Initial site work on Talley Street 3-5 school set for February

Site work and demolition should begin on the Talley Street property in southeast Decatur next February, laying the groundwork for construction of a new 3-5 elementary school.

City Schools Decatur recently released what Superintendent David Dude describes as “very preliminary” site plans for the school. Initial sketches show quite a bit of parking space, much of it probably temporary depending on how much the school grows, and where the district eventually finds permanent parking for its buses.

Dude said space will be left to expand laterally if needed, including construction of an entire wing.

CSD K-12 enrollment has more than doubled the last 10 years, and there are currently no signs of it leveling off. The new school is scheduled to open in 2019-20, the same year the district reconfigures its elementary grades into five K-2 schools and two 3-5.

This will also mean realigning boundaries for at least the two 3-5 schools, and perhaps for all seven elementary buildings. A boundary re-alignment steering committee will hold its first meeting on Oct. 19.

Talley Street is the final project paid for by the general obligation bond passed by voters in Nov. 2015.