New Kroger store passes hurdles at planning session
► PAGE 6
Dunwoody defers vape shop ban, extends moratorium
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council backed off a proposed ordinance to ban vape shops in the city at its May 11 meeting.
The council opted instead to extend its moratorium on new vape shops through Aug. 10.
Dunwoody is one of many cities in metro Atlanta trying to determine how to deal with the influx of vape shops. Georgia law makes it illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 21. But some city officials worry these shops market specifically to young people with shiny packaging and fruity flavors.
The proposed ordinance defines “vape shops” as stores with vapes
District overhauls method to decide school closures
By JIM BASS jim@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. —
The DeKalb County School District is overhauling its Student Assignment Project that was initially slated to close dozens of schools.
The overhaul, first discussed at the Student Assignment Project Committee meeting on April 29 and reported by Decaturish on April 30, received an official district announcement on May 5. The project will now focus on cluster-based community engagement.
The decision follows more than 10,000 community
feedback submissions, with the majority of submissions opposing school closures.
The closure and redistricting effort is due to a significant enrollment decline seen broadly across metro Atlanta. With 110,000 seats and about 90,000 students, the district is trying to become more fiscally efficient by balancing buildings, boundaries and programs.
“We learned that the process felt too top-down,”
DeKalb Schools Interim
Superintendent Norman Sauce said in a video update about the SAP process.
See OVERHAUL, Page 10
making up 25 percent of their floor space and accounting for 25 percent of their revenue. They would be prohibited from all zoning districts in the city, effectively banning them citywide. Council members seemed confused about what the proposed ordinance would do.
See BAN, Page 9
Schools Interim Superintendent
discusses updates to the Student Assignment Project at a joint meeting with the DeKalb Board of Commissioners on May
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at the Brook Run Park Veterans Memorial, 4770 N. Peachtree Road.
The public ceremony is hosted by Dunwoody Parks and Recreation with support from the Dunwoody/Sandy Springs VFW Post 10822 and Dunwoody Woman’s Club.
“Memorial Day is a special time to honor the brave veterans who went into harm’s way, making the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said retired Lt. Col. Thomas W. Ariail, commander of VFW Post 10822. “This ceremony offers us a chance to come together as a community, not only in remembrance, but also to ensure their legacy lives on.”
The keynote speaker will be Dunwoody City Councilwoman Catherine Lautenbacher, who served four years in the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer for a C-130 unit. Lautenbacher grew up in a Navy family and attended Boston University on a full ROTC scholarship, earning a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. She later received her MBA at UNC Charlotte.
Other speakers include: • Mayor Lynn Deutsch, who will deliver the welcome.
JIM BASS/APPEN MEDIA
DeKalb
Norman Sauce
4.
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Police charge suspect in domestic assault case
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs Police arrested a suspect May 13 after an alleged domestic assault at the Glen Lake Apartments.
Dennis Carter, 33, is charged with false imprisonment, simple battery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and reckless conduct, Sgt. Giovanni Gomez, spokesperson for the department, said in a news release.
Police received a 911 call from a
woman at 6831 Glenlake Pkwy. just after 8 a.m. who said she had been assaulted by Carter, the father of her child, Gomez said.
When officers arrived on the scene, they learned Carter had returned to his apartment and barricaded himself inside. As officers approached the apartment, they heard what they believed to be gunshots coming from within the residence., Gomez said. Officers
immediately withdrew from the area and began evacuating nearby apartments as a precaution.
"Sandy Springs Police negotiators established communication with Mr. Carter and were ultimately able to convince him to surrender peacefully without incident," Gomez said.
The investigation remains active and more charges are possible, he said.
— Dyana Bagby
Police charge man for TikTok prank
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Police arrested a man who entered the Sandy Springs Church of Scientology building and sprinted through as part of a TikTok trend, according to authorities.
Jackson Sensing, 20, was arrested May 13. Sandy Springs Police said Sensing unlawfully entered the Church of Scientology at 5395 Roswell Road on April 29.
Sensing was with other several other individuals “participating in a social media trend known as
POLICE BLOTTER
All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
Vehicle goes airborne on Alpharetta Street
ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell woman was airlifted to North Fulton Hospital May 3 after her car hit a median on Alpharetta Street, went airborne and struck a building farther down the road. She was dealing with back pain and
‘Scientology Speedrunning,’” the department said in a social media post.
“The trend involves individuals unlawfully entering Church of Scientology facilities and recording themselves running through the building to see how far they can make it before being confronted or escorted out by security,” according to police.
Sandy Springs Police said its investigation revealed that Sensing and several unidentified males entered the property without authorization
a head laceration after the crash. She was later life flighted to Kennestone Hospital in critical condition.
According to witnesses, the blue Volkswagen Beetle was leaving the scene of a hit and run at the intersection of Oak Street and Bush Street that was allegedly caused by the female driver. The car fled north on Ga. 9, and the driver lost control of the vehicle before the intersection with Woodstock Street.
The car hit a power control box that steered it through the landscape area of a business and into the center median of Liberty Square. The crash sent the car into the air before it hit a building on Alpharetta Street.
Police observed tire and scrub marks
while participating in the trend.
Sensing is charged with disorderly conduct.
“While some social media challenges may appear harmless online, unlawfully entering private property can lead to criminal charges and create unnecessary safety concerns for everyone involved,” the department said in the post.
The investigation remains ongoing to identify the other individuals involved.
— Dyana Bagby
on the street and on multiple medians along Ga. 9.
The car’s damage was extensive, with the engine thrown 20 feet from the frame and car parts scattered. Police say this indicated the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
— Hannah Yahne
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First council did not violate Dunwoody’s City Charter
When the citizens of Dunwoody voted to become a city in 2008, they did so on trust.
We had no city hall. No police department. No employees. No ordinances. No money in the bank.
But, we did have one thing: a promise to the public that this new city would be different. Transparent. Ethical. Financially responsible.
One of the foundations of that promise was the 3.04 millage cap written into the charter.
What many residents may not remember is that the original city millage rate was not 3.04 mills. It began at 2.73 mills. Over time, subsequent councils gradually increased the rate until it eventually reached the charter maximum of 3.04 mills.
That history matters.
It demonstrates that the founding council took the tax limitation seriously from the very beginning.
Recently, Mayor Lynn Deutsch stated that the current council must “clean up” the charter to align it with state law because “the very first council violated their own charter.”
As a member of that first council, I
DRIVEWAYS & CONCRETE
strongly disagree.
The original council did not violate the charter. We intentionally structured the city’s stormwater program as a fee-based utility system specifically to remain within the 3.04 millage limitation while still fulfilling the city’s legal responsibility to manage stormwater infrastructure.
That distinction matters.
A property tax and a utility fee are not the same thing.
Cities throughout Georgia fund stormwater operations through fees because stormwater management functions much like other public utilities. Stormwater systems require pipes, detention systems, maintenance, repairs, environmental compliance and long-term infrastructure planning. The funding mechanism adopted by the original council reflected that reality.
At the time, we were also inheriting decades of infrastructure problems from DeKalb County while trying to build a city from scratch without overburdening taxpayers.
The goal was simple: honor the charter tax limitation while responsibly operating the city.
For years, the city operated under
TALK BACK TO THE CRIER: You talk, we listen. The Crier is parking the Talk Back section at the front of the paper for the foreseeable future. Send your letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com by Sunday night and they’ll end up here that week. Park locations, tree-lined medians and backyard chickens welcome.
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• Typically we restrict letters to 300 words. To limit fury from the copy desk, try and stay below that line.
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that structure. Budgets were approved. Audits were completed. Bond ratings were secured. No court declared the structure illegal. No state agency stepped in and said the charter had been violated.
Now we are told that the charter
DRIVEWAYS
must be “fixed” because the first council supposedly violated it.
That is not a clarification. That is a serious accusation against the citizens and elected officials who built this city.
More importantly, the current debate is not really about “cleaning up language.” It is about whether the city should gain the ability to impose additional property taxes outside the spirit of the original 3.04 limitation.
Residents understand this instinctively.
If a homeowner receives a larger government tax bill because a new district tax has been created, then from the homeowner’s perspective taxes have increased.
Calling it a “district tax” instead of a general millage increase does not change the financial impact on citizens.
Supporters of the amendment argue that no immediate tax increase is planned, and that the city simply needs flexibility to potentially assume services such as fire and emergency medical services from the county in the future.
But that is precisely the point.
See ROSS, Page 10
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 5, 4 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
SOME OLD FOLKS
1. Spiral sea shell. Bird of prey. Scoundrel of old.
2. Brunch choice. Lord’s worker, of yore. Canyon effect.
3. Round Table figure. Mountain pool. Aleutian island.
4. Sunscreen ingredient. Middle Ages goofball. Cut of beef.
5. Antiquated title for woman of distinction. Souped-up car. Hurry.
7. Lomé’s home. Long standing Hindu mystic. Like Krypton.
1 Spiral sea shell. Bird of prey. Scoundrel of old.
2. Brunch choice. Lord’s worker, of yore. Canyon effect
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Round Table figure. Mountain pool. Aleutian island
4. Sunscreen ingredient. Middle Ages goofball. Cut of beef.
5. Antiquated title for a woman of distinction Souped-up car. Hurry.
6. Trick taking card game. Fencing sword. Feudal lord
to Solve: To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Kroger unveils plans for store at Perimeter Village
By DYANA BAGBY dyana@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A Kroger Marketplace with a gas station and pharmacy drive-thru planned at the former Walmart site near Perimeter Mall has cleared a major hurdle.
The Dunwoody Planning Commission recommended accepting the store’s zoning requests May 12. Now, it’s up to the City Council to grant final approval.
The Kroger Marketplace is expected to revitalize the Perimeter Village shopping center in the heart of the Central Perimeter retail district following Walmart’s closure in 2024. The shopping center at Ashford Dunwoody Road and Meadow Lane includes a Hobby Lobby, Olive Garden, DSW and Whole World Market.
Kroger says in its application that its plans “will contain a thriving business that will complement existing nearby commercial uses, be beneficial to the economy of the surrounding area, provide an additional grocery store option for nearby and adjacent residents, and provide employment opportunities.”
Kroger plans to use 117,736-squarefeet of the former Walmart building for its new marketplace store. The remaining approximate 66,000-square-feet of the building will be used by a different commercial use, a representative from Kimco Realty, owner of the property, told Planning Commission members. The representative did not say who the other tenant would be.
A rendering of the new Kroger Marketplace planned at Perimeter Village to replace the former Walmart. The rendering was shown during the May 12 Planning Commission meeting.
Kroger plans to build a sidewalk from Meadow Lane to the front entrance of the new Kroger Marketplace as shown in this illustration presented to the Planning Commission on May 12.
Laurel David, the attorney for Kroger, told the Planning Commission that the Dunwoody Kroger Marketplace will include Starbucks, a delicatessen selling specialty cheeses and meats, a kitchen wares section and a baby clothing department.
The Planning Commission’s approval includes the OK for a special land use permit to allow Kroger to build a pharmacy drive-thru parallel to the front façade of the building. The drive-thru is 550 feet from Meadow Lane and 1,100 feet from Ashford Dunwoody Road and
station is approximately 330 feet from residential uses and should not impact any adjacent residential or commercial properties via traffic or noise, David said. A canopy will cover the gas pumps and a small kiosk for an employee.
There are currently 626 parking spaces with 20 landscape islands on the site. Kroger says it will build a sidewalk from Meadow Lane to the store’s front entrance and add 11 landscape islands, reducing parking to 526 spaces. Kroger will also add 18 bike parking spaces.
Kroger also plans to modify the front façade to accommodate a new main entrance for customers, an employeeonly entrance for grocery delivery and a pharmacy drive-through.
The Planning Commission approved Kroger’s request to be exempt from making improvements to the streetscape on a short stretch of Meadow Lane. Instead, Kroger will provide an easement along the back of the property for Dunwoody’s planned future North Nancy Creek Greenway.
Two residents who live in neighborhoods adjacent to the property requested that truck delivery times be restricted. The Planning Commission agreed and Kroger agreed to avoid deliveries between the times of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends.
would not impact traffic, David said. The drive-thru will be partially screened with vegetation, and a small canopy will cover the pick-up window.
Planners also gave Kroger approval to remove conditions that restrict gas stations on the site. Kroger will build the gas station along Meadow Lane. The gas
The residents also expressed concern about what safety measures Kroger would implement. They said crime at the former Walmart seeped into their neighborhoods.
A Kroger representative said plans are to have security cameras in the parking lot and at the back of the store. A security officer will be on duty during store hours and a parking space is also be reserved for the Dunwoody Police Department.
RENDERINGS BY: KROGER/PROVIDED
Thornwell Jacobs and T.K. Peters, the Crypt of Civilization
T.K. Peters moved from Ohio to Atlanta in 1938 to work on the Crypt of Civilization project with Oglethorpe University President Thornwell Jacobs.
The idea of the crypt first came to Jacobs in 1936. His goal was to preserve ancient history for future generations.
Oglethorpe was previously located in Midway, Georgia, but was damaged and closed during the Civil War.
Jacobs, who received a Doctor of Letters degree after earning his Master of Arts degree from Presbyterian College of South Carolina in 1895, began his campaign to reopen the university along Peachtree Road in Brookhaven in 1912. He achieved that goal and served as president from 1915 to 1943.
T.K. Peters worked in the film industry in the early 20th century. He traveled the world taking photographs and movies and used the footage to make travel films. He also worked on special effects for Hollywood movies. He was particularly proud of his work on the 1923 film, “The
Ten Commandments,” where he created the parting of the Red Sea scene with special effects. He had the knowledge and talent needed to assist Jacobs.
The crypt is like a time capsule, but much larger. Items are kept in a room 20 by 10 feet wide and 10 feet high. It is a sealed steel and stone vault in the basement of Phoebe Hearst Hall on the campus of Oglethorpe University. There is no gold, jewelry or other items of value in the crypt.
The purpose of the time capsule was to preserve ancient history and to give a representation of life in the 1930s. Eight hundred textbooks were microfilmed by Peters and placed in the crypt. Modern inventions, such as motion pictures and a projector to show these films were included. Encyclopedias and phonograph records were added.
Items representing everyday life were included, such as assorted kitchen items, a fishing pole, a whistle, Butterick dress pattern, Schick electric razor, fly swatter, beer and cigarette holder. A Lionel model train and Lincoln Logs were among the toys included to represent the time. For the complete list of items in the time capsule, visit oglethorpe.edu/about/ history/crypt/inventory/.
Egyptian calendar, 6,177, and adding that number to 1936 to arrive at year 8113.
T.K. Peters stayed in the area after the dedication, making his home along Roberts Drive in Dunwoody, where the Dunwoody Nature Center is today. Peters bought the land in 1945 and deeded half the property to his wife Grace. While they had the house built, the couple lived in a small house still standing on the land. They remained in the home until 1971. Peters described the property for sale as “…six acres, fine, rich soil, slopes down to a stream with a waterfall, magnificent beech trees. Main residence is constructed of blocks, capable of sustaining six thousand pounds to the square inch.”
The Crypt of Civilization was dedicated in 1938 as part of the commencement program. David Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corporation of American gave the dedication. The program was broadcast on WSB Radio. (Atlanta Journal, May 29, 1938, “Oglethorpe crypt door dedicated by Sarnoff”)
The metal doors of the crypt were sealed on May 28, 1940, with a planned year for opening of 8113. Jacobs arrived at this date by taking the number of years since civilization began, according to the
For more information on the Crypt of Civilization, which Oglethorpe describes as “The oldest millennial time capsule in conception and the largest in the world,” visit their website, oglethorpe.edu/about/ history/crypt/.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
PHOTO FROM “THE STORY OF DUNWOODY,” BY ETHEL W. SPRUILL AND ELIZABETH L. DAVIS T. K. Peters prepares items for the Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe University.
Dunwoody spotlights parks for summer fun for families
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody Parks and Recreation is hosting a variety of free, family-friendly events this summer that highlight the role parks play in building community.
The lineup includes outdoor concerts, movie nights, splash pad fun and special celebrations inspired by international soccer in Atlanta and America’s 250th anniversary.
“Summer in Dunwoody is all about creating opportunities for families, friends and neighbors to get outside, be active, and make memories together in our parks,” Parks Director Rachel Waldron said.
Summer highlights include:
• May 29 – School’s Out, Water’s On. Beginning at 10 a.m. at Two Bridges Park, kids can cool off in the splash pad while enjoying free treats and giveaways.
• June 5 – Pics in the Park. As Atlanta welcomes international soccer matches this summer, Dunwoody will join the excitement with a soccer-themed Pics in the Park at Pernoshal Park. The evening will feature games and soccer drills led by Rush Union, followed by a screening of “Kicking and Screaming” at sunset. Additional movie nights are scheduled for Aug. 7 featuring “Zootopia 2” and Sept. 4 featuring “Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
• June 13 – Groovin’ on the Green season opener. Band X with Nero Simon will open Dunwoody’s free outdoor concert series at 6 p.m. at the Brook Run Park Amphitheater. Guests are encouraged to walk or bike to the show via the Dunwoody Trailway. Attendees may bring a picnic or purchase dinner from a featured food truck. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Additional concerts are planned for Aug. 8 (M-80s with Herd Behavior), Sept. 12 (Piano Man Vs. Rocket Man: A Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John), and Oct. 10 (Slippery When Wet: A Tribute to Bon Jovi).
Dunwoody is also planning a weeklong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Events include a patriotic concert by the Callanwolde Concert Band at the Brook Run Park Amphitheater on Thursday, July 2; a Star-Spangled Open House at the Donaldson-Bannister Farm on July 3, hosted by the Dunwoody Preservation Trust; and the Dunwoody Homeowners Association’s Independence Day Parade on July 4, a longstanding community tradition.
All park events listed above are free and open to the public. More information is available at dunwoodyga.gov/parkevents.
— Dyana Bagby
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High school artists display work on Dunwoody area storefronts
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Create Dunwoody’s fifth annual Storefront Art Exhibit is now on display in local business storefronts in the Dunwoody Village area.
The community arts initiative features artwork by Dunwoody High School students. The temporary exhibit will remain on display through August. The goal is to highlight student artists while encouraging residents and visitors to explore and support local businesses, Rosemary Watts, executive director of Create Dunwoody, said.
This year, 15 students were selected from more than 85 submissions, the largest number of entries in the program’s history, Watts said. A map of exhibit locations is available at createdunwoody.org/ storefront-art.
Dunwoody High School senior Monserrat Mora said having her art displayed is inspiring.
“It motivates me to keep creating, and I love knowing that people might discover my art while they’re out doing everyday things in Dunwoody,” Mora said in a news release.
Dunwoody High School art teachers Amy Goertemiller and Claire
Zimmerman supported students throughout the creation and submission process.
The exhibit is made possible through partnerships with local businesses that volunteer storefront space to showcase student artwork.
“We’re proud to partner with Create Dunwoody to spotlight these talented students and make art part of the everyday experience in Dunwoody Village,” said Dawn Tresh, owner of Dunwoody Gallery, a returning host location and sponsor of the program.
“The Storefront Art Exhibit brings fresh energy into our business community and gives young artists a meaningful platform to be seen.”
The exhibit is supported by sponsors including Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, represented by Kerry Arias, and the City of Dunwoody as a community partner.
Select works may be available for purchase and could be considered for future installation through the Greenlight Art Project on traffic signal boxes or for display at Perimeter Mall following the summer exhibit.
For more information, visit createdunwoody.org/storefront-art.
—
Dyana Bagby
Dunwoody High School students show their artwork now on display in local business storefronts in the Dunwoody Village area.
Ban:
Continued from Page 1
There are already many businesses in Dunwoody that sell vapes, but their inventory and sales are less than 25 percent because they sell candy, sodas and other items.
“Could [a store] still be a called a vape shop but it can only just sell 25 percent of vape products and the rest can be, I don’t know, bottled water?” Councilwoman Stacey Harris asked. “What problem are we solving with this? If they call themselves a vape shop, they can sell vapes. What problem are we trying to solve with this regulation?”
Deputy Community Development Director Paul Leonhardt said a business can call itself whatever it wants. The city is trying to address a policy question about land use with the legislation and its definition of a vape shop, he said.
Standalone vape shops are attractive for shopping centers “on the decline,” and can concentrate in one area, Leonhardt said. For example, on the north end of Sandy Springs on Roswell Road,
between the Chattahoochee River and the Fulton County line, there are now seven standalone vape shops, he said.
Councilmember John Heneghan said he didn’t understand the goal of the proposed legislation. He said he heard of a convenience store in the city where a THC drink was next to a Coca-Cola while vapes are kept locked up or behind a counter.
He said he preferred putting in some regulations instead of banning vape shops outright.
“[Banning] is a slippery slope once you start doing that for one thing,” Heneghan said. “We’re not doing that for alcohol. We’re not doing that for smoking. We’re not doing that for anything else.”
Councilman Joe Seconder, who proposed the ban, said he has heard from residents who do not want any standalone vape shops in the city. He expressed disappointment council members were opposed to supporting a total ban on vape shops.
“They look pretty damn ugly,” he said. “And when I talk to citizens, they say ... they don’t want Dunwoody to look like Roswell Road.”
Vape shops tend to concentrate in lower economic neighborhoods
and target people of lower economic means, Seconder said. In Dunwoody, vape shops could come to areas at the edges of the cities where property owners are trying to fill vacancies in aging shopping centers and where rents are cheaper than in Dunwoody Village or around Perimeter Mall, he said.
“If you’re fine with having a vape shop in Dunwoody then ... just say that from your heart that you’re fine with having a vape shop in Dunwoody, and we’ll provide some kind of limits,” he said.
There is currently one vape shop in Dunwoody at Wheeler and Peeler roads, Mayor Lynn Deutsch said, although it is just over the line into Gwinnett County.
She agreed with Seconder that there are aging shopping centers on the city’s edges that could attract more vape shops. She asked the council to take more time to revise the ordinance and add distance requirements for vape shops from places like schools.
City staff noted that distance requirements from places like schools and homes are typically 1,000 feet, similar to liquor stores, and would allow vape shops in several retail districts.
Continued from Page 1
• City Councilman and retired U.S. Army Maj. Joe Seconder will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson, Georgia National Guard retired captain, will introduce a moment of silence.
• The Rev. P. Richard Game, rector at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, will offer the invocation and benediction.
The Georgia State Defense Force Band, under the direction of Lt. Col. Glenn R. Moore, will provide patriotic music including the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”
Overhaul:
Continued from Page 1
“We learned that the student experience was not enough at the forefront of the conversation. We learned that the scenarios felt predetermined and that it didn’t make sense to separate buildings from boundaries, boundaries from programs.”
Sauce said that, moving forward, all these conversations will take place through community-based action groups. Sauce also emphasized that the “student experience” will play a greater role in decision-making, rather than focusing primarily on buildings and numbers.
Next steps
The new approach will proceed in
phases rather than addressing the entire district at once. In a joint meeting between DCSD and the DeKalb Board of Commissioners on May 4, Sauce said the district would not have the capacity to conduct 22 cluster-specific conversations simultaneously.
“We recognize the need to move in a tiered-phase manner,” Sauce said at the meeting. “We can’t do all of this at once and do so effectively at the level that our community is telling us that they expect and desire, rightfully so.”
The approach will focus on clusterbased action groups. The district will issue a competitive request for proposals (RFP) to hire a community facilitation firm to help conduct these group discussions in the future.
In fall 2026, the district will focus first on setting attendance boundaries for new or newly renovated schools, including Dresden Elementary, Idlewood
COME HOME TO ELEGANCE.
We recognize the need to move in a tiered-phase manner.”
NORMAN SAUCE Interim Superintendent of DeKalb Schools
Elementary, Sequoyah Middle and High and Cross Keys High School. These schools are set to open from 2027 to 2029, so the district will adjust to accommodate them and prioritize creating a Sequoyah cluster. The final recommendation would be presented to the board for approval in December 2026.
Attendance clusters will require
Ross:
Continued from Page 4
Historically, fire and EMS services in DeKalb County were funded through county tax district structures, not utility-style fees like stormwater. That makes the newly approved framework fundamentally different from the stormwater structure created by the original council.
What was approved last week creates the framework and legal mechanism for future district taxes without necessarily increasing the city’s general millage rate above the 3.04 cap.
In other words, the issue is not simply whether taxes are increasing today. The issue is whether the city is positioning itself to increase taxes tomorrow without direct voter approval by using a district tax structure instead of the traditional city millage rate.
That is not a minor “cleanup” of language. That is a significant policy change with long-term financial implications for taxpayers.
There is also an important ethical
evaluation during this step, which means several clusters could be affected, including Chamblee, Cross Keys, Dunwoody, Druid Hills, Lakeside and Tucker.
In the next phase, scheduled for spring 2027, the district will turn to addressing under-enrollment in the following clusters: Towers, Columbia, McNair, Cedar Grove, Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and Miller Grove. All of these clusters are located in south DeKalb.
No decisions have been made through the project so far, and the Student Assignment Project will “continue to evolve with the active involvement of committee members and ongoing community engagement at its core,” according to the May 5 announcement.
Sauce said the district will provide more details about community involvement opportunities before the upcoming school year and encouraged residents to stay engaged as the process continues.
issue here.
The original council did not hide what it was doing. The stormwater structure was publicly debated, publicly adopted and publicly budgeted. It was designed in good faith based upon the understanding that a fee-based utility structure was lawful and appropriate.
Reasonable people can debate whether today’s leaders want a different financing structure. That is fair.
But it is unfair to rewrite history and suggest the founding council knowingly violated the charter.
We did not.
We worked carefully to honor both the letter and spirit of the promises made to Dunwoody voters.
The real question before the city today is not whether officials can create new taxing structures.
The real question is whether doing so preserves the trust upon which this city was founded.
And that trust should never be treated lightly.
Danny Ross Founding member, Dunwoody City Council
The first 60 days without a plan
Brought to you by - Estates Law Center USA
No one wants to think about it. But after a loss, life does not pause. Bills still arrive.
Accounts may be inaccessible. Mail keeps coming. Important decisions cannot wait. And during the first 60 days, families are often forced to navigate legal, financial, and practical issues while still grieving.
Without an estate plan in place, loved ones may face:
• Court involvement
• Delays in accessing accounts or property
• Confusion over who has authority to act
• Unnecessary legal and administrative expenses
• Costly delays that can impact finances for months
• Family disagreements caused by uncertainty and confusion
• Added stress during an already overwhelming time
When there is no clear plan, confusion often leads to conflict.
Questions about money, decisions, property, and responsibilities can quickly create tension between family members during an already emotional time. Estate planning is not about fear. It is about protecting
your family from unnecessary complications, expenses, conflict, and uncertainty when they need clarity the most.
A proper plan helps determine:
• Who can make decisions
• How assets are accessed
• Whether the process stays private or involves the court
• How unnecessary costs can be avoided
• And how smoothly your family can move forward
Planning cannot remove grief.
But it can reduce confusion, delays, conflict, and avoidable financial burdens. And in the first 60 days, that can make all the difference. If you would like to better understand how the process works — and how to help your family avoid unnecessary court involvement, conflict, and expenses — join one of our free educational workshops.
•
•
HOLLY GEERDES Estate Law Center USA Top 5% Super Lawyer in Georgia
Fulton Science Academy Nurturing
Brought to you by - Fulton Science Academy
At Fulton Science Academy (FSA), education begins with a promise to develop confident, curious, and compassionate students who are prepared to lead wherever life takes them. Named Georgia’s #1 private, college-prep, and STEM school by Niche.com, FSA offers a well-rounded, valuesbased education for advanced and gifted learners from Pre-K through 12th grade.
excellence from Pre-K to High School
Our commitment starts early. In our award-winning Pre-K and Elementary programs, students engage in handson STEAM learning that sparks creativity and builds strong academic foundations. With small class sizes, personalized instruction, and a caring environment, children grow academically while developing strong character and emotional confidence.
As students move into Middle and High School, they become analytical thinkers and responsible leaders. Our
ICARE values—Integrity, Curiosity, Advocacy, Resiliency, and Empathy—are part of everyday life, shaping students into individuals who lead with Purpose. From academic competitions to robotics, music, sports, and Model UN, our students excel in a wide range of pursuits. They benefit from modern facilities like our Innovation Lab and Observatory, and graduate with impressive results. With an average SAT score of 1440 and a 98% AP pass rate, they don’t just feel ready for top
universities—they are accepted to them. Our alumni attend schools like Yale, Princeton, and many more.
But beyond the numbers, it is the experience that matters most. FSA is a structured, supportive community where students are known, encouraged, and inspired every day.
Discover what makes FSA different. A world-class education starts here.
Apply now at www. fultonscienceacademy.org
An exceptional start to an unstoppable future
We believe that when children are given an exceptional start to their school experience, they grow up to become:
The years from Kindergarten Prep through 8th Grade are special, consequential, and deserving of intentional focus. These are the years when children are most open to exploring: as students, athletes, artists, friends, and leaders. It’s when students begin to set great expectations, and when they discover their inner self is as important as their academic development. It’s when children recognize their critical role within their family, their community, and the greater world.
These are the formative years, and at The Davis Academy, they mean everything. As both a highly academic independent school and a Reform Jewish Day School, we are intentional about giving children an exceptional start to their school experience, providing students with individualized learning, well-rounded opportunities, and a loving community rooted in inclusive values.
• Undeterred by academic challenge and confident in their abilities.
• Understood and valued for both who they are and how they learn.
• Unafraid to explore their purpose, try new things, develop their voice, advocate for themselves, and speak up for what is right.
• United as part of a strong community built on L.O.V.E.—living our values every day.
Our families say we’re a school with a soul. That’s because we’re not just a place for the child but for the generations. When your family joins Davis, you begin a life-changing journey together and find a support system for life.
Welcome to The Davis Academy Kindergarten Prep - 8th Grade 8105 Roberts Drive, Atlanta 30350 770-671-0085 davisacademy.org
Brought to you by - The Davis Academy
Education solutions for every mind, every age
Brought to you by – Eaton Academy
Eaton Academy offers multiple programs, both in person and online, since a “one size fits all” approach to education is not effective in today’s world.
Academic programs
The full-day K-12 school with its 5:1 studentto-teacher ratio allows instructors to address the individual learning styles of both neuro-typical and neuro-diverse students. Using STEAM-related activities and multisensory instruction, students of all abilities achieve academic and personal success. The collegeprep curriculum is delivered in a safe, nurturing environment.
For students with more significant needs, the Pace Program customizes the curriculum to, not only meet their specific academic needs but also develop life skills and independent living strategies. This approach is perfect for students on the spectrum, those with developmental delays, and individuals with other scholastic challenges. Pace students follow the traditional school day and work to develop greater self-sufficiency and independence, on their way to earning a high school diploma.
The Independent Study Program (ISP), tailored to students’ schedules and academic needs, permits individuals to work at their own pace. The tutorial setting enables students who need a more flexible approach, such as aspiring athletes and performers, to work toward graduation while following their dreams. Some students enroll in ISP to accelerate their scholastic
work; others seek academic remediation. ISP arranges the one-to-one sessions on a schedule that accommodates the students’ needs for flexibility in time or delivery. Sessions can be in person or online.
Post-graduate programs
LEAP is designed to help individuals strengthen their life skills to achieve greater independence. Participants benefit from job readiness training at local businesses and life skill development in our model apartment.
The LIFE program works with young adults living in their own apartments. Participants meet with a LIFE coach several times each week for support in areas such as meal-prep, budgeting, hygiene, roommate relations, and housekeeping.
Supported employment prepares young adults for the workplace. Assistance is given with resume writing, applying for positions, and keeping a job. A job coach serves as a liaison between the participant and job sites.
The College Foundations Program (CFP) is designed for individuals who completed high school but are not ready for college or to live on their own. CFP enhances students’ abilities in academics, social settings, independent living, and employment. Students receive onthe-job experience and academic enrichment to enable them to enter college and live independently.
Eaton Academy is the ideal place for families to discover education options and independent living solutions. Whatever students need, Eaton works to create the perfect education solution for them.
EATON ACADEMY NOW ENROLLING
A Challenging Approach to Education that Features:
• Programs for Neurotypical & Neurodivergent Learners
• Attention to Individual Needs
• Customized College-Prep Programs for K-12
• 5:1 Student: Teacher Ratio
• Independent Study Classes
• Supportive, Nurturing Environment
• Post-Graduate Options Available
Riding the wave… or getting caught in it
PROVIDED
Leah Burnett, M.A.,
Licensed Associate Professional Counselor
Brought to you by –
Leah Burnett, Summit
Counseling
One of the best times in my personal life I can remember is living in Southern California for a couple of years during graduate school. I was lucky enough to live a 5-minute walk from the beach and the bustling Pacific Ocean. I lived in Huntington Beach, a place very well known to surfers around the world. So, I told myself upon moving there that I would learn to surf. I followed through with my vow and took a lesson.
After a few tries, I was able to stand up and ride a wave with nothing but the water and a thin foam board holding me up. Inevitably there came times when I attempted to stand up knowing I was going to fall right back into the water. I wanted to grow and become stronger, so why not right? The problem is when you go for a 5-foottall wave and you’re used to surfing 1–2-foot waves, everything feels 5x faster and more intense… including the crash.
I can remember a time when I paddled my heart out for a “too big” wave. All at once, I found myself paddling over the quickly forming wave as I let it lift me higher until I had no choice but to try and stand up. The momentum was too strong, and I
couldn’t hold it together. In an instant, I fell straight down the 5-foot wall of rushing water until I was no longer above the wave or deep under it (which is preferable), but I was caught in the middle of it.
If you have never been caught in a crashing Pacific Ocean wave while attached to a surfboard, I can promise you it is nothing short of what can only be compared to being caught in a washing machine set to heavy duty. The only way to get through it is to let it pass. The more you struggle and fight against it, the more tired you will become and the more difficult it will be to swim to safety once it has passed. There is common DBT skill that is used when teaching emotional regulation called “riding the wave”. But I want to take it one step further. Because knowing it will pass is one thing, but choosing to embrace it and allow it to wash over you is another. I like this metaphor of surfing because it reminds us that sometimes we can’t ride the wave perfectly. We get caught in it and it feels like it will never pass. But emotions, while incredibly uncomfortable at times, are not bad. They are simply indicators of some part of us that need care and attention.
Often, the more we struggle and fight against our emotions, the harder it makes it for them to pass. Next time you feel an uncomfortable emotion, I invite you to try and not fight it. But rather be curious about it, sit with it, ask it questions, and trust that it will pass without you having to do anything to force it to go away. Most importantly, give yourself grace for feeling emotion in the first place. Riding the wave can be easier said than done, but just like surfing, you will get better with practice.
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Congratulations North Springs Spartans Class of 2026!
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Dunwoody City Council will meet Monday, June 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Dunwoody City Hall, which is located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338 for the purpose of due process of the following:
Text amendments to the Code of the City of Dunwoody for Chapter 27, the general purpose of which is to adjust the Review and Approval Procedures of the Zoning Ordinance in order to comply with the updated Zoning Procedures Law (HB155).
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department at 678-382-6800. Staff is available to answer questions, discuss the decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.
NOTICE OF COMMUNITY MEETING
Applicant: Lennar Georgia, LLC.
Reason for meeting: To discuss a to-be-filed application to rezone O-I (OfficeInstitutional) to PC-3 (Perimeter Center District 3) to develop approximately 35 townhomes at 4891 Ashford Dunwoody Rd.
Location of Meeting: 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338. Within the Event Studio of the Spruill Center of the Arts
Date and Time: Thursday, May 28th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
DEATH NOTICES
Luis Velasco, age 54, of Roswell, GA passed away on May 4, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Jose Velasquez Garcia, age 72, of Roswell, GA passed away on May 8, 2026. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
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*Decaturish Ink currently publishes on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of every month. All other publications publish every Thursday.
