DeKalb’s school study is a starting point. We must shape what comes next.

For years, DeKalb has grappled with aging buildings, uneven enrollment patterns and the rising cost of maintaining underutilized facilities. The study simply puts those realities on the table. Our community deserves to fully understand the findings, the implications and the next steps.

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

Right now, this is the moment for families, educators, students and stakeholders to speak with clarity and constructive dialogue. It is not enough to say, “Keep all schools open.” We must engage together and have those conversations about the needs of each school cluster — transportation concerns, program impacts, feeder patterns, special education supports and the role each school plays in the fabric of its neighborhood.

The concerns raised so far are real and deserve acknowledgment. Research from the Urban Institute shows that school closures can increase travel times for students and disproportionately affect low‑income communities. A study from the University of Chicago Consortium highlights transitions must be carefully planned to avoid academic disruption. Communities across the country have learned that vacant school buildings, if not repurposed quickly, can become sources of blight.

But there is a positive story. DeKalb is proactively confronting long‑standing structural issues rather than allowing them to worsen. The district is inviting public input early, before decisions are made. That is not only responsible governance, it is an opportunity for residents to shape a stronger, more equitable future for our schools.

Community engagement, when done well, leads to better outcomes. Research from the Brookings Institution shows districts that incorporate robust public feedback create more sustainable and widely supported plans. When families participate, solutions become more creative, more responsive and more reflective of local needs.

As commissioner for Super District 7, I am committed to supporting residents through this process. My role is not to dictate outcomes but to help stabilize and strengthen the communities affected — whether that means advocating for safe transportation routes, supporting redevelopment of repurposed school sites or ensuring that county resources align with the needs of shifting school populations. Strong schools and strong neighborhoods go hand in hand, and the county must be an active partner in whatever comes next.

I also encourage residents to engage directly with the district’s outreach process. The district has created a central hub where families can review the study, attend community meetings and complete the official feedback survey: www.dekalbschoolsga.org/vision-2028. This is the most important step residents can take right now. Every voice matters, but only if it is heard through the channels that will shape the final plan.

We should approach this moment with both caution and optimism, because the impacts of closures or consolidations are significant and must be prioritized.

Behind every data point is a child, a parent and a family navigating real challenges. When optimism, transparency, data and community engagement are combined, it can lead to better schools, stronger neighborhoods and a more sustainable future for DeKalb County.

The district has opened the door. Now it is up to us to walk through it with purpose, clarity and a commitment to the well‑being of every child in our community.

LaDena Bolton represents District 7 on the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and was elected as the board’s 2026 deputy presiding officer.

If you have any thoughts about this item, or if you’re interested in writing an op-ed for the AJC’s education page, drop us a note at education@ajc.com.