A nearly 100-year-old school in Atlanta has been a pressure point in the DeKalb County School District for years. After a YouTube video by students showing leaks and electrical problems, the firing of a superintendent and an intervention from Georgia school leaders, renovations of the old school were starting to move forward — only to recently hit another roadblock. Here are the highlights:
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Druid Hills High history
1928: Druid Hills School moved to its current location at 1798 Haygood Drive, from the Emory University campus. It served K-11 students. It is one of the district’s oldest facilities.
1959: Elementary students moved to Fernbank Elementary; Druid Hills High housed grades 8-12.
1974-1976: The school was remodeled.
1987 and 1996: Student bodies at two closed high schools merged with Druid Hills High School.
1999: New lighting, tile floors, carpeting, blinds and whiteboards were added, along with a renovation of the theater and gymnasium.
Controversy of 2022
December 2021: The DeKalb school district unveiled its Comprehensive Master Plan, which outlined strategies to address overcrowding and underuse in DeKalb facilities, including construction projects, over 10 years. The plan, created by hired architects, included a $52 million renovation of Druid Hills High.
March 3, 2022: The DeKalb Board of Education said in a resolution that it would allocate funding to the replacement and upgrade of several schools. At their meeting, board members opted to remove Druid Hills High from the list of schools that would be renovated. Some board members were concerned there was no funding left for an early learning center. Board members planned to discuss Druid Hills High again at a future meeting.
April 11, 2022: Students posted video to YouTube depicting problems ranging from “outdated plumbing and electrical issues to security and safety concerns.” The video has since been viewed 57,000 times.
April 18, 2022: The school board met again to discuss Druid Hills — but in a surprising move, voted instead to change its overall approach to building repairs in DeKalb. Rather than following recommendations from the 10-year plan, the district would address individual issues at schools based on where the highest need is. Then-Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris cautioned the board against the plan. Students protested outside a school board meeting.
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
April 25, 2022: Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a letter to DeKalb officials that the district mishandled “egregious facility issues” at Druid Hills High.
April 26, 2022: The DeKalb school board fired Watson-Harris from her role as superintendent. The board did not give an immediate reason, but in a response to Woods’ letter on the same day, the school board chair blamed Watson-Harris for the problems at Druid Hills High.
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Credit: Jenni Girtman
May 10, 2022: The school board again left Druid Hills High off a list of facilities it planned to upgrade.
May 13, 2022: Woods threatened to withhold state funding if the district did not address a list of issues that state officials identified at the school.
May 31, 2022: The school board unanimously agreed to move forward with the renovations at Druid Hills High.
Fall 2022: Students noted positive changes at the school in the beginning of the new year, like no sewage spills and better functioning air conditioning.
Rising costs
September 2024: District officials revealed the planned renovations at Druid Hills High will likely cost an additional $30 million, thanks to challenges at the site and rising construction costs.
October and November 2024: At community meetings at the school, district officials solicited feedback about what to do about the school’s future. Options include proceeding with the modernization of the school, adding to the scope of the project to accommodate even more students at the site or relocating the school.
December 2024: District leaders said they are still considering options about how to move forward.
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