Fulton County commissioner promotes unity at town hall ► PAGE 4
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Gillespie outlines looming struggles for Fulton schools By SARAH COYNE sarah@appenmedia.com
DeJulio draws line at 5th term High Point community celebrates local schools
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — High Point Civic Association’s April 23 annual meeting served as the forum for a surprise announcement from one of Sandy Springs’ founders. City Councilman Tibby DeJulio, who has represented
District 5 in the city’s southeast since incorporation in 2005, announced that he will not run for reelection this year. “Forty years ago this summer, I moved to High Point; two years later, I became a board member of the High Point Civic Association,” DeJulio said. “I met a lady by the name of Eva Galambos, and my life has
never been the same.” After 38 years working to create the city and then manage it, DeJulio said he is now the oldest and longest tenured employee in Sandy Springs. He said working for Sandy Springs has been a tremendous honor and privilege.
See DEJULIO, Page 11
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Sandy Springs City Councilman Tibby DeJulio tells the High Point Civic Association that he will not be running for reelection to the District 5 seat this year. DeJulio, who began his public service 38 years ago with the civic association, said he is proud of the city that Sandy Springs has become but it’s his time to step down.
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ROSWELL, Ga. — Fulton County School Board member Sara Gillespie says the district faces funding challenges from multiple directions this year. At her monthly community meeting April 23 at Sweet Apple Elementary School, Gillespie highlighted several changes and potential policies that could take affect soon. Her interchange with residents of her district, which includes Roswell and parts of Alpharetta, carried over into the April 24 Board of Education meeting in Union City. The School Board reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, feeling the weight of future revenue challenges. “Board, as you’re aware, as you direct us, just to always not think just the short term, but the long term as we make our decisions, and this will definitely impact us in the long-term tax allocation,” Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef said. The school system faces declining enrollment, uncertain federal support and an inflation rate of 2.8 percent. Gillespie also said the new senior homestead exemption – a $10,000 reduction in assessed property values for those 65 and older – will also have an effect.
See SCHOOLS, Page 15