Decatur School Board moves funding from duplexes to safety and security

“We have completed a set of drawings that are ready for permitting and held a meeting with city of Decatur officials to gather additional details,” Chief Operating Officer Sergio Perez said. “We engaged a civil engineer consultant to provide expert site planning, landscape, architectural and civil engineer services for the project.”

Perez added, before the budget adjustment was made, that the consultant would develop construction drawings, and the district hoped to go through the permitting process in the next few months. However, the timeline will be adjusted.

The estimated cost of the project is about $1.4 million. At the suggestion of the superintendent, the board reallocated this funding toward safety and security measures.

Based on the results from a third-party audit and a review by the new CSD safety and security director, several projects and initiatives, such as facility vestibules and a visitor management system, are under consideration. The spokesperson said a list of priorities will be developed, including projected costs, for the board’s review and approval.

During the work session, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker noted that the school board previously approved a contract with Centegix to provide mobile panic alert cards with single-button activation for all staff members. The board also adopted a resolution encouraging the safe storage of weapons.

“These initiatives demonstrate this board’s and also this administration’s prioritization of safety. I believe reallocating would be another,” Whitaker said.

In other business:

– During the regular meeting, Whitaker expressed her condolences to Barrow County school system, Apalachee High School and the Winder community following a recent shooting at Apalachee High School.

“Our thoughts are with the students, staff and families as they cope with their grief and the trauma of this recent tragedy. I must also express my support for my colleague and first-year superintendent, Dr. Dallas LeDuff, as he joins his school community in their grief while determining the difficult path forward.

“During these unsettling times, we all must join together to navigate the uncertainty ahead. Students, families and staff are encouraged to utilize our district resources such as those offered through the Decatur Student Center,” Whitaker said.

She added that the National Association of School Psychologists has resources to assist families and educators in speaking with kids about violence. To view those resources, click here.

The Georgia Department of Education, in partnership with Accenture Health, is also providing school employees access to a series of support webinars through Sept. 13.

“I further want to remind our CSD community how critical it is to remain vigilant to maintain safety in, on and around our school community,” Whitaker said. “If you see something, please say something immediately.”

– The capital plan also lays out several renovations needed at each school, which includes priorities like building duplexes, replacing HVAC systems, renovating roofs, replacing plumbing equipment, replacing the turf field at the high school, enhancing security systems, and repairing parking lots.

CSD worked with Woolpert Consultants at the beginning of April on a comprehensive facility condition assessment and life cycle analysis to examine the state and needs of each school building and the Wilson Center.

“The average Facility Condition Index for City Schools of Decatur is 12.77%,” Chief Operating Officer Sergio Perez said. “Our buildings range in age from those constructed in 1915 to those built as recently as 2019. On average, our buildings were built in 1955 and encompass a total of 905,000 square feet.”

According to this assessment, Clairemont Elementary, built in 1936, is considered to be in fair to good condition and does not have significant structural issues, but the roof needs some repairs.

“However, the roof membrane is a primary system in need of replacement. This is a priority project, and it is expected to be brought into alignment over the next year,” Perez said. “Once the roof system is replaced, the Facility Condition Index for Clairemont Elementary will change to green, indicating that the building is in good condition.”

According to the assessment, some electrical and HVAC equipment is also approaching the end of its expected life cycle. Over the next five years, keeping up with the large capital and maintenance needs across the schools would cost about $37.7 million.

Here is the list of renovations in the capital plan:

– Beacon Hill Middle School: Replace carrier-cooled chiller rooftop unit, 16 exhaust fans, two makeup air units, five packaged and split system units, and the domestic boiler. Renovate restrooms, replace the metal panel roofing system on the main building’s backside, and replace VCT tile.

– Clairemont Elementary: Replace sloped asphalt shingle roofing systems and windows. Address the upper parking lot asphalt coating, aging door hardware, and plumbing fixtures in restrooms.

– Early Childhood Learning Center: Replace 19 packaged units and RTUs, update water distribution, address aging exterior door hardware, and resurface handrails on the ADA ramp and stairs.

– Decatur High School: Replace two split systems, 12 packaged units, and five exhaust fans. Replace the main Rheem water heater and water heaters across the stadium. All 21 HVAC units in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) are due for replacement. Turf field and PAC roofing systems require replacement, and restrooms need renovation.

– Glennwood Elementary: Replace two rooftop makeup air and ventilation units, 16 watersourced heat pumps, and aging piping, pumps, and valves. Renovate 118 operational windows, door hardware, VCT tile, and restrooms.

– Oakhurst Elementary: Replace 10 water source heat pumps, improve security coverage, address roofing system issues, replace VCT tile and fire alarm system, and renovate restrooms.

– Westchester Elementary: Replace the burglar alarm system and two rooftop ERV units. Repair the parking lot and replace VCT tile.

– Winnona Park Elementary: Add new insulation, replace the burglar alarm system, repair ADA compliance issues, remove trailers, repair roof decking and basketball court flooring, build a controlled vestibule entry, improve signage, replace water heaters and pumps, and address foundation repairs.

– Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary: Replace fire alarm panels, remove trailers, improve signage, and replace FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment).

Source: City Schools of Decatur