--- title: SB 578. DeKalb County; board of education; the description of the education districts; change collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sb578 cite_as: SB 578, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb578 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb578.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb578/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73616 date: 2026-02-26 status: introduced corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb577.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb579.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 95 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb578.md?full=1 bill_number: SB 578 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: bill status_date: 2026-02-25 last_action: Senate Read and Referred sponsors: - Emanuel Jones - Tonya Anderson text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB578/2025 upstream_id: 2124814 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - DeKalb County schools - school board elections - redistricting - local referendum - education policy --- # SB 578. DeKalb County; board of education; the description of the education districts; change ## Text Senate Bill 578 By: Senators Jones of the 10th and Anderson of the 43rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend an Act establishing in DeKalb County districts from which members of the county board of education shall be elected, approved April 12, 1963 (Ga. L. 1963, p. 3424), as amended, so as to change the description of the education districts; to provide for the election at large of the chairperson of such board of education; to provide for definitions and inclusions; to provide for continuation in office of current members; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. An Act establishing in DeKalb County districts from which members of the county board of education shall be elected, approved April 12, 1963 (Ga. L. 1963, p. 3424), as amended, is amended by revising Section 1 as follows: "SECTION 1. (a) There is created the board of education of DeKalb County. The board of education shall consist of seven members elected as provided in subsection (b) of this section. (b) For purposes of electing members of the board of education, the DeKalb County School District is divided into seven education districts. One member of the board shall be elected from each such district. Education districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 shall be and correspond to those six numbered districts described in Appendix A and attached to and made a part of this Act and further identified as 'User: SD10 Plan Name: DekSB-SD10-p1-2026 Plan Type: Local'. Education district 7 shall be composed of the entire geographic area of the DeKalb County School District and the person elected from such district shall serve as the chairperson of the board of education. (c) For the purposes of such plan: (1) The term 'VTD' shall mean and describe the same geographical boundaries as provided in the report of the Bureau of the Census for the United States decennial census of 2020 for the State of Georgia. The separate numeric designations in a district description which are underneath a 'VTD' heading shall mean and describe individual Blocks within a VTD as provided in the report of the Bureau of the Census for the United States decennial census of 2020 for the State of Georgia; and (2) Except as otherwise provided in the description of any district, whenever the description of any district refers to a named city, it shall mean the geographical boundaries of that city as shown on the census maps for the United States decennial census of 2020 for the State of Georgia. (d) Any part of the DeKalb County School District which is not included in any district described in subsection (b) of this section shall be included within that district contiguous to such part which contains the least population according to the United States decennial census of 2020 for the State of Georgia. (e) Any part of DeKalb County School District which is described in subsection (b) of this section as being included in a particular district shall nevertheless not be included within such district if such part is not contiguous to such district. Such noncontiguous part shall instead be included within that district contiguous to such part which contains the least population according to the United States decennial census of 2020 for the State of Georgia." SECTION 2. Those members of the board of education of DeKalb County who are serving as such on the effective date of this Act and any person selected to fill a vacancy in any such office shall continue to serve as such members until the regular expiration of their respective terms of office and upon the election and qualification of their respective successors. SECTION 3. The election superintendent of DeKalb County shall call and conduct an election as provided in this section for the purpose of submitting this Act to the electors of the DeKalb County school district for approval or rejection. The election superintendent shall conduct that election on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November, 2026, and shall issue the call and conduct that election as provided by general law. The election superintendent shall cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for two weeks immediately preceding the date thereof in the official organ of DeKalb County. The ballot shall have written or printed thereon the words: "( ) YES Shall the Act be approved which provides that the DeKalb County Board of Education shall be composed of six members elected from one of six ( ) NO election districts and a chairperson elected by the voters of the school system at large?" All persons desiring to vote for approval of the Act shall vote "Yes," and all persons desiring to vote for rejection of the Act shall vote "No." If more than one-half of the votes cast on such question are for approval of the Act, Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall become of full force and effect on January 1, 2029; provided, however, that those provisions of Section 1 necessary to conduct the 2028 election for members of the DeKalb County Board of Education shall become effective on January 1, 2028. If the Act is not so approved or if the election is not conducted as provided in this section, Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall not become effective, and this Act shall be automatically repealed on the 365th calendar day following the election date provided for in this section. The expense of such election shall be borne by DeKalb County. It shall be the election superintendent's duty to certify the result thereof to the Secretary of State. The provisions of this section shall be mandatory upon the election superintendent and are not intended as directory. If the election superintendent fails or refuses to comply with this section, any elector of the DeKalb County school district may apply for a writ of mandamus to compel the election superintendent to perform his or her duties under this section. If the court finds that the election superintendent has not complied with this section, the court shall fashion appropriate relief requiring the election superintendent to call and conduct such election on the date required by this section or on the next date authorized for special elections provided for in Code Section 21-2-540 of the O.C.G.A. SECTION 4. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3 of this Act, this Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. SECTION 5. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. APPENDIX A User: SD10 Plan Name: DekSB-SD10-p1-2026 Plan Type: Local District 001 County DeKalb GA VTD Ashford Dunwoody Road (BHAVN) VTD Ashford Park Elem (BHAVN) VTD Ashford Parkside (BHAVN) VTD Austin (DUN) VTD Chamblee (CHA) VTD Chamblee 2 (CHA) VTD Chesnut Elem (DUN) VTD Doraville North (DOR) VTD Doraville South (DOR) VTD Dresden Elem (CHA) VTD Dunwoody (DUN) VTD Dunwoody 2 (DUN) VTD Dunwoody Library (DUN) VTD Georgetown (DUN) VTD Huntley Hills Elem (CHA) VTD Kingsley Elem (DUN) VTD Kittredge Elem (BHAVN) VTD Montgomery Elem (BHAVN) VTD Mount Vernon East (DUN) VTD Mt.Vernon West (DUN) VTD North Peachtree (DUN) VTD Oakcliff Elem VTD Peachtree Middle (DUN) VTD Tilly Mill Road (DUN) VTD Winters Chapel (DUN) District 002 County DeKalb GA VTD Austin Drive VTD Avondale (AVO) Block 023000 1000 1001 VTD Briar Vista Elem (UNI & ATL) Block 020100 2000 2005 Block 021502 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2020 Block 021505 2000 2001 2002 2003 3000 3001 3002 3003 3004 VTD Briarcliff VTD Briarwood (BHAVN) VTD Brookhaven (BHAVN) VTD Canby Lane Elem VTD Clairmont Road VTD Columbia Drive VTD Covington Block 023112 4004 Block 023113 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1013 1014 1015 1016 1022 1026 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2008 3000 3001 3002 3003 3004 3005 3007 VTD Covington Hwy VTD Cross Keys High (BHAVN) VTD Druid Hills Block 021505 1005 1010 Block 022401 2002 2003 2007 Block 022403 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2010 2011 2012 2018 3000 3001 3002 3003 3004 3005 Block 022404 1024 1038 1039 1041 Block 022405 2004 3003 3004 3005 VTD Emory Road Block 021506 1002 1003 1004 1007 Block 022404 1000 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1043 Block 022405 1001 1002 1004 1009 1010 1011 1013 2000 2001 VTD Emory South (UNI & ATL) Block 020100 1001 1003 1004 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 Block 022401 1000 1001 1004 1009 1010 1011 1012 1014 1015 1016 1017 2004 2005 2006 2008 2010 2013 2014 3005 3007 3008 3009 3011 4000 4001 4002 VTD Fernbank VTD Flat Shoals Library VTD Harris - Margaret Harris Ed VTD Kelley Chapel Road VTD Lavista VTD Lavista Road Block 021505 1000 1001 1004 4000 4001 4002 4003 4008 Block 021506 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Block 021602 1012 Block 021604 2016 2017 2021 Block 021606 3001 3008 3009 3010 3011 3012 Block 022404 1004 VTD Mathis - Bob Mathis Elem VTD Medlock VTD Montclair Elem (BHAVN) VTD North Decatur Block 022203 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1015 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2022 2026 2028 Block 022206 2016 2018 2019 3000 3001 Block 022602 1014 1015 1016 VTD Peachcrest VTD Rainbow Elem VTD Rowland Elem Block 023115 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 VTD Scott VTD Shaw Elementary VTD Silver Lake (ATL & BHAVN) Block 021103 1001 1002 1003 1004 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 3000 3001 3002 4000 4001 4002 4003 4004 4005 4006 4007 4008 Block 021104 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Block 021222 4017 Block 021405 3003 4005 4006 Block 021411 3000 VTD Skyland (BHAVN) VTD Snapfinger Elem VTD Snapfinger Road North VTD Woodward Elem (BHAVN) Block 021415 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 3000 3001 3002 3003 3004 3005 3006 3007 3008 3009 3010 3011 3012 3013 3014 3015 3016 3017 Block 021417 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 3000 3001 3002 4000 4001 4002 4003 Block 021502 3000 3001 3003 4000 4001 4002 4004 Block 021607 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1018 District 003 County DeKalb GA VTD Avondale (AVO) Block 022100 2042 2043 2045 Block 022203 2023 2024 Block 022900 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 Block 023000 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1023 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1031 1032 1033 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Block 023102 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1019 Block 023112 4005 Block 023113 1017 1020 1021 1023 1024 1025 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 3006 VTD Avondale High Block 022900 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1022 1038 1039 1040 1041 1042 1047 1049 1050 1051 1052 2002 2003 2004 2006 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2024 2025 2026 2027 2030 2031 2032 Block 023000 1020 1021 1022 1030 2010 Block 023101 2002 2003 2013 VTD Bouldercrest Road VTD Browns Mill Elem VTD Candler VTD Cedar Grove Elem VTD Cedar Grove Middle VTD Cedar Grove South VTD Chapel Hill Elem VTD Clifton VTD Columbia Elem VTD Columbia Middle VTD Covington Block 023113 1018 1019 2013 VTD Flakes Mill Fire Station VTD Flat Shoals VTD Flat Shoals Elem VTD Flat Shoals Parkway VTD Gresham Road VTD Harris - Narvie J. Harris Elem VTD Kelley Lake Elem VTD King - ML King Jr High VTD Knollwood Elem VTD McNair VTD McNair Academy Block 023601 1001 1003 1005 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 2017 2023 2025 2027 2030 2031 2032 Block 023602 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2009 2010 2011 VTD McNair High Block 023801 1000 1001 1003 1004 1005 1006 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 3000 3001 3002 3003 3004 3005 3006 3007 3008 3009 4000 4001 4002 4003 4004 4005 4006 4007 4008 Block 023802 3000 3001 3002 3003 3005 3007 3008 3012 3013 3014 3029 3030 VTD Meadowview VTD Midway Elem VTD North Decatur Block 022203 2027 VTD Oak View Elem VTD Piney Grove Block 023701 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1021 1022 1026 1027 1028 1031 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Block 023702 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 2012 VTD Snapfinger Road South VTD Terry Mill VTD Toney Elem VTD Wadsworth VTD Wesley Chapel Library District 004 County DeKalb GA VTD Allgood Elem VTD Bethune Middle VTD Candler - Murphey Candler Elem VTD Clarkston Block 022001 3012 Block 022007 1000 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Block 022010 1013 1014 Block 022011 1002 1003 1004 1007 1009 1010 1011 1013 1015 1017 Block 022012 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Block 022014 2006 2007 Block 022100 1000 1001 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1014 Block 022205 3009 Block 022206 2020 2021 VTD Coralwood VTD Dunaire Elem VTD Fairington Elem VTD Flat Rock Elem VTD Glenhaven VTD Glenwood Road VTD Indian Creek VTD Jolly Elem Block 022011 1005 1008 VTD McLendon VTD McWilliams VTD Memorial South VTD Miller Grove VTD Miller Grove Road VTD Northlake VTD Panola Road VTD Panola Way Elem VTD Rehoboth Block 021708 1007 1008 1009 1010 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 Block 022001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 VTD Rowland Elem Block 023111 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023 1024 Block 023112 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 VTD Rowland Road VTD Salem Middle VTD Shamrock VTD Stonecrest Library VTD Valley Brook VTD Woodridge Elem VTD Woodrow Road District 005 County DeKalb GA VTD Briarlake Elem VTD Clarkston Block 021817 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 Block 022010 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1015 1016 1024 1025 Block 022013 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1015 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Block 022014 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2008 2009 2010 VTD Crossroads VTD Freedom Middle VTD Hambrick Elem VTD Hawthorne Elem VTD Henderson Mill VTD Idlewood Elem (TUC) VTD Jolly Elem Block 022010 1000 1001 1002 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023 1026 1027 1028 Block 022011 1000 1001 1006 1012 1014 1016 2000 2001 2002 2003 Block 022013 1014 2008 2009 2010 2011 2013 Block 022015 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 VTD Lakeside High VTD Lithonia High VTD Marbut Elem VTD Midvale Road Block 021808 1023 Block 021820 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 Block 021821 2009 VTD Miller - Eldridge L. Miller Elem VTD Miller Grove High VTD Montreal (TUC) VTD North Hairston VTD Oak Grove Elem VTD Panola VTD Pine Lake (PIN) VTD Redan Middle VTD Redan Road VTD Redan-Trotti Library VTD Rehoboth Block 022001 1011 2000 Block 022007 1010 VTD Rockbridge Elem Block 021906 1012 1013 3008 3010 Block 021908 3000 3002 3003 3004 3005 3006 3007 Block 021916 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 Block 021917 1000 1001 1002 1003 1015 1016 1017 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 VTD Sagamore Hills Elem VTD South Hairston VTD Stone Mountain Middle (TUC) Block 021910 4016 4017 VTD Tucker Library (TUC) Block 021819 2018 VTD White Oak VTD Young Road District 006 County DeKalb GA VTD Brockett (TUC) VTD Brockett Elem (TUC) VTD Embry Hills VTD Evansdale Elem VTD Hugh Howell (TUC) VTD Lithonia (LIT) VTD Livsey Elem VTD Midvale Elem (TUC) VTD Midvale Road Block 021820 2006 VTD Pleasantdale Road VTD Princeton Elem VTD Redan Elem VTD Rock Chapel Elem VTD Rock Chapel Road VTD Rockbridge Elem Block 021906 1002 1005 3012 3013 4008 VTD Rockbridge Road VTD Shadow Rock Elem VTD Smoke Rise (TUC) VTD South Deshon VTD Stephenson High VTD Stephenson Middle VTD Stone Mill Elem VTD Stone Mountain (STO) VTD Stone Mountain Champion (STO) VTD Stone Mountain Elem VTD Stone Mountain Middle (TUC) Block 021817 1000 1001 1002 1004 1005 1006 Block 021823 1027 1028 Block 021910 4000 4001 4002 4003 4004 4005 4006 4009 4011 4012 4013 4014 4015 Block 021911 2000 2001 2002 2003 Block 021913 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 3000 3001 3002 3003 3004 3005 3006 3007 4002 4003 4004 4005 4006 4007 VTD Stoneview Elem VTD Tucker (TUC) VTD Tucker Library (TUC) Block 021819 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 Block 021821 2017 2018 Block 021822 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2026 2027 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2036 2037 2038 Block 021823 2000 2001 2002 2010 2011 2012 2013 3000 3001 3002 3003 3004 3005 3006 VTD Warren Tech VTD Wynbrooke Elem ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary. A Senate bill would redraw DeKalb County's school board election districts using 2020 census data and create a seventh, at-large district whose winner would serve as board chairperson, pending voter approval in a November 2026 referendum. ### Plain-language summary DeKalb County currently elects its county board of education from districts set out in a 1963 law that has been amended over time. This bill redraws those districts based on new mapping (Appendix A) tied to the 2020 census, replacing the old boundary descriptions. It keeps the board at seven members but changes the structure: six members would be elected from six numbered districts, while a seventh, at-large district covering the whole DeKalb County School District would elect the board's chairperson. Current board members would keep serving out their existing terms. The changes would not take effect automatically; DeKalb County must hold a referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026 asking voters to approve or reject the new district plan and at-large chairperson. If approved, the new districts and chairperson election take effect January 1, 2029 (with some provisions effective January 1, 2028 to allow the 2028 election). If rejected or if the election is not held, the bill is automatically repealed 365 days after the election date, and the county election superintendent can be compelled by court order to hold the vote. ### What it does - Redraws the six geographic education districts for electing DeKalb County school board members using new 2020 census-based mapping in Appendix A. - Creates a seventh, at-large education district covering the entire DeKalb County School District, whose elected member serves as board chairperson. - Requires current board members to finish their existing terms rather than being immediately replaced when the new map takes effect. - Requires DeKalb County to hold a referendum in November 2026 asking voters to approve or reject the new district plan and at-large chairperson. - Sets the new districts and chairperson election to take effect January 1, 2029, with some provisions effective January 1, 2028 for the 2028 election. - Automatically repeals the Act if voters reject it or if the referendum is not held as required, and allows a court to order the election superintendent to conduct the vote if they fail to do so. ### Who it affects DeKalb County voters and residents within the DeKalb County School District, current and future members of the DeKalb County Board of Education, the county election superintendent who must run the referendum, and DeKalb County government, which pays the election's costs. ### Why it matters If approved by voters, this would change how DeKalb County residents choose their school board, replacing the current districting scheme with new boundaries and adding a chairperson elected countywide rather than from a single district, directly affecting who represents each neighborhood on school policy decisions. ### Key provisions - Section 1 rewrites the 1963 Act's Section 1 to describe seven education districts, six geographic and one at-large district electing the chairperson, based on the 'DekSB-SD10-p1-2026' map in Appendix A. - Section 1(c) defines 'VTD' (voting precinct) and city boundary references according to the 2020 U.S. Census for Georgia. - Section 1(d) and (e) address unassigned or noncontiguous areas, assigning them to the contiguous district with the least population per the 2020 census. - Section 2 allows current board members to complete their current terms rather than face immediate reelection under the new map. - Section 3 requires a countywide referendum on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, with the ballot language asking voters to approve or reject the new six-district-plus-chairperson structure. - Section 3 sets the new plan's effective date as January 1, 2029 (January 1, 2028 for provisions needed to run the 2028 board election) if approved, and provides for automatic repeal 365 days after the election if not approved or not held. - Section 3 allows a court to issue a writ of mandamus forcing the election superintendent to hold the referendum if they fail to do so. - Section 4 makes the rest of the Act effective upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without signature. ## Status - Status: Introduced (2026-02-25) - Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2026-02-26) - Sponsors: Emanuel Jones, Tonya Anderson - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73616 > The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb578.md?full=1