Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County School District’s(DCSD)  SAT composite score for the graduating class of 2018 was 998, an 18 point increase over 2017,  recently-released state statistics show. DeKalb’s 2018 individual mean score for the SAT Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing test was 512, a 10-point increase over 2017, and the 2018 individual mean score for the Mathematics test was 487, a 10-point improvement over 2017. More than 3,700 students in DCSD took the SAT, officials said. “Our students have once again demonstrated progress on the SAT, and forward momentum is always celebrated,” said Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “Our goal remains to meet…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) SAT scores for high schools for last year’s graduating class and scores for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) have increased. The mean composite score for RCPS is 995, increasing 10 points from the previous year. The state average was up 4 points to 1054, while the nation dropped 21 points to 1049.  “Our district’s accelerated SAT performance is great news,” said Superintendent Terry Oatts. “Our 2018 SAT performance bested both the state and nation in terms of gains over the prior year on the SAT composite score. We increased in both evidence-based reading and…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Senior citizens seeking affordable housing can look forward to a new development that is under way at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church campus located at 1879 Glenwood Ave. in East Atlanta. The three-story complex is expected to be completed by January in 2020 officials said.  The Greater Piney Grove Church and community leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 19 for the Gardens at East Lake. The independent living complex will offer 70 one- and two-bedrooms apartments to those ages 55 and older. As a tax credit apartment complex, a portion of the units will…

By Travis Hudgons The Decatur High School community mourned the loss of one of its bright stars.  Hundreds turned out on the evening of Oct. 24 for a candlelight prayer vigil at Decatur High School for 18-year-old graduate Kennedy Segars. She was killed in a DUI-related crash earlier this month.  The emotional gathering included remarks from friends and family members, prayer and singing. The Decatur High School cheerleaders performed a special cheer for Segars, who was on the cheer squad while at Decatur. “She was very special. She wasn’t average,” said Kennedy’s father, Marvin Segars. “She’s going to be missed.…

By Valerie J. Morgan The Democratic Party of Georgia’s is urging voters to cast their ballots in person during the early voting period, after learning that thousands of voters—4,700 of them in DeKalb County—never received absentee ballots they requested. The early voting period started Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 2. Rebecca DeHart, executive director for the Democratic Party of Georgia, said the DeKalb Board of Registration & Elections never mailed absentee ballots to an estimated 4,700 applicants who requested them—some of them as early as September. DeHart said the Party tracked a mailer that was sent to voters who requested…

Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams cast her ballot on Oct. 15, the first day of early voting, at The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall. Abrams posted a video about the event on Instagram:    “Today, I voted early with my family by my side. I voted early in my community, with my community, and most importantly, for my community. In the past, I always cast my ballot on Election Day. That’s when my parents would take me and my siblings to vote with them. But this year, we’re leaving nothing to chance. We’re getting our votes in early so we have time…

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling raised over $21,500 through her annual “Dancing with the DeKalb Stars” a domestic violence resource expo and fundraiser, for local non-profits, Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence and International Women’s House. The event, which was held at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center on Oct. 20 exceeded fundraising goals through ticket sales, sponsorships and a partnership with the DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts.  “Our goal for this event was to create a fun and safe environment for our community to learn more about the cycle of abuse. We also wanted Dancing…

The Rockdale County Courthouse is getting a new roof. County officials say the work, which was scheduled to begin on Oct. 22, was delayed a week as workers delivered building materials and blocked off nearby streets in preparation for the demolition.   Workers are now scheduled to begin removing the aging roof during the week of Oct. 29. Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 12. The courthouse will get an energy efficient “cool roof system,” officials said. “We are making progress in repairing and renovating Rockdale County infrastructure,” said Sue Sanders, director of Rockdale County Recreation and Maintenance…

A bounty of activities throughout the metro-Atlanta area await families and their children now that the weather is a little cooler and the foliage is turning into a riot of colors.  It’s officially the season for families to enjoy dozens of free events featuring treats and activities for the kids and opportunities for everyone to wear costumes, decorate and have fun. Listed here are some of the events planned. If you know of others, please e-mail us at editor@ocgnews.com and we will update the information. Voices of Faith Ministries sets Trunk or Treat Voices of Faith Ministries Rockdale Campus, 1290…

DeKalb County’s public safety workers will get a four percent pay raise in November. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved  DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond’s pay proposal on Oct. 23.  The $7.1 million salary increase goes into effect the first pay period in November 2018 and applies to approximately 2,100 public safety employees. “Last year, the county took steps to improve compensation for public safety,” said Thurmond. “With the support of the Board of Commissioners, these salary increases will further enhance the county’s recruitment and retention efforts.”    The salary increase applies to police officers, firefighters, E-911 employees, medical…