Buckhead Schools a Model, Davis Says

APS School Superintendent Erroll B. Davis Jr.'s school redistricting proposal keeps Buckhead elementary-school communities unchanged, which has drawn criticism in other parts of the city facing school closures and district shifts.

Citizens in those areas say Buckhead's power, money and influence resulted in its schools not facing disruptive changes, as were proposed earlier by APS demographers. Buckhead's community responses persuaded Davis to step away from the demographers' plans, which would have signficiantly changed Buckhead districts.

In other parts of the city, where buildings are underutilizied, Davis called for the closure of 13 schools. But in Buckhead, where population is increasing, the problem for the next few years is overcrowding.

In an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, Davis says his decision was based on the Buckhead schools' high performance. He told the AJC that Buckhead's strong parental involvement and high academic achievement are models for the rest of the city. Buckhead parents said they presented a case based on facts against the demographers' options.

Davis in a at did say he might to the and elementary districts. Also, his plan for a sixtth-grade academy to be placed at several years from now is opposed by parents who want two separate middle schools, one at the Sutton site and the other at the current North Atlanta site.

Parents have until March 26 to comment upon Davis' plans. The school board is to vote on the final redistricitng plan on April 10.