ATLANTA — The Atlanta Public Schools superintendent on Monday will present recommendations on school changes, including investing tens of millions of dollars in early learning and renovations, but protesters are focusing on the closings and mergers.
"It's time to stand up and fight for what's right,” said Courtnei Johnson.
The 12-year-old protested with more than 15 others Sunday evening at a "Vote No" rally outside Atlanta Public Schools headquarters.
The group chanted, waved signs and rallied against proposed closures and mergers of several APS schools. Superintendent Meria Carstarphen is recommending that Courtnei's school, Harper Archer Middle School, be phased out.
"It makes me feel very, very upset,” Courtnei told Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus.
Her mother, Sylk Smart, feels the same way.
"When you close schools, you're also closing outlets. You're closing opportunities,” said Smart, a mother of four said.
Carstarphen told concerned parents at an APS town hall meeting January that the district is underenrolled, which makes the current setup inefficient and expensive.
"We've stretched our resources so far that we're unable to provide the kinds of services that these smaller schools need,” Carstarphen said in late January.
The superintendent proposes closing Whitefoord Elementary, Adamsville Primary School, Fain Elementary School and Towns Elementary School; moving West End Academy and B.E.S.T. Academy; and restructuring Miles Intermediate School as a pre-K through fifth grade school. Carstarphen said the schools most affected have fewer than 500 students, need renovations and have consistently underperformed.
"It affects my friends and my community,” said Courtnei.
Nathaniel Dyer organized two rallies and a campout ahead of a crucial school board meeting on Monday.
"We need the school board to listen to the community and go against the superintendent's plan,” said Dyer.
APS released a statement Sunday evening that read, in part: "In order for us to provide the strongest, most effective programs, we must look for ways to streamline resources to reinvest in quality programming for kids. The district is confident that the recommended changes will allow us to do just that.”
The board meeting begins at 6 p.m. Monday.
Cox Media Group
