The DeKalb County school board will vote in a week on whether to close a dozen schools that are slated for renovation.

Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson is pushing for the closures and attendance line changes. She wants to use the money to speed up reconstruction of eight other schools. Atkinson also wants $80 million in bonds against future sales tax revenue to move things along.

Atkinson is expected to address the matter today during her state of the school system speech.

A spokesperson for the district told Channel 2 Action news in a statement that the goal of the plan “is to support teacher and student success by easing overcrowding at some schools while building student capacity in areas of the district.”

But some parents wonder why everyone is in such a big hurry to vote on a plan that was released just days ago.

“Surprising is the word that comes to mind these are major decisions,” said Pastor Dr. Randy Shepley, whose kids attended Livsey and Tucker Middle Schools. “For the church where I serve, we've noticed the children’s numbers are actually going up and that' makes us wonder why you would decommission a school.”

Others are wondering if they are rushing to get the vote in before new school board members take office.

“We have a plan, why a rushed plan now?” asked Tucker resident Caroline Lord.

The school board will discuss the matter Thursday at 2 p.m. A final vote is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 10.

Both meetings are at 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain.