The current DeKalb Schools budget for E-SPLOST V projects is $561 million. The most recent estimated cost for those projects is $684.4 million. We are roughly 22% over budget (not including any project adjustments made for recent enrollment forecasts).
Enrollment Adjusted Estimated Costs
Due to the most recent enrollment forecasts, most of the building addition projects have either been reduced or cancelled. However, Chamblee Charter HS addition will stay the same and Dunwoody HS is getting 1,000 seats. Accounting for the reductions and cancellations, the enrollment adjusted estimated cost is $638 million ($77 million over current budget).
The new facilities and additions by themselves are projected to be $21 million over budget.
| ESLPOST V Project Area | Current Budget | New Estimated Costs | Enrollment Adjusted Estimated Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Security Improvements | $12,872,000 | $40,629,074 | $40,629,074 |
| New Facilities and Additions | $304,890,566 | $372,197,439 | $325,969,237 |
| Facility Condition Improvements | $96,948,000 | $107,091,710 | $107,091,710 |
| Technology Improvements | $65,000,000 | $68,300,000 | $68,300,000 |
| Buses, Vehicles, and Equipment | $40,075,000 | $40,075,000 | $40,075,000 |
| Management Support and Contigency | $41,214,434 | $56,742,726 | $56,742,726 |
| Grand Total | $561,000,000 | $685,035,949 |
$638,807,747 |
Increased Construction Costs
Increasing construction costs can be attributed to numerous things including a robust construction market, rising cost of labor due to low unemployment, material costs, tariffs on imported construction materials and more stringent building requirements.
SPLOST V
1. Cross Keys MS Converstion and Addition ($10 M)
2. Cedar Gove HS Auditorium ($6 M)
3. Clarkston HS Addition ($18 M)
4. New Cross Keys HS ($84.8 M)
5. Chamblee Charter HS Addition ($21.5 M)
6. Dunwoody HS Addition ($17.7 M)
7. Lakeside HS Addition ($26 M)
SPLOST IV
1. Arts School ($11 M)
Revenues over the last 6 years have doubled while the number of students has remained the same. However, the school district is looking into borrowing money.
Option 1: $63 Million COPS – Finance Dunwoody HS addition, Lakeside HS addition and the Arts School.
Option 2: $80 Million GO Bond – Finance Dunwoody HS addition, Lakeside HS addition, the Arts School and add $17 million to capital renewal.
Option 3: $100 Million GO Bond – Finance Dunwoody HS addition, Lakeside HS addition, the Arts School, add $5 million to capital renewal, New Cross Keys MS Conversion, Cedar Grove HS Auditorium, Clarkston HS addition.
Option 4: Nothing – Eliminate the projects on hold, decrease most project areas and increase program contingency by $11 million.
The Board of Education will have illegal rolling meetings behind closed doors over the next week to prioritize projects and discuss the funding options.
“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”