MES / Doraville / Huntley Hills Redistricting

FAQs on Current Redistricting:


  • Why is DeKalb redistricting people to different schools? Several schools are going through redistricting– you can read more on the DeKalb website. What is currently impacting us is the fact that Cary Reynolds and Dresden Elementary schools have been overcrowded for many years. The county built Doraville Elementary to help relieve these schools. It takes years to plan, fund and build new schools. From the time Doraville was planned until its opening in Fall of 2020, population and attendance rates have changed in all areas. DeKalb has a goal of optimizing utilization of each school and minimizing the number of portables.
  • What is DeKalb criteria for redistricting proposals? You can read a lot about DeKalb guidelines for redistricting on the DeKalb website. It is important to keep their criteria in mind because this is what they use to guide the redistricting maps.
  • What changed on the Maps from Round 2 to 3? In Round 2 of the redistricting process, DeKalb gave us two map options. Both maps took kids out of MES to Doraville United. As a community, we picked the least disruptive option that only moved 20 kids (all located in Sexton Woods) but we asked DeKalb to leave the 20 kids at MES. For Round 3, DeKalb came back with one option that moves 100 kids out of MES with the majority going to Huntley Hills (and 5 going to Doraville).
    • WINS since Round 2: We now have Peachtree industrial as a natural border and all kids are zoned to elementary schools that feed their cluster (Chamblee Middle School). Note that Doraville United is not part of the Chamblee Cluster.
    • LOSSES since Round 2: Sexton Woods neighborhood is being divided based on Chamblee/Brookhaven lines, Harts Mill is being divided not by geographic proximity to HH but Chamblee/Brookhaven lines, MES is experiencing significant disruption (many of the families being moved are on the PTA and very involved with the school--this will directly impact MES), 100 kids are being impacted.

DEKALB STAFF RECOMMENDED REDISTRICTING MAP PRESENTED 11/19:

The DeKalb County School Board (DCSB) is proposing to move all of "Area E" from MES to Huntley Hills (HH) Elementary.

ACTION ITEMS

Complete the below ACTION ITEMS:

1. Notify your neighbors - forward this website to neighbors who might not be aware , and send an email to (scottsherris@gmail.com) to let him know to add you to the email distribution list if you are not already on it!

2. Take the MES Redistricting Survey by Monday, December 2 at 5pm. (Even if you don't have kids!)

    • What is the purpose of the MES Survey? The survey was created in conjunction with Ashford Park and Huntley Hills, the other 2 elementary schools in our Chamblee Cluster. The school PACs/PTAs are trying to gauge how the community feels about moving to which school and your tolerance for the potential overcrowding at MES. These responses will help formulate the community response to the current redistricting map recommended by Staff.
    • How will the MES survey data be used? DCSB wants a community response from the cluster. The Montgomery, Ashford Park and Montgomery PAC/PTA will be collectively reviewing the data from all 3 school communities to formulate and support the Cluster response to DCSB regarding redistricting maps.
    • Who is receiving this survey? Montgomery, Huntley Hills and Ashford Park sent the same questions to their respective student body and surrounding community.
    • Who and Why should I bother completing the Cluster survey? It is critical that you make your voice heard so it is taken into consideration. Whether you have kids or not, you should still fill out the survey. If you are a resident in the Chamblee cluster, you get a vote! Make your voice heard!
    • When will I hear about the MES survey results? The results of this MES Survey will be discussed with each respective school community on 12/4 at a Town Hall Meeting. The MES Town Hall meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 4th at 7pm at the Keswick Building.
    • Is this the same as the DCSB survey due December 7? No, they are different! The MES survey is for our community to help shed light on what our next steps should be. We'll send out the link for the DSCB survey after the Town Hall meeting, so hold off until after 12/4. We want everybody to be on the same page when completing the DSCB survey.

3. Attend the Town Hall Community Meeting on Wednesday, December 4th at 7pm at the Keswick Building. The PAC will present the MES survey results and gather your feedback as we formulate the MES/Chamblee Cluster response to the Round 3 map.