Fulton school board will decide whether to close two schools
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The Fulton County Board of Education will decide Thursday night whether to move forward with a controversial proposal to close two schools at the end of the academic year.
Why it matters: Parents of students who attend Spalding Drive Charter Elementary in Sandy Springs and Parklane Elementary in East Point have led months-long campaigns to keep their schools open.
- The parents have received the backing from elected officials representing both cities, including mayors, city council members and state legislators.
The latest: The board will vote at Thursday's meeting to accept the first reading of the district's recommendation to close both Parklane and Spalding Drive and move students into nearby schools.
- Parklane students would be redistricted to attend either Hamilton E. Holmes or Conley Hills elementary schools.
- Spalding Drive students would be moved to Woodland Hills or Heards Ferry elementary schools.
Zoom in: Parents are contesting the data used by the school system to recommend closure of their schools.
- Superintendent Mike Looney said during last week's meeting that Fulton spends on average $7,000 more per student at those schools than at other facilities.
- Plus, in a facilities assessment that was considered as part of the decision to shutter the schools, the district contended Spalding's buildings were in fair condition, while Parklane's were graded poor.
What they're saying: Gabriella Mooney, whose son attends Parklane, told Axios that Parklane and Spalding have larger percentages of students with special needs, so it's only natural they get more money to provide them the support they need.
- "It's just asinine to think that every school and every demographic would cost the same to educate, because that's just not how equity works," she said.
- Spalding Drive parent Steven Guy also told Axios that a 2020 facilities assessment rated the school in "good" condition.
- He also told Axios that there has been no collaboration or "communication between the staff and the parents."
- "We're not trying to be their enemies," he said. "We want to partner with them."
The other side: Fulton County schools spokesperson Brian Noyes told Axios that the district has approved maintenance projects at both schools, but "that's very different than long-term maintenance on an old building."
- "It does look like it's a little bit better, right? But it's still an old building that's very expensive to maintain long-term," he said.
- Noyes also said the community has been "incredibly engaged" throughout the entire process, which began in September.
- "The (school) board has yet to make a final decision, and they're still engaged," he said. "So, we welcome it."
What's next: If the board approves the first reading, two public hearings will be scheduled for next month.
- Noyes said those hearings most likely will be held on the same days as the board's Feb. 11 work session and Feb. 20 regular meeting.
- A final vote to close the schools could come as early as the second meeting.