Author: On Common Ground News

The Georgia Department of Education released the four-year graduation rate for 2016 showing an increase to 79.2%, up slightly from 78.7%. The Rockdale County Public Schools graduated four out of every five students this year (82.1 percent), officials said. “Last year, we had a significant increase in our graduation rate which held steady above the state this year,” said Rockdale Superintendent Richard Autry. “While we want all of our students to graduate in four years, we recognize that many of our students need some additional time, such as summer school, an extra semester, or even extra year or more to…

D.L. Sims Elementary School in Rockdale County celebrated the induction of high achieving scholars to the Jr. Beta Club, which focuses on achievement, character, leadership and service, with a ceremony held Oct. 12. Rockdale Magistrate Court Judge Phinia Aten served as the keynote speaker, highlighting the importance of courage, thoughtfulness and vision. Under the guidance of sponsors Wendy Davis and Shalaiwah Neil, the SES Jr. Beta Club welcomed returning members Amber Edwards, Alyssa Garnett (club president), Asia Hadley, Madison Knight, Isley Nixon and new members Kimora Creighton, Mark Davis, Joshua-Emmanuel Gerald, D’Asejah Holman, Prince Richards, Talia Anderson, Camron Brown,…

By Joel Thibodeaux | Say Yes to Stonecrest “DeKalb County’s 5th Commission District, which covers the boundaries of the proposed City of Stonecrest, is very unique in that it features abundant green space amid an urban, suburban and rural setting, through which flows the South River. It is home to the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area, and to the historic Flat Rock community…libraries, medical institutions and the Lou Walker Senior Center…one of the last areas close in to Hartsfield Jackson International Airport with abundant industrial space and open land to build on, we have much to offer.” This is what…

By John W. Frase As vice president of the Kings Row Community Association, I have a great deal of concern with the upsurge of Cityhood consolidations within DeKalb. Many of my association members and community residents worked very hard to prevent the creation of Greenhaven, which would have become the second-largest city in the in f Georgia. Since the proposed City of Stonecrest would be in close proximity to DeKalb’s District 3, its creation would place further burdens on DeKalb County and possibly encourage other efforts toward cityhood consolidation in adjoining neighborhoods. Firstly, residents should look at the facts right…

The DeKalb County NAACP branch will be offering rides to DeKalb residents who have no transportation to get to the polls on Election Day, Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. For further details or to find transportation to your district polling precinct, please contact the NAACP DeKalb County Command Center at 404-241-8006 or email naacpdek@comcast.net.

Rockdale County’s Elections Supervisor Cynthia Welch said Rockdale added 1,258 voters to its number of registered voters by the Oct. 11 registration deadline, a small number compared to four years ago. Welch said with the additional applications, the number of eligible voters in Rockdale rose from 48,745 to 50,003. “We expect an increase whenever there is a Presidential election. We actually had more—about 3,500—to register just before the General Election in 2008 and 2012,” Welch said. “It’s typical to see people registering just before an election because they want to participate in the General Election.” In 2008, Rockdale ushered in…

Georgia was headed to reach 2 million early voters as the early voting period neared an end. By Nov. 2, early voters had cast over 1.9 million ballots in the General Election set for Nov. 8, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. “The numbers speak for themselves.  The early voting system is working and we look forward to a smooth General Election,” said Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Kemp reported 1,748,726 advance in-person ballots had been cast and 154,818 mailed-in absentee ballots had been returned. Advance in-person voting began on Oct. 17. On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m.…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson is getting the holiday season started with his 18th Annual Tree of Love.  The Tree of Love is a holiday celebration to assist children living in DeKalb who because of their circumstances — foster care, single-parent homes, low income household, etc., may not have a merry Christmas. Johnson began this initiative at the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall in 1999.  Since its inception, the Tree of Love has served more than 9,000 children. “This is what Christmas is all about—helping and giving to others. The holiday season is a great time for people to give…

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green is praising students, parents and educators for gains in DeKalb’s most recent high school graduation rates. Green said significant increases were made at several high schools and Arabia Mountain High stood out with a 99.2 percent graduation rate in 2016. “Our students continue to make solid gains in graduation rates,” said Green. “There is much more that needs to be done but we have the right formula of motivating the students, involving parents, supporting teachers, and reaching out to the community.” DeKalb’s work toward closing the gap between local and state graduation rates…

DeKalb County held its annual Surplus Auction on Saturday, Oct. 29. The annual sale netted a grand total of $852,993. More than 180 items were sold, which varied from concrete trucks to small passenger vehicles. There were also items like battery chargers, tool boxes and catalytic converters on sale. “This was a great success,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May. “Our fleet maintenance crew originally estimated that we would bring in about $600,000, so to hear the auction made well over that amount is a great accomplishment.” Proceeds from the auction go to DeKalb County’s vehicle replacement account to…