Schools

Bockman: Inman Academy at Coan Off the Table

The district is no longer considering a grade six academy at Coan Middle School

An Atlanta Public Schools administrator confirmed Saturday afternoon the controversial plan to convert Coan Middle School into a is off the table.

at a Coan Middle School redistricting meeting, but parents heard mixed messages about the plan Saturday afternoon.

Stephen Alford, the director of communications for the district, told more than 60 residents at a Grady High School meeting the Inman annex at Coan was "virtually" off the table.

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"As we get feedback, as we talk to community members and parents, we’re going to make changes," Alford said. "That’s why I’m using words like ‘virtually off the table.’ It is. It’s apparent that that’s probably not a good idea based on the feedback that we’re getting from the community."

District superintendent Erroll B. Davis recommended closing Coan Middle School in Edgewood in and converting the building into a grade six academy for .

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Both the Coan and Inman communities vehemently opposed the plan for a grade six academy at Coan.

Betsy Bockman, the administrator who oversees the Grady High School and Jackson High School cluster, told Patch Saturday afternoon the plan to use Coan as an annex for Inman is off the table.

"We are looking into other options including Inman staying where it is," Bockman said.

Bockman and Alford both said they are looking for other locations to house a grade six academy for Inman.

The Virginia-Highland middle school is in danger of . The school can seat about 900 students but more than 1,000 are expected to attend next school year.

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