A group of concerned parents hit the streets early Thursday morning outside of Southwest DeKalb High School to speak out against a proposed redistricting plan.
Parents say they are worried a new attendance zone proposal will place students as young as sixth graders in schools with older teenagers.
"This is not about my kid, it's about all of our children, all of the young children, making sure they are put in a place where they can learn and be able to do their very best," said Cooky Huff.
The five year plan from Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson would close schools like award-winning Livsey Elementary in Tucker and move children to schools such as Smoke Rise Elementary that would be rebuilt and expanded to handle hundreds more students.
Additionally, the superintendent wants to sell millions of dollars in bonds to speed up the county's school construction program.
Late in the afternoon the school district appeared to back away from the part of the plan that would mix younger and older students. School board members said the final overall plan would not be approved without public input.
"We have not voted on going to a system of sixth grade to the 12th grade. We have not voted on any alignment, and we will not vote on alignment until after this process has run its course," said DeKalb School Board Chairman Eugene Walker.
The school board said public meetings on the plan would take place in January.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:32:36 GMT
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife.
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife. Prosecutors say Michael Parson shot his wife, Adina, eight times in April 2012 outside their apartment.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:28:25 GMT
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe. They say 1-year-old Annya Buchannon was in the back of a car that was stolen just after midnight from the Playskool Daycare on Conley Road in Forest Park.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:24:23 GMT
Atlanta fire crews are battling a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown.
Atlanta fire crews battled a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown on Wednesday morning. Authorities say the fire sparked at United Transmission Service, which is located at 350 Marietta Street NW.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges. Brooks pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:53:01 GMT
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning.
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Wednesday morning. Fire crews say the bus stalled on the railroad tracks in downtown Decatur, and those onboard had just seconds to get out before an oncoming train hit it.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
