2 Fulton Schools To Permanently Close After 4-3 BOE Vote: Reports

ATLANTA, GA — The Fulton County Board of Education on Thursday voted 4-3 to permanently shutter two elementary schools, one in East Point and another in Sandy Springs, according to media reports and school officials.

The 2024-25 school year will be the final year for Spalding Drive Elementary School in Sandy Springs and Parklane Elementary School in East Point, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Atlanta News First.

The closures are segments of the board's redistricting plan, ANF reported.

Other factors were low enrollment and building conditions at the schools, the AJC reported.

Parklane parent Bernadette Naro, in the ANF report, was devastated by the news.

“The student population at Parklane is a student population that has been traditionally underserved. It’s in an area that has experienced a lot of flight of different businesses, a hospital,” Naro said. “And so to remove this school from that community is to really have a negative effect on students who already have the most to lose.”

Spalding has about 367 students, while Parklane serves 320 students. Maintenance for any school less than 450 students can be costly and “operationally inefficient,” Fulton school officials said, per ANF.

Impacted students will be rezoned to new schools for the 2025-26 school year, school officials said.

"The Board expressed empathy for the community’s concerns and asked (Superintendent) Dr. Mike Looney to ensure affected families and employees receive the necessary support and resources to navigate the transition. Dr. Looney reaffirmed the district’s commitment to a smooth process, stating that parents will receive a letter this spring with details about their child's new school assignment, a welcome message from the principal and an invitation to visit the school. Employees are receiving guidance and assistance from the Human Resources Division," school officials said.