APS Redistricting: Childrens' Safety Is Paramount In Walking To School

Being able to walk to one's neighborhood school and to do so safely is one factor parents consider in deciding where to live and which school his or her child will attend.

Parents in Candler Park, who are zoned to , say they have grave concerns about they and others whose children attend Atlanta Public Schools are reviewing regarding a massive rezoning of schools in the district.

The proposal of concern is the one that would combine Mary Lin — which is in Candler Park and also serves children from Inman Park and Lake Claire — and in Kirkwood. The schools essentially would become two campuses, with one campus serving the kindergarten and first grade classes. The other campus would serve those students in the second through fifth grade classes.

To get there from Candler Park, children who walk to school must cross DeKalb Avenue at the Oakdale Avenue intersection.

In this Patch Voices editorial, two Candler Park residents explain the dangers of DeKalb Avenue, where motorists routinely blow the posted speed limits, run the red light traffic signal at Oakdale and the confusion DeKalb's reversible middle lane sometimes creates for drivers.

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