City Schools of Decatur unveils $35 million campus 'domino' plan to add early‑childhood center, CTAE labs, arts and auxiliary gym

City Schools of Decatur officials on June 10 laid out a multi‑phase capital plan that would place a standalone Early Childhood Learning Center at College Heights, repurpose the existing Frasier Center into career, technical and agricultural education (CTAE) labs, expand fine‑arts performance and rehearsal spaces and build an ADA‑compliant auxiliary gym to ease scheduling conflicts for athletics and performing ensembles.

The district described the projects as interdependent “dominoes” that free up space on the land‑locked Decatur High School campus and would create dedicated rehearsal, practice and lab spaces for more than 1,200 student athletes and multiple arts ensembles.

Why it matters: district leaders said the combined projects address long‑standing capacity constraints that force late‑night rehearsals and practices, constrain CTAE pathway growth and limit early‑childhood seats for families with the greatest need. The board heard the presentation in a work session and was asked to authorize staff to pursue financing and design steps.

District chief operations officer Jarvis Adams told the board the plan would “maximize every square foot” on the 18‑acre campus and create purpose‑built space for robotics, culinary arts, health sciences, orchestra, band, indoor percussion and winter guard. Adams also said the sequence matters: building a new ECLC allows students to move out of Frasier so that site…