Waters, Walden schools may close; public hearing Wednesday

By LAURA DIAMOND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/14/08

About 25 people attended a public hearing Tuesday on a plan to close an Atlanta elementary school, but a larger crowd is expected tonight at a meeting about closing a middle school.

Atlanta Public Schools proposed shutting down Waters Elementary and Walden Middle schools at the end of the school year because of declining enrollment after nearby housing projects closed.

The school board is scheduled to vote on the plan in June.

During Tuesday's hearing, Waters parents didn't oppose the proposal. They asked a few questions about transportation and course offerings at their kids' new schools.

The plan would send 149 Waters students to Dobbs Elementary and the remaining 61 children to Humphries Elementary. Both schools have room for more students.

Waters is projected to have 210 students in August, down from the 372 children who attended last school year.

Walden is projected to have 130 students, down from 274 .

The district's proposal would send all the Walden students to King Middle. A hearing on that plan begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the school, 320 Irwin Street NE, Atlanta.