CSD board members vote not to put ECLC project on a ballot

The City Schools of Decatur board of education held a special-called meeting March 27, during which they voted “no” on the Decatur Legislative Delegation to the Georgia General Assembly’s request seeking a voter referendum on a project that has received public backlash and outcry.

The 3-2 vote, with board members Tracey Anderson and Lorraine Irier voting “yes” for the referendum, came after a lengthy discussion between board members and Jody Campbell, an attorney for City Schools of Decatur (CSD), who called the delegation’s request “unprecedented” during the meeting.

“In terms of this referendum, this would introduce a process I have never once seen and can find no legal authority on,” said Campbell. “I cannot find anywhere that any Georgia school system requiring that, as a condition of utilizing their procedures, a public referendum has to occur to approve a specific project.”

The request by the delegation to CSD came in the form of a letter on March 15 in which Reps. Mary Margaret Oliver and Omari Crawford, as well as Sen. Elena Parent, suggested “a solution” to “ease the dismaying community discord” about an Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) that would cost more than $20 million to build on a property located at Electric Avenue and West Trinity Place.

“We propose a bill for your consideration that would require a voter referendum to pass before the proposed ECLC could be constructed. We do not wish to file this legislation, but we are seeking a path forward to resolve this conflict for the benefit of all of our constituents and CSD. Our request is that you understand that this deepening angst is not productive, and voluntarily call for a voter referendum,” the letter states, in part.

At a community meeting held March 25, a packed crowd that included CSD teachers, students, clergy, and Decatur community members, asked questions of the board of education and expressed their desire to pause the project for various reasons.

Multiple community members talked about funding concerns, confusion on what the building will actually be used for (as the plans for the ECLC also include office spaces), and disapproval from the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights, who are advocating along with many community members to have an archaeological survey done of the greenspace.

In their letter to CSD, the delegation echoed those concerns they said they have also received from the community.

“Many community members have raised concerns with us, chief among them that the process to reach the decision to build the ECLC has not been open, transparent, and collaborative, specifically with respect to community stakeholder input on the cost, scope, and location of the proposed project. We are increasingly concerned that the visible conflict among our elected leaders and our other community stakeholders is accelerating and painful for all of us,” the delegation’s letter states, in part.

Despite the letter, as well as concerns voiced by Decatur City Council and other elected officials about a lack of transparency and cooperation from CSD’s board of education, CSD’s attorney said his opinion was that so far, the board of education is not breaking its charter or laws.

“I see this referendum as a slippery slope that could require any project in which public funds would be allocated might also be subject to that,” Campbell said.

After the vote, some members of the board of education gave comments to clarify their votes for or against the delegation’s suggestion of a referendum.

“In voting ‘yes’ for the referendum, I am not against the building of an ECLC,” said Irier. “I just think we want to rebuild trust, and I would like for us to pause and think about adding those additional steps, such as an archaeological survey or engaging with those who have not yet been meaningfully engaged with. I’m very concerned with where we are right now.”

“Designations need to become more clear so that governing bodies are not overstepping; otherwise, it does look like we’re ignoring what folks are saying when some things are simply not in our purview when it comes to (the board of education),” said Chair Carmen Sulton after her “no” vote for the referendum.

At press time, according to coverage by Decaturish, the Georgia senate passed a local bill March 20 that would require a voter referendum for certain CSD bonds more than $20 million. The bill is now in the house awaiting action.

For more information, visit csdecatur.net.