If Westchester reopened, the parents in our neighborhood would lobby strongly to remain in Oakhurst.

I agree that CSD could improve its manipulation, interpretation, and presentation of data, whether it’s financial, educational, survey, or other data. Sometimes what is presented at Board meetings and to the community is generalizations without enough detail to be able to judge the quality and interpretation of the information. One of the healthiest things that has happened lately is that more candidates have been running for School Board and I hope that continues. When only one candidate runs, there’s less information and discussion shared. A healthy dose of transparency and open discussion is good for school systems. DeKalb County Schools is an example of how fast a school system can go from healthy to almost ruined. I’m so glad that CSD is a completely different game but am aware that things can change.

I agree with those who suggest that the system seems to be set up a bit absurdly favoring spending more money on “new” rather than finding adequate office space, as a rental or lease.
No business I know simply builds a new building every time they outgrow or re-purpose an existing space. They might, but its not automatic.
The argument that “it comes from SPLOST” seems to also “say”, “… don’t worry, it’s someone else’s money…”
Yikes, this is a small district, with a small population, we can’t just keep building these buildings and writing check upon check.(how much did W’chester cost to refit, and now refit again?)

I have seen CSD spend a LOT of money over the years, some of it well spent, some of it not.
What I have issue with is a system that allows them only one path to fix the current problem, along with the underlying issue that CSD really doesn’t do adequate analysis to understand its future enrollment population and the pressure it places on existing resources.
They don’t need consultants for that, they need some sound statistics in concert with an ongoing database of city residents that will help track school aged kids.
Whole companies do this work every day. it’s a small city. We should be able to do this.
…and yes, I know there will be constraints, but for God’s sake let’s bring the management of the school population demands into the 21st century with a data based statistical model that works.

Or , just spend the cash, what’s $4.5- 5million dollars anyway? We are worth it, right? Our kids are, right?
I think we should think of the cash as our cash. How much would you spend on this if it were your money?
What kind of planning would you require CSD to do if it were your money?