The James “Jimmy Mac” McMahan Scholarship - $1,000

The decision by the LHS Foundation to offer a scholarship in Jim McMahan’s honor was an easy one. On behalf of the Lakeside Foundation, Mitch Leff stated “(McMahan) tirelessly worked to improve the educational experience for our children. His contributions and energy have been inspirational.”

Born and raised in Atlanta, Jim grew up in Buckhead, graduating from Northside High School, then attending Wofford College and Georgia State University.  After marrying Susan Kitchens they purchased their first home in DeKalb County, opening the door to Jim becoming a committed and active DeKalb County citizen. Jim was never one to go half-hearted into a project. After his two daughters were born, Jim began a hands-on advocacy for DeKalb public schools which both his girls attended, saying:

“The students need our help; the schools need our help. We all know that great public schools improve property values and create productive citizens.”

In 2013 Jim was persuaded to run for the DeKalb County Board of Education’s 4th District seat for the 2-year remaining term. Less than a year later, Jim found himself and two other Board of Education members being the only board members the governor did not remove when the school system lost its accreditation. But Jim was all in! He was fully committed and available to the parents, teachers, staff and other Board members and the Superintendent. He had run on a platform to make Dekalb County fiscally sound and this was the task in front of him.

Not only did Jim take on the business side of his role, but he made efforts to learn more about all of the schools, not just the ones represented in his District. He was frequently seen at school sporting events across the District.  As a show of appreciation he, with a friend’s help, would often cook up barbeque with all the trimmings, taking lunch to teachers and staff at Sagamore and Oak Grove elementaries, as well as Lakeside and Cedar Grove High Schools. Jim welcomed an opportunity to interact with students, staff and parents.

In 2018 Jim made the decision to not run again. But he was able to retire with many accomplishments during his tenure; the DeKalb Schools System received Full Accreditation in 2015 with a 5-year renewal in 2017 and a $15,000,000 deficit was turned into a $125,000,000 reserve fund balance. But if you had asked Jim what his most satisfying and proud accomplishment as a member of the DeKalb Board of Education was, he would say it was giving the commencement address to the Lakeside Graduation Class of 2018 and awarding his daughter with her diploma.

“If you don’t know me, my name is Jim McMahan. But if you do know me…..it’s Jimmy Mac! Shout out to Jimmy Mac from Cedar Grove Saints, Lakeside High School, Tucker High School, Arabia, everybody in Dekalb – Let’s do it this year!”