DeKalb residents express concern about school district

DeKalb County residents concerned about the district's school board held a meeting on Tuesday.

The residents are anxious after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools placed DeKalb County Schools on probation through 2013. Homeowners gathered at the Hairston Crossing Library expressed fear about the possibility of property values tumbling.

"I think it'll be another Clayton County and you saw what happened there -- property values plummeted almost overnight," said Jim Jarboe a realtor with Realty Associated of Atlanta.

Jarboe says some clients have asked about what happens if DeKalb loses accreditation.  The SACS report says board members are divisive to the point of hurting students and operating in conflict and chaos. But so far most are taking a wait and see approach.

"There's no panic selling," Jarboe said.

Lisa Cameron, a parent and realtor from Clayton County, says communities are still reeling from the loss of accreditation which hit when the real estate market crashed. She advised DeKalb residents to take control.

"Make your leaders accountable. You can rebuild your school system the way you want it to be," said Cameron.
 
DeKalb resident Betsy Parks said she has started a petition asking the state Board of Education to recommend that the governor remove the entire school board.

FOX 5's George Franco did not get a response from the DeKalb County school district. In a recent letter posted on the district's website, Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson said the district is working to address the concerns.