ATLANTA (Feb. 14, 2014) | Sen. Emanuel Jones (D- Decatur), Chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council, is pleased to announce that the Superintendent of the Henry County Board of Education has withdrawn his proposal to close Smith-Barnes Elementary.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the community’s outcry over closing Smith-Barnes Elementary,” said Sen. Jones. “Together, with parents, students, and community activists, we made our voices heard. I would like to thank all of those who fought tirelessly to keep Smith-Barnes intact so that our schools remain in the business of teaching history and not destroying it.”
Smith-Barnes Elementary School has been a staple of the community since its creation in 1955. For over 60 years, Smith-Barnes Elementary has stood as a reminder of the struggle and triumph of African-Americans in this great state. Over the years, this school has come to embody the multicultural makeup of our great state and country with various races, religions, and backgrounds represented. This storied school is a nationally recognized School of Excellence with a diverse student body and a reputation for being one of the best schools in Henry County.
For Immediate Release:
February 14, 2014
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Adam Sweat, Communications Specialist
adam.sweat@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028