DeKalb Co. schools redistricting draws fire

A group of concerned parents hit the streets early Thursday morning outside of Southwest DeKalb High School to speak out against a proposed redistricting plan.

Parents say they are worried a new attendance zone proposal will place students as young as sixth graders in schools with older teenagers.

"This is not about my kid, it's about all of our children, all of the young children, making sure they are put in a place where they can learn and be able to do their very best," said Cooky Huff.

The five year plan from Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson would close schools like award-winning Livsey  Elementary in Tucker and move children to schools such as Smoke Rise Elementary that would be rebuilt and expanded to handle hundreds more students.

Additionally, the superintendent wants to sell millions of dollars in bonds to speed up the county's school construction program.

Late in the afternoon the school district appeared to back away from the part of the plan that would mix younger and older students.  School board members said the final overall plan would not be approved without public input.

"We have not voted on going to a system of sixth grade to the 12th grade. We have not voted on any alignment, and we will not vote on alignment until after this process has run its course," said DeKalb School Board Chairman Eugene Walker.

The school board said public meetings on the plan would take place in January.