Dear Milton Residents, Neighbors and Citizens,

It has been a busy week in Milton as it has included a presentation from Lew Oliver regarding possible ideas for Crabapple, Council meetings which included a proclamation acknowledging the commitment of Principal Bill Thompson to students and communities, to the third redistricting meeting for our local schools and those throughout North Fulton as well as the Earth Day Festival planned for today, Saturday, April 16th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  The rain has passed and the City of Milton and the Milton Grows Green committee has a fantastic Festival at Birmingham Park planned for today.  I hope you will find some time in your busy Saturdays to stop by and enjoy the free activities for your families.

The primary reasons for this email release are to: 1) encourage you to provide input regarding the Library to be built somewhere in Milton (to be announced sometime in the near future according to the Library Board and Fulton County), and 2) to inform you of the continued opportunities to provide input directly to the Fulton County Board of Education (FCBOE) regarding the current High School and Middle School redistricting and attendance zone process.

Library Input

The Fulton County Library system is asking for our individual and collective input regarding the Library to be located in Milton.  While we do not have a specific site selection yet from Fulton County, they are seeking specific input regarding functionality, building type and look, environmental considerations and programming.  Please go to the following link to provide input to the surveys being collected.  Your direct input will have a lasting impact on the eventual library in Milton regarding how it looks, feels and functions for you and your family.  Thank you for weighing in on this important topic as it will have a forever impact on our community.

High School and Middle School Redistricting Process - Update

Many of you know the Fulton County Board of Education (FCBOE) came out with a revised map earlier this week. On Wednesday, April 13th, the third and final community meeting was held with break out sessions intended to gain additional community input on the redistricting process.  The FCBOE is continuing to seek input on the latest plan via their website until Monday, April 18 at 8 a.m.  

The primary and secondary criteria used for determining redistricting maps, and therefore any comments - either pro or con - are asked by the FCBOE to be focused on the following:

• Geographic Proximity
• Capacity
• Residential Development
• Safety/Traffic Concerns
• Multiple/Previous Rezonings
• School Feeder Pattern
• Neighborhoods Groupings

I appreciate the input of all citizens and respect all opinions.  I have heard from those in favor of the latest plan as well as those opposed.  As noted by those who favor the current plan, positives include the numeric balancing of school populations and keeping some Milton areas grouped together.  Meanwhile, concerns noted with the current plan include east-west traffic patterns and feeder school alignments.  I respect all citizens and their opinions on this issue; I encourage all Milton residents to be respectful of the varying perspectives on this sometimes complex issue. 

A redistricting of this magnitude naturally has various opinions based on varying perspectives and areas.  What might be important to one area, can present an issue for another.  My hope is that all citizens from all areas provide input and that all perspectives can be considered.  The great news is that both high schools will be wonderful.  The more community input the better.  Again, thank you for sharing your opinions.

Thank you, too, for caring enough about this place we all call home to be involved and engaged.  I am truly thankful to live, work and volunteer in such a wonderful community that is made most special by the respect and care extended between neighbors.

Take care,
 
Julie Zahner Bailey
404-310-6344 (cell)
770-664-5529 (home)
Julie4Milton@mindspring.com
www.Julie4Milton.com
Baileyfarmandgardens@mindspring.com
www.baileyfarmandgardens.com

Beyond the on-line link to the FCBOE, the following contact information can be utilized for providing additional comments to those involved directly and on the periphery:

Yngrid Huff
Executive Director of Operational Planning

and

Lauren Blake
Professional Assistant

planning@fultonschools.org
(404) 763-5540
FAX (404) 763-5547

Fulton County Board of Education Board Members:

Linda Schultz

schultzl@fultonschools.org

Katie Reeves

reevesk@fultonschools.org

Gail Dean 

deang@fultonschools.org 

Linda Bryant

bryantlp@fultonschools.org 

Linda McCain

McCainL@fultonschools.org

Catherine Maddox

maddoxc@fultonschools.org

Julia Bernath

bernath@fultonschools.org

Cindy Loe

loec@fultonschools.org

City of Milton Council

*Please note, the City Council does not have a direct say in the redistricting process as it is a Fulton County Board of Education (FCBOE) state mandated decision and process, but it is important that we are aware of your concerns as they impact Milton as a community.

Mayor Joe Lockwood

joe.lockwood@cityofmiltonga.us

Karen Thurman

Karen.thurman@cityofmiltonga.us

Julie Zahner Bailey

julie.zahnerbailey@cityofmiltonga.us

Bill Lusk

bill.lusk@cityofmiltonga.us

Burt Hewitt

burt.hewitt@cityofmiltonga.us

Joe Longoria

joe.longoria@cityofmiltonga.us

Alan Tart

alan.tart@cityofmiltonga.us

City of Milton Staff Members

Chris Lagerbloom - City Manager 

chris.lagerbloom@cityofmiltonga.us

Carter Lucas - Public Works 

carter.lucas@cityofmiltonga.us