Sunday, March 3, 2013

Sunday: Two important meetings on Education in Dunwoody. 4:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Everyone wants quality educational services with in our community.
How do we get there?  Best long term solution?

Dunwoody Parents Concerned about Quality Education, Inc.
 
Sunday, March 3, 2013
4:00 - 5:00 pm

Kingswood United Methodist Church Sanctuary (Tilly Mill & N Peachtree)

Dunwoody residents interested in improving the quality of education in Dunwoody schools will share information on accreditation, legislative efforts, alternatives to the current public school district, and potential actions. The presentation will feature representatives from city and state government, local public education advocates, and a discussion session for participants to share their ideas and concerns.

 Dunwoody Homeowners Association

Sunday, March 3, 2013
7:30 - 9:00 pm

DeKalb Cultural Arts Center (Room 4)  5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road

Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting where DCSS Interim Superintendent Michael Thurmondis scheduled to speak.    Presentation from Matt Hagan, Regency Centers; Presentation and discussion with Michael Starling, City of Dunwoody Director of Economic Development; Discussion of DHA Resolution to support Rep. Tom Taylor’s HR486, Discussion of Summer Concert Series; Dunwoody Preservation Trust – Lemonade Days Sponsorship

Parents, city leaders and members of the business community are expected at a meeting Sunday afternoon to discuss the future of their schools.  Less than five years after becoming a city, some want to know why they can't create an independent school district for Dunwoody.

Stacey Harris is the President of the Dunwoody Homeowners' Association and said many in the city are worried about the ongoing problems with the DeKalb County School District.  "One reason Dunwoody pursued cityhood was because we were dissatisfied with the services we were receiving from the county.  The same thing applies to our school system," said Harris.

Harris and others have formed the Dunwoody Parents Concerned About Quality Education and are meeting Sunday at 4:00pm at the Kingswood United Methodist Church. After watching the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools put the Dekalb County school system on probation and six ousted board members sue to keep their jobs they worry about the future of their childrens' education.

Parent Allegra Johnson said she was frustrated well before a scathing SACS report was released last December.  "For years, money that was supposed to be going to benefit our teachers to help them teach our kids has been spent on things, like lawsuits, that have nothing to do with our kids," said Johnson.

Representative Tom Taylor has backed House Bill 486 that would allow municipalities formed after 2005 create their own independent school districts.  However, that would require amending the state constitution.

 "We know it will be an uphill battle. It could take years, but as more people are opting for smaller, locally run cities why shouldn't their school districts be run the same way," asked Harris.

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