School Resdistricting

What's happening?

Atlanta Public Schools recently completed a redistricting process to address school over-crowding and under-enrollment. See the new high school cluster models, and download the school zoning maps, here.

The rezoning plan is relatively favorable for Candler Park in that it keeps Mary Lin K-5, delivers the long-needed Mary Lin expansion and renovation, and keeps Mary Lin in the Inman - Grady cluster.

However, the final plan does not address the issue of Inman Middle School over-crowding, and instead notes that this will be monitored and assesed for the next 2-3 years while a final solution is determined.

Candler Park favors a 6th grade academy that would allow ALL the current feeder schools (plus Hope-Hill, which was recently added to Inman) to remain together.

It is important that we continue to stay engaged in this issue so we can advocate for what is best for our neighborhood.
 

What is CPNO doing about this issue?

This is a very important issue for CPNO. Rezoning affects everyone - whether you have kids or not. We are proud of our schools, and they are a big draw to people who currently live in Candler Park, and those who are choosing a neighborhood in Atlanta.

In January, CPNO formed an education committee chaired by Kate Sandhaus to focus on this issue. We have done many things to ensure our voice is heard:

  • Released a position statement after the first round of maps
  • Released a position statement after the second round of maps (pdf version is here).
  • Released a position statement after the superintendent's preliminary proposal (pdf version is here)
  • Creation of this web page to keep people informed
  • Distribution of yard signs reflecting our position
  • Met with our school board member, Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, to ensure she is aware of Candler Park's goals and concerns. Invited her and our at-large school board member, Reuben McDaniel, to attend all future CPNO membership meetings.
  • Ongoing effort to get the word out about important redistricting meetings
  • Creation of "invest in success" stickers for the Mary Lin community to show a united front at the recent SRT3 community input meeting
  • Creation and distribution of a flyer to all households in Candler Park, outlining the issue and how people can get involved
  • Ongoing meetings with our public officials
  • Outreach to other neighborhoods and organizations to keep lines of communication open
  • Ongoing email blasts to let our community members know what is happening
  • Working closely with the Lake Claire education committee and the Mary Lin Local School Council to ensure our efforts are in alignment.
  • Various grassroots efforts to engage our neighbors and make our voice heard


What you can do to help

1. Show up at the meetings listed below!  Showing your support for Candler Park and Mary Lin remains important.

2. Contact stakeholders and representatives (See contact info below.)

  • APS superintendent Erroll Davis
  • Atlanta school board members
  • The APS capacity study feedback email address
  • Our public officials
     

3. Outreach / Let your neighbors know! (Sign up to be a block captain)

  • Tell your neighbors about what's happening, and Candler Park's position. Spread the word. Some folks still don't know. Talk to those with and without kids and to those with and without kids in APS.
  • If you signed up as a block captain, THANK YOU! If you have not signed up, we still have blocks that need captains.  Sign up here.

4. Stay informed!

Talking Points

Check back soon for new information based on the final rezoning plan, and where we will focus our efforts in the coming months.
 

Key Meetings

Monday, April 23 at 4:30 pm
What: Inman LSC meeting, followed by a principal's coffee
Where: Inman Middle School auditorium

Contact Info

General APS feedback: APSRedistricting@AtlantaPublicSchools.US
 
APS administrators:
Erroll B. Davis, Jr., Superintendent of Schools: ebdavis@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Steve Smith, Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Staff: swsmith@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Larry Hoskins, Deputy Superintendent of Operations: lhoskins@atlantapublicschools.us
Dr. Betsy Bockman, SRT-3 Executive Director: bbockman@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Karen Waldon, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, kwaldon@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Our school board members:
Cecily Harsch-Kinnane (District 3), chkinnane@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Reuben McDaniel, At-Large (3&4), rrmcdaniel@atlantapublicschools.us
 
Other school board members:
Brenda Muhammad (represents Inman Park), bjmuhammad@atlantapublicschools.us
Courtney English (at-large for Inman Park), cenglish@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Nancy Meister, nmeister@atlanta.k12.ga.us
LaChandra Butler Burks, lbburks@atlantapublicschools.us
Yolanda Johnson, yjohnson@atlantapublicschools.us
Byron Amos, bamos@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Emmett Johnson, edjohnson@atlantapublicschools.us

Public officials:
Councilman Alex Wan:  awan@atlantaga.gov
Councilman Kwanza Hall: KHall@AtlantaGa.Gov
Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong: narchibong@atlantaga.gov
State Senator Jason Carter: jason.carter@senate.ga.gov
Sate Representative Stacey Abrams: stacey@staceyabrams.com