ATLANTA,None — Many parents were upset after getting their first look at Atlanta Public Schools' redistricting plans. Hundreds of parents attended a Wednesday night meeting at North Atlanta High School where the school district unveiled preliminary redistricting maps.
Jeremy Jones, president of the Riverside Neighborhood Association, was among the parents upset with the plans. He said he attended the meeting because his daughter is a student at Bolton Academy Elementary School.
"I thought we would have an opportunity to discuss the community the human aspect, and we got a lot of numbers tonight," Jones told Channel 2’s Amy Napier Viteri.
In all four proposals offered, his daughter and children from several other neighborhoods would have to transfer to Scott Elementary School, which doesn’t offer a competitive program he is interested in.
"They all have the exact same line drawn, so they're not really options," Jones told Viteri.
Bolton is an International Baccalaureate school that feeds into middle and high schools that also offer the academically specialized IB program, but that program is not offered at Scott.
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“I would think that would be one of my major concerns because that's an advantage for students who get that opportunity," Jones added.
APS-contracted demographers stressed a need for balanced enrollment, especially at overcrowded north side schools.
"We have to look at the larger picture and do what is best for the whole district," APS spokesman Keith Bromery told Viteri.
Brian O'Neill's children attend E. Rivers Elementary School. Out of four proposals he saw, two would let them continue there.
"I know they have a difficult job, and I don't necessarily envy them for that, but I'm looking out for my kids," O'Neill said.
Stephanie Atkinson's children also attend Bolton Academy. She said she hopes the district will let parents speak at a meeting in the future.
"They're just people that are pushing paper pushing numbers. These are our children," Atkinson said.
There was no public comment at Wednesday night's meeting. Parents were given forms to fill out for feedback. The next public meetings will be held in late January.
WSBTV
