Dear Pine Hills Neighbors,

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is moving forward with a comprehensive facilities and redistricting plan (see plan here) that would significantly impact Sara Smith Elementary Schools, Sutton Middle Schools, and North Atlanta High School.  Per public information, these changes could negatively impact many Pine Hills families and our Pine Hills property values.  The deadline for public comments is fast approaching.  PHNA strongly encourages you to write to the current APS School Board to express your concerns. APS intends to finalize its recommendations by this November and adopt the final plan by December.   Below are email addresses of the current APS School Board Members.  Also below are talking points you can use, in your own words, for your email or letter.  A strong school system is essential to our Pine Hills community and its character.  Please Act Now!

Where to send your letter/email:

APS Board Chair Erika Mitchell   erika.mitchell@atlanta.k12.ga.us 

APS Board Vice Chair Jennifer McDonald  jennifer.mcdonald@atlanta.k12.ga.us 

APS Board Member Katie Howard   katie.howard@atlanta.k12.ga.us 

APS Board Member Aretta Baldon  aretta.baldon@atlanta.k12.ga.us 

APS Board Member Ken Zeff   ken.zeff@atlanta.k12.ga.us  

APS Board Member Tolton Pace  tolton.pace@atlanta.k12.ga.us

APS Board Member Shivy Brooks  shivy.brooks@atlanta.k12.ga.us

APS Board Member Cynthia Briscoe Brown  cbriscoe_brown@atlanta.k12.ga.us

APS Board Member Jessica Johnson  jesdjohnson@atlanta.k12.ga.us

APS Superintendent Johnson  bryan.johnson@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Consultant to APS:  Mr. Tracy Richter  trichter@hpmleadership.com

2025 Board Comments  boardcomments@atlantapublicschools.us

Talking Points for your email/letter:

Overarching Message: These decisions are too important to rush. The community deserves more time, more data, and a transparent process before any redistricting changes are made.

 What We Don’t Want:

1. No rushed decisions. The public must have adequate time to review, understand, and weigh in.
2. No unnecessary redistricting. North Atlanta Cluster schools are already high-performing—don’t disrupt what works.
3. No changes without data. School zones should only be changed as a last resort, after a thorough, transparent, and data-driven process.
4. No forced disruption. APS’s own consultant indicates that changes in our cluster yield only minimal improvements in utilization and cost compared to the district overall.
5. Don’t sell APS property. We need flexibility to handle future swings in enrollment, economic changes, and the impact of private schools.
6. Don’t collapse dual campuses. Repurposing schools for traffic-heavy alternative uses disrupts neighborhoods.
7. Don’t put kindergarteners with middle schoolers. Keep elementary schools K–5 for safety, age-appropriate learning, and community stability.  Maintain our separate 6th-grade campus. 

 What We Do Want:

1. Maintain existing boundaries. Keep current zones unless truly necessary and justified by long-term data.
2. Community review. Keep facilities “as is” until enrollment projections are carefully reviewed with public input.
3. Better data collection. Continue monitoring enrollment trends, state funding impacts, and private school shifts.
4. Strategic investment. Direct targeted funds to where they’re most needed (Sutton Main, NAHS, Smith Primary, etc.), based on long-term needs.
5. Protect APS property for education. If properties are repurposed, keep them for the betterment of education—not disruptive outside uses like health clinics, affordable housing, or community centers.
6. Support teachers. Rebuild faith by assuring teachers they are needed and valued now more than ever.
7. Restore trust. Focus on rebuilding confidence in North Atlanta schools, which was undermined in recent years.
8. Ongoing outreach. Encourage tactical engagement with APS leadership, consultants, and school board members/candidates to reinforce these messages.

APS School Board Candidate Forum

Additionally, the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods will host Atlanta Public Schools School Board Candidates running for District 4 and At-Large District 8 in the upcoming November election on Thursday, September 11, 2025, 6:45 – 8:15 PM at the Piedmont Center Auditorium, Building 14, 2525 Piedmont RD NE.  You can attend in-person or via Zoom. You will need to register in advance:  CANDIDATE FORUM REGISTRATION.  Get to know the candidates, be informed, and make your vote count!