School Board Delays Action on Renting the Old East Lake Elementary

Decatur’s school board delayed a decision on renting the old East Lake Elementary from the city of Atlanta to relieve overcrowding.

Superintendent David Dude told the school board on Tuesday night that more time was needed to study the details of the plan, according to Decaturish.

It’s unclear as to whether the proposal will appear on the next school board meeting’s agenda.

Details of the plan, as well as its approval process, has caused confusion among some members of the community.

After the Atlanta school system told community members that the old East Lake Elementary could be rented to Decatur by December, the Decatur School Board backed off on the proposal last month.

New school superintendent David Dude told the board is only considering renting the school from the city of Atlanta, and that nothing permanent has been put into place, reported Decaturish.

In November, an Atlanta school system representative told the East Lake Neighbors Community Association that Atlanta’s school board could approve a lease as soon as its December meeting, Decaturish reported.

But Decatur school board members are complaining they haven’t been involved in any negotiations with the city over renting the space.

East Lake closed in 2012, according to the AJC. The property could be used to relieve overcrowding at Oakhurst and the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue.