Dunwoody High School CAC Meeting

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 4:00pm

Minutes

Attendance: CAC Members – Dave Levy, Randi Siegel, Louise Headland, Chad Griffith, Pricilla Cole; DHS Staff: Andrew Jameson, Stacey Blake; DCSD Members: Richard Boyd, Shawn Hamlin, Lee Cain, Daniel Minnick, Brian Albanese, Daniel Kim; Community Members – Julia LeDoyen, Andrew Ziffer, Lisa Beiger, Bob Fiscella

1.	Welcome
a. Meeting called to order at 4:10 pm
b. Approved agenda for the meeting via motion
c.	Minutes from last meeting in November were approved d. Revised agenda was approved

2. Principal’s Report
a. Ms. Cole communicated that we will be getting one new modular quad next year that will be located near the intersection of Vermack and Vanderlyn Dr.
b. Tree/site work may begin in the spring as efforts will be made to ensure this is ready in time for school next year.

3. New Business/Unfinished Business
a. Richard Boyd with DCSD presented updates on the addition. The revised budget for DHS is $27.2M. This does require Board approval, but it fits within the overall approved budget and is anticipated to be officially approved within the next couple of
months. The current design activities assume this updated budget. Shawn Hamlin, the architect for the project, confirmed that the overall concept that he laid out for the project this fall has not changed except for the turf being removed from the project.
b. Chad asked about whether the decision to remove the turf, and also add an auxiliary gym to the design, should involve CAC input. Richard stated that the turf is an equity issue and it was removed from all schools so it is beyond scope of CAC. On auxiliary gym, he stated the actual project is not funded anyway. Chad asked about our input on a future project like this, wanting the CAC to have input on a project like this.
i. This discussion led to a series of comments from the CAC and attendees on the question of equity. Some specific questions raised:
1. Randi asked if it is equitable for some schools to have a gym sufficient to house their student body and others not?
2. There was discussion about whether and auxiliary gym or an appropriately size main gym are more important, but a concern that the school community is not being included in this decision.
3. Are DHS sports facilities equitable with Chamblee?
4. Does McNair Middle School have turf, and is that equitable? DCSD staff confirmed that they do, based on a negotiation their Board member had with the superintendent a few years ago.

5. DCSD staff indicated that the decision to remove turf from all schools is not final and could change in the next couple of months based on input from the new Superintendent.
6. Does DCSD have a concern about the quality of our facilities compared to those of schools we compete against, particularly in the case of DHS as a 7A school?
c.	Chad asked if turf for the field could still be included with the design and priced as an alternate so that the design is complete when funding is available. DCSD staff said that they could do this.
d. Richard communicated that the design for the covering of the retention pond (Phase 1 of the project) is 90% complete and is being submitted for permit with the intent of have that done prior to school starting next year. The exact quantity of additional parking spaces has not been confirmed yet, and the initial parking layout will be temporary, with the overall parking situation being more comprehensively addressed at the end of the project after the modular are moved. Richard mentioned that the City of Dunwoody had mentioned the possibility of a future traffic circle at the intersection, which could impact the exit/entry to/from DHS.
e. Phase 1b of the project will be the relocation of the tennis courts, and that work would likely be underway summer of 2020 as well. Richard confirmed that all 4 tennis courts will be relocated prior to removal of the current courts.
f.	Ms. Cole asked whether the DHS project will include repurposing existing spaces in the building once programs are moved to the new addition and whether the budget includes funds for such repurposing of existing spaces. Richard confirmed that the project and budget do include such repurposing.
g.	Richard communicated a scheduled completion of Winter 2023. Chad expressed concern over the schedule that previously seemed long with a completion of September 2022. Richard and DCSD staff indicated that the date is very conservative and will likely improve. It was also communicated that this date is final completion including removal of trailers, final parking lot work, etc, and beneficial use of portions of the expansion may happen sooner. Shawn indicated that in the last renovation at DHS, portions of the building were turned over to the school prior to the overall project completion.
h. Richard reported that soil borings for the project were completed last week and a full report is expected next week.

4. Meeting adjourned at 5:04pm

5. Next meeting on Tuesday, February 11, at 4:00pm