APS Superintendent Addresses Class Size Issues With District 3 Parents

Amid a buzz that local elementary schools such as may be losing or gaining teachers because of overcrowding in the classrooms and understaffing in the district, concerned parents filed into Thursday night to directly ask Atlanta Public Schools board members and administrators about the state of their schools.

District superintendent Erroll B. Davis Jr. fielded a variety of questions from parents, but one common theme was clear — parents are concerned about overcrowding in Atlanta Public Schools classrooms.

Davis said the district is still in the process of hiring roughly 172 additional teachers to split up large classes in the district. Some teachers at less crowded schools in the district will be moved to different schools to help balance the student-teacher ratio, a move criticized by several parents Thursday night.

“I think that should be a last resort,” a parent said.

The maximum student to teacher ratio in Atlanta Public Schools classes is 23 per class in kindergarten, 25 per class in grades 1 through 3 and 30 per class in grades 4 through 8.

Davis said there is no timetable for hiring the new teachers, but added that hiring managers are moving as quickly as possible. He also said there are about 66 “reserve” teachers that will be hired immediately.

Parents also asked Davis about possible redistricting within the system, a major undertaking that could send students to schools outside their neighborhoods and possibly close schools to save money.

Redistricting has become a trend among public school systems over the past few years as a cost saving measure. Recently, the to ensure money is being spent effectively.

Davis said there has been no discussion about redistricting and conversations will only begin after the demographics study is complete.

He said Atlanta Public Schools are spending roughly $4,000 more per student than other districts in the state.

Davis said the additional money — which the district would like to avoid spending — is put toward Title I students ($1,000), legacy pension costs ($1,000) and small schools that are not cost effective ($2,000).

Davis said district administrators plan to hold a series of public hearings in October and community meetings in November to discuss the demographic study.

Although Davis fielded most of the questions from parents, board members Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, Reuben McDaniel and Emmett Johnson addressed the group before the Q&A and updated parents on the progress of the board on recommendations made by a third-party accrediting agency.

SACS — Southern Association of Colleges and Schools — put the system's high schools on for failure to communicate and govern as a school board, among other issues.

The board submitted its final report to SACS and representatives from the group will return to Atlanta Public Schools later this month to reassess the board of education.

"We worked hard and we really got a lot accomplished," Harsch-Kinnane said.

Candler Park resident and Atlanta realtor Lexa King said she is concerned about the recent uptick in clients that want to avoid buying property in the Atlanta Public Schools district.

“One of the first things people ask me when they go to buy a home is ‘what are the schools like? Is this a good school district?,’” King said. “I want to be able to reassure people.”

Davis said administrators and teachers are committed to making schools on all levels “a lot better.” 

“I think the schools are better than people think they are, and it’s up to us to make it clear,” Davis said.

For information about regular board of education meetings, visit the Atlanta Public Schools website.