Atlanta board of education approves school consolidation plan

Martha Dalton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Dec 4, 2025

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ATLANTA — The Atlanta school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve a consolidation plan, which would result in some school closures in a couple of years.

Atlanta Public Schools hired consulting firm HPM to help develop the plan. Some schools will close, like Finch, Scott and Dunbar elementary schools. Other campuses would merge. For example, Sarah Smith Intermediate would shudder and those students would move to the Smith Primary campus, essentially merging them into one elementary school.

The room filled with community members for a 5:30 p.m. public hearing, but dwindled by the time the vote took place during the board’s regular meeting a few hours later.

Some attendees expressed frustration with the redistricting process that will occur when schools close.

“I recognize that the potential silver lining is the opportunity to redraw boundaries can create more racially and economically diverse schools,” said Dunbar parent Claire Dozier. “However, these conversations historically have had an undercurrent of racism and bias. I speak for many of our families when I say that we are dreading this process.”

Nearly 95% of Dunbar’s students are African American and a similar percentage are economically disadvantaged, according to state data. Some critics of the plan have pointed out that several of the schools that will close have similar demographics.

But not everyone disapproved of the plans. Lakewood Heights resident Paula Cooper Smith praised the district for planning to turn Carver High into a performing arts school.

“This is a vast improvement from (redistricting in) 2012,” she said. “As difficult and painful as it is, I really appreciate it.”

HPM Vice President of Planning Services Tracy Richter acknowledged the process will be painful, but said APS doesn’t have much wiggle room in the face of budget constraints and shrinking enrollment. The changes are expected to save the district $25 million a year.

“When your house becomes too big to afford and you can’t pay the liability, you can’t pay the heat … you’re forced out of your home,” Richter said. “We don’t want that to happen, so we make changes. We make adjustments.”

Board members and APS Superintendent Bryan Johnson also expressed empathy for families affected by the consolidation plan. However, Johnson said none of the changes will take effect until after the 2026-27 school year.

“I think it’s really important to note that nothing’s happening tomorrow,” he said. “(We’ll) wake up tomorrow, it’s teaching and learning unapologetically, making sure that students are positioned for success. That doesn’t change.”

Now that the board has OK’d the proposal, it will start the planning process. In January, officials will begin seeking community feedback about redistricting plans.