City Schools of Decatur leaders outlined a multi‑phase facilities program centered on a new Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) on West Trinity and an expansion of Decatur High School, with staff aiming to keep the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) within $35,000,000.

“35,000,000. That’s right,” said Jarvis Adams, chief operations officer, as the two leaders stated the GMP target and described the projects’ scope.

Phase 1 will add an auxiliary gym and expanded fine arts and CTAE (career, technical and agricultural education) space at Decatur High, Adams said, to support more than 16 varsity sports and growing arts and technical programs. He described plans to modernize facilities to give students rehearsal, practice and lab spaces and to relieve pressure on existing sites.

The ECLC — to be built on land the district purchased in 2017 — will house early learning programs now located at the Frasier Center. Adams and Dr. Broom said the ECLC design will aim for LEED Silver certification and reserve about 40% of the site as green or community space. “ECLC, it begins that cradle to career,” Adams said, adding the facility will serve some children not previously reached and provide community amenities.

Staff said they will present a final GMP to the board on Oct. 14 and the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) will consider approval the following day, Oct. 15. The leaders said the PFA previously signed an intent to act as a conduit for financing in early August; staff will bring a resolution on project parameters and pricing to the board for a vote at the October meeting and then return to the PFA for final approvals.

A district representative said the district expects to hold a groundbreaking in December (staff said Dec. 9) following programming and HR presentations in November and December. Adams identified project partners including GMC, Parish and Ascension (project management partners named in the discussion) and said architects have involved students in the design and programming work; staff described examples of students participating in envisioning and applying for internships with architects.

Adams identified facilities priorities beyond new construction: more efficient preventive maintenance to reduce breakdowns; restroom renovations for kindergarten classrooms; transportation route reliability and modernization of the bus fleet; and menu changes and outreach to increase breakfast and lunch participation and reduce nutrition program subsidies to the general fund. He noted the district’s older building stock — “most of them average age around 72 years old” with “a couple over a 100 years old” — as part of the need for renovation and preventive maintenance.

Officials described funding sources for operations and capital as a mix of general fund, SPLOST (1¢ county sales tax), state reimbursements for nutrition participation and PFA‑facilitated financing. The leaders said they will present programmatic details and updated cost information to the board and public at the October meeting.