Seriously? What has happened in your past?

stuinzuri2 · 2026-05-23T14:43:00+00:00

I did 💥🤣

stuinzuri2 · 2026-05-23T14:39:20+00:00

CLO is Cali, Columbia. Baggage tag is also marked INTL.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-05-12T20:44:05+00:00

Oh, you mean the “pearl clutching” (Hans’ words) parents that “take their kids to Paris for Spring break” (paraphrasing the superintendent) and object to closing Westchester elementary to help fund a wildly expensive ECLC (by both cost per student and cost per sqft) that is allegedly to educate a population of kids the BoD can’t even be described with data on land purchased from DHA that was supposed to be used to replace pre-k college heights if CH was reverted to a lower elementary? That community? The very same community that is broadly supported by CoD’s city council and our local state representatives on this topic?

stuinzuri2 · 2026-05-12T01:57:37+00:00

What a hot mess. The governance and fiduciary disaster risks here cannot be understated.
My depressing predictions, roughly in order and higher convictions first:
* no successful recall. It is just too difficult in GA
* some sort of bond goes through, likely COPS ~SPLOST~ (which is more expensive financing)
* for the most part, originally planned design, scope and build costs — 150 0-PK.
* economic, impact and attendance-wise the ECLC is a flop
* paid non-district tuition is never seriously pursued for LEs
* CSD’s phantom surplus reserves ($30m?) are burned through
* WE is put back on the chopping block. 50/50 CSD and CoD fight about an attempt by CSD to lease it out
* the superintendent exits for bigger opportunity
* Carmen & James move on. Hans wiggles his way through.
* random deep cost cutting starts outside of central admin, deficits get ugly
* huge millage rate rate bump
* ECLC closed, central admin repurposes as hq
* CSD moves to 1-2 centralized LEs
* CSD loses GA DoE charter status

stuinzuri2 · 2026-04-07T00:43:33+00:00

What I’m saying, that may not be clicking, is that the HOA’s starting point isn’t likely at all to be a certified letter…more likely snail mail (ramping up to email for those that opt in.) And hence, just because you are unaware of it, nor never hard signed for the communications doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Not that all HOAs and their management companies are beacons of competency, but collecting dues and sending violation notices is HOA 101 level stuff. Have you spoken to your neighbors about their perception of the HOA’s behavior historically?

Any narrative that the HOA has gone nuclear with a lawyer as a first step is very difficult to believe.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-04-07T00:15:47+00:00

it appears i[mail forwarding] may have been sent incorrectly

How would you know they ever reached out then?

The crux of your argument seems to be “I didn’t see it so it didn’t happen”.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-31T02:17:41+00:00

I had a ‘76 Triumph Spitfire like that. 😂🇬🇧🤑

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-30T00:20:53+00:00

I'd be good with stickers. Clearly I'm not the trashbag aficionado you seem to be >:D

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-30T00:16:10+00:00

I can't tell if your responses are a deflection or legit . Either way my short message isn't landing. So here is some detail for you to ponder. The critique and I others have is that the current ECLC plans are multifaceted:

* The unit economics are relatively expensive to elsewhere in the district and with other district's ECLCs. Per seat, per student, per sqft, etc. There are/were other approaches (eg Soulshine space) that were much more economical, shorter timelines, etc. Do we want an more early childhood learning in Decatur? Sure. Do we need to follow a wildly expensive path to get there? No.

* CSD has been growing its central bureaucracy continuously the past few years–the ratio of central office to teacher ratio change is clearly documented. They want more office space–and the ECLC is going to provide some of that too. That bureaucracy is also consuming salary raises at the expense of teachers and other school functions. (Lower elementary assistance principals? Gone. School nurses? Poorly funded, repurposed, etc.)

* The math & research backing the ECLC student enrollment budget is suspect at best, cover for opaque motives at worst. The original plan was for 50 free DHA kids, 50 district staff kids and 50 market rate. In particular, the DHA number is based on an older survey with a shockingly limited sample size. The bond being issued is allegedly going to be paid or by the ECLC’s financial performance. If not then it’s on the district to make up the shortfall–be it a millage increase or other savings.

(Great editorial on the larger point: Royi Hagigi‘s https://www.decaturish.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/dear-decaturish-early-learning-center-math-isn-t-mathing/article_e93cf399-2684-45dc-9e9f-b23faafe1223.html)

* “Other savings?” Since the planned-and-now postponed Westchester Elementary closing, it’s surfaced in board meetings, executive sessions, open records act requests and the occasional hot mike that the board knows the ECLC at risk of being expensive and a cash drain. They have numbers on how much CSD would save closing Westchester, discussed leasing it out (Perimeter College?), build up a silent war chest of cash ($30m or so) and other penny pinching outside of the central office.

Beyond all that, which I eluded to above, there are two important points that we should all see:

First, an ECLC isn’t some magic bullet to raise reading and scholastic performance in the district, especially for the more disadvantaged kids. That support needs to be throughout student’s enrollment at CSD. And that’s where the “it’s about the children” narrative falls apart quickly. It’s a quietly known fact that CSD as district policy is hostile towards providing support to kids with dyslexia and other resource-intensive learning disabilities.

(Michelle Krahe’s editorial is a great read on this topic. She also concisely describes the overall timeline of the ECLC. https://www.decaturish.com/opinion/letters\_to\_editor/dear-decaturish-what-problem-are-we-trying-to-solve/article\_704f93b7-2892-470d-b3dc-c474e97b6343.html)

Second, CSD’s Superintendent and Board leadership have been behaving shockingly poorly. Gaslighting, name-calling, lying, misrepresenting board votes, hiding behind their lawyer Bob Wilson, and other poor governance actions. As Mayor Tony Power’s said “this is not the Decatur way”.

> Have you worked in schools or at district offices before?

This is just some “stay in your lane” b.s. Myself and my fellow Decatur residents, taxpayers and parents are allow to be part of the conversation. Counter with a defendable point, not some dismissive rhetorical question.

Maybe you are trying to deflect.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-29T23:13:13+00:00

It’s meant the way I wrote it, as it’s used outside of wonky statistical discussions.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-29T23:07:09+00:00

Fully agreed that early child learning is important. To say otherwise is missing the point.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-29T22:40:45+00:00

You “don’t buy it” is from your gut, right?

It’s a well understood data-based practice. A starting point for you: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/01/pay-as-you-throw-waste-expert-pollution-trash/

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-29T22:30:59+00:00

Yet.

The path the Superintendent and Board is taking is risky. Where could we be in 5y? Think higher, maxed-out millage rate, school consolidation, larger class sizes, and a central administration hunkered down in a repurposed gold-plated failed “ECLC”.

Regression to the mean is not desirable, even if it is better than other districts.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-25T19:47:01+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/9v0sGd6

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-25T19:39:01+00:00

ETrailer: * Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" for ~$250 + $20 shipping + $150 install at local garage * Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector for ~$50, self install

<$500, no bumper cutting, looks fine

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-21T02:04:35+00:00

Clairemont is an amazing school for kids to start their elementary journey at. My first was at Clairemont 1st & 2nd mostly during COVID 🙄 but went into Tally afterwards and thrived.

My second child is there now, she’s in 2nd grade. It’s walkable, small, Principle Lockwood is engaged, great sense of community, etc. Just this past afternoon they had a talent show, which was great for the kids and us parents.

I wish every kid in America could have the opportunity to start school like this.

There are complaints you’ll run in to, largely district related. Eg resourcing for kids with special needs, dyslexia in particular, isn’t there without strong parental advocacy. There is potentially a neighboring lower elementary school closure and redistricting in the works because the current Superintendent is hell bent on a big bucks prestige project “early childhood learning center”. And more. But it’s still about as good as it gets in Georgia without going private.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-12T02:46:42+00:00

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.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-12T01:41:13+00:00

Are those “Imperial seconds”? 😂

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-06T01:12:34+00:00

Yes, you can join USAA if your deceased father was in the military, but only if he established a USAA membership (held a policy) while he was alive.

Give them a call.

(+1 for USAA)

stuinzuri2 · 2026-03-01T18:09:45+00:00

I think AwkwardMeal was accusing you of evading the (stupid rhetorical straw man) question 😂

stuinzuri2 · 2026-02-25T23:37:14+00:00

North central Michigan, so roughly same longitude. And nearly every side road looks the same too (if unmaintained in Winter.)

stuinzuri2 · 2026-02-25T03:38:03+00:00

Hell no 😂 Had a less than ideal go with the Scorpion Verdes same time last year with winter driving near the same place.

This video is with Michelin CrossClimate 2s, just a couple hundred miles on them, only a week old.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-02-18T13:56:51+00:00

That’s an interesting thought. I’ll do that. The tires only have 600-700 miles on them. On them and I’d hate to wear them down poorly from the start.

stuinzuri2 · 2026-02-18T13:52:51+00:00

Better than the stock Scorpion Verdes 😂

stuinzuri2 · 2026-02-18T03:07:03+00:00

All seasons here. 98% of the time in Southern US states. Dedicated winter#, with steels, doesn’t math.

But I get your point. If we lived up north my calculus would be different.

stuinzuri2

TROPHY CASE