DeKalb County School District officials have released a jarring new proposal that outlines the potential closure or repurposing of 27 schools across the system. This initial plan aims to address a significant decline in student enrollment and the financial strain of maintaining thousands of empty seats in classrooms. Parents and community members are now facing a long road of town halls and feedback sessions before any final decisions take effect.
The proposal serves as a draft roadmap for the future of the third largest school system in Georgia. It highlights the urgent need to balance the district budget by consolidating resources. While district leaders emphasize that this list is preliminary, the sheer scope of the recommendations has sparked immediate concern among families who fear losing their neighborhood schools.
Massive Changes Proposed for District Layout
The release of this initial list marks a significant step in the district’s Comprehensive Master Plan. The document details a strategy to close, convert, or repurpose nearly three dozen facilities.
The breakdown of the affected facilities includes:
- 27 Elementary Schools: Targeted for closure or consolidation into nearby facilities.
- 5 Middle Schools: Slated for repurposing or merging.
- 3 High Schools: Identified for potential conversion to other district uses.
This plan is not set in stone. It represents a data driven approach to “right sizing” the district.
District staff along with a consulting firm spent almost two years analyzing building usage. They also worked with a committee of 150 community members. The goal was to create a sustainable model for the next decade.
Sarita Smith serves as the Director of Student Assignment and presided over the release. She emphasized the fluid nature of these documents during the presentation.
The district intends to use these initial recommendations to spark honest conversations about efficiency. Officials noted that keeping underutilized buildings open drains resources that could otherwise go directly into classroom instruction.
Empty Seats Drive Difficult Decisions
The primary driver behind this aggressive proposal is a stark reality regarding student population numbers. Enrollment has dropped steadily over the last few years.
Key Factors Influencing the Proposal:
- Declining Birth Rates: Fewer children are entering the system at the kindergarten level.
- Shift to Private/Charter Schools: Some families have opted for alternative education models.
- Rising Housing Costs: Families are moving out of certain clusters due to affordability issues.
The district currently maintains thousands of empty seats. This inefficiency costs millions of dollars annually in maintenance, utilities, and staffing for buildings that are not operating at capacity.
Capacity Utilization vs. Target
| Category | Current District Average | Target Utilization |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Schools | 68% | 85% |
| Middle Schools | 72% | 90% |
| High Schools | 75% | 90% |
Note: Data reflects approximate district averages presented in the initial findings.
Operating a school at half capacity is fiscally irresponsible. The superintendent has noted that consolidating students into fuller, modernized buildings allows for better academic offerings.
When schools are fully enrolled, the district can provide more robust art, music, and special education programs. Small schools often struggle to fund full time specialists. This consolidation plan argues that fewer schools will lead to better services for the students who remain.
Community Feedback Timeline Set
District leaders are aware of the emotional toll school closures take on communities. They have outlined a lengthy period for public input.
The district will spend the entirety of 2026 gathering feedback. This will occur before presenting any final recommendations to the Board of Education.
The engagement process will look like this:
- Regional Town Halls: Meetings held in every cluster to discuss specific local impacts.
- Online Surveys: Digital forms for parents unable to attend in person.
- Focus Groups: Small sessions with teachers and staff members.
No school would close immediately. The earliest changes would likely not occur until the subsequent school year following the final vote.
Officials want to ensure transparency. They have promised to update the list based on the feedback received during these sessions.
The extended timeline is designed to prevent hasty decisions. It gives families time to adjust and voice their concerns.
Parents and Teachers Voice Concerns
The reaction from the community has been swift and mixed with anxiety. Parents at schools like Ashford Park Elementary are already organizing to save their institutions.
Third grade students at Ashford Park were seen participating in classes just this week. For many families, these schools are more than just buildings. They are the heart of the community.
Common concerns raised by parents include:
- Longer Commute Times: Consolidating schools often means longer bus rides for young children.
- Loss of Community Identity: Neighborhood schools serve as gathering places for local events.
- Teacher Displacement: Staff members worry about their job security during the merger process.
“My daughter loves her teacher and her friends here,” said a parent at a recent board meeting. “Moving her to a mega school across town feels like we are treating kids like numbers on a spreadsheet.”
Teachers also express worry about class sizes. While the district promises optimized class sizes, educators fear that merging schools will inevitably lead to overcrowding in the remaining facilities.
The district has promised to address these concerns. They state that all teachers in good standing would be offered positions within the consolidated district.
The coming months will be crucial. The battle between emotional attachment to neighborhood schools and the cold hard facts of budget efficiency is just beginning.
DeKalb County School District has initiated a difficult conversation by proposing to close or repurpose 27 schools. This move attempts to solve the financial bleeding caused by declining enrollment and empty classrooms. While the plan is currently just a draft, it has ignited a passionate response from parents who want to protect their local schools. The district has committed to a year of feedback in 2026 to ensure all voices are heard before a final vote.
