Education
Education

Atlantans speak out about plans to reshape the city’s school system

Superintendent Bryan Johnson listens to a speaker during an Atlanta School Board meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. APS held its first vote on school consolidation plans. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Superintendent Bryan Johnson listens to a speaker during an Atlanta School Board meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. APS held its first vote on school consolidation plans. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)
By
Nov 15, 2025

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a series of guest essays this week about APS Forward 2040, the long-range plan being discussed by Atlanta Public Schools to reshape its future.

ExploreAtlanta parents, residents object to plans to close some schools

The plan currently includes proposals to close some schools in a few years, repurpose or build additions to other schools in the district.

Here are the essays:

Atlanta Board of Education Chair Erika Mitchell: Atlanta Public Schools plan is a blueprint for a better future

RedefinED Atlanta executive director Angira Sceusi: As public schools close in Atlanta, keep the focus on children’s well-being

Atlanta City Councilman Jason Dozier: Atlanta Public Schools should think twice before closing Dunbar Elementary

Educator Chryss Moultrie: When the bell stops: What Atlanta’s school closures mean for our educators

Midtown High School student Henry Moye: APS 2040 plan benefits students, reduces overcrowding, but comes at a cost

Parent and special education activist Marguerite Lane: How APS facilities master plan can be a path forward for students

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Board members listen during an Atlanta School Board meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. APS held its first vote on school consolidation plans. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Declining enrollment and rising costs led APS officials to develop a plan that would “repurpose” 16 school buildings. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

OPINION

As public schools close in Atlanta, keep the focus on children’s well-being

Atlanta Public Schools is going through the painful process of deciding which schools to close due to enrollment decline. This must be done in the best interest of children.

OPINION

How APS facilities master plan can be a path forward for students

Atlantans need to know that under-enrolled schools are not state-funded at the same level as schools nearer capacity. This means APS has to spend even more to close the gap.

The Latest

Kimberly Gibbs (left) and Kristy Reese pose for a portrait at L.O. Kimberly Elementary School, Thursday, Oct. 23, in Atlanta. Reese is principal of Kimberly Elementary School, while her sister, Kimberly Gibbs, is principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Full circle: Sisters who were APS students now serve as APS principals

Some Decatur parents feel blindsided by school plans, few details

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Featured

Rose Scott signals as Closer Look goes on air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray / AJC file)

Credit: Ben Gray

Donor leaves WABE $3 million, largest individual gift in station’s history

An Atlanta resident has bequeathed WABE a $3 million donation, the largest one-time individual donation in the nonprofit media operation’s 76-year history.

Usher sues business partners over failed Buckhead restaurant plan

Atlanta singer Usher wants his money back after loaning $1.7 million to music producer Bryan-Michael Cox and others to buy a Buckhead restaurant property for $6.3 million.

Braves’ original ‘Freeze’ is retired. But you probably still can’t catch him.

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to find their next sprinting mascot, Nigel Talton is enjoying his new career coaching high school athletes at McEachern High.