Emory Village, Atlanta GA (pic submitted by John)

From a letter from Superintendent Phyllis Edwards posted on CSD’s website…

Each year, we have experienced change and challenge.  Most recently, in the last 7 years or so, the enrollment has continued to grow taking us from approximately 2300 students when I arrived to over 4000 today. Currently, our projections vs. our actual enrollment indicate that we have met 97% of our expected growth for the upcoming school year.  I have no doubt that we will meet or exceed the projection.  If you would like to see the various enrollment reports done over the last year, please go to this link.  In response to the climbing enrollment, Oakhurst Elementary has been expanded.  Oakhurst will be completed to house students by the first day of school.  The 4/5 Academy is also under construction to add additional classrooms and a multi-purpose area that can be used for an additional cafeteria space if needed.

This year, I will also work during the first part of the year to create an attendance zone for students to attend Westchester Elementary in the 2014-2015 school year.  If the Board agrees, I will also seek a Principal to be named to lead the school.  This process will include School Leadership Team members and some staff from some of the existing K-3 schools.  A solid practice and one that I have employed in the past, includes naming the Principal during the spring so that he or she may select staff and get to know parents.  In order to ensure that existing students, especially going into third grade for the 2014-2015 school year, remain at their current school, I plan to open Westchester for Kindergarten and First graders first.   The staff and I will involve SLT members and other parents who are interested in the various processes necessary.

Lewis Jones is running for the District 1 seat, being vacated by Marc Wisnewski.  He asked that we pass along this note, which is also up on his website…

I am running because I want to help the Superintendent make Decatur one of the top ten community school districts in the nation.  I hope to strengthen School Leadership Teams, improve community outreach, promote arts and music, and establish value-added performance standards to ensure that our schools are working as hard as our children.  I also want to help manage the master planning process to ensure it does not distract us from the academic program.

With five kids in the system, I am totally committed to the City schools, and our own experience has been terrific.  As Chair of the School Leadership Team at Renfroe Middle School, I know that we’re doing a great job already, but I also think there’s more to be done to get us to the next level.

If you have any questions please call.   Thank you!  Lewis Jones , cell; , office)

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close on Monday.