Dunwoody High School CAC Meeting

Tuesday, February 11, 2020 4:00pm

Minutes

Attendance: CAC Members -Kelly Clinch, Dave Levy, Louise Headland, Chad Griffith, Randi Siegal, Ms. Cole; Community Members-- Andrew Ziffer, Bob Fiscella, Julia LeDoyen. Lynn Deutsch

Welcome

a. b. c.

Dave opened meeting at 4:07 and introduced community guests Agenda was approved
Minutes from last meeting were approved

Principal’s Report

a. Ms. Cole reached out to Ms. Champion to see what the change in construction plans means for the CAC.--Do we disband or stay, etc.
b. Has not heard back as of today.

New Business/Unfinished Business

a. Dave reminded everyone that the county has decided that our construction/addition project (and others in the county) is on hold. They plan to still move tennis courts to make room for more modular classrooms, maybe next school year.
b. Dave recently asked Ms. Tyson, interim superintendent, several questions and invited her to this meeting.
a. He asked her about tennis courts being moved and she said that is still the plan b. He asked about the retention pond covering for parking, but she deferred that to
Dan Drake who said that is dependent on the consultants who will recommend how to proceed with the project –probably not until June 2021.
c.	CAC discussed recommending that the retention pond project get separated out from the larger construction project at this point so we can still complete that part. Dave says permit is already acquired for us so we could move forward. Not sure if covering the pond would affect work later, but looks like it wouldn’t…and they have already paid for site plan and permit, etc. CAC wants to at least try to push for the pond project to add more parking ASAP.
d. School enrollment is now 2194 according to Ms. Cole. Projected at 2309 students next year, which is a slight decrease from earlier estimates. Parking will continue to be an issue. Need to add ten staff members next fall who will have to take even more student parking spaces.
e. Chad asked about the new modular coming next. Ms. Cole says that one is going on the corner of Vermack and Vanderlyn next year. One will then eventually go on top of the tennis courts area when they are moved the following year.
f.	Discussion again about moving forward with the retention pond project which would allow more flexibility for parking. CAC can try to fight for this.
g.	Group expressed that CAC and PAC need to meet with Ms. Tyson. Ms. Cole isn’t sure if they will move forward with any projects or wait until we get a new superintendent is in place. Bob says the BOE vote in favor of the $96 million smaller project budget passed, which

includes turf on our field and moving tennis courts but that’s it. No date set for any improvements. Does include new elementary school(s) and $2 million for a study of the entire county’s building/space issues.
h. It was Bob’s impression that the county wants to develop a more comprehensive plan countywide instead of putting money into a campus that is too small.
i.	Kelly expressed frustration that they are doing another study rather than making desperately needed additions/improvements to the school. Studies were already done several years ago to develop the existing plan. Feels like we are moving backwards. Also expressed concern that DHS can’t attract and keep good teachers, admin and staff with such overcrowding and facility challenges. This negatively affects students and instruction.
j.	Kitteridge Magnet is moving to John Lewis Elementary. Done deal. Discussion of Chamblee Magnet possibly moving.
k.	Discussion of having Ms. Tyson come here to tour Dunwoody to see how tight we are and hopefully can help us plan in the interim. Need to at least have a conversation with her.
l.	Discussion about best way to show Ms. Tyson our needs. Lynn suggested coming up with a list of things we need ASAP from Ms. Tyson to make the next few years work for us. Julia asked what would be on that list. Number one - Retention pond project. Ms. Cole also thinks we should use money to re-do locker rooms rather than move tennis courts for now. Locker rooms especially are unsanitary, smell, drain system doesn’t work. Desperate need. Ms. Cole says we need space in general, space for classrooms and staff. She also wants to improve our Media Center.
m. Julia asked about custodial staff and increasing that staff based on our population rather than square footage as is the county policy. Ms. Cole said we may get ½ point increase. Julia would like us to ask for increased custodial staff. Ms. Cole says the county probably won’t give us more custodians.
n. Dave asked about turf field and timing and scope of that project. Concerns about drainage system underneath being old and needing replacement.
o. Chad concerned that CAC and PAC were not consulted about the portions of the projects the county chose to fund and not fund. Chad wants to ask why they didn’t discuss with us.
p. Lisa said student leaders, Matt and Marin, a can mention this “wish list” at their student meeting with Ms. Tyson so we are presenting a stream-lined message.
q. Julia also asked about HVAC improvements. Ms. Cole says many schools are having issues with HVAC throughout the county. Chad says this is a maintenance issue not an improvement issue and the county should address it.
r.	Chad wants to ask Ms. Tyson to look at swapping PCMS and DHS sites in the future. PCMS is bigger lot/land. DHS could possibly support the middle school on this campus.
s.	Lynn says it will be important for us to let the county knows what we need as a community as they enter this “study” phase. How do we get the county to be proactive in acquiring land? What do we need to make our schools work for us here in the interim and beyond? Lynn is talking with Ms. Tyson about the long-term plan and the short-term plan.
t.	Lisa says if they move the Chamblee magnet program, kids will return to DHS possibly. We don’t know right now how many students in that program are districted for DHS. Need to find out this information.

u. Lynn says if there was empty high school space now, they would move kids, but there is no space. Cross Keys and Sequoyah even worse than DHS.
v.	Julia suggested that City of Dunwoody could share some responsibility to make recommendations to Dekalb County rather than relying on parents who are not experts in master planning. Lynn says Dekalb is unique in their approach. DCSD not functioning as an effective school system. Lynn says she will use whatever leverage she has to work with us through this.

Meeting adjourned at 5:12

Next meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 4pm in Media Center