Politics & Government

Oliver, Millar Brief Parents on DeKalb Redistricting

Millar talks about the latest proposal to stall the process

 

Local house and senate leaders updated DeKalb County parents Wednesday morning on the ongoing battle to shrink the school board to seven members.

Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, introduced a general bill on Friday that would delay the process for two years to sort out the issues around redrawing the lines.

Find out what's happening in Dunwoodywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I really believe at this point it will be delayed two years," Sen. Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody told parents at .

A law passed last year — SB79 — mandates the school board shrink from nine members to seven by 2013, and the state legislature is charged with the task to draft and approve new maps that redraw school board districts.

Find out what's happening in Dunwoodywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The bill Miller introduced on Friday would push the consolidation to 2015.

State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, said she is "warming up" to the idea of delaying the process.

Oliver sits on one of two House committees that are working to redraw the boundaries. To date, the House has yet to approve a proposal.

"I know we will come together because we have to," Oliver said Wednesday.

Historically, the school board and the county commission held public discussions about reapportionment, according to Oliver and Millar. Both groups drew up maps that were later submitted to the legislature.

"The school board is avoiding a vote," she said.

Miller said he proposed the latest bill because they don’t have the votes needed for a majority, but a general bill would pass easier in the legislature.

"We’re at an impasse," he said. "If all else fails, I’ll pass the bill in the senate."

Parents in the audience asked Oliver and the House DeKalb caucus committees that will be proposing the new boundaries to consider all maps submitted to the legislature. They also called for more transparency in the process.

"Transparency is something I want," Oliver said.

Though Miller introduced this fail-safe bill last week, he told parents Wednesday he is hopeful it won’t come to that.

"I’m optimistic we’ll come up with a map," he said. "One thing about government I’ve learned in 14 years, we don’t really deal with something ‘til it’s a total crisis."

Both committees were set to report to the legislature this week.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here