Hundreds of people turned out in Fayette County to learn about budget cuts to the school district. After years of explosive growth and constant expansive, the district is now looking at shutting down schools.
Fayette County schools are typically at the top when it comes to test scores and school rankings, but now that the growth has slowed and housing prices have tumbled, they're facing millions in budget cuts.
Many of the parents who packed into the Fayette High School cafeteria on Thursday moved to Fayette County for one big reason: the quality schools.
"I love all the schools in Fayette County. They are all really good schools," said parent Arnold Powell.
A $20 million budget shortfall means that multiple schools could close.
"The reality for our school system is we've lost 2,000 students in the last four years, we've lost $25 million in revenue and we have to be as efficient as we can with the resources we have," said Fayette County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden.
The superintendent laid out the problem and the possible school closures for parents. The crowd was then broken up into small groups where they could share their ideas and concerns.
Melissa Hill is worried about what closing Tyrone Elementary would mean for the town.
"People move there just for those schools and I also sell real estate. I know what's going happen to our town if they close the schools," said Hill.
But school officials say they overbuilt based on expectations of population growth before the real estate crash
"The school system was building schools, buying land in anticipation of increased enrollment... Hindsight's 20/20 -- we overbuilt. We have more schools than we need for the students we have," said Bearden.
The cuts and school closing would be for the 2013-2014 school year.
School administrators say this is the first of many opportunities for the public to have a say in the process. But the bottom line is that million in cuts must come from somewhere.
A group of metro Atlanta business community leaders are pledging $10.5 million to improve one of the state's busiest and most congested freeway interchanges.
A group of metro Atlanta business community leaders are pledging $10.5 million to improve one of the state's busiest and most congested freeway interchanges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:23 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:23:35 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:32:36 GMT
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife.
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife. Prosecutors say Michael Parson shot his wife, Adina, eight times in April 2012 outside their apartment.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:28:25 GMT
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe. They say 1-year-old Annya Buchannon was in the back of a car that was stolen just after midnight from the Playskool Daycare on Conley Road in Forest Park.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:24:23 GMT
Atlanta fire crews are battling a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown.
Atlanta fire crews battled a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown on Wednesday morning. Authorities say the fire sparked at United Transmission Service, which is located at 350 Marietta Street NW.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges. Brooks pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:53:01 GMT
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning.
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Wednesday morning. Fire crews say the bus stalled on the railroad tracks in downtown Decatur, and those onboard had just seconds to get out before an oncoming train hit it.
