I’m feeling a bit Jane Jacobs-y today, so I thought I’d throw this topic out for discussion.

Of Decatur’s many parks, which gets the most foot traffic and, more importantly, why?  Is it also the city’s most “attractive” park?

Also, flip the question on its head. What’s Decatur’s least popular park and why?

I don’t spend nearly enough time roaming our city parks to give a definitive answer, but I think the insane popularity of First Christain’s pocket park at the corner of Nelson Ferry and Northern provides a few valuable lessons on what makes a successful park.

Here’s a breakdown of how City Schools of Decatur plan to use the roughly $1.1 million in federal stimulus money it will receive this year.  (Data and details taken from Action Item D from the July 14th agenda)

$444,100 - (Salary and benefits)  “2.5 regular education paraprofessionals from Oakhurst, 2.5 regular education paraprofessionals from Winnona Park, and 2 regular education paraprofessionals from Clairemont to the federal stimulus account codes. Also, 1 K-3 spanish teacher from each elementary school will be coded to federal stimulus funding.”

$18,000 - (supplemental pay items) District staff with 5 or more day reduction will have up to 4 days restored “About 45% of the employees in this category requested additional days to be able to complete certain tasks.”

$75,000 – City of Decatur After School program

$10,000 -  system professional learning

$125,000 – 50% of additional operating expenditures allocation – “$55,000 for instructional materials and supplies, $50,000 for instructional technology (primarily ActivBoards), $10,000 for professional learning fees and travel, and $10,000 for media books and materials.”

$25,000 – rising 9th grade leadership camp

$178,900 - salary and benefits for “2 of the learning lab teachers at the high school, a part-time IB coordinator at the high school, and the rising 9th grade leadership camp”

$228,300 – part-time RTI specialist, an inclusion teacher at the middle school, a new self-contained teacher at the middle school, a new paraprofessional to support the new inclusion teacher, and a paraprofessional at Glennwood.

$10,000 - occupational and physical therapy services

$5,000 – early childhood supplemental services

$5,000 – assistive/adaptive instructional technology equipment

$3,200 – GNETS

$10,000 - professional learning fees and travel

How’s this for in-depth reporting!  Cut and pasted straight out of the Board of Ed’s July 14th agenda…

Requested Action

Move approval of the donation from Iron Sky of new cameras and surveillance systems and services at the DHS main campus, the DHS stadium and the DHS gymnasium and auditorium.

Background

City Schools of Decatur is moving forward after accepting a gracious offer of a surveillance system from Iron Sky. The project team has met and began their work to place over 50 cameras in Decatur High School, the stadium, and planned for the gymnasium and auditorium. Camera locations and types have been carefully chosen. The DHS system is being constructed and fully tested in Houston, Texas before shipment and installation in Decatur. A firm start will be sent following that successful test. Training on the new equipment will be scheduled for late July or early August.

This offer amounts to approximjately $159,000. We have received more details from our legal team regarding this unique situation. We request that the board accept this donation from Iron Sky. A contract is not needed.

I wonder if this is a result of the recent “lockdown”.  Quite a donation!