Dunwoody Elementary would become K-5 under Superintendent’s Recommendation

The long-awaited recommendation from DeKalb School District Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson would convert Dunwoody Elementary to a K-5 school, but would leave students who live in Dunwoody in Dunwoody schools.

Monday night, Tyson gave her recommendations for closures and redistricting.

The change at Dunwoody Elementary would shift students from Austin, Vanderlyn and Chesnut to Dunwoody Elementary, mostly students in the southwest part of the city.

Among Tyson’s other recommendations were leaving magnet programs as they are, close down eight schools, instead of the originally proposed 14, and redraw several attendance lines throughout the district.

Bill Carnes and Ed Humble of consulting firm MGT of America, presented the recommendations.

"Decision making drivers are honoring public input; balancing immediate need vs. strategic need; maximizing current resources; paving the path to the 2020 vision; and minimizing student disruption while meeting the responsibility to operate an effective and efficient school system,” the recommendation said.

All in all, almost 9,000 students, or 9 percent of the district, would be affected under the proposal.

"It is important to understand and realize that no one will lose their jobs as a result of redistricting,” Tyson said. “On March 1 and March 3, we will have public discussions on these recommendations, and on March 7, we will have a vote on the plan."

The proposal would save the district around $12.4 million per year and, Tyson said, wouldn’t cause anyone to lose their jobs.

For more detailed information on the proposed changes:

 Presentation

 Attendance Areas for Elementary Schools

 Attendance Areas for Middle and High Schools

 School Enrollment

 Resident Attendees

 Distance to Elementary Schools

 Public Hearing Notice