APS Redistricting Plan Concerns Buckhead Parents

Garden Hills Parent Teacher Association members met Friday morning to address four possible options for changes to Atlanta Public School Districts.

Currently, up to 12 schools could close. Charts showing visuals for the different options were displayed for parents to see.

Atlanta Board of Education District 4 Representative Nancy Meister was at the meeting to address concerns and answer questions. Meister reiterated that the process is still in early phases, “I cannot stress how this is such a beginning point.”

The original four redistricting options currently being presented to the public were developed based solely on cost and capacity. Moving forward the study will also take into account academics, community, and policy implications.

PTA representative Susan Lestandie said the Garden Hills group has established goals to be kept in mind while reviewing the proposals:

1.) Keep neighborhoods intact and together.
2.) Protect the curriculum in grades K-12.
3.) Be cognizant of environmental impact.
4.) Always strive to keep a socioeconomic mix.

Feedback forms are available until December 16 and parents are encouraged to provide constructive feedback for both positive and negative concerns. Results from this survey will be reviewed and then two new options will be created from the feedback. These are expected to be available for public input in January or February. Afterward school board will then be presented with final recommendations.

Lestandie reminded parents, “It is not unrealistic to think that nothing will change, but your best defense is to fill out the feedback forms.”