Student Assignment Project Update

DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT




Student Assignment
Project
What We Learned. How We Have Evolved. What to Expect.
Board of Education Presentation | May 2026
Presented by: Dr. Triscilla Weaver, Chief of Access and Opportunity




                       Every student deserves access to opportunity, no matter the enrollment of their school.
WHAT COMMUNITIES TOLD US IN ROUNDS 1 & 2



 "Scenarios felt predetermined. Our              "Every meeting felt the same. We need         "You keep talking about buildings. We
 input didn't seem to matter."                   conversations specific to our                 care about what our kids learn."
                                                 community."




 "We can't separate buildings from               "We don't understand how decisions            "Not every community has had a real
 boundaries from programs."                      get made or who makes them."                  chance to participate."




                          These six themes contributed to the evolution of the Student Assignment Project.                             2
HOW WE HAVE EVOLVED AND WHY

             ROUNDS 1 & 2 APPROACH                                                    CURRENT EVOLUTION


                                                                       Community-led conversations focused on
 Scenario-first presentations
                                                                       overcrowding and under-enrollment solutions


                                                                       Independent facilitators; conversations tailored to
 Uniform meetings across all clusters
                                                                       each community


                                                                       Buildings, boundaries, and programs addressed
 Buildings discussed separately
                                                                       together in comprehensive conversations


                                                                       Community voice comes BEFORE any
 Community input during and after planning
                                                                       recommendation goes to the Board of Education



                                        We learned, and we applied what we learned.                                          3
THREE COMMITMENTS


                 01                                        02                                         03




     Community Voice                             Comprehensive                               Independent
       Is Essential                              Conversations                                Facilitators
No recommendation goes to the Board       Buildings, boundaries, and programs are   Each cluster conversation will be led by
     of Education until impacted            addressed together, not in separate     a third-party facilitator who specializes
  communities have had a genuine,          silos. Communities will see how each      in trusted community conversations.
substantive opportunity to participate.          decision affects the others.
Not after. Not simultaneously. Before.




                                                                                                                                4
CENTERING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE



        Overcrowded Schools                                             Under-Enrolled Schools

 Students and teachers stretched beyond what a                  Empty seats drain programs students deserve and
 healthy learning environment allows.                           have a right to access.

 •   Crowded classrooms                                         •    Fewer AP and advanced courses
 •   Insufficient shared spaces                                 •    Reduced arts and elective offerings
 •   Teacher workloads that strain quality                      •    Less access to resources and technology

 Conversations begin in the Fall of 2026 in                     Conversations begin in the Spring of 2027
 the Lakeside, Cross Keys, Chamblee, Tucker,                    in the Towers, McNair, Cedar Grove, Miller
 Dunwoody, and Druid Hills clusters.                            Grove, Columbia, and MLK clusters.



                                    The Incorporation of the Student Experience                                   5
WHY FALL 2027-2029 REQUIRES US TO ACT NOW


 To address overcrowding, new and expanded schools beginning opening in Fall 2027 and continue through Fall 2029.



     Dresden              Cross Keys              Idlewood                Sequoyah              Sequoyah
    Elementary            High School            Elementary                Middle                 High
      School                                       School                  School                School
                                                                                                 Creates New
                                                                                                   Cluster




        And the addition of Sequoyah High School will create a new high school cluster that will require an
                         attendance boundary review for the following current clusters:
                       Lakeside • Cross Keys • Chamblee • Tucker • Dunwoody • Druid Hills


                                                                                                                    6
ADDRESSING UNDER-ENROLLMENT SPRING 2027



  Cedar Grove      Columbia       Dr. Martin Luther
                                       King, Jr.



  Miller Grove    Dr. Ronald E.
                     McNair           Towers


                                                      7
WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN EXPECT


    1   Fall 2026 community meetings in targeted clusters impacted by overcrowding.

1

    2   Independent facilitators leading the discussions.


    3   No Board recommendations until your community has had a real seat at the table.
3


    4   Comprehensive conversations: buildings, boundaries, and programs discussed together.


        Clear timeline so families can plan (a detailed plan and timeline will be shared before
    5   conversations start up again in the Fall)
5



                                                                                                  8
STAY INFORMED AND FOLLOW ALONG

                           https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/sap




                                                                 9
THE BOTTOM LINE




    No decisions have been made. Community voice comes before Board action.




    Overcrowding and under-enrollment are costing students opportunities right now.




    New cluster and schools open 2027 - 2029. Families deserve a plan before those doors open.


    Every student deserves access to opportunity, no matter the enrollment of their school.
                        That is what this is about. It always has been.



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