Overcrowding In DeKalb County Schools Addressed In Master Plan, E-SPLOST Funded

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County Schools plan aims to address both overcrowding and underutilization in its over 140 schools, according to a recently published Master Plan.

The plan also addresses upgrading old buildings. There will be new construction, consolidation and early learning center conversions. The projects will be funded through Education special purpose local option sales tax (E-SPLOST). It’s expected to bring in almost $743 million to pay for capital improvements in the district.

According to the district’s assessments, without any action, Chamblee High School is projected to be over capacity by 2030, while Towers High School in Decatur is projected to be at 40 percent capacity.”

Projects

• Construction projects anticipated to be completed by 2025 are: Cross Keys High, Cross Keys Middle, Idlewood Elementary, Jolly Elementary, Sequoyah High, Sequoyah Middle and Stoneview Elementary.
• A consolidated Cary Reynolds and Dresden elementary schools are also included.
• Austin Elementary, Dunwoody-Chamblee Elementary and Smoke Rise Elementary would be converted into K-8 schools.
• The plan also calls for creating a career academy at McNair High, a cyber technology academy at Towers High and a Flex Academy.

For months the DeKalb County School District officials and an outside firm have gathered public input, along with their own assessments. The community will have another opportunity to discuss the needs Tuesday at 6 p.m. in a virtual meeting on the district’s website. The final draft will be presented to the school board in January.