DEKALB COUNTY, Ga.,None — DeKalb County wants to close eight schools and redraw district lines to save millions of dollars.
Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson introduced her proposal at a school board meeting Monday night.
Tyson wants to close Atherton, Glen Haven, Gresham Park, Peachcrest, Medlock and Sky Haven elementary schools. She also wants to close Avondale Middle School and Avondale High School.
"It upsets you because you don't want your kids to move," said Linda Guion, grandmother to two Medlock Elementary students. "Why close the school that's doing good and move the kids to a school that's not doing well?"
Medlock parents have already formed the "Save Medlock School" organization in an attempt to convince board members not to shut down their school.
"It bothers me a lot," Sky Haven parent Crystal Terrell told Channel 2's Richard Elliot. Her daughter's school has been on proposed closure lists for close to two years. "I really don't think they should take this school away from these children."
But the school district said it must close the schools and redraw district lines to save $12.4 million. And, it said, there may have to be a second round of closures next year. The DeKalb School Board is scheduled to vote on the proposal March 7.
Larry Phillips has lived across the street from Gresham Park Elementary School for close to 40 years. He sent three children and four grandchildren there. Phillips is afraid his property values could plummet and crime could move in if Gresham Park closes.
"That will lower our home value and just be a great disaster for our community," he said.