DeKalb County parents raise concerns over proposed school closures

Families worry about impact on neighborhoods and property values as district considers reducing high schools and consolidating campuses

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

DeKalb County school district is considering a series of scenarios that could reduce high schools and close or consolidate dozens of campuses due to declining enrollment. While officials say no decisions have been made, some parents are concerned about the potential impact on their neighborhoods, including property values and the loss of community anchors like long-standing elementary schools.

Why it matters

The proposed school closures in DeKalb County have raised concerns among parents about the broader impact on their communities beyond just where their children attend school. Families worry that shuttered campuses could become eyesores, hurt property values, and diminish the sense of community in neighborhoods that have long relied on local schools.

The details

The district says declining enrollment has left about 18,000 empty seats across the county, and by 2030 it could have the equivalent of four high schools' worth of empty seats. One scenario being considered would reduce the size of three high schools and close or convert dozens of campuses. While officials say they are not looking at factors like school performance or income levels, parents like Robynne Lopez are worried about the fate of long-standing elementary schools that have been community anchors for generations.

  • The first community meeting on the proposed school closures was held on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • An in-person meeting took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2026 at Cedar Grove High School.
  • Additional community meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2026 and Thursday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Robynne Lopez

A parent who attended Redan Elementary School and whose daughter currently attends a DeKalb high school that is expected to stay open, but who lives near Redan Elementary which may be closed.

Jennifer Caracciolo

The deputy chief communications officer of DeKalb County Schools, who stated that the district is not looking at factors like school performance or income levels in considering the proposed closures, and that any changes would not be implemented until the 2027-2028 school year.

DeKalb County Schools

The school district that is considering a series of scenarios to reduce high schools and close or consolidate dozens of campuses due to declining enrollment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We want to make sure that what they're doing is going to be safe for the community, isn't going to bring down property values, isn't going to become an eyesore, just isn't going to be a deterrent for our communities in and of themselves.”

— Robynne Lopez, Parent (CBS News Atlanta)

“At this phase, it is totally about buildings. We did not look at data such as that. We are only looking at things like where our student population is, where it will be in the future.”

— Jennifer Caracciolo, Deputy Chief Communications Officer, DeKalb County Schools (CBS News Atlanta)

What’s next

The next community meetings on the proposed school closures are scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2026 with a virtual session at noon and an in-person meeting at 6 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, and Thursday, February 27, 2026 with a virtual meeting at noon and an in-person one at 6 p.m. at Cross Keys High School.

The takeaway

The proposed school closures in DeKalb County have raised concerns among parents about the broader impact on their communities, with families worried that shuttered campuses could hurt property values, diminish the sense of community, and lead to abandoned buildings in their neighborhoods. While the district says it is focused solely on buildings and enrollment numbers, parents want assurances that the changes will not negatively affect the character and stability of their communities.