DeKalb School Superintendent and the Druid Hills Charter Cluster

At last week’s quarterly meeting of the LaVista Park Civic Association, a number of members expressed an interest in contacting DeKalb County’s School Superintendent, Michael Thurmond.  For those opposed to the annexation into Atlanta, the purpose of contacting Mr. Thurmond would be to encourage him to revisit and revive the Druid Hills Charter Cluster (the “Cluster”).  Some believe the school board’s failure to approve the Cluster is an important motivation for the folks advocating annexation into Atlanta.  If you share that view and want to contact Mr. Thurmond, the letter below could be a guide.  Mr. Thurmond’s mail address is Michael_L_Thurmond@fc.DeKalb.k12.GA.us.

Mr. Michael Thurmond

DeKalb Schools Superintendent

1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard

Stone Mountain, GA  30083

FROM:  (YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS)

RE:  PLEASE RECONSIDER THE DRUID HILLS CHARTER CLUSTER AND SAVE THE COUNTY

Dear Superintendent Thurmond,

I am a resident in the Briar Vista Elementary / Druid Hills High attendance zones. This area is included in the proposed annexation into Atlanta that would take those schools, along with Fernbank Elementary and surrounding territory – including Emory University – into Atlanta. I do not want this area and these assets taken into Atlanta.

This effort is being partially driven by those unhappy with the school board’s decision last year to reject the Druid Hills Charter Cluster. I urge you to reconsider your position on the Charter Cluster and to lead the fight for its approval.

If you do not champion the Charter Cluster, DeKalb County is likely to lose valuable school properties along with valuable commercial and residential tax bases. These costs are too high to stubbornly refuse to reconsider the Charter Cluster.

More than perhaps any other person in DeKalb County, you can take action to stop the fracturing of DeKalb and the permanent loss of property and tax base to Atlanta. Please take the necessary action to promote and approve the Druid Hills Charter Cluster and preserve DeKalb County.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME