City Schools Decatur may be running out of time to secure a lease with Atlanta Public Schools for the temporary use of the old East Lake Elementary. During a recent work session Decatur Superintendent David Dude encouraged the board approve an agreement during its next meeting 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Central Office/Beacon Municipal Center, 125 Electric Avenue.
CSD sees East Lake as a temporary solution for housing its enrollment overflow for up to three years. According to figures provided by Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof last month, the total two-year cost for using 24 classrooms at East Lake is $390,000 while the total two-year cost for 24 modular units is $2,976,000.
Despite significant savings, the school board remains divided on how to use the building. Two options were discussed at length Tuesday. One is to move the Early Childhood Learning Center into East Lake while possibly converting College Heights back into a K-3. Second is placing the entire fourth or fifth grade at East Lake, only a half mile away from the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue.
Dude added he’s definitely won’t move K-3 students into East Lake and that the system won’t redraw boundaries to accommodate the temporary building.
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