Brookhaven's New School to be Named John Lewis Elementary

Brookhaven, GA -- The DeKalb board of education will be discussing and voting on a proposal to name Brookhaven's new school in honor of Atlanta congressman John Lewis.

The new school will sit on the site of the old Skyland Elementary. According to school board member Stan Jester, an agenda item was added last Friday to Monday's meeting that would name the new school John Lewis Elementary.

"I would also like to note for the record that Skyland Center is ... not in Lewis’ 5th Congressional District," Jester said. The school is actually located in Tom Price's 6th district, a tiny portion of which includes Brookhaven.

In May, the school board reached an agreement with Brookhaven and the Georgia State Properties Commission to acquire 11.2 acres at Skyland Park for a new elementary school.

The total purchase price to the district will be $7.5 million for a 900-seat, $22 million elementary school.

Lewis recently organized and led a sit-in among Congressional Democrats who were attempting to force a vote on gun legislation.

The school board has a 2 pm work session, a 5:45 community input session and a 7 pm business meeting on Monday, July 11. Persons interested in attending can email Margaret Francois to get on the public comment speaker list.

See also: DeKalb Approves $7.5 Million for New Brookhaven School