Annexation Round-Up: Medlock's Schools

Awesome neighbor Brad create this map* and we added some labels for clarity. The map combines the recently unveiled
LaVista Hills (a mash-up of the Briarcliff and Lakeside proposals), the proposed annexation of Druid Hills into Atlanta (which includes Fernbank and Briar Vista Elementary School attendance zones, Druid Hills High School and Emory University), and maps of Decatur and Avondale (with proposed annexations included).
The popular kid in the middle, wearing green, is our Medlock neighborhood.

This post looks like more of the same: annexation blah blah blah! But it's actually about something extremely critical to our neighborhood: our schools (literally) and our attendance zones.

Our high school: "Together in Atlanta" is a group that formed in response to the DeKalb County School System's refusal to consider the proposed Druid Hills Charter Cluster. The cluster would have given more local control to parents and administrators of Druid Hills High School and all its feeder schools. Following a frustrating waiting period (the first submission was rejected; the second proposal was never put on the agenda by the DeKalb County School District board), the charter proposal was withdrawn by the organizers.  A subset of the planning group decided to split the cluster along neighborhoods served by Fernbank Elementary and Briar Vista Elementary and proposes to move these schools, as well as Druid Hills High School, into the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) system via annexation. An oft-repeated 1918 legal precedent claims that if a school's whole attendance zone is shifted to a new city, the city can have the buildings for free. That could allow APS to acquire the new Fernbank school and Briar Vista campuses; a Druid Hills High School take-over seems less clear, as only ~31% of Druid Hills High's attendance comes from the area currently included in the "Together in Atlanta" annexation plan. WABE reports that the group's annexation map has support from Atlanta mayor Kaseem Reed, and that DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May has complained that DeKalb County was not consulted. To be fair, it seems that nobody consults the County when annexation plans are drawn, at least not publicly (cf., every other new annexation and city proposed last year). It is refreshing to hear a County officer publicly protest, as one would expect would happen every time that the Count's coffers, and ability to provide the services required by law, are threatened.

Not surprisingly, many are disappointed and even angry that Druid Hills interests at the driving seat are proposing this "grab and run"—the Druid Hills Charter Cluster concept drew heavily on the benefits of promoting interaction and collaboration among the communities within in the Druid Hills High attendance zone.

Our elementary schools: Meanwhile, the new Briarcliff/Lakeside city proposal (aka "LaVista Hills") has drawn its boundary to include Laurel Ridge Elementary, which currently serves elementary school-aged Medlock children. Laurel Ridge, too,  is part of the Druid Hills High School feeder pattern. LaVista Hills does not include the Medlock neighborhood.

Medlock children also have the option of attending the International Community School (ICS), a K-6 DeKalb County School District charter that currently occupies the grounds of Medlock Elementary (which closed in May 2011 due to redistricting). ICS is unique: 50% of its students are refugees and the rest come from all over the County via lottery. Should our neighborhood's status change and should we no longer be part of the DeKalb School System, ICS's lease would be in jeopardy. Any annexations that impact the County's school system budget of course also impact the school's operations.

Decatur would immediately syphon millions of dollars out of the
DeKalb County Schools District, and that number will only grow as
our area's business corridor continues to develop. Click to enlarge.
Source: Medlock annexation survey, Nov. 2014

Denial of service: The Medlock neighborhood survey favored joining the City of Decatur, even though Decatur had already stated their lack of interest in our neighborhood during a meeting with the MANA board. Decatur has repeatedly stated its school system is operating at capacity and the school-age population will continue to grow. Decatur proposes to address this issue through an unreasonable annexation plan that would sequester extensive commercial revenue out of DeKalb County's tax digest (added bonus: these monies would also help modulate future property tax increases for Decatur residents, at the expense of the rest of the county). Click on the image to the left to see how much Decatur's plan would impact DeKalb County schools.

Obviously children will go to school somewhere once the dust settles, but this situation is quite disturbing to Medlock neighborhood residents who have been part of the Druid Hills High School family for decades and who are currently loving the learning environment at Laurel Ridge Elementary. To have external interests heedlessly tear apart our school attendance patterns (and funding) is not only harmful, it is outright bizarre. We trust that legislators will appreciate how irregular a situation this is, and acknowledge its impact on our neighborhood and all our residents, whether they have school-age children or not. 

What's next?: Mark Niesse at the AJC reported that Amy Carter (Chairwoman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee) has named the 5-person committee that will draw boundaries for the proposed new cities. The threat of this outcome was in place since summer, when Briarcliff, Lakeside and Tucker organizers were instructed to produce non-overlappling maps by November 15; they missed the deadline. Going forward, the AJC notes that map-making will be in the hands of

Rep. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville, buzz.brockway@house.ga.gov
Rep. Barry Fleming, R-Harlem, barry.fleming@house.ga.gov
Rep. Mark Hamilton, R-Cumming, mark.hamilton@house.ga.gov
Rep. Howard Mosby, D-Atlanta, howard.mosby@house.ga.gov
and Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, mmo@mmolaw.com

Their mission, which they have chosen to accept: "to produce a map decided by a majority vote. That map would then be considered during the regular legislative session, which begins in January."

If you would like to reach out to these representatives to say "please look out for our great neighborhood and DeKalb County as a whole", or whatever outcome you prefer, their addresses are included above. The school attendance issue is separate from the annexation issues that these legislators are trying to address, but it is also obvious that the committee's decisions will impact school attendance and will no doubt be informed by that issue.
___________
* Map Sources:
http://lavistahills.nationbuilder.com/
http://druidhills.org/2014/10/15/cityhood-annexation-options-and-their-effects-on-taxes-and-schools/ http://www.decaturga.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5445

ICS Press Release: Fundraiser [May 5] & Walk-Through [Apr 29]

Special Charter School Coming Soon to Medlock Community

New neighbors representing 40 countries excited to bring global experiences to Medlock

New friends representing 40 different countries and are coming soon to the Medlock neighborhood. The International Community School, a K-6 charter school that has served refugee, immigrant and local children in DeKalb County for ten years, will be relocating to the building formerly used by Medlock Elementary School beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.  Having occupied space behind the Avondale Pattillo United Methodist church in Avondale Estates since 2002, the International Community School teaches some 400 students who speak 25 different languages.

The school will host its annual auction gala event to raise funds for the upcoming move to Medlock. The 2012 auction theme, “Sojourn to South Africa,” will feature a live auction, silent auction and entertainment, including music and a soccer ball juggling demonstration performed by students.  Come meet your new neighbors and celebrate with ICS next Saturday, May 5 for this special event at The Carter Center.  Tickets are $75 each and must be purchased before 9am next Monday, April 30.

Learn more about ICS and purchase event tickets online at: http://www.icsgeorgia.org

Contact:
Lauren Azoulai
404-499-8969
lauren.azoulai@icsgeorgia.org

---

The International Community School is a K-6 charter and IB World school,

advancing the promise of America by cultivating voice, courage and hope

in refugee, immigrant and local students in DeKalb County, Georgia.

MANA was also informed that there will be Medlock Open House-Walk Thru this Sunday (April 29) from 2-5 p.m.


To review other ICS information on this website, click here.

Reminder: ICS Open House [Feb 4]

International Community School Open House

WHEN: February 4
WHERE: 3260 Covington Highway
WHY: an opportunity to learn more  about ICS,  which will operate at Medlock Elementary effective Fall  2012

And don't forget that enrollment information is now posted.

Enrollment Information for The International Community School (ICS)

1st Grade Art (from ICS on Facebook). Click to enlarge!

Last October, the DeKalb County School System approved a letter of intent from the ICS to relocate to the Medlock Elementary building.


A few months back, the DecaturMetro blog shared an email sent by the ICS school principal that outlines some of the history behind that decision.



MANA has just received the following enrollment information [March 9] and open house [Feb 4] announcement:

The International Community School (ICS), a tuition-free, public charter school, is accepting applications for the 2012-13 academic year.

Enrollment is awarded by lottery. ICS is accepting lottery applications for Kindergarten through 5th grade. The application is on the Admissions page of the ICS website and is available at: http://www.icsgeorgia.org/downloads/admissions/ICS-Application-201213.pdf 

The application deadline is Friday, March 9th. Applicants will be notified following the March 16th lottery. 

The ICS Open House for academic year 2012-13 will take place at the Decatur campus, 3260 Covington Highway, 30032, on Saturday, February 4, 2012, 10am-12 Noon. 

For more information, please contact the ICS Registrar at 404-499-8969  ext 11 or email registrar@icsgeorgia.org.

As soon as we know more, we will share.

Medlock Elementary update

The DeKalb County School System and the International Community Schools (ICS) are in talks over a lease that would bring ICS to our neighborhood. ICS is a chartered elementary school that offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.

Per this report on the AJC

Nicole Knighton, the DeKalb district’s director of government relations and special projects, said after a letter of intent is signed, lease negotiations will begin to allow the International Community School to move into the old Medlock Elementary School facility.


The board will vote on the letter of intent next week and will vote to approve the lease in November.

MANA continues to monitor the situation and will post updates as information becomes available!

Volunteers Needed: Medlock Children's Garden

From Sharon...

As many of you know, the Children's Garden at Medlock School was threatened recently as the school district simplifies its maintenance program for their closed properties. We were granted permission to keep the garden and the plantings under the windows at the front of the building, as long as we maintained them and the district received no complaints about the condition of the grounds.

We need a team of volunteers who will take turns weedwhacking and mowing. This is not a long term commitment. Winter will come at some point and eventually we hope to be able to hand this off to a new tenant.

Please contact Sharon Johnson at sblott.johnson@gmail.com if you can help in any way.

DCSS BOE August 1 meeting: citizen support to lease Medlock Elementary

The DCSS BOE’s meeting of August 1 is now available for streaming at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/pds24/vod

Below is a summary of the citizen comments section, where several appeals were made to the BOE to lease the Medlock Property. [Noted in brackets is the approximate time when each speaker addressed the board]

Dr. Laurent Ditman: The International Community School (ICS) principal noted that on the previous Friday, he hand-delivered a letter and skeleton lease to the DCSS BOE. He noted that he knows there are details to be worked out but that it is now time to engage in negotiation and close the deal. Dr. Ditman asked if DCSS would allow more facilities to fall out of use and disrepair, that are later too expensive to repair and return to use and listed Hooper Alexander elementary of an example of this scenario. Dr. Ditman stated that if allowed to lease Medlock, ICS will make DCSS look good. There is a documentary soon to hit the show circuit. In closing, Dr. Ditman asked if there is any reason not to consider the proposal and, to audience laughter, noted that if DCSS gives ICS access to Medlock, he will never have to petition the BOE again. [~5 minute mark]

Tahisha Edwards: The ICS assistant principal explained that currently, ICS exists in two campuses (one for K-4th grade in Decatur, and another in Stone Mountain for 5th and 6th graders). Ms. Edwards noted that students want to be on one campus, so that they can play and interact with friends and siblings during the school day. As to ICS’s needs, the first one is that of space. Students are functioning in cramped spaces, and there is no space dedicated to cultivating the arts. On the academic front, space limits technology availability and improved space would allow consistent access for all students. Lastly, the students need appropriate space and facilities for physical education in particular on rainy days.

Ms. Mary Johnson: As an ICS volunteer and DeKalb County taxpayer, Ms. Johnson urged the BOE to keep buildings in use. She noted that DCSS’s policy has been to allow buildings to remain vacant, or to use them as storage space. Noting that buildings need continuous care and maintenance to stay in good repair, she described the fate of Hooper Alexander elementary. She said that approximately 3 years ago, as the school was slated to close, ICS voiced an interest in the facility. Now, the school has become a dangerous eyesore—it is in a very poor state of repair, it has been vandalized and sprayed with graffiti, is boarded up, and is not a good thing to have in a community. Using a school building for storage has to be the least cost-effective use for a building. It behooves DCSS to lease a building not in use—the tenant assumes the cost of insurance, makes day-to-day repairs and this is a win-win for the taxpayer. In allowing use of Medlock, DCSS would do a good thing as far as keeping its assets in good repair, avoiding liability, and serving students that attend ICS. [~12 minute mark]

Joy Dawkins: An ICS parent and vice-chair of the ICS board, Ms. Dawkins noted that she is delighted with her children’s experience at ICS. She also noted that the two-campus model is a financial drain of great concern.

Steven Mayo: As an ICS alumni, Mr. Mayo summarized a letter he wrote to the DCSS four years ago, then an appeal to allow ICS to utilize the Forest Hills school building. He had 6 arguments: (1) have access to a gym so the children could play outside. As a 5th and 6th grader, Mr. Mayo said that children played in the parking lot and for PE, they hiked Stone Mountain; (2) not having to get ½ hour early to allow travel time to the Stone Mountain school location; (3) food temperature (warm all the time); (4) having larger classrooms—Mr. Mayo stated that students had about 3 sq. feet of space for themselves and their bookbags; (5) not having to walk in the rain to go from building to building; (6) not having to attend meetings that his mom took him to! (although his attendance to the current meeting was his own choice). Mr. Mayo also noted that he received a reply from Crawford Lewis at the time, stating that leases take time. Mr. Mayo closed by saying that he knew it would be hard, but not that the process would take 4 years. [~19 minute mark]

Pat Camp: Representing Medlock Area Neighborhood Association, MANA VP Camp first thanked the BOE for listening to community input regarding the desire to not have a cell tower on school grounds. Ms. Camp then noted that both the International Community School and Fernbank School Center have been in touch with MANA. Both organizations are established entities with a track record of doing wonderful work. During the Medlock school-closing crisis, many, many community members stated a desire to keep a school in the property; MANA understands that is still the prevailing desire. MANA therefore supports either proposal. MANA appreciates being included in the vetting process and would very much like to remain an active participant as this decision is very important to those in our community. [~38 minute mark]

Update on Medlock school property

MANA VP Pat Camp attended the DCSS Board of Education August 1 to support proposals by the International Community School (ICS) and Fernbank Science Center (FSC). Support hinges on the desire voiced by many neighbors that the property return to use as soon as possible, ideally as an educational venue.

The ICS proposes to gather its students, who are currently on two campuses, into one location.

Doug Hrabe, the director of FSC, mentioned using the space specifically for science teacher training, perhaps a vocational horticulture greenhouse and use of the nearby natural areas for field trips for the DCSS students who come to the science center.

We do not know when a decision will be made but are making inquiries. Our last update on this matter was reported in late June, when Dan Drake (Director of Planning and Forecasting, DCSS) indicated that the current plan for Medlock Elementary is as follows:
1. a short-term lease (~2 years)

2. use of Medlock Elementary as classroom space for students displaced during the construction phase of a 900-student elementary school (aka Fernbank Elementary)

3. again make the Medlock school available for leasing

We'll post updates as more information becomes available. If you have questions or want to share your thoughts, email medlockassoc@gmail.com

Update 8-3-2011: We are told that the ICS's proposal is being reviewed by DCSS lawyers.

:) No Cell Tower at Medlock!

Success! The DCSS Board of Education voted to approve a motion by Mr. McChesney to remove several schools from the T-Mobile cell tower proposal. The schools he listed were Medlock, Brockett and Meadowview. When asked for a reason, he replied that he believed in allowing people to decide on what they want in their neighborhoods (paraphrased). Here is Mr. McChesney making the motion:

Some board members objected to the motion, stating that they had heard that individuals in those same areas wanted the proposal to be approved. Ms. Edler tried to remove all schools from the proposal, but this motion was defeated.

Ms. Jester addressed Mr. Donahue (DCSS, Executive Director, Plant Services), who was presenting the proposal, to say she was disappointed that the vote was taking place when they had had so little time to review the contracts financial details, which she had hoped would be posted online. She also said she favored an opt-in approach so that schools could choose to join the proposal, vs. an automatic inclusion with the option to opt out.

A rather useless photo showing an almost-unanimous vote to remove
the three schools from the proposal. Ms. Edler voted against as she was
trying to propose another motion to eliminate all schools from the proposal list,
effectively rejecting the proposal in its totality. 

Following a vote, Medlock, Brockett and Meadowview are no longer being considered as cell tower sites.

Had the proposal been approved, that would have signaled an agreement from DCSS to proceed with cell tower construction. T-Mobile would have had 6 months to sort out the legal side (zoning, permits), and a 6 month grace period to complete said paperwork. At that point, if legalities had not been handled, the contract would have been void.

A big thank you to the Board of Education for listening to its citizens. And a big thank you also to the five MANA members who stood up to address the BoE.

We look forward to collaborating with DCSS soon to discuss lease options for Medlock Elementary.

Cute AND Feisty! Go MANA!

MANA VP Pat Camp addressing the news for the second time today...
this time to say how important it is for citizens to follow up with
their elected officials and not give in to cynicism.

The Dekalb County School Watch blog has detailed notes of the meeting; scroll down to the updated section of the post.

July 11: DCSS Board of Education Meeting Agenda includes Cell Tower Proposal Vote

Dear Elected Officials of the DCSS,

Dear Medlock neighbors,

Per the agenda posted at the DCSS website, July 11 may be the day when the cell tower proposal is voted on. See item 31 for specifics.

Several documents are linked to the above page and include additional details about the proposal being considered. For instance, the lease on the property, as stated, would run 30 years. This impacts our neighborhood in the very long run and may constrain future usage of the school lot.

Note that on July 11, the board will first vote to approve the agenda (i.e., there is a possibility they will vote to delay specific items in the agenda). The meeting will also include a period where citizens may ask to address the board. As suggested by Commissioner Gannon, we should make a strong show and attend this meeting, ideally decked out in MANA t-shirts.

The DCSS BOE policy cited below explains how citizens may sign up to address the BOE. If you opt to address the board, note there is a 3-minute limit. Please practice your statement in advance, bring notes, and emphasize the following talking points:

1 - As the property in question is no longer being used as a school, this property does not qualify for the zoning exemption allowed for schools and churches.

2 - The timing of this project is premature, if not poorly thought out. The School Board has not announced its complete plans for the school system - the 2020 plan - which would give us a long-term idea of what will happen on this property, and AT&T's pursuit of T-Mobile could mean that the tower is completely unnecessary given AT&T has adequate coverage in this area.

3 - The potential combined damage to our neighborhood (school closing + an unwanted cell tower) is much larger than the sum of its parts. A cell tower entails environmental hazard--a possible danger to wildlife, especially birds, which have sanctuaries nearby.

4 - The tower itself is a huge eyesore looming over the tops of all the nearby trees, and the centrality of its location means it impacts neighbors many streets away from the site.

5 - Real estate value is damaged by the placement of a piece of industrial equipment in a residential area. The perception of health risk from cell towers, whether substantiated or not, can influence potential buyers and renters and thwart sellers.

DCSS Meeting Location:

Administrative and Instructional Complex
J. David Williamson Board Room
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA  30083

Meeting Time: 6:00 PM

- - - - 

DCSS Board Policy: Public Participation in Board Meetings

Descriptor Code:KCA

The DeKalb County Board of Education encourages citizens to be involved in public education. To facilitate this involvement, the Board will listen to citizen comments immediately following the call to order and prior to the adoption of the agenda for its regularly scheduled work sessions.

The following guidelines will be observed for receiving and hearing comments from citizens during the public comment portion of the work sessions:

• The Board encourages individuals to contact the Superintendent, his administrative staff and/or local school administrators in an effort to secure a satisfactory solution to any concerns prior to referral to the Board of Education.

• All persons wishing to address the Board during the citizen comment portion of the work sessions will be given a copy of this policy.

• To be eligible those wishing to speak must submit in writing to the board office via letter, fax, or e-mail a request (MARGARET_C_FRANCOIS@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us) to speak which must be received no later than 12:00 noon on the day of the Board Work Session. Such requests shall include information regarding the topic to be addressed and previous steps taken to resolve the concern prior to making the request to speak. In addition, speakers may complete their own Request to Comment card in person between 4:45 and 5:45 p.m. on the day of the work session. Cards must be completely filled out. Speakers will be heard in the order they submit their requests. Each speaker addressing the Board shall have a maximum of three (3) minutes to speak.

• The public comment portion of the meeting will be a maximum of one (1) hour or 20 speakers.

• It shall be out of order for any citizen to verbally and/or physically attack an employee of the school system in a public meeting.

• The Board will not allow abusive language, threats, comments, jeers, applause or shouts from the floor. Disruptive persons will be asked to leave the meeting room.

DeKalb County Schools

- - - -

Medlock Schools Children's Garden Saved from the Bulldozer

Sharon reports...

The DeKalb County School System grounds crew appeared at the school on Thursday. It looked like they were just trimming the crepe myrtles, although they were a bit extreme.

Friday they were back and when Kaye Smith drove by she noticed they were bulldozing trees. Trees that had been planted as memorials; trees that the Medlock kids had planted for the victims of the Oklahoma city bombings. She "engaged in conversation" with the crew then she started calling folks. She was able to get a supervisor to come down to the school and as more neighbors arrived, the supervisor called his boss and it was finally agreed that the Children's Garden would not be bulldozed.

The community will be allowed to maintain the children's garden as well as maintain the plantings along the front of the building.The school Board grounds crew will still mow and maintain the trees.

We will be setting up a group to maintain the gardens in association with the Medlock Park Community Garden. An initial meeting for planning will be announced soon.

- - - -

This is yet another reminder of why we must continue to contact the DCSS Board and let them know that

- Medlock Neighbors want to DISCUSS how the property is to be used and maintained (vs. react to the alarming appearance of bulldozers!)

- Medlock Neighbors do not want a cell tower in our midsts, as outlined in the online petition.

Contact your elected DCSS Board members as follows:


ramona_tyson@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
thomas_bowen@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
H_Paul_Womack@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
sarah_copelin-wood@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
jay_cunningham@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
donna_edler@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
nancy_jester@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
don_mcchesney@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
pam_speaks@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
eugene_p_walker@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Petition Against Installing a T-Mobile Cell Phone Tower at Medlock Elementary

MANA is disseminating the following petition on behalf of its many neighbors' concerns over DCSS's cell tower proposal:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/778/923/897/

Signatures will be sent to the powers that be.

- - - - -

We, the undersigned, appeal to the DeKalb County School System's Board of Education and to interim superintendent Ramona Tyson that you abandon the proposal to lease school ground space to T-Mobile for the installation of cell phone towers. In specific, we oppose the tower proposed for Medlock Elementary School in Decatur, GA. Our reasons are many:

FISCAL AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS:
- Medlock Park neighbors are dealing with a property value triple whammy:
* The closing of Medlock Elementary and loss of one of our neighborhood's selling points ("walk to school").
* A large, empty building in the middle of our neighborhood. We have no information of how the property will be maintained.
* The prospect of an inescapable 150-foot tall eyesore.
The specter of increased millage rates simply compounds the above.
- While DCSS stands to gain financially via a long-term cell tower lease, Medlock Park neighbors get nothing we want or need.
- Cell tower decisions should wait until DCSS's long-term plan is revealed in full. T-Mobile's financial targets and deadlines are neither Medlock Park's nor DCSS's problem.
- Neighborhood leaders have attempted to work with DCSS to find desirable tenants to lease the school building and generate income for DCSS. Although our efforts to help have been stonewalled, our offer stands.
- Leasing school property to cell tower companies does not address the source of DCSS's fiscal problems. We reject this "Band-Aid" approach as the distraction it is.

HEALTH CONCERNS AND PEACE OF MIND:
- Some neighbors worry about health impacts. So might potential leaseholders (in particular if their business tends to young children).
- We worry this is but the tip of the iceberg. If one tower makes money, why not two? What other businesses or structures are being considered? As long as the land remains part of the DCSS (i.e., government-owned), it remains exempt from zoning restrictions that protect neighbors.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS:
- We have yet to see any environmental impact assessments. We are in particular concerned about the known dangers that communication towers pose to migratory birds. Does the site's elevation present additional dangers to birds beyond those calculated for a "typical" 150-foot tower? Medlock Elementary is located near water sources that attract birds, and is surrounded by multiple wildlife corridors and parks that provide habitat for many native bird species.

We hold and will continue to hold our DCSS and DeKalb County elected officials accountable, in particular as additional taxes are proposed for the November ballot (i.e., SPLOT).

Cell Tower Update: It's Showtime

Dekalb County School System has posted the full scope of their cell tower plan, see http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/news-and-info/cell-phone-towers

For Medlock Elementary, you will see they list two potential sites. MANA contacted Mr. Steve Donahue at Plant Managemnet (DCSS), who said the original proposal included 2 suggested sites but they are considering one only. Communications between the MANA zoning chair Teresa Same and a T-Mobile representative reveal that the the actual location of the tower has not been decided upon, and may not be limited to the 2 sites listed. Also, that T-Mobile will be pursuing this location regardless of how neighbors may feel about it. But remember: T-Mobile can't do anything without the DCSS Board's buy-in and blessing.

DCSS has posted its board meeting schedule at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/board-of-education/meetings-and-minutest, but gives no clues as to whether the cell tower issue is on their next meeting agenda.  This week, Mr. McChesney (DCSS Board member) responded to MANA inquiries with the following information:

• that the meeting agenda is determined by the chair, vice chair and superintendent
• that he does not yet know what the agenda is
• that people should email the Board of Education "to let their feelings be known."

Sounds like an...

! ! ! ACTION ALERT ! ! !

Not what William Shakespeare had in mind when he wrote
"O for a horse with wings!"

Call or email the DCSS Board and Interim Superintendent Tyson and let them know how you feel about cell towers in school yards, Medlock Elementary in particular. 

       

Ask that they

1. post the meeting agenda (or at least indicate when cell tower decisions will be discussed), and 
2. remove Medlock Elementary from their potential site list, or at the very least stop considering Medlock until the county's 10-year plan is revealed in August.

Please use your own words and arguments. A brief and sincere note in your own voice is better than a form letter.

Detailed contact information appears below. Here's their emails for cut/paste convenience...

ramona_tyson@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

thomas_bowen@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

H_Paul_Womack@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

sarah_copelin-wood@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

jay_cunningham@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

donna_edler@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

nancy_jester@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

don_mcchesney@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

pam_speaks@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

eugene_p_walker@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

 CELL TOWER DECIDERS: DCSS Board (left) and Interim Superintendent (right)
Wonder if THEY have cell towers in their backyards and at their children's schools?

Ramona Tyson

Interim Superintendent
678.676.0010
ramona_tyson@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Thomas E. Bowen

Chair; District 6

404.392.1621

thomas_bowen@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

H. Paul Womack Jr

Vice Chair; District 4

404.680.8790

H_Paul_Womack@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Sarah Copelin-Wood

Board Member

404.371.1490

sarah_copelin-wood@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Jesse Jay Cunningham Jr.

Board Member; District 5

404.392.3091

jay_cunningham@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Donna G Edler

Board Member

404.394.1238

donna_edler@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Nancy T. Jester

Board Member; District 1

404.394.8750

nancy_jester@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Donald E. McChesney

Board Member; District 2

404.664.2458

don_mcchesney@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Pamela A. Speaks

Board Member; District 8

404.931.7971

pam_speaks@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Eugene P. Walker

Board Member

404.593.5095

eugene_p_walker@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Medlock Elementary celebrated in letter to the editor

A Medlock parent's thoughts as the academic year winds down and the school closes...

I thought about what those students had become. Doctors? Engineers? Scientists? Police officers? Politicians? Teachers? Authors? Most of them might have no idea that the very same school–which gave them their early education and provided their first introduction to letters, words, numbers, colors, lines, drawing–has now vanished forever.

Read the whole thing at http://northdruidhills.patch.com/articles/sixty-years-of-golden-memories-at-medlock-elementary

DeKalb Co. School Board: Can you hear me now?

The following recap/editorial of the May 11 meeting is not an official statement from the MANA board. It was volunteered by a long-time neighbor and MANA member.

Representatives from T-Mobile; DeKalb Co. Board of Education member Donald McChesney (District 2 representative, which covers Medlock Elementary); and Steve Donahue (Executive Director of Plant Services, Dekalb Co. County Schools) were at hand on Wednesday evening to hear what the MANA community had to say about the proposed construction of a cell phone tower at Medlock Elementary.  Close to 70 neighbors attended.

It was probably inevitable that community frustrations at the school closing would surface during the meeting. Audience members obviously wanted to convey (1) great dissatisfaction with how our elected officials (specifically, DeKalb Co., and the DeKalb Co. School System Board) are failing to communicate with one another, and (2) that our community feels willfully ignored as far as being consulted or even informed of decisions that affect our neighborhood. The MANA zoning committee chair, Theresa Same, made this point clearly when she reminded Mr. McChesney that news of these cell tower proposals came to us “through the grapevine” and not directly, even though MANA has actively sought involvement since its inception, and most certainly as soon as Medlock Elementary closing rumos surfaced. For example, MANA has spent the last several months fruitlessly trying to extract land use guidelines from the School Board, to better evaluate potential use for the property (as we have been asked to do) and solicit proposals that would avoid an abandoned building scenario.

Audience members clarified there is no specific animosity towards T-Mobile (or any other cell phone provider for that matter). There is, however, great confusion about the timing of this proposal’s announcement and consideration. To wit: the school board will not unveil its 10-year plan until August. There are rumors of an ATT and T-Mobile merger, which could negate a need for T-Mobile towers in this area. And, as stated by a T-Mobile representative, the DeKalb Co. School system is the only system in DeKalb Co. that will consider placing cell phone towers in its land (question marks and exclamation points bloomed above audience member heads at that statement…).  With so many variables in flux, the only reasonable answer our community can issue to this proposal is a resounding NO.

There were many highlights to the meeting, not the least being the obvious community pride and refusal to accept the format the County attempted to impose. As the meeting began, we were informed that we should spend 20 minutes reviewing the information stations in the back of the room. When the MANA audience refused, we were told this was not a democracy (let’s say that did not go over too well). Audience members asked for a compromise of taking 5 minutes to view the displays (since most had viewed them before the meeting began), and requested to have the T-Mobile reps come to the front of the room to either present information or answer questions.  

T-Mobile reps; Medlock Mustang wants answers.

Now, with an audience-driven format, the questions poured forth.

No, the speakers could not comment on what kind of revenue the DeKalb Co. School System would derive from the placement of these cell towers at any of the 12 schools being considered. This is all in the negotiation phase. [N.B. On May 10, the AJC ran an article reporting that:

In Cobb County, more than 20 schools have towers, with each bringing in $150,000 every five years. Sixty percent goes to the school and the remainder going into a fund for schools without towers. The contracts are 15-year deals. But the school board in February voted to table indefinitely the construction of a T-Mobile cell tower at Compton Elementary after opposition from nearby homeowners.

T-Mobile has presented DeKalb with several different lease options, which, over time, could generate from about $450,000 to $1 million per site, depending on the length and structure of the contract. The school's Parent Teacher Association could get a one-time payment of $25,000. 

The district has not decided how the money would be used or distributed. The board has not scheduled a date to vote on the proposal. ]

The T-Mobile group appeared unaware that the school system closed Medlock Elementary… another example of questionable communication. Groans ensued when they informed us that the proposed tower would prominently feature the school mascot (a mustang… now sent to the glue factory). No answer was forthcoming as to how cell tower revenue would benefit our community, other than to improve T-Mobile’s ability to better serve its customers and generate income for the land owner. We were informed that the tower would be compatible with other carriers, and that contracts dictate that these structures be taken down should they cease to be operational. Mock-up photos show that the top of the tower (and its ghostly horse) would be clearly visible from any vintage point around the school (Gaylemont Circle and Wood Trail Lane).

This is what the proposed tower would look from Medlock Park, pool side. Additional mock-ups of the tower's visual impact appear at the end of this post.

Mr. McChesney injected a thread of intrigue by noting that Medlock “could” be the site of one of the 900-student schools that the county envisions. This statement was immediately challenged with the request that we table the discussion about cell towers until the school system unveils its Plan.

T-Mobile reps reassured us about the safety of the tower’s output, stating that the strength of output is weaker than common in-house sources such as routers and baby monitors. They referred the audience to their website for reports that vouch that no deleterious short-term effects are documented.

A bit of comic relief (for the audience, anyway) ensued when a T-Mobile representative, fiddling with the microphone, asked “Can you hear me now?”

An audience member asked whether T-Mobile would need to file for a zoning variance; apparently no, as government-owned land is exempt from land use restrictions.

Per our presenters, the County was approached with “multiple” requests for additional cell tower installations about a year ago. T-Mobile was the first to come through with a comprehensive proposal, about 8 weeks ago.

There were many questions about why T-Mobile would consider schools as cell tower sites. They explained that they study the area, first attempting to co-locate with existing towers and that building new towers (a quarter-million dollar endeavor) is a “last-ditch effort.” Audience members asked about using other spaces (non-residential) for said towers. The Zoning Chair offered to talk to T-Mobile about nearby commercial property that is currently underused or empty, and T-Mobile seemed receptive to exploring this angle. Following the meeting, Ms. Same and a T-Mobile rep reviewed the map and it appears that given the area's topography, multiple towers would be necessary to achieve the coverage that the school grounds tower would offer (due to the advantage provided by elevation).

T-Mobile repeatedly stated that they do not wish to come into a space where they are not wanted, and that the audience should voice any concerns through their potential business partner, namely, the DeKalb County School System.

To this end, if you wish to convey your thoughts and concerns about the T-Mobile tower situation, or about other issues relating to the Medlock Elementary school closing and its current status, visit the Board of Education's website (http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/board-of-education). Perhaps a place to start is to note that, although the Board states its desire “to form a collaborative effort between school and home,” they should consider adding a 5th goal: that the Board (a) recognizes the pivotal bond that exists between a public school and the residential community within which it exists, and (b) seeks to cultivate transparent communication with all its stakeholders.  

Board Member	Title/District	Phone	Email
Thomas E. Bowen	Chair; District 6	404.392.1621	thomas_bowen@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
H. Paul Womack Jr	Vice Chair; District 4	404.680.8790	H_Paul_Womack@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Sarah Copelin-Wood	Board Member	404.371.1490	sarah_copelin-wood@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Jesse Jay Cunningham Jr.	Board Member; District 5	404.392.3091	jay_cunningham@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Donna G Edler	Board Member	404.394.1238	donna_edler@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Nancy T. Jester	Board Member; District 1	404.394.8750	nancy_jester@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Donald E. McChesney	Board Member; District 2	404.664.2458	don_mcchesney@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Pamela A. Speaks	Board Member; District 8	404.931.7971	pam_speaks@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Eugene P. Walker	Board Member	404.593.5095	eugene_p_walker@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Mr. Donahue (L) and Mr. McChesney (R) (in suit jackets) answer questions after the meeting 

T-Mobile display. 

Proposed tower specifications. It would be 150 feet high.

This illustration shows the corner of the school lot where the tower would be located (around 9 o'clock in this drawing). The space being leased involves a 60' x 60' footprint.

Mockup of what the base of the tower would look like at ground level.

View of Tower and its Ghostly Mustang, seen from the front of the school.

The arrow marks the tower's proposed location. 

Tower's potential visual impact as seen from Gaylemont Circle.