President Victoria Seals introduced Ms. Aretta Baldon, of the Atlanta Board of Education elected in 2019 to represent District 2 on the Atlanta Board of Education and an honorary AWER member since January 2024. A Spelman graduate and Washington Park resident for more than 20 years, Aretta has long been a leader in education and community service. She is the founder of Atlanta Thrive, a parent-led movement to empower families to influence educational outcomes, and she continues to operate a monthly food pantry in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Beyond her board service, she is active with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Providence Missionary Baptist Church, bringing her commitment to service into every sphere of her life.

Aretta opened her remarks by describing APS’s current “math problem”: a system with 70,000 seats but only 50,000 students enrolled. This imbalance not only stretches resources but also affects funding, since the state withholds full funding from schools under 450 students. APS has been covering deficits from reserves, but this is unsustainable. NO decisions have been made by the board on school closures; however, closing some schools is a near certainty.

Consolidation scenarios are now being considered, which could include repurposing M. Agnes Jones Elementary, a long time AWER partner school. It is under consider for closure, as are elementary schools in each of the APS's nine clusters.  Each APS cluster has a high school, middle school(s), and several elementary schools.

M. Agnes Jones elementary is a community or STEM-focused facility. If closure occurred, its students would be disbursed to other schools in the cluster. The Washington Cluster is anchored by Booker T. Washington High School.  Aretta assured members that Washington High School - despite serious under-enrollment - will not be considered for closure. In fact, APS has invested in facility upgrades (including a new field, field houses, bleachers, and theater lighting) and continues to expand early college programs, which already serve 25 percent of Washington’s students.

Aretta stressed, however, that no final school closing decisions have been made, and that APS is committed to robust community engagement before moving forward.

The conversation also explored APS’s relationship with charter schools, which enroll about 10 percent of students in the district. While outcomes are similar to traditional schools, charters have been more effective at marketing to gain student enrollment. To compete, APS is enhancing its offerings with new career and technical pathways, including programs in renewable energy, sustainability, and the film industry, along with expanded arts opportunities.

Aretta announced that she will not seek reelection at the end of her term. Three candidates — Stephen Owens, Tony Mitchell, and Melissa Crawford — have already qualified for the District 2 seat. Reflecting back on her tenure, she underscored that the most important factor in student success remains parental involvement, noting that “children learn what they live.” Schools can provide structure and resources, but parents and caregivers instill the values and priorities that shape educational outcomes.

— Neil Shorthouse, Keyway Speaker Reporter