What’s Happening?
Understanding the proposed school closures in DeKalb County
DeKalb County Public Schools is advancing a plan, called the Student Assignment Project (SAP), that aims to close and consolidate more than 20 schools across the county, impacting thousands of students. This plan would significantly reshape the Lakeside school cluster, it currently proposes the closure of 3 Lakeside cluster elementary schools, including Henderson Mill Elementary School.
What’s Proposed for the Lakeside Community?
According to Phase 2 of the SAP plan:
Henderson Mill Elementary, Evansdale Elementary and Oak Grove Elementary are slated for closure
These schools are tentatively slated to combine with Hawthorne Elementary, Briarlake Elementary, and Sagamore Hills Elementary, making them into significantly larger schools
Attendance zones and daily transportation would be reshaped
In addition to our Lakeside school cluster, other nearby schools like Midvale Elementary and Brockett Elementary are also listed on the closures list.
Why People Are Concerned
Parents and community members are raising serious concerns about how these decisions are being made. Some concerns include:
There is no clear evidence that school closures save money nor that other alternatives have been legitimately explored to balance the school district’s budget
Data and facilities assessments by the hired construction management firm use questionable data and scoring methodology
The facilities first approach taken by the SAP team ignores communities, programs, academics and more
There have been no traffic, environmental or transportation studies released - particularly around the schools that would need to be expanded to accommodate closures
Plans could create mega elementary schools with 800+ students
What Happens Next?
DeKalb County School District is continuing to gather feedback and is expected to make a final recommendation to the Board of Education in late fall 2026, according to the school district’s SAP FAQs page.
Key decisions are still ahead but the timelines are moving very quickly.
If these proposed changes and the concerns surrounding them are alarming to you too, you are not alone. We invite you to explore our website, continue to stay informed about what’s happening and join us in saving our school, Henderson Mill Elementary, and the schools in our community.