Parents object to Atlanta school merger at public hearing

Sharon Gadson speaks at a hearing about merging two Atlanta elementary schools. She's raising her granddaughter, who attends a school scheduled to close. (screenshot)

Atlanta Public Schools officials are considering merging two elementary schools. The district has proposed closing Thomasville Heights Elementary in southeast Atlanta at the end of this school year due to the expected demolition of the nearby Forest Cove apartment complex. Thomasville students would attend Slater Elementary, just a few miles away.

Both schools are managed by a nonprofit called Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. The organization has a ten-year contract with APS as part of a turnaround strategy started under former Superintendent Meria Carstarphen.

The school board held a public hearing Monday to get feedback from the community.