DeKalb County School System Presents Scaled Version of Closures Plan

DeKalb County School System Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson recommended closing six elementary schools — including Sky Haven and Gresham Park elementary schools — as part of a plan aimed at reducing 11,000 empty school seats.

The plan also calls for the closure of Avondale High and Middle schools.

These moves, along with others, would save about $12.4 million a year in costs, affecting about 9,000 students, Tyson said.

The recommendation is a scaled-back version of an earlier plan, which would have affected as many as 14 schools, and comes after six public input meetings with parents around the county that resulted in heated debate about the proposal, drawn up by consulting firm MGT of America.

"It is important to understand and realize that no one will lose their jobs as a result of redistricting," Tyson said.

The board will hold two public hearings, on March 1 and 3. A vote on the plan is scheduled for March 7.