An op-ed from frequent DM commenter and some time contributor Scott…

If you’re trying to make something happen that’s contingent on consensus-building, the greatest out-of-the-gate win you can achieve is defining the terms of the conversation.

If you set the terms, you control the discussion. You dictate what is and isn’t on the table and what will or won’t be topics of consideration by decision-makers.

It’s not just a procedural matter. For those skilled in context-setting, it can mean an 80% victory before you even get started. And, for those who enjoy the theatrics and pageantry of the public process as much as I do, it presents a certain irony.

A frequent item of discussion here on Decatur Metro is the City Schools of Decatur’s inability to communicate effectively and yet, in terms of wielding this particular tool of process manipulation, their mastery is unmatched.

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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… Read the rest of this entry »

Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards updates the community about yesterday’s school lockdown and gives details about proactive steps being taken to protect CSD students.

Dear CSD Parents,

Yesterday one of our bus drivers noticed a large group of students, not from our schools, coming toward the high school from the area around the MARTA station and coming up from behind where we park the buses. I have heard reports that there were anywhere from 30 to 50 students. Fortunately, a crisis was averted because of the quick thinking and action taken by our staff members and CSD?s School Resource Officer Cameron Coltharp. Around dismissal time, Officer Coltharp notified Mrs. McCain-Fernandez and Mr. Roaden that the middle school and the high School needed to be locked down.

Contrary to some rumors, there was nothing going on inside the schools. I have heard that some students inside of DHS called their parents and reported that there was an active shooter inside the school. This was not the case. Sometimes cell phones can be a lifeline however, it is important for you to talk with your children about two things in this respect; 1) cell phones in use can jam frequency for the police and first responders and 2) information given that is just conjecture causes more panic.

At no time were the students in the high school or the middle school in danger. The buildings were locked down to ensure that the group of students approaching the school did not make their way into the building as the police went after them. Therefore, students were not released until we were absolutely certain that it was safe for them to go outside.

One of the students taken into custody was determined to be in possession of some type of ammunition, but no gun was found. Taking precautionary measures, the police chief ordered in the dogs to determine if any weapons could be found on campus. Students were released after it was confirmed that there were no weapon on the grounds. Read the rest of this entry »