Fulton County advances first reads to close two elementary schools; public hearings set for February

The Fulton County Board of Education on first reading accepted staff recommendations to close Park Lane Elementary and Spalding Drive Elementary and to redistrict affected students into neighboring schools, setting two public hearings in February before any final votes.

Tarika Peaks, the district's executive director of operational planning, said the Conley Hills replacement — a new 850-seat elementary — and underutilization at Park Lane and Spalding Drive motivated the proposals. “By consolidating and closing Park Lane Elementary, an aging school with declining enrollment, and redistricting its students to neighboring schools with available capacity, the district can optimize resources, reduce operational cost associated with maintaining older, less efficient buildings, and better meet students' educational needs,”…