Education
{ Monday, January 23rd, 2012 }
Battle Of The Network Yard Signs
As noted in a previous post, there really is no issue that’ll rally a neighborhood quite as much as school redistricting. Superintendent Erroll Davis recently released a new letter of “guiding principles”, which will surely heighten anticipation throughout the City for what will come next. Since we may still be a few months away from a final decision, get used to more of the ubiquitous yard sign. You’ll be hard pressed to drive through certain intown neighborhoods without seeing one in front of every home…
{ Thursday, December 1st, 2011 }
Atlanta Public Schools Redistricting
If APS Superintendent Erroll Davis thought his phone rang a lot before, he has know idea what he's in for...
Hold on to your hat Atlanta. Things are about to get crazy.
On the heels of the cheating scandal that’s rocked the nation, City of Atlanta Public Schools announced earlier this week that they’ve begun to study citywide school redistricting.
Deep breaths. Don’t get too crazy. Yet.
From the horse’s mouth, here’s how APS introduced their initial report:
APS is in the beginning stages of an arduous undertaking and we need input from the community. No decisions have been made about the scenarios/options posted. In fact, the process will take place over the next few months and will conclude in March of next year.
See, everything is going to be ok!
Maybe, maybe not. There’s no bigger NIMBY issue than schools, and the public hearings on this issue are going to be B-A-N-A-N-A-S. I’m still pouring through the study maps and options- haven’t jumped to any conclusions yet, although it’s looking like some very familiar intown neighborhoods could potentially see some fairly dramatic changes.
Like I said, deep breaths people. Deep breaths.
The Relevant Linkage
APS Demographic Study Home Page
APS Capacity Study (essential background information)
APS Scenarios and Options Summary (aka the meat and potatoes)
Option Maps (aka the meat and potatoes in color coded maps)
{ Friday, November 11th, 2011 }
The Ultimate Metro Atlanta Public School Finder
If you’ve visited this site more than a handful of times, you’ve probably read a reference or two to school districts. It’s not that I’m obsessed with schools, but working in residential real estate, it’s hard to separate a home from it’s surroundings. School district plays a large part in determining a home’s value, whether you’ve got kids in school or not – and that’s not just an Atlanta thing.
Every listing is marketed with school information, including Elementary, Middle and High School. While home sellers – or their agents- do their best to fill out the information accurately, it’s not always correct. Why? Some folks, surprisingly, have no idea, so they guess. Others have no idea that they’ve been redistricted.
Often times, home buyers take this information for granted. But you shouldn’t. The resources are out there and it’s easy to do. Without further ado, I present a one stop-shop for all of you folks looking to confirm your home’s (or future home’s) school district:
Atlanta Public Schools Locator
City of Decatur Schools Enrollment Map
Gwinnett County School Attendance Zones
{ Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 }
Six Relatively Important Letters: SPLOST
This is a voting booth. Next Tuesday, you should get to know one.
While you’re probably overwhelmed with just figuring out how you’ll recover from the Kardashian divorce, get ready to deal with a bigger issue: To SPLOST, or not to SPLOST.
SPLOST – which stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax – is an opportunity for local communities to levy a one cent sales tax to fund “special purposes.” If you were looking to build schools, fix a decrepit sewer system, or fund a once-in-a-generation transportation system overhaul without raising property taxes… SPLOST is for you!
There are passionate voices on both sides of the debate. There’s obviously a certain level of NIMBYism going on- if you’re neighborhood is set to benefit from the construction of a new school, it’s safe to say that you’re going to vote “yes.” Do yourself a favor- learn more about the issue, and vote next Tuesday, November 8 to vote. As a bonus, you’ll also get to vote on Sunday alcohol sales!
{ Friday, October 21st, 2011 }
Going Back To School
Please excuse the recent lack of activity. Like Rodney Dangerfield in the 1986 comedy classic “Back to School“, I’m spending some time in the classroom these days. I’ve decided to upgrade my real estate license. A month or so from now, if all goes according to plan, I’ll have my Broker’s License.
Unlike Dangerfield’s character, Thronton Melon, I will not need to execute the Triple Lindy. I will, however, emerge as a wiser, more accomplished real estate professional.
