Gifted Atlanta

NOTE: The schedule for public input meetings was affected by winter weather. See my Jan. 12 post for the new schedule.

The DeKalb County Board of Education is reviewing several possible redistricting and consolidation plans, some of which could change the landscape of magnet schools for high achievers.

The consultants hired by the board have presented two plans for the board’s consideration. Under the “decentralized plan,” all six of the county’s magnet schools for high achievers would remain open in their current locations. But under the “centralized plan,” all of the magnet schools for high achievers would be relocated to Avondale middle and high schools.

It’s not clear to me how many seats would be available in the centralized magnet location as compared with the number available in the current facilities. Certainly, we need every magnet seat we can get with demand for spaces already far exceeding supply. If anyone has this information, please let me know. I will continue to try to find out as well.

The school board has planned several public meetings to discuss the proposals. The meeting schedule is:

• Miller Grove High School on Jan. 11 (rescheduled to Jan. 24 due to snow)
• Druid Hills Middle School on Jan. 12
• Chamblee High School on Jan. 13
• McNair High School on Jan. 18
• Bethune Middle School on Jan. 19
• Stone Mountain Middle School on Jan. 20

All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.

The board will hold a meeting on Jan. 31 to discuss the options. Formal public hearings will be held on Feb. 22 and 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the administrative building in Stone Mountain. The board is scheduled to make its decision on redistricting and consolidation at a meeting on Feb. 28.