Big annexation fight brewing between Atlanta vs. South Fulton (Sandy Springs: 2015, houses)

[demonta4]

Big annexation fight brewing between Atlanta vs. South Fulton

The fight between unincorporated South Fulton County and the city of Atlanta has already gotten ugly.

There have been accusations of back room deals, deceptive annexation maps, false promises, and now a lawsuit filed by the city to try and take a lucrative stretch of South Fulton's territory.

The Fulton Industrial Boulevard district generates millions of dollars for the south side. The city's lawsuit wants to take it all in the annexation, if it goes through. But some, including some elected officials, believe it won't stop there. They believe the city is also trying to -- for lack of a better word -- "steal" several Fulton County schools.

The fight could leave more than five thousand students in limbo, as one parent put it, sending them to one school in August only to change schools over the Christmas break.

"The people who are talking to you from the city of Atlanta, comparing our schools to their schools… there's no comparison!"

That was just one of the remarks from angry parents who gathered at Westlake High School in South Fulton County. More than 500 showed up to forge a plan to block any effort by the city of Atlanta to annex their communities; especially if it means their kids will be uprooted from their local schools.

"Let's say your child is at a Fulton County charter school," posited parent Aaron Johnson. "Your child is out; a lot of people don't get that. They think that they're just going to stay at the schools you're in."

The parents say, with many south Atlanta schools under-performing, their children would be immediately at risk academically.

"We do not want our children in that kind of environment," said another resident. "That's the message we should send to Mayor Reed. We do not want our children in that kind of environment."

Local lawmakers like LaDawn Jones say the city's annexation push is designed to sabotage South Fulton's shot at becoming it's own city. And with 90-thousand people, it would be the size of Sandy Springs.

"So we're paying taxes like all the other cities," she told the crowd. "But when it's time to get it back… we're giving ours up."

The city's bill to annex unincorporated South Fulton was introduced in the final days of the legislature by a lawmaker from Midtown, not South Fulton or even South Atlanta. That perceived breach in protocol aside, even if it passes, there will still be a referendum.

That's when residents say their voices will be heard.

[demonta4]

I can understand why South Fulton residents wouldn't want Atlanta annexation. They're children would have to go to poor performing APS schools, unless Fulton hands Westlake over to Atlanta. (Which we all know won't happen)

[Clayton white guy]

I am assuming that this would mean Mays High School or Therell High. I know that Mays is not quite as lauded as it was in years past, but it is more comparable to West Lake; D.L. Therell, not even in the same league, forget about ball park.

[Larry X]

I would imagine Fredrick Douglas is an option also?

[cwkimbro]

It is alarming if this is a property grab. Atlanta is by far the school system with the most money around! They also have fewer students.

However, I think the Fulton Industrial needs to remain unincorporated. There are just certain types of businesses that will drift away if costs (taxes) increase. Those are the types. We want to keep the area economically viable and attract employments nearby. It is partially why Fulton Industrial became what it was. It is near the city, but it maintains lower costs for some lower-rent businesses that demand it. They happen to generate many jobs, though.

[Clayton white guy]

Douglass(two s's ;0)) would be in the mix perhaps through rezoning (they say it is underutilized since Coretta Scott King and Best Academies opened) The thing is Douglass's district is more adjacent to the Fulton Industrial district where you have lots of industry and warehouses and few people. Mays and Therell are more adjacent to the populated residential (and in many cases upscale residential) areas.

[bu2]

Note: this report is from March. That bill did not pass.

Now the issue is by no means finished. It will come up again next year. And Atlanta is trying to annex a couple of neighborhoods by petition in the interim.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by bu2

Note: this report is from March. That bill did not pass.

Amazing how people don't check the date of stories before they post them.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by bu2

Note: this report is from March. That bill did not pass.

Now the issue is by no means finished. It will come up again next year. And Atlanta is trying to annex a couple of neighborhoods by petition in the interim.

You're right. I was thinking it was posted May 20, sorry. But the issue with schools are still relevant for next year.

[LovelySummer]

I have heard that the Atlanta plan did not discuss schools in writing at all.

Nobody really knows what would happen. How can Atlanta proposition South Fulton and not explain what would happen with the schools? Isn't that an important part of the equation.

Apparently, the issue is that they might take the fulton schools near the boundary line and close them and stuff the kids into existing APS elementary - high school classes. That or leave the Fulton schools altogether and just send the kids to APS schools. Apparently, Therrell is the school that would replace Westlake. That would be a lose, I would say, for the South Fulton parents. I think Therrell is supposedly not very desirable.

What a mess.

On the flip side, if they don't go with Atlanta, they might get sucked into the new city and who knows what the heck that would bring. Too bad they won't be allowed to just stay unincorporated Fulton County.

Originally Posted by demonta4

You're right. I was thinking it was posted May 20, sorry. But the issue with schools are still relevant for next year.