The May 21 Primary Election was ripe for school boards across the metro area, with newcomers clinching seats, several runoffs in different races, and several incumbents who ran unopposed. Cobb County Schools (Partisan) Candidates running for school board seats in Cobb County are running under new, highly contested maps passed by the Georgia legislature. Since […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inUncategorized
Complaints filed against Cobb County School District
Yesterday, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) filed two complaints with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), urging an investigation into Cobb County School District and Florida’s Collier County Public School District for creating a hostile environment for students through practices that include censoring books and learning materials that feature, tell […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools votes to abolish district and school-level positions
At a regularly scheduled board meeting last week, the Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously to abolish several hundred district-level and school-based positions to align district priorities better. Presented by Chief Human Resource Officer Nicole Lawson, the abolishment resulted from unfunded pension and healthcare, fluctuations in student enrollment, funding new initiatives with fidelity, and realignment […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education renames B.E.S.T. Academy in honor of Atlanta business icon Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.
The Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously to rename B.E.S.T. Academy, in honor of the late Atlanta business leader Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., to B.E.S.T. Academy at The Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Institute. This vote came after waiving the first read for the Board to vote on the motion on Tuesday. The renaming came after […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County Schools, Laura Judge, Candidate for Post 5 Seat
On May 21, during the General Primary elections, voters in the metro Atlanta area will choose representation for various elected seats, including school board seats. As is customary for us as an independent news organization, we have approached every candidate who qualified to run with a series of questions for them to answer for the […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools Superintendent contract extended for two years
Following an executive session at their board retreat today, the Dekalb County Board of Education unanimously approved a two-year extension for Superintendent Dr. Devon Q. Horton. The board retreat themed, “Standing on Business”, focused on student assignment, ESPLOST, Budget, Human Resources and an orientation for new BOE representatives. During the retreat, Mr. DaCosta noted that […]
Posted inUncategorized
Cobb County Schools bans four additional books citing lewd, vulgar, and sexually explicit content
At a board meeting Thursday, Cobb County Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale pulled an additional 4 library books citing materials containing “lewd, vulgar, and sexually explicit content”, nor will your taxes be used to fund it”. The additional books taken off the shelves as of Thursday in Cobb County Schools are “13 Reasons Why” by Jay […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Board of Regents to increase tuition rates at 25 public colleges and universities
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted today to approve tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year at USG’s 26 public colleges and universities. In-state undergraduate tuition will increase by 2.5%, while out-of-state tuition will increase by 5%. A third level of tuition for out-of-country students will also be established […]
Posted inUncategorized
Dalton Public Schools selects new superintendent
Dalton Public Schools unanimously voted to name Dr. Steve Craft the sole finalist for their next superintendent. “Today, we are excited to unanimously name Dr. Steven Craft as the sole finalist to be the next Superintendent of Dalton Public Schools. Early in this transition process, our Board decided to look internally for the next Superintendent. […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
New dashboard highlights reading readiness across the state
Starting today, it will be easier for educators, communities, and stakeholders to access literacy data at the state, district, and school levels. Through the Reading Readiness Dashboard, Georgians can access information on the percentage of students reading below, on, and above grade level for every school, district, and Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) region in […]
Posted inUncategorized
Atlanta Board of Education extends interim superintendent contract
The Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously to extend interim superintendent Dr. Danielle S. Battle’s contract through December 31, 2024. Dr. Battle’s original contract was set to expire on June 30. “Continuing this important work to illuminate the vision established by the ABOE is exactly what I am driven to do,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. […]
Posted inUncategorized
University of Georgia School of Law ranked among the top nation’s law schools
U.S. News & World Report has again ranked the University of Georgia School of Law in the Top 20 among the nation’s law schools. “All of these markers of success were achieved through the efforts of many,” Dean Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge said. “You – our graduates and friends – continue to answer the call […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education extends superintendent search
Atlanta Board of Education announced today that they will extend the search for the next leader of Atlanta Public Schools. In the press release, the district stressed the need to “take steps to maintain the integrity of the search process” and continue to work closely with their recruitment partner of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education considers change to dress code policy and equity advisory committee
In a board policy review committee meeting last week, the Atlanta Board of Education suggested several policy changes centered on the community equity advisory committee and the student dress code. The first agenda item was focused on the Community Equity Advisory Committee and the language around the possible removal of members in the policy. Established in […]
Posted inUncategorized
Forsyth County names new superintendent
In a unanimous vote, Forsyth County Board of Education has announced hiring a new superintendent after months of searching. Effective July 1, 2024, Mr. James Mitchell “Mitch” Young will become Forsyth’s 22nd Superintendent and the 6th appointed to the position. “Mr. Young strongly possesses the qualities, characteristics, and skills we were seeking,” shared Board Chairperson […]
Posted inUncategorized
A new program in Georgia aims to introduce students to car and road safety
A new program in the state is focused on educating Georgia students about road safety. This free partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and We Are Teachers will launch the free K-12 Car and Road Safety Program, which will discuss the importance of road safety whether passengers are in a car, riding […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools extends spring break for one day for solar eclipse, some parents are not happy
If you are a student in Dekalb County Schools your spring break was just extended for one day to enjoy the solar eclipse happening in April but some families are not happy. In a communication with families yesterday, Dekalb County Schools announced that on April 8, students will have an independent learner day to witness […]
Posted inNews Brief
Atlanta Girls’ School to close at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year
In a communication to parents today, the Atlanta Girls’ School announced that it will close its doors at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. The communication sent to parents cited “declining re-enrollment numbers”, “economic challenges,” and the “diminishing need for single-gender education” as reasons for the school’s closing. “Despite exploring various options, implementing cost-cutting […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Candidates who qualified to run for metro Atlanta school board races
Several candidates have qualified to run for their county school board seats in the upcoming May 21 general primary. Notably, several long-term board members have elected not to seek reelection, including Katha Stuart from Fulton County, Dr. Mary Kay Murphy from Gwinnett County Schools, David Banks from Cobb County Schools, Vickie B. Turner, Dr. Joyce […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools announces community panel to vet finalists for superintendent vacancy
In a special called meeting today, the Atlanta Board of Education announced the names of the community panel who will help choose the next superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools. This panel, first introduced at the Feb. 26 meeting, is comprised of PTA members, parents, teachers, staff, community leaders, alumni, business leaders, clergy, and more. The […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Cosmetic Chemistry is the latest major offering at Spelman College
Starting this fall, Spelman College will offer a concentration in cosmetic chemistry for students majoring in Chemistry, the first of its kind at a Historically Black College University (HBCU). As an extension of their STEM programming, students will be able to take advantage of this offering this fall. The cosmetic science curriculum was launched as […]
Posted inCherokee County Schools
Georgia Charter School Commission votes to close charters in Fulton and Cherokee County
The State Charter School Commission (SCSC) of Georgia voted yesterday to non-renew the charters of both Fulton Leadership Academy and Cherokee Charter Academy. The vote was 4-1 to close Cherokee Charter Academy in Canton, Georgia, and 4-2 to close Fulton Leadership Academy located in East Point, Georgia. This vote comes after months of questions from […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
Clayton County Public Schools announces random searches as part of safety protocols
In a statement last week to all parents, Clayton County schools will implement a new initiative to keep students on their 67 learning campuses safe. As part of this initiative, the CCPS Division of Safety and Security will immediately commence random searches at various locations within the district. Notably, these searches may involve K-9 units […]
Posted inHenry County Schools
Henry County Schools names Dr. Carl Knowlton as the interim superintendent
In a special called meeting last week, the Henry County Board of Education unanimously appointed Dr. Carl Knowlton as Interim Superintendent, effective March 7. “I am honored to be called upon to provide consistency, stability, and a seamless transition as our Board of Education undertakes the process of selecting a long-term leader,” said Dr. Knowlton. […]