
FEBRUARY 11th CALL TO ACTION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11th
North Learning Center
450 Northridge Parkway
Sandy Springs, GA 30350
What to Expect
We are so glad you plan to join us at the meeting! Our presence MATTERS.
What to Expect at the February 11, 2025 Public Hearing
Event Details
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Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
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Time: Arrival recommended by 5:30 PM
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Location: 450 Northridge Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30350, USA
Timeline
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5:30 PM: Attendees arrive and check in.
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6:00 PM: Public comments are expected to begin.
Speaking Arrangements
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Everyone who wishes to speak is encouraged to participate.
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Order of Speakers:
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We will try to prioritize the main Board room for speakers first.
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Speakers will rotate out of the room after giving their remarks, allowing other community members to take their place.
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Comments:
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Each speaker will have 2 minutes to address the Board.
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You'll need to state your name and your address at the beginning of your speech.
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Your speech will be timed, and at the end of two minutes, you'll be asked to stop.
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You will likely speak from the podium, but we have not confirmed this yet.
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Overflow Rooms
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Availability: At least one overflow room is confirmed, with a second room in progress.
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Enhanced Experience: We are working with FCS staff to ensure improved technology for sound and visuals in the overflow rooms.
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Light Dinner Provided: Complimentary refreshments will be available in the overflow room, including:
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Chick-fil-A Nuggets
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Fresh Fruit
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Cookies
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Preparation Tips
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Arrive by 5:30 PM to secure your seat and organize your thoughts.
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Prepare concise comments that fit within the 2-minute speaking limit.
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Be patient, as the Board may choose to break public comments into segments.
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We want you to share YOUR voice and YOUR story - you do NOT have to use any of the ideas below, but just in case you need something to get started, see the table below. DON'T FORGET - you can say anything you'd like (within reason) but...
PLEASE END WITH
"Use us. Don't lose us."
​​​​​Here are some ideas to consider if you are looking for help:
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Family ties, children’s safety, academic growth.
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Love for teachers, friendships, and school pride.
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Spalding as a neighborhood hub and vital community center.
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Discrepancies in enrollment projections, FCA scores, and financial assumptions​​.
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High performance metrics, TAG and special needs support, 94th percentile ranking​​.
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True “Good” FCA score, recent $2.2M in renovations​​.
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$58.7M economic output, 151 jobs, $50.7M in earnings over 5 years​.
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Property values, public perception of district quality, local revenue impacts​.
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Commute times increase 282%-513%, unsafe intersections near new schools​.
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Added costs, longer commutes, more traffic congestion​.
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12% growth, Pre-K waitlist of 100+, 125+ kids under age 5 in the zone​​.
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The community's current potential influence on ESPLost renewal​.
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Open enrollment's unknown impacts on district stability​​​.
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Current policy disproportionately impacts small, high-performing schools​.
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Schools as economic drivers, community hubs, and quality indicators​​.
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Add quality metrics to efficiency calculations​.
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Stepping back and taking time allows for better, transparent planning​.
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Rising private school enrollments linked to public school closures​.
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Spalding as a model for FCS success; leveraging parents for marketing​​.
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Spalding’s renovations funded by taxpayer-supported ESPLost​​.
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Lack of cost-benefit analysis and financial specifics​​.
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3,000+ new housing units expected in the area​​.
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Spalding Drive offers stability for families amidst a post-COVID recovery​​.
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Disruption would negatively impact the 19% of Spalding students with disabilities​.
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Students reassigned would face up to 500+% longer commutes​.
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Like hospitals, closing schools destroys vital community infrastructure​.
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Increased transportation costs, longer bus routes​​.
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Closing Spalding would lower nearby property values​.
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Spalding outperforms 93% of comparable schools despite its small size​.
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Update policies to reflect the value of small, high ROI schools like Spalding​.
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Redistribution of students disrupts cultures at nearby schools​.
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Closing Spalding weakens the feeder pipeline to North Springs High​.
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Over 100 kids under age 5 are ready to join Spalding​.
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Closing Spalding discourages parents from staying in FCS​​.
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Spalding fosters diversity and inclusivity in education​.
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Closing Spalding risks creating inefficiencies in the future​​.
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Spalding’s enrollment pipeline is growing, with demand for early education​.
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Create a community-led process to develop smarter solutions​.
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Highlight Spalding as a symbol of public school excellence​​.
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Spalding contributes to broader regional growth​.
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Students, families, and teachers face unnecessary stress​.
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Closing Spalding sets a dangerous precedent for high-performing schools​.
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Community organization and advocacy critical to ESPLost renewal success.
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Closing Spalding discourages parents from staying in FCS, risking increased private school enrollment.
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Spalding’s growing early education demand signals a sustainable enrollment pipeline.
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A collaborative, community-led process leads to smarter, transparent decisions.
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Add quality measures alongside cost considerations to redefine school efficiency.
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Highlight Spalding as a symbol of FCS excellence to inspire public trust in education.
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Increased bussing requirements would drive higher operational costs.
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Efficiency isn’t just cutting costs; it’s improving quality. Closing Spalding sacrifices trust and excellence.
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Closing Spalding reduces trust in Fulton County Schools, pushing families toward private schools and worsening capacity issues.
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Fulton doesn’t have a capacity issue—it has an issue with attracting and retaining families in public schools.
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Special needs students face higher risks of regression, leading to greater future educational costs.
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Schools like Spalding provide more than their replacement value, much like historic churches that endure in despite high costs to maintain.
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The cost/benefit analysis to keep Spalding open should include its total value to the community, not just maintenance expenses and replacement value
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Schools don’t operate for profit; their “profit” is quality education and thriving students.
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Like historic landmarks, Spalding symbolizes community resilience and continuity, creating pride and identity.
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Keeping Spalding demonstrates leadership in valuing quality education and innovative problem-solving.
Talking Points
DOs and DON'Ts
Do’s
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Arrive Early
Plan to arrive by 5:30 PM to check in, find a seat, and get organized before public comments begin. -
Wear Your “Save Spalding” Shirts
Show your unity and support by wearing your “Save Spalding” shirt. If you don’t have one, please contact contact@savesde.com to get yours. -
Prepare Your Comments
Keep your remarks clear, concise, and impactful. You’ll have 2 minutes to speak, so rehearse in advance to stay on point. -
Bring Your Children
This is a valuable opportunity to show them how advocacy works and to inspire civic engagement at a young age. -
Be Respectful
Remember, we are working to convince the Board, not fight against them. Many members are already leaning in our favor. Disrespect or hostility could harm our cause. Focus on constructive, positive messages to reinforce our shared goals. -
Support Fellow Speakers
Acknowledge and encourage other community members who speak. Unified voices demonstrate the strength of our collective commitment. -
Stay Flexible
Be prepared for changes in the schedule or public comment process. Patience and adaptability are key. -
Follow All Guidelines
Adhere to instructions provided by the Board or staff to maintain a productive and orderly meeting.
Don’ts
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Don’t Overrun Your Time
The 2-minute speaking limit is firm. Practice beforehand to ensure your remarks fit within the timeframe. -
Don't Disparage Other Schools
Many members of the SaveSDE community come from other schools, and we should strive to make everyone feel included and valued. Disparaging another school not only risks alienating our supporters but also reflects poorly on our efforts.​​
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Don’t Be Disrespectful and Don't Use Profanity
Avoid any language or behavior that could alienate Board members. We are advocating against the staff recommendation, not the Board itself. Treat them as potential allies and focus on collaboration. -
Don’t Disrupt the Meeting
Refrain from interrupting speakers, the Board, or staff. Maintain professionalism to keep the focus on our message. -
Don’t Forget Essentials
Bring your prepared comments, water, and any other items you might need to stay comfortable and engaged throughout the meeting. -
Don’t Be Discouraged
Advocacy is about persistence. Whether you speak or simply show your support through attendance, your voice is vital to this effort.
Children Are Welcome
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This is a great opportunity for children to learn about advocacy and how their voice can make a difference.
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Children are encouraged to attend and are welcome, though not required, to speak. Their presence helps demonstrate the strong community support for Spalding Drive Elementary.
For Children Who Wish to Speak
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Encourage Them to Share: Help them express what they love about Spalding in their own words. Their honest and heartfelt opinions carry weight.
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Reassure Them: Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous. If they forget what they want to say or stumble, nobody will mind—everyone is there to support them.
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Prepare Ahead: Work with your child to write their comments down in case they get nervous or can’t remember.
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Practice Makes Perfect: Practicing at home can help build confidence before the big day.
For Children Attending but Not Speaking
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Feel free to bring them along to observe and experience the process.
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Refreshments Available: Light snacks (Chick-fil-A nuggets, fruit, cookies) will be provided in the overflow room if needed.
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Bring Activities: Consider bringing coloring books, small games, or other activities to keep your child entertained during the meeting.
Child Engagement

