Major New Atlanta School Plan to be Proposed on Monday

(Image: Atlanta Public Schools)

ATLANTA, GA -- Less than five years after a cheating scandal and a major overhaul in Atlanta’s public school system that resulted in protests and community outrage, the school system is about to undertake another dramatic realignment.

On Monday, APS Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen is set to unveil a plan that targets 26 underperforming schools, reports WSB-TV.

Carstarphen reportedly wants to close Bethune Elementary on Northside Drive, and merge Connally and Venetian Hills elementaries in southwest Atlanta. She is also planning to introduce two new partners who will help run some of the system’s low performing schools.

Also in the works are a new K-8 math and science school.

School board chairman Courtney English expects the board to endorse Carstarphen’s plan, according to WTVM.

More than 400 Atlanta Public Schools staff members could be impacted by Carstarphen’s proposal.

A series of public meetings are being scheduled to outline details of the plan:

Carver Cluster

• Thursday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.(Carver High)
• Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. (Gideons)
• Thursday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. (Thomasville Elementary)

Douglass Cluster

• Parents Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. (Grove Park Intermediate)
• Douglass Cluster Public Hearings on Monday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. (Grove Park Intermediate)
• Douglass Cluster Public Hearings on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. (Woodson Primary)

Washington Cluster

• Parents Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. (Washington High)
• Washington Cluster Public Hearings on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. (Connally Elementary)
• Washington Cluster Public Hearings on Monday, Feb. 29 at 6 p.m. (Bethune Elementary)