GCPS Discusses New Board Districts

Updated 9:07 a.m., Feb. 10, 2012

Gwinnett public school leaders formally unveiled and discussed Thursday the new districts that the five board members have as a result of changes approved by the U.S. Justice Department.

Because of figures in the 2010 U.S. Census, he Georgia General Assembly redid the old districts to reflect population changes. The changes are now in effect (see attached map).

Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks, speaking at the , noted that it's "not an educational map, it's a political map. If the Democrats are in power, it's the Democrats who do the drawing."

Board member Mary Kay Murphy, whose district now includes many Suwanee schools, noted that it is "not redistricting." No students in the Gwinnett system change schools.

Highlighting the nature of such a change, Board Chairman Louise Radloff noted that Nesbit Elementary in Tucker is represented by Dr. Robert McClure, yet most of the students that attend there live in her district. "We (the board members) represent all children, and we always have."

In other developments Thursday: 

• NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND WAIVER: Wilbanks noted that the waiver granted Georgia schools Thursday will go into effect immediately for Adequate Yearly Progress. and will take effect next school year for most programs. Gwinnett and state officials still have to develop a replacement plan with different metrics.
• FISCAL YEAR 2013 BUDGET: Gwinnett officials still are facing a large revenue shortfall as planning for the 2013 fiscal year nears an end. Wilbanks still placed the figure at $89 million. As for possible layoffs, the superintendent said, "We're hoping not to get into that."