Jeers, Protests Greet Superintendent's Restructuring Plan for Atlanta Schools

ATLANTA, GA -- APS Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen unveiled her plan to turnaround Atlanta’s failing schools on Monday night.

The plan, presented during an Atlanta school board meeting, wasn’t met with overwhelming support, reports WSB-TV.

Several speakers, including state Sen. Vincent Fort, said the plan was discriminatory and unfair to poorer students and families.

Carstarphen 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.

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

A series of public meetings are being scheduled for public comment, including meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights of this week:

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)