ATLANTA — The Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution Monday night opposing proposals to create a city of Buckhead.
The resolution said that a proposed Buckhead City would “create significant uncertainties for the students, staff and families of Atlanta Public Schools.”
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
According to the resolution, the proposal could draw lines where students would be in the new Buckhead City but remain in APS. It also cited a potential annual loss of $250 million in school revenue.
“There is no mechanism in state law for APS to collect tax revenue from a city that is outside the City of Atlanta, making the continued operation of Buckhead City schools by APS financial untenable,” the resolution says.
RELATED STORIES:
- Buckhead City movement to deploy ‘anti-voter suppression’ teams to State Capitol
- Buckhead City movement leader apologizes for retweeting white nationalist group
- Mayor-elect says ‘separation is not the answer’ when it comes to Buckhead cityhood issue
The resolution lists several other issues, such as control of school buildings and the creation of a new Buckhead City school board, and concludes by saying the board “calls on the Georgia General Assembly to reject these proposals so the City of Atlanta and Atlanta Public Schools remain intact.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
After a few minutes of discussion, the board voted unanimously to pass the resolution.
Board member Jason Esteves said in a Twitter post, “The Atlanta Public School Board made it loud and clear this evening — keep Atlanta united.”
The Atlanta Public School Board made it loud and clear this evening—keep Atlanta united. #OneAtlanta
— Jason Esteves (@jasonesteves) February 8, 2022
This resolution passed unanimously. #atlpol pic.twitter.com/JNR7nyqbSS
Buckhead City CEO Bill White said he and other Buckhead residents want to break away from Atlanta because of their concerns about crime and not getting city service they believe they’re paying for.
©2022 Cox Media Group