Decatur school board backs annexation of old DeVry site

By TY TAGAMI

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Decatur School Board on Thursday threw its support behind a proposed annexation of a 21-acre parcel on the city’s eastern edge.

The faculty of the old DeVry University campus on Arcadia Drive relocated downtown, and the university is proposing to change the parcel’s zoning so the campus can be redeveloped with townhomes and stores.

City officials are considering annexation of the property to boost the tax base. School officials, who balked at an earlier annexation proposal farther south along the city’s edge, decided that this property might generate more in taxes than in costs. Each new student costs the district about $13,800.

The School Board vote was 4-0 in favor with one member absent. School officials have no authority over the matter, but their opinion could influence decision-makers at the city. The Decatur commission is scheduled to vote on the rezoning and annexation Monday.