2 min read June 2023 — In an interview with Focus:, Anthony Smith, superintendent of Clayton County Public Schools, spoke on some major highlights from the last 12 months, including passing a $440 million bond referendum to modernize 36 facilities, investing in an $80 million high school golf course and converting an old middle school into an adaptive athletic complex for students with special needs. Smith explained that the focus is on early learning, STEM education and athletics.
What have been some major highlights in the last 12 months?
Recently, nearly 80% of Clayton County citizens affirmed their interest in a referendum to approve a $440 million bond referendum that will allow for us to work on our outdated infrastructure, particularly on the south side. We will be able to modernize 36 of our facilities to give a new environment to our students. In connection to that, we are also going to invest in a $95 million, 8000+ seat arena in partnership with the county government.
We are also going to invest about $80 million ino one of our highschools so they can have a nine-hole golf course. We have 12 highschools with golf programs, so it is primarily for them. Another school will also have an indoor track so that students do not have to make a trek to the nearest indoor track. Another unique thing we are doing is converting one of our old middle schools into an adaptive athletic complex for students with special needs, and we want to eventually open that up to the wider community.
We are building these things with a focus on early learning, STEM education and athletics. We are looking to be competitive when it comes to athletics, so we are investing heavily into baseball fields, irrigation systems, scoreboards, tennis courts, turf fields, tracks and so on when it comes to outdoor activities.
What are some unique programs capturing the attention of students?
Obviously the kids are interested in athletics, but one of the exciting things going on right now is the aviation program. We have about 19 kids working to get their pilot license and it includes a three pronged approach, so that when they graduate they secure their pilot license as well. Exposing them to a robust program is exciting and that group is excited, so we are looking to expand that and grow the program so we can be a pipeline for the pilot shortage, especially knowing we are in the backyard of major airports.
How are you preparing students for the world and workforce?
We created an opportunity room for our elementary level students to be sent when a student is being unruly and disruptive. The room is different from suspension where a student will have concentrated support to help them work on their behavior so that they are able to improve.
We have also created the YES program, Youth Empowerment Services, and we are utilizing our virtual platform for unruly students to look out for the students that are trying to gain their education. Unruly students will be sent home to take classes virtually assisted by streamlined support so they can transition back to the classroom as a better student.
How are you partnering with higher education?
Of course we have Clayton State University in our backyard, but we also partner with Devry through our school Riverdale, and they have a dual enrollment program to gain credits before students graduate highschool. Our graduation rate has had a steady uptick and we are excited about that.
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