Author Archives: Stan Jester

Lead Contanimation in Water at 7 of 10 DeKalb Schools

Lead found in the water at two more schools. Nearly 75% of DeKalb Schools tested so far have water sources with registered lead content at or above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level.

DeKalb Schools Lead in Water

Failed Lead In Water Test – The following schools do not meet EPA standards:

  • International Community School (at Medlock Facility)
  • Stone Mountain ES
  • Robert Shaw Theme ES
  • The Museum School of Avondale Estates (at Forrest Hills Facility)
  • Wadsworth Magnet
  • Redan ES
  • Allgood ES

The water sources at those schools with lead contamination have been turned off, and the fixtures and/or piping contributing to the lead in drinking water will be replaced. In each instance, the water supply will remain off during the entirety of the remediation process until the problem is resolved. Should the situation require additional water sources, the District will provide bottled water for drinking and/or water tanks for food preparation as necessary.
The health and safety of all students and staff is the top priority for DeKalb County School District (DCSD). In light of national events regarding water quality,in September, DeKalb Schools announced a district-wide water testing program as a precaution to ensure the drinking water within its schools are safe for all students and employees.
While all schools will be tested, the initial schools were chosen based upon the age of students (with priority given to schools with pre-K programs) and age of the facility (with priority given to school built prior to 1986). DCSD has a total of 150 facilities (including schools, leased charter schools, administration buildings, educational buildings, and stadiums). 106 of these original facilities have building(s) which were built prior to 1986. Water testing for all 150 facilities has started and will be completed by the summer of 2017.
Results Thus Far
While all schools will be tested, this map displays only those with reported results. The map will be continuously updated to reflect new results received. Enter your school’s name to learn about the test results.

The District’s testing schedule, testing protocols, copies of all water testing results, and other resources can be found at http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/lead-testing

Public Hearing – ESPLOST V Project List

This Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 at 7pm at Chamblee High School the public is invited to a meeting to discuss and gather feedback related to the development of the 2017‐2022 E‐SPLOST V project list.
2017-2022 E-SPLOST PROJECT CATEGORIES

Resolution Item $ millions Percentage
1. Safety and Security $15 3%
2. New Facilities and Additions $230 46%
3. Facility Condition Improvements $100 20%
4. Technology Improvements,incl. ERP $65 13%
5.Buses, Vehicles, and Other Capital Equipment $40 8%
Management and Contingency $50 10%
Totals $500 100%

Category 1: Safety and Security Improvements ($15 Million)
• Life Safety ($9.8 M) – The DeKalb County School District is working with the DeKalb County Fire Marshall on a prioritized list of school facilities that require life safety upgrades, to include automatic sprinklers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, etc.
• Security Improvements ($5.2 M) – Includes Fencing, security vestibules, and/or security lighting


Category 2: New Facilities and Additions ($230 Million E-SPLOST + $25 Million Ga DOE Reimbursements)
  Phase III – Cost Estimates (July 2016)
  Final Recommendation – Cost Estimates (September 2016)

Secondary School Study Recommendation Budget
July September
1. Auditorium Addition at Cedar Grove HS $5M
2. Addition at Chamblee HS (2,400 seat capacity) $19M $16.4
3. Addition at Clarkston HS (1,925 seat capacity) $8M $16M
4. Addition at Dunwoody HS (2,100 seat capacity) $23M $16.4M
5. Addition at Freedom MS (1,675 seat capacity) $8.4M
6. Addition at Lakeside HS (2,500 seat capacity) $34M $22.1M
7. Build a New Cross Keys HS (2,500 seat) $84.8M $84.8M
8. Convert Cross Keys HS to MS with Addition (1,500 seat capacity) $15.0M $12.0M
9. Addition at Peachtree MS (1,700 seat capacity) $17M $13.9M
Total $200M $195M
Two new elementary schools to Serve Cross Keys Cluster
1. John Lewis ES (900 FTE plus land purchase) $30M
2. News ES for Cross Keys North (TBD) $30M

Category 2 has three options: 2A, 2B, and 2C
One new replacement elementary school and other additions

Option 2A: $56.6M Option 2B: $28.0M Option 2C: $0
Rebuild Indian Creek ES
(to 1,200 FTE): $28.0M
1. Rebuild Indian Creek ES
(to 1,200 FTE): $28.0M
None
Addition at Jolly ES
(250 seat addition): $8.9M
Addition at Chesnut ES
(350 seat addition): $10.5M
Addition at Rowland ES
(325 seat addition): $9.2M

Complete Project List
http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/e-splost/files/2016/10/ProjListHandout_20161004.pdf


Timeline
Five regional meetings to discus and gather feedback related to the development of the 2017‐2022 E‐SPLOST V project list.
Oct 4 – 18, 2016
Each public hearing will be at 7 p.m. at the following locations:
• Oct. 4, 2016 at Tucker High School (Region 2)
• Oct. 11, 2016 at Miller Grove High School (Region 4)
• Oct. 13, 2016 at Chamblee High School (Region 1)
• Oct. 17, 2016 at Columbia High School (Region 5)
• Oct. 18, 2016 at Stone Mountain High School (Region 3)
Oct 4 – 24, 2016
• Online Survey on draft E-SPLOST project list
Nov 7, 2016
• Board COW discussion on E-SPLOST project list
Dec 5, 2016
• Formal Board approval of E-SPLOST project list