Former Grant Park school under renovation

ATLANTA - Some Grant Park residents are converting a dilapidated, 95-year-old building into a brand new charter school. <br> <br> Thirty-five-year-old Margaret Kaiser has fixed up three old houses in the neighborhood. Now, she and several dozen neighbors are refurbishing the nearly century-old Slaton Elementary School. <br> <br> Last year, Atlanta Public Schools shut down Slaton and turned it over to area parents for 500 dollars a month. <br> <br> ``When I first saw it, I was a little taken aback,&#39;&#39; Kaiser said. <br> <br> Besides a leaky roof and broken windows, the boiler needed repair, broken furniture was scattered throughout, asbestos floor tile covered hardwood floors. <br> <br> But, volunteers say it&#39;s worth the effort. The building itself was a throwback to days when children walked to their local school an appropriate choice for the new Neighborhood Charter School. <br> <br> Classes begin in August. Principal Jackie Rosswurm said project cost is expected to be up to $70,000 - with much money coming from grants and donations. <br> <br> Neighborhood Charter will feature a hands-on, project-oriented curriculum developed with nearby Zoo Atlanta. Parents must sign a contract promising to do ten hours of service at the school annually.