It’s been more than two years since a policy fight over a bill that created Georgia’s existing school voucher program severely damaged Mesha Mainor’s working relationship with state Democratic Party leaders, who vehemently oppose voucher programs, believing they pull too much money out of revenue-starved public schools. Now the former Democratic state House member, who joined the Republican Party […]
School Boards
Posted inCity Politics, School Boards
How the City Council Post 3 Election Could Impact Atlanta’s Board of Education
The stage is set for November to be an important time of the year here in Atlanta. In addition to a highly contested presidential election looming between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump — in which Georgia will likely play a pivotal role — there are upcoming contests between public officials on the […]
Posted inEducation, Equity, K-12, School Boards
Literacy Rates, Community Trust Among Top Challenges for Atlanta’s New Schools Chief
Now that Atlanta Public Schools has finalized its choice of a new leader, the real work can start. The Atlanta Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a three-year contract for its new superintendent, Bryan Johnson, the former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga chief strategy officer. The contract is effective Aug. 5. Johnson comes with […]
Posted inEducation, K-12, School Boards
Will Atlanta’s New School Superintendent Bring A New Era of Equity?
Atlanta Public Schools are preparing to move into a new era with the selection of its next superintendent this week. Dr. Bryan Johnson, who was announced as the “sole finalist” to be the next superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools on Tuesday. Johnson, a former superintendent of Hamilton County, Tennessee., schools, was most recently executive vice […]
Posted inEducation, Explainers, K-12, School Boards
State-Funded Private School Accounts Are Coming. Here’s What That Means For Black Families.
The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, a bill to provide state-funded scholarships to low-income families who want to send their children to some of the state’s most costly private schools, passed the Georgia General Assembly and is just a step away from becoming law. If Gov. Brian Kemp signs the measure as expected, it’s likely to […]
Posted inEducation, School Boards
Atlanta School Board Welcomes New Members, Sets Committee Assignments
The newly elected Atlanta Public School Board laid out the priorities for the early part of its term on Monday, as the body officially met for the first time since a contentious election last fall. The nine-member board, which included new members Ken Zeff and Alfred “Shivy” Brooks, who is the first active teacher elected […]
Posted inEducation, School Boards
Results Are In. Alfred ‘Shivy’ Brooks Wins APS Board Runoff Election.
The vote is in. Alfred “Shivy” Brooks made history Tuesday evening by becoming the first active teacher to hold a seat on the Atlanta Board of Education in its 150-year history, after winning a special runoff election with a commanding 64.6% of the vote. Brooks will join eight other school board members who oversee the […]
Posted inEducation, School Boards
APS Board Runoff Election Is Happening Dec. 5. Here’s What You Need to Know.
This story was published as part of our #APSVotes project with Atlanta Civic Circle to help shed light on APS school board elections. Read our school board election voting guide here. Atlanta voters will return to the polls for a Dec. 5 runoff election to decide who will fill the final seat on the city’s […]
Posted inEducation, School Boards
Election Results: 2023 Atlanta School Board
This story was published as part of our #APSVotes project with Atlanta Civic Circle to help shed light on APS school board elections. On Tuesday, Atlanta voters chose a new school board—half of one at least. Ten candidates competed for five spots on the Atlanta Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election, which oversees Atlanta Public Schools (APS). […]
Posted inEducation, School Boards
What Black Voters Are Saying: Atlanta School Board Elections
This story was published as part of our #APSVotes project with Atlanta Civic Circle to help shed light on APS school board elections. Nov. 7 marks Election Day for city of Atlanta voters for the Atlanta School Board election.Ten candidates are vying for five open seats on the governing body for Atlanta Public Schools. The nine Atlanta School Board […]