The CSD school board is scheduled to vote on the much-discussed reconfiguration issue next Tuesday, June 9th.

In her note to the board motioning to approve Option 13, superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards references the general support that renovating 5th Ave has among the reconfiguration committee, teachers and parents that spoke at the listening sessions.  She also states…

I estimate that if you make the decision in June, it will still take two years until the building is ready. In the meantime, we will add portables as we see fit. In the following school year, we may have to explore other temporary options.

By doing a lease purchase for $10 million dollars, Fifth Avenue can be renovated and the remaining dollars spent on renovating RMS, which sorely needs attention.

Barring some unforeseen challenge or circumstance, the vote next Tuesday (6:30p @ Westchester) should be the final say in this matter.

You can read the Superintendent’s full letter after the jump…

In May, I presented the Board with my recommendation for the future regarding the use of school buildings to accomodate student growth. This process has been ongoing for the better part of this school year and some preliminary work was completed during the 2008-2009 school year.

This time, a group of parents and teachers was involved in the process. You have heard comments from the committee and read the various reports. All of the documentation has been on the website. The process was transparent.

My recommendation was provided to you at the May meeting. For a variety of reasons, I support the rebuilding of the Fifth Avenue school to accomodate the 4/5 graders in an IB Academy concept. I feel that the majority of teachers support this option. On the nights of the Listening Session, many parents and some community members also spoke in support of this option.

This option will take care of the current issues at both the elementary and 4/5 level. It will also position CSD for the future by having the building renovated for use.

I estimate that if you make the decision in June, it will still take two years until the building is ready. In the meantime, we will add portables as we see fit. In the following school year, we may have to explore other temporary options.

By doing a lease purchase for $10 million dollars, Fifth Avenue can be renovated and the remaining dollars spent on renovating RMS, which sorely needs attention.

We have provided cost estimates which are reasonable. It is recommended that when the preparation begins for the next SPLOST, we write the SPLOST language to include the payment necessary for this borrow.

Between May and June, Theresa Link, Dr. Van Soelen and I have made ourselves available to all Board Members for further discussion on this topic. The Board had asked for an additional month to review documents and have questions answered prior to a vote.