Good Idea Or Not? A Dunwoody-Chamblee-Brookhaven School System
A reader gave us this idea, and we want to know what you think.
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There's an item floating around in social-media cyberspace that proposes the idea of a Dunwoody-Chamblee-Brookhaven school system.
"Support the idea of a Brookhaven-Dunwoody-Chamblee school system so we can get out from under the black cloud of DCSS," is the item that's being re-tweeted to others who are concerned about the DeKalb County Board of Education.
Last month, the board was placed on probation by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools. The district has until May 31, 2013 to make progress in complying with several issues that SACS identified.
Shortly afterward, an online petition was started to build momentum for replacing the entire school board, which Gov. Nathan Deal has the authority to do.
According to the Reporter Newspapers, the Dunwoody City Council has asked state Rep. Tom Taylor to introduce a bill in this year's legislative session to explore the creation of a new school system.
Such a measure would require both the state House and Senate to amend the Georgia constitution.
As chairman of the Senate education commission, Dunwoody state Sen. Fran Millar is also playing a role in determining if the state will take any action against the school board.
A Jan. 17 hearing of the Georgia Board of Education is scheduled to consider suspending the DeKalb school board members.
Brookhaven state Rep. Mike Jacobs was also quoted by the newspaper as leaning toward the school board's suspension, but also letting the established legislative process to run its course.
What do you think about an independent school system composed of Brookhaven, Chamblee and Dunwoody schools? Does such an idea make sense, or should our local schools remain in the DeKalb County school system? Take our Patch poll, and share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
Jane Stewart
11:00 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Big Update: Fran Millar is no longer chairman of the Senate education commission. He was apparently 'asked' to step down. This is good. Hopefully, someone who truly understands the need to improve education for the state of Georgia will step in.
arthur goodelman
11:31 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Are our Dekalb Co. Taxes being reduced because of the state of (lack) proper Edu. in the Co.? My neighbor lost out on selling his house because the buyer went to Fulton Co. district. Because of the SACS investigation.
another comment
8:58 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
School Districts should be no larger than 2 high schools large with their feeder middle and elementry schools. The preferable size is one high school large with feeder schools. If you want true local control and accountability, then the local stakeholders must have direct by-in. The Principals must be direct reports of the Superintendents. Their is no need for a palace level of employees that has been created in these huge districts. These Small School Districts can share a true Vo-tech school between two districts ( It works all the time in other states). They have $150K per year long term stable Superintendents in upstate NY. No Traveling 3 year and out, I collect severance Superintendents need apply. The School Boards are like Condo Boards, made up of elected volunteers who maybe get reimbursed for meeting per diem. The board members are a variety of local professionals, who offer their professional expertise, Accountant, Lawyer, Architect/Engineer, College Professor, Business owner, etc.... These Districts work. I was lucky enough to graduate from one. My nieces and nephews all go to one. You also gain by bringing back the diversity. No one sends their children to Private schools in areas of the country that have these successful districts. My Brother-in-law is a Doctor his Children went to Public School, My nephews best friend was Deacon Tasker, Son of Steve Tasker a player for The Buffalo Bills, who is now a Football Analyst for one of the networks, eveyone goes.