Mayor Wants to Hear Justification for Moving Heards Ferry Elementary

Sandy Springs City Council passed an official resolution, Tuesday, calling on the Fulton Board of Education to meet with them on the relocation of Heards Ferry Elementary School.

“We have had no communication from the Fulton Board of Education regarding the possible location of [Heards Ferry] although there are vast implications for the city in terms of infrastructure needs depending on where a new school might be constructed,” Mayor Eva Galambos said. The impact on traffic, stormwater and tree canopy is also a concern.

The Fulton Board of Education is considering properties on the southern end of Riverside Drive just off I-285, where homeowners say they’ve been threatened by eminent domain. 

Other residents have complained that the site would cause traffic congestion in a tight corridor that already has motorists traveling to nearby Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.

“This resolution is really requesting the school board to come and meet with us, and lets talk about this,” she said.

Councilman Gabriel Sterling believes the school board is looking at population increases that will not necessarily occur. For instance, Ison Springs and Lake Forest Elementary are not at capacity. “They’re looking at redevelopment of apartments where we’re going to be losing population,” Sterling said.

Sterling added, “I think the problem is they’re not looking at the big picture. They’re looking only at ‘We passed the SPLOST, we have the money; this is what we want to do.’ As opposed to ‘What’s the right thing to do for the students and the community.’ "

During a public meeting last week, Patrick Burke, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for Fulton schools, said that by voting for the SPLOST referendum in November 2011, Sandy Springs residents approved moving Heards Ferry.

Many residents have said they did not understand the SPLOST included that measure.

See also:

Homeowners Fight Eminent Domain That Would Make Way for New Heards Ferry Elementary

Residents Strongly Oppose Moving Heards Ferry Elementary at Meeting

(Video) Councilman Wants City in the Loop on Heards Ferry Elementary Decisions