The Decatur schools are in talks with Atlanta Public Schools about leasing Atlanta’s East Lake Elementary School.

East Lake was closed in 2012 as part of a districtwide school redistricting plan.

Decatur would use the school as classroom space during construction projects at other schools, Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof said.

“Our intention is not for this to be a long-term solution,” he said.

Enrollment in Decatur schools has reached historic highs, with an increase of about 125 percent in the last decade.

This year, enrollment on Sept. 10 reached 4,662. The district has projected as many as 7,300 students by 2020.

A $75 million bond approved by Decatur voters this month will fund school construction and renovations.

Leasing East Lake would be “a temporary piece to help with making the bond efficient,” Maloof said.

“Atlanta Public Schools is currently engaged in conversations with City of Decatur Schools regarding the short-term use of the East Lake Elementary School building,” Atlanta schools spokesman James Malone said in a written statement. “The district is also having internal discussions regarding the long-term use of the property.”

Maloof said lease terms for East Lake are currently being negotiated. The lease is expected to come before the school boards for approval in the coming months.

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