Tonight: APS Demographic Study Report at Douglass High School

The long-awaited community meeting on the Atlanta Public Schools' demographic-capacity study is set for Tues. Nov. 29, at , according to a news release Tuesday from schools spokesman Keith Bromery.

The meeting, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., is one of several around the city designed "to provide a public forum for community input into the process so that APS can continue to provide a quality education for all students,” according to a statement from APS Superintendent Errol B. Davis.

The full schedule is as follows:

• SRT 2 Cluster: Monday, Nov. 28, South Atlanta High School
• SRT 1 and SRT 4 NW Cluster (schools zoned to Douglass HS, B.E.S.T. Academy and Coretta Scott King Academy): Tuesday, Nov. 29, Douglass High School
• SRT 4 NE Cluster (schools zoned to North Atlanta High School): Wednesday, Nov. 30, North Atlanta High School
• SRT 3 Cluster: Thursday, Dec. 1, Parkside Elementary School

A second, and final, round of community meetings will be held January 23-26.  The meeting schedule will be published later this year.

These meetings follow a demographic survey launched in June, which allows the public to provide input regarding the district’s student capacity situation. Focus groups were held in each of the four SRT regions on this subject. This information is also available on the Atlanta Public Schools website.

During both rounds of community meetings, independent demographers will present various scenarios for community review and input. Presentations and maps from the initial round of community meetings will be posted on the district Web site through January to allow for additional feedback.

They will then be revised based on community input and updated in advance of the final round of community meetings. Following the community meetings, Davis will make preliminary recommendations regarding capacity scenarios to be implemented for the 2012-13 school year.

 In addition to the above news, Davis has posted the following letter on the APS website about the intent behind the demographic study:

Dear Atlanta Public Schools Stakeholders,
 
As you may know, there has been a lot of speculative discussion about the demographic study. We recognize the sensitivity on this important issue and the impact it may have on our school communities. Further, we understand that keeping you informed is our obligation, and we are accountable to the communities we serve.
 
Community meetings have been confirmed for the week of November 28 - December 1 to provide you an opportunity for further input into this process. During the meeting, independent demographers will present multiple scenarios for your consideration and feedback.
 
We implore you to review the presented scenarios and provide feedback to ensure that we implement plans that are best for our schools and communities, and most importantly, our students. Again, let me be clear. No recommendations have been made; no scenarios are in our possession and; we welcome and need your input as we move forward with planning

Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of our students in Atlanta Public Schools.

With warmest regards,
 
Erroll B. Davis, Jr.
Superintendent