At several DeKalb County School District buildings, students and staff contend with poorly circulated air conditioning, and garbage cans collect water falling from the ceiling.

Teachers have complained for years about the district’s building conditions, saying the problems hinder their ability to teach. District officials point to decreases in manpower over the years, but say efforts recently have allowed them to better address ongoing concerns.

More work needs to be done, DeKalb County Board of Education member Joyce Morley says.

“There’s no way in the world a school year should work where you’ve got got all these buildings that haven’t been pressure washed, there’s ceiling tiles missing, garbage cans in the middle of the floor catching water,” she said.

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