What is the Student Assignment Project (SAP), why is DeKalb pursuing it, and why do we believe it's the wrong approach for our students and communities?
The Student Assignment Project (SAP) is DeKalb County School District's initiative to evaluate and "right-size" its school portfolio in response to declining enrollment, aging facilities, and budget pressures.
DCSD was built for roughly 110,000 students. Today it serves about 92,000 — with over 20,000 empty seats. In February 2026, Round 1 of the SAP proposed closing 30 school buildings. By Round 2 (March 2026), that list had shifted to approximately 30 schools across multiple clusters. A third round was expected in April 2026, with a final board vote anticipated in Fall 2026.
The process is being managed with help from HPM, an outside consulting firm, that parents have raised questions about. The project began under former superintendent Devon Horton, who was federally indicted on wire fraud charges in October 2025. Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce has continued the process, with a final board vote planned for Fall 2026 and implementation no sooner than Fall 2027.
We are not anti-change. We are pro-transparency, pro-community, and pro-children. The SAP as proposed fails on all three counts.
Board member Whitney McGinniss has stated that some of the data "has not been accurate and should be reassessed." Utilization formulas use capacity numbers that may not reflect current practical space needs — and enrollment trends in many schools were directly influenced by prior district boundary and program decisions.
Among the schools proposed for closure are DeKalb's highest-rated elementary schools — Vanderlyn (#39 in Georgia, #4 in DeKalb) and Ashford Park (#7 in DeKalb). Enrollment in many "underutilized" schools declined partly because of prior district decisions on boundaries, magnets, and deferred maintenance.
Round 1 was released Feb. 11, 2026, and generated immediate backlash from over 5,000 survey respondents and 8 community meetings. Board member Tiffany Hogan said at a board retreat: "I'm not on board. I don't agree with how we went about doing this." The process has been largely led by HPM, the consulting firm, rather than district leadership.
SAP committee member Kirk Lunde publicly asked: "Why are we not talking about the financial aspects of the student assignment project?" A candidate for board office called the financial approach "fiscally unsound and morally appalling," noting ESPLOST VII funds are already committed and only 1–2 new construction projects could be funded in the next cycle.
UPDATE: Does this plan disproportionately affect lower-income communities, communities of color, or specific geographic areas of DeKalb? If so, document and present that here.
The district has not presented compelling evidence that consolidation will improve student outcomes. The research on school consolidation at the elementary level is mixed at best — and the disruption costs are well-documented.
The SAP is built on metrics. Here's where we believe those metrics are misleading.
UPDATE: Explain how DCSD calculates utilization and where the formula is flawed. For example: are they using gross square footage or net instructional space? Are portable classrooms included or excluded? Are the capacity numbers updated?
UPDATE: Are DCSD's enrollment projections using accurate demographic models? Have they accounted for new residential development, changing neighborhood demographics, or the impact of their own boundary decisions on enrollment trends?
UPDATE: Has DCSD published a detailed, school-by-school cost-savings analysis? What assumptions are built into their savings projections? What one-time costs (capital improvements at receiving schools, transportation changes) are excluded?
UPDATE: What alternatives has the district not seriously evaluated? Could boundary adjustments solve utilization without closure? Could programmatic investments reverse enrollment decline? Were consolidations considered before closures?
UPDATE: When and how did DCSD announce the Student Assignment Project (SAP)?
DCSD releases initial scenarios proposing closures or changes to 30 school buildings, triggering widespread community backlash.
DCSD holds 8 community meetings; over 5,000 people submit survey feedback. Board members publicly question the process and data.
Parent groups across multiple clusters unite to coordinate advocacy, share data, and amplify community voices across all affected schools.
DCSD releases revised, cluster-specific proposals. The list shifts to approximately 30 schools with updated capital improvement details. Round 3 expected in April.
The Board of Education will vote on a final Student Assignment Plan. Any changes would take effect no sooner than Fall 2027. This is the window to make your voice heard.
Informed parents are the most powerful advocates. Share what you've learned and take action before the Board votes.