [of this proposal] is going to shock you," said Edward Humble of MGT. "Some of it's going to seem real aggressive to you."

As expected the vast amount of change will occur in southern DeKalb County, which hosts the largest percentage of empty seats. 

The school system tried to address the open seats last year by organizing a committee of local community members, including parents, to make its own recommendation. The frustrated committee found itself unable to settle on a significant solution and voted–after several disruptive, self-destructive meetings–to delay the process until now.

In addition to the empty seats, school system official have said they also lose millions of dollars a year from the state government that can go toward educational specialists and the construction and renovation of schools.

Next in the process is a series of public input workshops that will allow parents and residents to suggest changes to the proposal. Those meetings are:

▪                Miller Grove High School, Jan. 11, 6:30pm

▪                Chamblee High Schoool, Jan. 13, 6:30pm

▪                McNair High Schoool, Jan. 18, 6:30pm

▪                Stone Mountain  Middle School, Jan. 20, 6:30pm

School board members, who were seeing the proposal for the first time, wanted to know how much the district was saving under each proposal and what could be done if the board wanted to eliminate more seats. 

Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson will make her final recommendation to the school board on Jan. 31. Public hearings will be held Feb. 22 and 24, and the board will give final approval Feb. 28.

How will the proposal affect you?