ATLANTA - A heated Atlanta Board of Education meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd Wednesday night, as parents pleaded for the district to keep their schools open amid a massive budget shortfall.

"Closing the school, Dunbar Elementary in an all-Black neighborhood, doesn't solve problems," one community member told the board. "I feel like it creates more."

Atlanta Public Schools budget deficit

What we know:

Atlanta Public Schools is facing a $57 million budget deficit.

As part of its plan, called APS Forward 2040, the district is considering closing or repurposing 16 elementary schools by the 2027 school year.

Officials say the proposal could save about $20 million annually and $65 million in maintenance costs.

"It’s not just a financial decision, but unfortunately, finance driv

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