Are you interested in City Schools of Decatur Master Planning process, but you haven’t had a chance to attend a meeting yet?  Well, does CSD have the website for you!

The Master Plan website now includes a 40 minute video of the presentation of the Master Plan and a list of Frequently Asked Questions.  Here’s a sample FAQ:

What happens if we do not do a master plan?

Based upon the Projected Growth, if no improvements are made, then each of the current facilities will meet and exceed their capacities within the next three to five year period.  This will force CSD to invest in Portable Classrooms (trailers).  Each Portable Classroom costs approximately $35,000 per year to have installed and leased.  

Example:  It is projected that the Decatur High School would require up to 32 Portable Classrooms to accommodate its growth.  This would equate into CSD paying approximately $1,120,000 per year for a temporary solution.   Another 17 Portable Classrooms would be necessary to accommodate projected growth at Renfroe Middle School at a cost of $595,000 per year.

 

CSD sends along this letter from Superintendent Phyllis Edwards…

Dear City of Decatur Community,

City Schools of Decatur is the fastest growing school system in the state of Georgia! We are in the process of developing a master plan to prepare to accommodate our growing student enrollment within the confines of our existing campuses.

The first phase of planning began in the winter months of the 2012-2013 school year with principals and instructional personnel developing program and space needs, taking into consideration requirements from the Georgia Department of Education.

We have created a website where documents detailing the Master Plan process are housed. This website includes presentations and resources previously presented at Board of Education meetings and housed online at our eBOARD site. The Master Plan website also includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions, such as the one below:

What is the master plan and why is City Schools of Decatur going through this process? The City Schools of Decatur is the fastest growing school system in the state of Georgia.  Current facilities are reaching their maximum capacity and a plan that would provide solutions to this growth was found necessary by the Board.  The Master Plan development involves six (6) steps: 1.      Existing Facilities Survey – in this step, each of the current facilities were evaluated for their current condition, capacity and availability for expansion.  Working with the Associate Superintendent, projections of growth for K-3, 4-5, middle and high school grades were developed and confirmed.  This information was evaluated with regard to Georgia Department of Education requirements to determine areas that needed to be addressed to accommodate the growth. 2.      Building Space Needs Program – in this step, each of the current facilities deemed to be deficient to accommodate growth, had a Building Space Needs Program developed.  This document outlined specific spaces, square footage, site improvements and others necessary to accommodate the projected growth.  It also included diagrams illustrating how these spaces would or could be connected via Adjacency Diagrams.   3.      Concept Development Plans – in this step, architectural floor plans and site plans were developed for the high school, middle school and certain K-3 facilities that would address the growth and accommodate the Space Needs Programs and Adjacency Diagrams.  At least two scenarios were developed for each as to give options for evaluation and consideration.      4.      Schedule / Sequencing – each scenario had a detailed Design and Construction Schedule developed taking into consideration working in and around an operating school.   5.      Cost Estimates / Budgets – once each scenario had a schedule / sequence developed, a complete Cost Estimate and Budget was developed including all hard, soft and financing costs to provide a complete Project Budget.   6.      GA DOE / Board Approval – in this step the CSD Board and public have a chance to consider and evaluate each of the options prior to deciding on a direction to move forward with.

In addition to the information presented at school board meetings, City Schools of Decatur is hosting four presentations and forums for parents and the community.

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CSD sends along this announcement…

City Schools of Decatur Master Planning

City Schools of Decatur is the fastest growing school system in the state of Georgia! CSD is in the process of developing a master plan to prepare to accommodate our growing student enrollment within the confines of our existing campuses.

Please check out our Master Planning website for more information about the process, dates and times for Public Forums, and resources presented at Board of Education meetings. http://www.csdecatur.net/master-plan/

Joint RMS and DHS School Leadership Team worksession:

Location- Decatur High School Library Media Center

Thursday April 18th @ 4:00 PM (no public comment)

Renfroe Middle School Plan Public Forum:

Location- Renfroe Middle School

Thursday April 25th @ 6:30-8:00 PM with time for public comment

Friday May 3rd @ 8:00-9:30 AM with time for public comment

Decatur High School Plan Public Forum:

Location- Decatur High School Performing Arts Center

Wednesday May 1st @ 9:00-10:30 AM with time for public comment

Thursday May 2nd @ 6:30-8:00 PM with time for public comment