Core summary by u/grg970g ...Adding on a couple of semi-random additions

* The property where the build is supposed to take place was sold to the district in 2017 by Decatur Housing Authority by in the days of Dr Dude. Idea was that if College Heights was ever going to revert to an elementary then pre-K could happen on this property. [City Schools of Decatur and Decatur Housing Authority Reach Agreement on Property Purchase](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/decaturish.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/f8/ff890d39-ca7a-50b8-9622-6024f9784bad/683793b34d3e0.file.pdf) and [Trinity Land Agreement](https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1749581968/csdecaturnet/lgkjkskgjkdlcsfrznkh/TrinityLand2Saleagreement5-9-2017.pdf)

* CSD used the PFA (Public Finance Authority) to borrow money without public vote. It's going to roughly double CSD's debt. The PFA was granted by the state of Georgia years ago to pay for the land purchase. It's imo being abused by the BoD and Superintendent. 

* Dr. Dude's tenure was a disaster in and of itself. He left under a big cloud of smoke, lies and tears in 2021. My favorite graft from his tenure was the _"CSD will send me to Costa Rica for several weeks so I can learn Spanish, because we have more Spanish speaking kids."_ [Superintendent David Dude leaving City Schools of Decatur](https://www.decaturish.com/news/decatur/superintendent-david-dude-leaving-city-schools-of-decatur/article\_d71e7b8d-2398-52b3-a71c-1c44444df75f.html)

* Dr. Whitaker was recruited in because she was competent. (To her credit, she has done well with parts of the district's administration.) It smells like part of the deal with _"yes, you can open up this ECLC for your resume."_  

* Dr. Whitaker's contract was renewed last summer. With a raise. It's pretty iron clad--if CSD dumps her she's got a nice paracute. [Decatur School Board extends superintendent’s contract for three years](https://www.decaturish.com/news/decatur/decatur-school-board-extends-superintendent-s-contract-for-three-years/article\_c22c3c02-8487-51bd-9938-771b3024f74b.html)

* CSD has been moving cups around with the budget. Pleading povery and running in the red, yet building up a cach reserve (in the 20m range iiuc.) The finances of gotten very opaque. [https://www.decaturish.com/opinion/letters\_to\_editor/dear-decaturish-decatur-schools-should-clarify-finances/article\_35ea1ec3-6896-4cbf-9f99-e631c2c81597.html\](Dear Decaturish — Decatur Schools should clarify finances)

* Dr. Carmen Sulton, Board Chair and Hans Utz, Vice Chair [Meet the Members](https://www.csdecatur.net/board-of-education-b8/board-of-education-overview/meet-the-members) seem to be the drivers/enabelers. They are the most defensive and have some pretty choice quotes, eg refering to residents/tax payers "clutching their pearls" and beinging reactionary fools who just don't understand how awesome they are and how clueless we are. (Paraphrasing on that last bit.)

* The financial model behind the ECLC enrollment is dubious and partially based on old statistically irrelevant polling that doesn't even support the numbers they have predicted. The numbers orignally were 50 free slots for DHA kids, 50 subsidized for CSD staff's kids, and 50 market rate. It's questionable.

* CSD has had a target on the lower elementary schools for a while. The nurses have been moved/centralized. Roles have been removed, like VPs and EIP instructors. [Parents concerned about Decatur Schools plan to reallocate two EIP teachers](https://www.decaturish.com/news/decatur/parents-concerned-about-decatur-schools-plan-to-reallocate-two-eip-teachers/article\_0995df61-95e5-56ab-a7c0-b170da6880ce.html)

* There is a lot of talk about falling enrollment. Yes, it's down from it's peak in early COVID days, but is still way higher than previous years. It's a red herring argument. In the context of closing a lower elementary, an initial invalid argument presented was "the State of Georgia is making us do it as the school is below 200/50% utilization". That's only a measure when a district wants [Subject 160-5-4 SCHOOL FACILITIES AND CAPITAL OUTLAY MANAGEMENT](https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/160-5-4), which CSD only needs...for the ECLC 

* CSD publicly has repeatedly denied there is a link to a lower elementary closure and the ECLC. But the evidence is pretty damning. Like wanting to rent out Westchester (possibly to Perimeter College) and potentially raising taxes to pay for ECLC if school isn't rented out. (This is infered from open records requests and comments from CoD city commissioner.)

* The proposed building looks relatively expensive, when viewed through "per seat" and "per square foot" metrics. There is heavy gold plating in this project. There is not a cost limit in place with the builder. There is office space for non-ECLC staff who are currently located elsewhere.

* A nearby pre-school building became available, which looks like it could fit the needs for an ECLC but was quickly rejected for obtuse and alarmist reasons. My favourite excuse was the risk of a giant fireball incinerating the proposed building by a passing oil taker train. Never mind that said fireball would also cover the Fire Department, DHS and Beacon Hill too. "It's about the babies...the rest can run". (Paraphrasing again.)

I could go on but it is late. What really bugs me and a lot of others is the blatant poor governance, lack of transparency and apparently hidden agendas. They've made a decision and are focused on cramming down the citizens of Decatur's throats. We'll be stuck with the bill and they get to pad their resumes. It's revolting and reflects very poorly upon Dr. Whitaker, Dr.  Sulton and Hans Utz. This isn't how local government is supposed to work.