New Schools, Mergers On DeKalb's Special Projects List For Board Approval

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County School District officials announced Monday its plans to improve schools and infrastructure district-wide.

At a news conference, Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris and DeKalb Board of Education Chair Vickie Turner outlined the improvements under the district’s Comprehensive Master Plan, which will be funded by the recently approved Education- Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, E-SPLOT.

“This is exciting news for the district as it will allow us to continue to provide safe, clean and innovative learning environments for our scholars,” Watson-Harris said. “We were clear that this was a vote for our children. We are committed to transparency and an open process as we move forward with the rollout of our Comprehensive Master Plan.”

The DeKalb County E-SPLOST referendum was passed Nov. 2 by voters with an 81 percent vote of approval.

It will impose a one percent sales and use tax on goods and services purchased in DeKalb County for the next five years. The district estimates the tax will bring in $660 million to $700 million in revenue and fund school improvements and program enhancement projects.

“The voters came out in record numbers,” Turner said. “We are so proud of the stakeholders in our community that decided to come together in collaboration over a cause and the cause is education for our children because they deserve a quality excellent education in a quality excellent environment.

“We are excited about the future and it looks so bright for our children, our scholars. I’m proud of the moment. This is a historic moment in our district. This is a great day in DeKalb, let’s celebrate.”

E-SPLOST Projects

E-SPLOST projects include building a new Cross Keys High School; the creation of Sequoyah School cluster, including a new middle school, high school, and nearby Dresden elementary school; repurposing McNair High School into a Career Tech Academy; merging Dunaire and Allgood elementary schools into a new school with an early learning center and rebuilding Hawthorne Elementary.

Other projects include replacing Avondale High School with a new building and stadium to become the Performing Arts Academy; setting up a Cyber Technology and Engineering Academy with a conversion of Towers High School; rebuilding Dresden Elementary School; rebuilding Stoneview Elementary School; rebuilding Jolly Elementary School, the creation of a K-8 at Austin Elementary; additional early learning centers; and additional technological infrastructure improvements.

Next Steps

The board will have to approve an E-SPLOST VI project list and budget, Watson-Harris said. In December, a recommended draft E-SPLOST VI project list will be presented to the public as part of the draft Comprehensive Master Plan.

The Board will vote on the E-SPLOST VI project list and budget in Spring of 2022. Once the project list is approved, work on E-SPLOST VI projects can begin in Fall 2022.