This story has been updated. 

DeKalb County Public Schools scored a victory in its push to block the expansion of Atlanta Public Schools’ boundaries into the county schools’ territory.

The expansion of the boundaries occurred in conjunction with the annexation of Emory University and surrounding properties, which the City Council approved in December. DeKalb County Schools filed a lawsuit last month seeking “to void the ordinance approving the annexation of Emory University, the CDC and other commercial and residential areas located on 744 acres in DeKalb County into the City of Atlanta.”

DeKalb County Schools said a Fulton County judge has issued an injunction that blocks the expansion of APS boundaries.

“APS was set to take over as the public school system for the children residing in the annexed area on July 1, 2018,” DeKalb County Schools said in a press release. “The injunction means that DCSD students in the annexation area will continue to attend DCSD schools, and not be forced to enroll in the neighboring school system.”

The city of Atlanta and Atlanta Public Schools could not be immediately reached for comment. An Emory University spokesperson said, “Emory University is proud to be a civic partner to both DeKalb County and the city of Atlanta. We do not have further comment at this time.”

Here’s the full press release from DeKalb County Schools:

Injunction in Emory annexation protects DeKalb County students from unnecessary encroachment

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. – A Fulton County judge today issued an injunction sought by the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) that blocks the expansion of the Atlanta Public School System (APS) boundaries as part of the Emory annexation.

DCSD had filed a lawsuit against the City of Atlanta. The interlocutory injunction blocks the expansion of the boundaries of APS to include the 744 acres of DeKalb County annexed by the City, including Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control.

APS was set to take over as the public school system for the children residing in the annexed area on July 1, 2018. The injunction means that DCSD students in the annexation area will continue to attend DCSD schools, and not be forced to enroll in the neighboring school system.

“We are pleased the Court took the appropriate step to protect the children of our school system from unnecessary encroachment,” said Superintendent/CEO R. Stephen Green. “We strongly encourage all parties to return to the table in a spirit of cooperation regarding the Emory annexation.”

The Court prohibited APS from expanding its borders to include the Emory Annexation, finding that DCSD had proven it had a substantial likelihood of demonstrating the annexation ordinance was void due to the fact it was not properly passed by the Atlanta City Council.