Schools

South DeKalb Parents File Lawsuit to Stop Board's Closure Plan

Board votes to close eight schools

A group of parents filed a complaint against the DeKalb County School System and have asked a judge for moratorium on the board’s decision to close eight schools.

Latasha Walker of Lithonia and three other DeKalb parents, said the school system planned its decision without “community, parent, and student participation,” according to the complaint filed in DeKalb County Superior Court on Monday.

The parents have requested an audit of operations and details of how the decision to close schools and redistrict others was made.

Included in the group of eight schools are and elementary schools in the greater East Atlanta area. Connie Boone, who has two grandchildren at Sky Haven and is vice president of the school's Parent Teachers Association, said she is considering legal action, too.

But Boone, who spoke at Monday's to advocate for keeping Sky Haven open, said she is still undecided.

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“The county listens in public input meetings, however they as a district fail to listen and proactively implement concerns, as they have failed to make all schools great no matter the level of income and participation,” according to the complaint.

DeKalb residents Latasha Walker, Kim Ault, Kendall London and Annette Davis Jackson were listed on the complaint.

John Evans of the DeKalb NAACP also is listed in the document. However, when reached for comment, Evans said his name was used without his permission and he has asked that it be removed from the complaint.

Patch was unable to reach Walker, the lead plaintiff, for comment.


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