Decatur work session to reveal school project recommendations

This is a portion of the property at Talley Street and South Columbia Drive, which City Schools Decatur purchased earlier this year. During a work session Monday the Facilities Master Plan Advisory Committee will make recommendations for what type of school to build on this site. Currently it’s a parking facility for the district’s busses. Bill Banks file photo for the AJC.

This is a portion of the property at Talley Street and South Columbia Drive, which City Schools Decatur purchased earlier this year. During a work session Monday the Facilities Master Plan Advisory Committee will make recommendations for what type of school to build on this site. Currently it’s a parking facility for the district’s busses. Bill Banks file photo for the AJC.

Decatur’s school board will receive two recommendations from the Facilities Master Plan Advisory Committee during a work session 7 p.m. Monday at the Central Office/Beacon Municipal Center, 125 Electric Ave.

Superintendent David Dude said he wasn’t sure what the committee would recommend, but that the work session would focus on discussing potential options for structures housing students through fifth grade. The committee is comprised of 25 teachers, administrators parents and other stakeholders.

Earlier this year City Schools Decatur purchased six acres on Talley Street and South Columbia Drive, and will probably close later this month on another half acre contiguous to the site. The school system is currently over capacity at its 4/5 Academy and two of its elementary schools.

According to Dillon Baynes, managing partner for developer Columbia Ventures, his firm’s in “advanced discussions” with CSD about including a new Early Childhood Learning Center in phase one of Columbia’s E.co East project.

There may be further discussions between the board and facilities committee during Tuesday’s regular meeting. Dude said he doesn’t expect a final decision on any projects this month. He still wants to receive community input, either through a meeting or online survey, before the board votes either in January or February.