As Atlanta’s suburbs become more racially diverse, they’re starting to see more minority representation on some suburban school boards. But even though some boards may start to better resemble the student population, new tensions are also cropping up.
What’s In a Name?
In Cobb County, about 63% of the students are non-white. That diversity isn’t quite reflected on the school board, which has three African American members and four white ones. Now, the board is confronted with social justice issues it hasn’t had to grapple with before.
For example, thousands of community members have petitioned the school district to rename some schools that glorify white supremacists. One is Wheeler High School, named after Confederate General Joseph Wheeler.
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