Posted in Community, Meetings, tagged City Commission, City of Decatur, City of Decatur City Commission, city of decatur ga, City Schools of Decatur, Decatur City Commission on September 9, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
During last night’s meeting, Decatur City Commission approved an amended meeting schedule moving the second September meeting back to its regular third Monday, Sept. 21 as it no longer conflicts with the City Schools of Decatur Fall Break (which has been canceled). Meetings are currently conducted online via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meetings are also streamed live on the website. Visit decaturga.com/citycommission for meeting details and to register for alerts.
Posted in Community, tagged #cityofdecatur, #cityofdecaturga, #DecaturGA, afterschool lottery, City Schools of Decatur, Happening in Decatur on April 1, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
For Parents of rising 2020-21 Kindergarteners, you can find various Afterschool options for Kindergarteners for the 2020-21 school year on the www.csdecatur.net website under Families > Resources > After School and Camps.
The City of Decatur offers the Animal Crackers program at all K-2nd schools. Enrollment for incoming Kindergarteners is done through a lottery process which opened February 18 and closes April 17, 2020 at 6 pm. The lottery spin will be run April 24, 2020. Full details on how to register for the Afterschool lottery are posted on the City of Decatur website at www.decaturga.com/cys on the Afterschool Lottery 2020-21 tab. Contact Children and Youth Services for more information at cys@decaturga.com or 404-378-1082.
Posted in Community, Events, Meetings, tagged City Schools of Decatur, Decatur Lifelong Community Advisory Board, homestead exemption, Third Thursday series on October 26, 2016 | Leave a Comment »
Audio is now available on the City of Decatur website of the Lifelong Community Advisory Board’s information session on the Homestead Exemptions that will be on the November 8 ballot. City Manager Peggy Merriss, City Schools of Decatur Superintendent Dr. David Dude, and City Schools of Decatur Board Chair Annie Caiola were on the panel. The talk was moderated by Lifelong Community Advisory Board member Maria Pinkelton. Special thanks to Lifelong Community Advisory Board member Elizabeth Burbridge for recording the talk.
We apologize that the audio is a little grainy at the beginning but it gets better. Please be certain to listen for at least the first 15 minutes and you will get a good summary. Visit the City Schools of Decatur website for more in depth information. Also, visit the City website for information regarding Homestead Exemptions currently available.
If you would like more information about the Lifelong Community Advisory Board and its committees (Taxation and Affordability, Transportation, Housing, Decatur Neighbors, and Communication), please email leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or call 678-553-6548.
Posted in Community, Events, Meetings, tagged City of Decatur, City Schools of Decatur, homestead exemption, Lifelong Community, property tax on October 17, 2016 | Leave a Comment »
Decatur’s Lifelong Community Advisory Board’s Taxation and Affordability Committee is hosting a Third Thursday information session for City of Decatur residents to learn more about the new homestead exemptions that will come up for vote on the November 8 ballot. Please join us on Thursday, October 20, 6:30 p.m., at Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street, to learn more about the exemptions.
A panel from City Schools of Decatur and City of Decatur will answer questions and provide information about these five homestead exemptions. One of them is an exemption from school property taxes for homeowners over the age of 65—an exemption that expires in five years when it will be re-evaluated.
For more information about the Decatur for a Lifetime initiative or the board, contact leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or 678-553-6548.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged City Schools of Decatur, CSD on January 22, 2016 | Leave a Comment »
From the City Schools of Decatur eblast –
Due to winter weather concerns, all CSD schools will dismiss 2 hours early on Friday, January 22nd. Buses will run regular afternoon routes 2 hours early.
• College Heights and K-3 Schools will dismiss at 12:30
• 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue will dismiss at 12:45
• Decatur High School will dismiss at 1:30
• Renfroe Middle School will dismiss at 1:40
All after school programs and activities are cancelled for Friday afternoon and all day Saturday including the SAT administration at Decatur High School.
This decision comes following a state of emergency issued by Governor Nathan Deal that will close state offices tomorrow at noon as well. For the full announcement from the Governor, visit http://goo.gl/nZ1zhb.
The CSD Safety Team will continue to monitor conditions. Any updates or changes will be posted to the CSD website and Facebook page.
Posted in Sustainability, tagged "Kerry Armstrong", ARC, atlanta regional commission, City Schools of Decatur, Decatur, Green Communities, LEED, Platinum on January 28, 2015 | 1 Comment »
This week, the City of Decatur was one of seven local governments to be recognized by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for leadership in implementing policies and practices that contribute to efficient and sustainable use of resources in metro Atlanta. The city became the first jurisdiction in the 10-county region to achieve Platinum level as a Certified Green Community, the highest certification level. Representatives from the city received its award at ARC’s January board meeting. ARC recognized the City of Decatur, along with two other cities – Alpharetta and Sandy Springs, and Cherokee, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties, which either renewed or upgraded certification in ARC’s five-year-old Green Communities program.
Commenting on Wednesday’s presentation, ARC Chairman Kerry Armstrong said, “The seven local governments the Atlanta Regional Commission recognized today are working hard to use resources wisely and well, and I commend them for their achievements. Their efforts are contributing to cleaner air, reduced water demand, less waste going into landfills and more. As a result, we have a cleaner, greener region.”
After first achieving Green Communities certification at the Bronze level in 2009, and upgrading to the Gold level in 2010, the City of Decatur has renewed its certification at the Platinum level this year, the first local government to reach the highest achievement possible. Some of the actions Decatur took to become certified include:
ARC developed the Green Communities Program to foster greater environmental stewardship and to recognize local governments that invest in programs leading to a more sustainable region. The nationally recognized program showcases the ways in which local governments are helping to transform the region by reducing their environmental footprint. Since 2009, 18 jurisdictions in the 10-county region have been certified. Cities and counties earn Green Communities certification by implementing practices and policies in 10 categories, ranging from energy efficiency and green building to transportation and water efficiency. ARC’s Green Communities program was the first program in the country seeking to transform a region by promoting sustainability through a “green” certification program for local governments.
Complete information about ARC’s Green Communities Certification Program, including the measures each community has implemented, is available on the agency’s website.
The Atlanta Regional Commission is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 69 other cities. The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.
Posted in Events, tagged Annexation, Board of Education, City Schools of Decatur, Decatur City Commission, The Church at Decatur Heights on December 5, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
A community-organized listening session (please note: this is not an official City of Decatur event and was organized by city residents for city residents) about potential future City of Decatur annexation is 4 p.m. this Sunday at The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Dr.
Members of the Decatur City Commission and the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education will be present. This event is free and open to the entire community.
Posted in Community, tagged Annexation, city manager, City Schools of Decatur, Decatur, Dr. Edwards, Georgia, Peggy Merriss, Phyllis Edwards on November 1, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
A message about annexation from Peggy Merriss, City Manager, City of Decatur and Dr. Phyllis Edwards, Superintendent, City Schools of Decatur:
The City Schools of Decatur and the City of Decatur are working together to review and analyze implications related to projections of unparalleled student population growth as well as the opportunities and challenges presented by potential annexation.
Why is annexation being considered at this time:
The 2010 Strategic Plan as Part of GOAL 9: EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY THE CITY’S REVENUE BASE, Task 9B states: “Explore annexation opportunities in partnership with the City Schools of Decatur that expand the property tax base and enhance school operations.”
During the 2013 and 2014 sessions of the General Assembly, legislation to create the cities of Briarcliff, Lakeside and Tucker were considered. Incorporation of these areas would have municipalized the entire northern part of DeKalb County and resulted in placing new cities immediately contiguous to the existing City of Decatur city limits. None of the bills passed.
Currently, the Georgia House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairwoman Amy Carter (R-Valdosta) has issued a statement indicating that DeKalb County cityhood proponents have until November 15, 2014 to submit an agreed upon map and if they do not she will appoint a five-member panel to produce a map by December 31, 2015.
Given the current efforts to municipalize the unincorporated northern area of DeKalb County, the City of Decatur is in a position where long-term permanent city limits must be determined. Once the City is adjacent to another city, annexation is no longer a possibility. In addition to the long-term city limit definition, key objectives of the annexation master plan are to influence and control development at key gateways; expand and stabilize the property tax base; respond to interest from property owners; and, consolidate partial parcels.
Student population growth:
Rapid growth in student enrollment at City Schools of Decatur has been occurring for many years now. The growth in student enrollment has been studied by professional demographic experts and has been a topic of serious conversation at School Board meetings and also at joint meetings with the City Commission. The issue has been publically discussed and publicized through various community meetings and in media outlets. Since 2004, there have been a number of community and parent listening sessions that have taken place to obtain comment and input on the topic.
The City Schools of Decatur and the City of Decatur have contracted with the Sizemore Group to develop demographic projections for school-age population over time from areas identified in the 2014 draft annexation master plan. Those estimates continue to be refined. Preliminary information indicates that without any annexation, student enrollment is expected to increase by approximately 3,000 students. If the areas that are currently included in the draft annexation master plan are annexed, there will be an addition of approximately 580 more students by 2020.
The predicted growth in student enrollment appears to be coming from within the existing city limits. Future enrollment projections take into account current and potential likely future developments within the City. City School staff members are working through the predictions in terms of assuring a high quality education for the students and providing facilities that support an outstanding learning environment.
Facility needs:
City Schools of Decatur have addressed increased enrollments over the past ten years by implementing system-wide master plans that have used proceeds from Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) and from Certificates of Participation (COPs) capital financing for a program of facility renovation, expansion and re-use. Master planning efforts are currently underway for Renfroe Middle School and Decatur High School to accommodate enrollment growth that is almost entirely due to predictions of a larger student age population within the existing city limits.
Staff and consultant teams working with the City Schools and the City of Decatur are assessing service delivery needs and additional facilities will likely be part of any annexation plan. City Schools have already identified that an additional school facility will likely be needed without any annexation. Regretfully, that poses an extreme challenge within the existing city limits where even if there were 6-10 available acres of land, the going price is at, or above, $1million an acre. Part of the analysis of the draft 2014 annexation master plan is to identify possibilities for public facilities, including potential school sites.
Expansion of the tax base:
Another part of the analysis is the implications for adding to, and diversifying, the real property tax base. Both the City Schools of Decatur and the City of Decatur are reviewing the potential revenues and expenditures associated with the draft annexation master plan area. Opportunities to expand the tax base in the long term in order to stabilize and minimize potential future tax increases must be considered and annexation provides an opportunity for that possibility.
Future steps:
There is still a long way to go in the process. Both the City Schools and the City of Decatur are working on the background analysis and review that is needed in order to inform the discussion for the public and the Board of Education and the City Commission.
If the City Commission adopts a plan, then:
If the General Assembly adopts the legislation and the Governor signs it, then:
If the referendum passes in the affirmative, then:
Conclusion:
The process of determining whether or not to move forward with an annexation plan has not been completed. The City Schools and the City are working together because if a plan is adopted, it needs to serve and enhance all of the public needs in the community. Task 9B of Goal 9 of 2010 Strategic Plan is clear: “Explore annexation opportunities in partnership with the City Schools of Decatur that expand the property tax base and enhance school operations.” The question of annexation will not exist in the future – once the area surrounding the existing city limits is part of an incorporated city, there will be no choice and it is very likely that in the next 3-5 years, the City of Decatur will be surrounded by other incorporated cities. IF the past is any indication, the City Schools will continue to face enormous pressures in the next five years and moving forward into the future. Those pressures may not be able to be addressed within the existing city limits so annexation has to be explored.
Peggy Merriss
City Manager, City of Decatur
Dr. Phyllis Edwards
Superintendent, City Schools of Decatur
Posted in Events, tagged City of Decatur, City Schools of Decatur, Decatur, eloise leveritt, eloise t. leveritt, Public Works, ribbon cutting, talley st on March 23, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Posted in Events, tagged City Schools of Decatur, decatur public works, eloise leveritt, eloise t. leveritt, Public Works, rededication on March 20, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Please join City of Decatur Public Works and City Schools of Decatur Facilities Maintenance
on Monday, March 24 at 8:30 a.m.
for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the recently renovated Eloise T. Leveritt Building
