The DeKalb County (Georgia) School District is sidelining for now plans to close or repurpose more than 20 schools.
11Alive.com reports that the district will focus on new schools and expansions before it addresses the possibility of closing schools.
Interim Superintendent Norman C. Sauce III says the redistricting process "felt too top down. We learned that the student experience was not enough of the forefront of the conversation."
The initial administration proposal that was put forth earlier this year raised the possibility of closing one middle and 26 elementary schools; 11 DeKalb schools would be expanded, according to the proposal.
An advisory committee had worked for 20 months on ways to make the district's buildings, boundaries and programs more efficient. DeKalb County schools have more than 20,000 vacant seats in its 138 schools.
New information posted on the district's website today says "no decisions about school closures have been made. But closure is a possibility for some schools in the future."
According to a new timeline released by the district, the administration will review community feedback, analyze enrollment and capacity data and work on a new engagement plan this summer ahead of the next school year.
