Comments on: Medlock and 13 Other DeKalb Schools Could Close

By: shacadu

shacadu — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:23:18 +0000

I agree with some of the previous posters, having an IB program is a big asset to a school system and the families it serves.

I saw Medlock was on the list again. It’s a great little community school and I would hate to see it close. It’s the smallest in the district so I understand the reasoning but I still personally would like to see it stay open. I know a lot of folks moved into the neighborhood because of the draw of a neighborhood school.

Also I noted on the clairmontheights.org website there is a community meeting tomorrow (the 6th) at 6:30 to discuss.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:46:04 +0000

IB is worth it, even if some schools close.

Better to have 15 great schools with IB and longer commutes than 27 schools and half of them be mediocre with less resources and limited matching funds.

By: karass

karass — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:46:42 +0000

Can you explain more? Do you mean that there’s costs beyond the salary cost of IB coordinators? Wouldn’t they probably be instructional coaches or something else like that if IB were gone? Or do we pay for an IB license or something like that? What’s the cost?

By: sarahph

sarahph — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:08:24 +0000

They aren’t the only school district that does that… I know of one right here in Decatur.

BTW, just for kicks ..anyone know exactly how much IB costs CSD? Maybe it’s a great thing and worth every penny but I don’t think most people are aware of the annual and origination costs to have the “IB” label.

By: DEM

DEM — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:07:49 +0000

This year, cash-strapped DeKalb has paid consultants MGT of America $400,000 to arrive at the same conclusion: many South DeKalb schools would have to close due to under-enrollment.

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“Cash-strapped DeKalb” seems to write an awful lot of large checks to consultants and administrators.