Our network

Schools

High court to weigh in on DeKalb school board case

High court to weigh in on DeKalb school board case

ATLANTA -- Georgia's highest court is set to consider the constitutionality of a state law allowing the governor to remove school board members.

The Supreme Court of Georgia heard arguments Monday from lawyers for the state and for former DeKalb County school board chairman Eugene Walker.

The school district was put on probation by an accrediting agency in December. Gov. Nathan Deal in February issued an executive order removing Walker and five other school board members.

Walker is challenging the law that allowed that action. The federal judge presiding over the case has asked the state high court to consider two questions about the constitutionality of the law.

The court will hear arguments on those questions and submit its interpretation to the federal judge who will rule in the case.

Springmont students share business ideas

Springmont students share business ideas

New business ideas sometimes come when we least expect them and from unexpected sources. Twelve students, ages six to 13, are getting a jump start on creating their new business as part of The Springmont School's ClubPreneur program.

Springmont's Marketing Director Andrea Horton teaches the steps needed to start a business, including identifying the need, researching the competition, determining pricing and generating buzz for the product or service.

Each student delivers a presentation outlining their business strategy. The concepts recently presented included a lemonade stand with distinctive flavors, a cleaning service, a workout video that allows viewers to earn coins to play a special video game, and custom-designed cases to accessorize your IPhone, IPad, IPodTouch or similar device.

School is (almost!) out in DeKalb County

School is (almost!) out in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- The last day of school is fast approaching in metro Atlanta, with some districts dismissing as early as this week.

For DeKalb County Schools, the last day is Thursday, May 23.

Other last days of school in the Atlanta area include:

Thursday, May 16
Barrow County

Friday, May 17
Clarke County

Wednesday, May 22
Atlanta Public Schools (traditional)
Cherokee County
Gwinnett County

Thursday, May 23
Clayton County
Cobb County
Decatur City
Fulton County
Rockdale County

Friday, May 24
Bartow County
Buford City
Carroll County
Coweta County
Fayette County
Floyd County
Forsyth County
Griffin-Spalding County
Marietta City
Newton County
Paulding County

14 DeKalb schools go wireless

14 DeKalb schools go wireless

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- The DeKalb County School District hopes to make all of its schools and centers wireless by the end of the year.

So far, 14 schools are completed, thanks to a SPLOST-funded technology project.

"We are pleased with the results so far of our aggressive technology plan," DeKalb Schools Chief Information Officer Gary Brantley said in a statement. "With their vote in support of SPLOST, the citizens of DeKalb County made a sound investment in their children's schools. Through this program, our students will learn in 21st century environments that reflect our changing needs."

As of Wednesday, DeKalb's wireless schools include Cedar Grove High, Chamblee Middle, Clarkston High, Coralwood School, International Student Center, Kittredge Magnet School, Lithonia High, Lithonia Middle, Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, Miller Grove High, Peachtree Charter Middle, Redan Middle, Tucker Middle and Warren Technical School.

DeKalb music official in running to lead FAMU marching band

DeKalb music official in running to lead FAMU marching band

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A DeKalb County Schools official is in the running to lead the famed marching band at Florida A&M University.

University officials say the search committee will meet Monday with two candidates for director of the Marching 100.

The two candidates are former Ohio University music professor Sylvester Young and Don Roberts, who is the instrumental music coordinator for DeKalb Schools.

In January, FAMU officials said they were starting over in their search for a new band director. They had planned to appoint Jorim Reid of North Carolina Central University, but they said Reid and the university disagreed over the duties of the band director.

The university changed the job following the hazing-related death of drum major Robert Champion.

Judge lets DeKalb school district drop from lawsuit

Judge lets DeKalb school district drop from lawsuit

ATLANTA -- A federal judge has granted a request from the DeKalb County school district to allow it to withdraw from a lawsuit against the state.

Last week, the district said it wished to withdraw, but that former board chairman Eugene Walker intends to continue the challenge.

The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of a law that allowed the governor to suspend six members of the nine-member school board after an accreditation agency put the district on probation.

DeKalb School District serves up 5 Million Meals campaign

DeKalb School District serves up 5 Million Meals campaign

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- Along with a few other districts, DeKalb County Schools has joined the 5 Million Meals Campaign to help get more local food in schools. 

An official of the DCSD said its nutritionn director, Joyce Wimberly made a pledge to support her local economy and farmers by raising the amount of local produce served to students through a farm to school program. By joining forces, DCSD won a Golden Radish Award. 

The 5 Million Meals Challenge was started in October 2012 by Georgia Organics and partners, with the goal of serving 5 million meals made with locally grown food to cafeterias across Georgia who serve kindergarten through twelfth grades. 

In 123 schools, DCSD served over 12 million lunches that included watermelon, apples, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and strawberries.