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Decatur steering committee prefers K-2/3-5 elementary configuration

This is a portion of the seven acres owned by City Schools Decatur at Talley Street and South Columbia Drive in southeast Decatur, future site for a school which Superintendent David Dude hopes opens by May, 2019. Depending on which option is chosen by the school board next month, it will be a 3-5 school or 4/5 academy. Bill Banks file photo for the AJC.
This is a portion of the seven acres owned by City Schools Decatur at Talley Street and South Columbia Drive in southeast Decatur, future site for a school which Superintendent David Dude hopes opens by May, 2019. Depending on which option is chosen by the school board next month, it will be a 3-5 school or 4/5 academy. Bill Banks file photo for the AJC.
By Bill Banks
April 10, 2017

A Decatur schools steering committee will recommend two final options regarding elementary facility planning during the school board’s regular meeting, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Central Office/Beacon Municipal Center, 125 Electric Ave. The discussion, however, is scheduled for very late in the meeting — it’s the third to last item before final remarks on future business and future dates.

According to pre-meeting notes posted by City Schools Decatur, the steering committee’s preference “is a new K-2/3-5 solution.”

In this option there are five K-2 elementary schools, with 3-5 schools at Fifth Avenue and the future building at Talley Street. In this configuration the Early Childhood Learning Center remains at College Heights.

The second option keeps the current K-3/4-5 alignment. This totals six K-3 schools with 4-5 Academies at Fifth Avenue and Talley Street. In this alignment College Heights is renovated into an elementary school and the ECLC moves to a new location.

According to CSD’s notes, the steering committee will present these options Tuesday along with a draft survey for gathering additional community feedback. The survey will remain open for two weeks, with the committee bringing a final recommendation to the board during its May 9 meeting. It’s anticipated the board will make a final decision on May 9.

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