AJC Get Schooled

10/29/2025

Turning Point USA – the conservative student political activist organization founded by Charlie Kirk – saw a big uptick in interest after his assassination.

➡️ 31 new chapters started at Georgia's universities (up from 11)
➡️ Georgia State's existing chapter tripled it's membership
➡️ Nationwide, 90,000 students have joined, per Turning Point USA

Reporter Jason Armesto talked to young conservatives about what the surge in interest could mean for the country's political future.

Since Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 killing on a Utah college campus, Turning Point USA has seen a sharp rise in interest across the Peach State, according to chapter leaders.

10/28/2025

PSA: Early voting for the Nov. 4 elections ends this week. APS, City Schools of Decatur and Marietta City Schools all have school board seats on the ballot. https://tinyurl.com/3pfcjh3t
Gwinnett and Buford residents will vote on an E-SPLOST (one-cent sales tax) extension.
Remember, school board members decide how to spend your taxes!
Check your voter registration and polling locations here: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/

(Credit: Miguel Martinez)

10/24/2025

Is Morris Brown getting the band back together? 🥁 Maybe.

The famed Marching Wolverines were disbanded in 2003 after the private Atlanta HBCU lost its accreditation. But with its accreditation back and enrollment on the upswing, President Kevin E. James is dreaming of reinstating the famed band.

Reporter Jason Armesto explains what it would take to bring the band back: https://bit.ly/43AYPO1 🎷 For now, alumni performed during the school's homecoming festivities (pictured here) until a new generation can take up the mantle.

10/24/2025

DeKalb's Devon Horton pleaded not guilty yesterday to the 17 charges he's facing related to an alleged kickback scheme in his old job. In a statement to the AJC, his attorney said Horton is looking forward to addressing the case in court: “The truth is his leadership bettered the school system for the children and families of Evanston, just as he did in DeKalb County,” the attorney said.

Devon Horton has resigned from his role as DeKalb County superintendent, He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from his previous job in Illinois.

10/21/2025

This lawsuit offers the clearest picture so far of how a Georgia public school teacher was removed from the classroom for a post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk after he was shot and killed.

In this case, the Oglethorpe County teacher posted a direct quote from Kirk without commentary, according to the lawsuit. Then she replied to commenters by saying she doesn't condone what happened to Kirk, lamented gun violence and called him "a fascist full of hate for anyone who was different." The post was on her private page, made after work hours. Do you think she should be facing termination?

The high school English teacher says Oglethorpe County School System violated her First Amendment rights.

10/20/2025

The DeKalb County School District has seen a revolving door of superintendents since 2010. Nine people have served in the position — including one person who served twice. How far back can you remember?

The DeKalb County School District has had a revolving door of superintendents since 2010. Nine people have served in that position — including one person who served twice.

10/19/2025

"Absolutely unprecedented," "crisis," and "dire" are never words you want to hear describing a small school system's finances.

Dublin City Schools owes the state millions in unpaid healthcare costs and is facing a looming budget deficit that could force the small charter school system to consolidate with the county school district. State leaders agreed to dole out a cash advance last month so it could pay its employees.

Now, State School Superintendent Richard Woods is asking lawmakers to give the DOE more power when it comes to financial oversight. Reporter Cassidy Alexander explains what that may mean for Georgia schools.

Dublin City Schools is trying to come up with millions of dollars to cover unpaid state health benefits and cover a looming budget deficit.

10/18/2025

What is the big deal about "KPop Demon Hunters" right now?! Beth Collums has some ideas about your kids' dual desires to be famous and to be accepted 👉 https://bit.ly/4nOqV0q

10/17/2025

People have a lot to say about DeKalb County Schools, after Superintendent Devon Horton was indicted on federal charges related to financial crimes and resigned from his job (ICYMI: https://bit.ly/3WdLlUv)

🔍 Bill Torpy introduces you to "the man who told you so" about Horton. https://bit.ly/4hcI3ua
👀 Georgia Federation of Teachers President Verdaillia Turner explains why it's so important to hire the right leader. https://bit.ly/4hdTvWu
✍ And Former National PTA President Otha Thornton makes the case for making the acting superintendent in DeKalb permanent. https://bit.ly/3J9ObHc

What do you think DeKalb needs in its next schools chief?

10/17/2025

Fun Friday Fact: Almost 20% of high schoolers are “swiping right” on AI or know someone who has. A new survey from the Center for Democracy and Technology shows about 1 in 5 students say they or someone they know have had a romantic relationship with artificial intelligence. Also, 42% of respondents say they or someone they know have used AI for companionship.

Check out the survey here. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/8uy8nvx6
Tell us your thoughts below!

(Photo credit: Associated Press.)

10/16/2025

Barely a month before Superintendent Devon Horton was indicted on federal charges – including allegations that he misused his district-issued purchasing card – a report came out about the use of P-cards in the DeKalb County school system.

Auditors found a few instances of people in DeKalb spending over the daily and monthly limits or purchasing things from unapproved vendors. But overall, they were surprised at how "clean" the audit was.

As board member Allyson Gevertz put it in September: “This is really good news for us."

The audit found instances where people spent more than the daily limit and made unauthorized purchases.

10/15/2025

The City Schools of Decatur has joined the list of local districts considering school closures. The district will propose closing one of its five K-2 schools. 🏫 It's just not sure yet which one.

It's a common dilemma, as costs climb and enrollment shrinks for schools around the country. The Fulton County school district closed two schools last school year, to the disappointment of many families. Atlanta Public Schools are scheduled to vote on a consolidation plan in December. DeKalb County officials are having similar conversations.

"The decision has not yet been made," one CSD board member stressed this week. The district will be gathering community feedback and looking at the data over the next few months.

Share your thoughts below.

The City Schools of Decatur is considering closing an elementary school that serves children in kindergarten through second grade.