NO: Annexation creates more problems than solutions

The proponents for Druid Hills’ annexation to Atlanta have acted hastily and emotionally out of their frustration from the charter cluster denial by the DeKalb County school board. They have created a hideous plan that will be a train wreck for this community.

As a Druid Hills Middle School teacher and Druid Hills High School coach, I was a big supporter of the possibility of autonomy for the proposed DeKalb charter cluster. That charter was denied last year, but with the understanding we would continue to serve the same population of students that we now do.

New proposals will divide that traditional community and ultimately set us back 50 years as annexation boundaries segregate our diverse community. Roughly 80 percent of our current population would be excluded if annexation happens, based on the zoning maps annexation supporters have proposed for referendum.

The other 20 percent in the wealthier neighborhoods of our zone would attend a Druid Hills High that would be part of the new Atlanta Public Schools, along with Fernbank and Briar Vista. Our original cluster of seven would become one of three, with little consideration for how such actions would impact Druid Hills Middle, Avondale Elementary, McLendon Elementary and Laurel Ridge Elementary. All of this is set to roll for 2016-2017 if enacted — 1 ½ years from today.

Civic surveys conducted in potentially impacted neighborhoods show a polarized community on the issue of annexation or remaining part of unincorporated DeKalb. In fact, far more people strongly disagree with annexation.

A total of 250 people strongly disagree with the annexation option, 28 percent of the people surveyed. Only 243 people strongly support annexation; thus, the number strongly opposed outweighs the number in favor. In contrast, 168 people are strongly against remaining in unincorporated DeKalb, 19 percent of those surveyed. No clear majority has been statistically demonstrated to justify moving forward with annexation when one carefully analyzes the results of survey respondents.

I work at a school where 92 nationalities are present and would argue that our diversity is our biggest asset. I don’t think you can quantify what an advantage it is for our students early on to exist in a microcosm of what the world constitutes. It helps prepare them for our increasingly connected and complex global community as adults. This is precious, and we need to cherish the asset.

I care far more about serving our continuing population than having autonomy at the expense of losing our diversity. I philosophically can’t support people who are suggesting separation in our community. They are creating more problems than solutions.

Like many people surveyed in the neighborhoods, I hope we remain part of unincorporated DeKalb. I hope any ideas that support breaking up the original cluster of seven schools are revisited. I’d also argue that the dialogue needs to continue, and that targeting 2016-2017 for change is too soon. Cooler heads need to prevail, and more opinions need to be weighed on these crucial issues.

A mentor of mine loves to say that “adult issues should never interfere in the educating of children.” In this case, the politics of property values, business and public service shouldn’t come at the expense of our school district.