When Dr. Shana Hunt graduated from high school and attended Paine College in Agusta Georgia, she thought she was “pretty together” with her blackness and understanding of Black history. However, learning about all the historical achievements of Black people she didn’t know blew her mind. She didn’t know about the detailed works of Zora Neale […]
Author Archives: Christina Norris
Christina Norris, 22, is a newswriter, photographer, and content creator. Norris graduated from DeKalb School of the Arts and currently attends Georgia State University. She has a major in Journalism and a minor in Film and Media. Christina enjoys writing about current events and speaking about her life experiences. Ultimately, she aims to spread a message of equality through her work.
Atlanta Public Schools Adopts Final Version of FY2024 Budget
The Atlanta Board of Education approved the final version of Atlanta Public School’s (APS) FY2024 Budget in a monthly board meeting on June 5. The start of the meeting included a work session with a presentation of the final recommendation of the budget by Dr. Lisa Bracken, APS’s Cheif Financial Officer. Bracken recognized several updates […]
Cobb County parents critique Board of Education’s approval of $50 million multi-purpose facility
The Cobb County Board of Education approved a proposal from Superintendent Chris Ragsdale to build a $50 million multi-purpose facility during a work session on March 23. In the session, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said the facility would mostly be used for academic purposes such as science fairs, fine arts presentations, robotic competitions, Career, Technical and […]
Cobb Fulton and APS schools propose pay raises for employees in the 2023-2024 budgets
As Cobb County Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Atlanta Public Schools (APS)work to adopt their tentative 2023-2024 budgets, employee pay raises are at the front of any compensation talks. The Cobb County school board presented its tentative budget for 2024 on April 13. The budget includes a 7.5% pay raise for all non-temporary employees. It […]
Dekalb County Schools’ sole superintendent finalist answers questions and critiques at town hall
By: Christina Norris Last Tuesday, The Dekalb County School Board announced three town halls for parents, students, and stakeholders to get to know Dr. Devon Horton, the sole finalist for its superintendent role. The Board held the town halls at Chamblee High School, Dr. Ronald E. McNair Middle School, and the Administrative & Instructional Complex. […]
Georgia schools close due to severe weather
By: Christina Norris Several schools in Georgia are either closing or delaying start times this week due to its heavy rains and flash flooding. The storms produced damage in areas east and west of Atlanta last Sunday. The school districts that were affected released statements announcing their close or delay. An “Important Message” on Harris […]
Georgia House Education Policy Subcommittee passes $6,000+ voucher bill
The Georgia House of Representatives Education Policy Subcommittee voted to pass SB 233, also known as “The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act,” in an Education Policy Subcommittee Meeting. According to Senator and author of the bill Greg Dolezal, this bill will give students and parents more options regarding where they receive their education. “What this bill […]
Atlanta Public Schools offers telehealth services to students
This year, Atlanta Public Schools spent $500,000 in its partnership with Hazel Health to provide healthcare services for its students at no cost to families. A press release from Hazel Health regarding the partnership reads, “A school health representative can initiate a video visit with a Hazel health care provider while your child is at […]
Former Fulton County Schools board member to serve as Georgia School Board Association development specialist
Julia Bernath, former president of the Fulton County Board of Education, is stepping into the Board Development Specialist role for the Georgia School Boards Association. Bernath announced her new position in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “I am excited to share that I’m starting a new position as Board Development Specialist with the Georgia School […]
Petition calls for immediate change in Atlanta Public Schools’ leadership
Over 700 people have signed a petition demanding an “immediate” change in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) leadership. A Change.org account titled Transparency Now started the petition, expressing concerns with the direction of the current APS Superintendent, Dr. Lsia Herring, and the Senior Cabinet. “Atlanta Public School’s senior leaders have failed our students, teachers, and staff […]
Cobb County Board of Education extends Superintendent Ragsdale’s contract
The Cobb County Board of Education voted to extend Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s contract to 2026. Board Member Randy Scamihorn introduced the motion to extend Ragsdale’s contract during a Board of Education Meeting last Thursday. He detailed improvements and stability in the county under Ragsdale’s leadership as the reasons for this motion. “Mr. Ragsdale is the […]
Evolv Technology answers questions about weapon detection systems in APS schools
When the newsroom read about the partnership between Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Evolv Technology for school safety, We were interested in just what technology Evolv would bring to the schools and why. We sat down with the people at Evolv to answer some questions about its partnership with APS, and these were their answers. […]
An inside look at The National Association of Black Journalists at Georgia State
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for Black journalists worldwide. According to its website, it was founded in 1975 by 44 men and women during a meeting in Washington D.C. Since that meeting, NABJ has expanded to over 4,000 members including emerging, professional, and student journalists and educators. […]
Atlanta Public Schools presents Mission Possible: APS 2036 in State of The District
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) held its 150th annual State of The District for 2023 at Illuminarium Atlanta. The presentation was also streamed on Facebook live for public viewing. The lights from the Illuminarium building with the student showcase added to the State of the District’s futuristic theme: Mission Possible: APS 2036. Dr. Lisa Herring, the […]
Atlanta Public Schools now using high-tech weapon detection systems in all middle and high Schools
Evolv Technology has announced its partnership with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to begin using its weapon-detection systems in 15 middle schools and 21 high schools across the district. According to a press release from Evolv about the partnership, this came together after the volume of students arriving simultaneously at these schools made it difficult for […]
Georgia State University campus faces damage from winter weather
According to the press release from the University, several buildings on Georgia State University’s Downtown campus were damaged due to the arctic blast that passed through Atlanta in December 2022. A weather update on the University’s website reports which housing facilities were affected. “Three of Georgia State’s Housing facilities — University Commons A, Commons D, […]
Georgia Department of Education announces legislative priorities for 2023
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has announced its legislative priorities for 2023. In addition, the department shared a press release listing all the areas it intends to strengthen. These areas include support and opportunities for students, school safety, the teaching profession, and public education. The press release also contains a federal priority to extend […]