Latest news with #SpaldingDriveElementary
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Spalding Drive Elementary parents build new traditions as school prepares to close
As Spalding Drive Elementary wraps up its final week, parents and students are making the most of the school's last moments by building new traditions aimed at keeping the community intact. Fulton County Schools voted in February to close Spalding Drive Elementary at the end of this school year. The decision also includes the closure of Parklane Elementary in South Fulton. The district plans to repurpose the Sandy Springs campus as the new home for the Fulton County Teaching Museum and Schools Archives. But for families at Spalding Drive, the closure marks more than just a change in address—it's a deep emotional loss. 'This is a very important time in their life to form bonds, long-lasting bonds,' said parent Raymond Grote. 'We wanted to make something positive out of a very negative event.' That positive has taken shape as weekly Friday night gatherings throughout the final month of school. Families have been meeting for themed dinner nights while the children play together. The last Friday of the school year was particularly special—Mediterranean night—with laughter, games, and the unmistakable sounds of summer. TRENDING STORIES: Body found in search for missing kayaker at Lake Lanier Risk of severe storms ahead for early morning Saturday 'He preyed on 5-year-olds': Father demands accountability after teacher arrested 'The emotions are huge,' parent Nora Robb told Channel 2's Eryn Rogers. 'Our kids are all feeling the same things right now. They're all being displaced, they're all having to meet new people and go to new places. I think it's important for kids to have some place to really feel grounded.' Parents previously attempted to keep the school open by proposing to purchase it and convert it into a charter school. Grote said they offered $10 million to the district but received no formal response. Fulton County Schools released the following statement: 'In February 2025, the Fulton County Board of Education voted to close Spalding Drive Elementary School. As required by Georgia law, school districts must consider facility use options, including potential charter school partnerships, when a building is no longer in operation. Following the Board's decision, the Superintendent and Operations Division began evaluating the best long-term use of the site in alignment with district needs. 'A group of parents did reach out shortly after the closure vote to express interest in establishing a charter school at the Spalding site. Their proposal was reviewed and shared with the Board. As part of a broader planning process, district leadership considered that request alongside other options. Ultimately, it was determined that converting the facility into a centralized home for the Fulton County Teaching Museum and Fulton County Schools Archives would best support instructional and operational priorities across the district. 'This move will improve district-wide access to educational programming and historical materials, consolidate staff and resources currently spread across two separate facilities, and allow the district to reduce its overall facility footprint. Once the relocation is complete, the two existing Teaching Museum buildings will be considered for disposition, which is expected to generate further cost savings. 'The transition will take place over the next school year. Instructional programming provided by the Teaching Museum will continue without interruption during this process. Renovation needs at the Spalding site are minimal; the primary expense will be moving staff and materials.' While the district prepares to transition the museum into its new home, parents are looking ahead as well. Many are continuing to work toward establishing a new charter school in the neighborhood, citing strong community interest. A site visit for the potential charter is scheduled for Tuesday. As the school doors prepare to close for good, families say they're determined to ensure the spirit of Spalding Drive lives on one Friday night at a time.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fulton County School Board votes to close two elementary schools
Parents made their final pleas to the Fulton County School Board to try to save their schools, but it was not enough to save the two schools the district was looking to close. The school board voted 4-3 on Thursday night to close both Parklane Elementary School and Spalding Drive Elementary School. Parents from both schools say that the county's reasons for closing the schools are flawed and hope enough school board members side with them to keep the doors open. The problem for the district is both schools are small and old, and in a district with declining enrollment, money is a factor. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'We are elected to make the difficult decisions,' said board president, Kristin McCabe, who voted no to close both schools. Dozens of parents laid out their case to keep their schools open, but some felt the board had already made up their mind before the vote happened. 'Really disappointing to tell my daughter she's going to have to switch schools because she's a budget line item,' said Parklane parent, Jennifer Agle. School Board District 6 representative, Kimerly Dove, said over the last decade enrollment at Parklane dropped more than 50 percent. However, other board members said enrollment across the district is an issue. 'Fulton County Schools needs to be innovative in how we address lower enrollment,' said District 7 representative, Dr. Michelle Morancie said. RELATED STORIES: Parents urge Board of Education to save 2 Fulton County schools on the chopping block Parents continue to fight against closure of 2 Fulton Co. elementary schools Parents wish for Christmas miracle as they fight to keep Fulton County schools open Parklane parents, teachers push to save the elementary school from closing Parents at Spalding Drive said the decision Thursday night will make the enrollment issues worse. They said in a survey they sent to parents, more than half said they plan to leave the school district. 'It creates a complete lack of trust in the school district, so we will have to look at our alternatives,' said Spalding Drive Elementary parent, Raymond Grote. Parents at Spalding Drive Elementary schools said they are looking at filing a motion for a temporary restraining order against the board for closing the school or looking into making Spalding Drive a charter school. Fulton County Schools superintendent said they will make it a priority to place staff at the closing schools in vacancies across the district. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
