Clayton Attendance Down by 2000 Students

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Attendance at Clayton County Schools is almost 2 thousand fewer than it was at this time last year. District officials admit that much of that is due to fear that the schools will lose their accreditation in September.

The district will learn the fate of its accreditation status this week. Still, spokesperson Charles White says it's unlikely that attendance numbers will change much if the outcome is positive:

WHITE: Even if we wait until after Labor Day, we're not going to see 2000 students enroll.

Between those losses, and the rapid growth in the County's neighborhoods to the South, the district may have to rezone. White says that any actions to distribute students more evenly won't kick in during the current school year:

WHITE: Any possible or potential changes in boundary lines would not take place until next year, and would not occur until there was considerable study.

At Monday's meeting, the school board authorized the purchase of new technology to more accurately track population trends.