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.”
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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.
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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.”
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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.”
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.
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