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District presents arts, athletics and college‑readiness wins; athletics growth raises facility questions
Summary
Board heard reports on arts awards and student achievements, rising athletics participation as DHS moves to 6A, and rollout of Naviance and OneGoal college‑and‑career supports. Trustees requested additional data on arts participation and facility partnerships and acknowledged need for long‑term capital planning.
City Schools of Decatur staff used the work session to highlight recent accomplishments in arts and athletics and to preview the district’s college‑and‑career initiatives.
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Burton detailed arts milestones: a three‑day K‑12 art exhibition, a joint upper elementary and middle school chorus with ~300 students, national recognition as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" for the fifth consecutive year, superior large‑group performance evaluation ratings across bands, choirs and orchestras at Beacon Hill Middle and Decatur High, and Schuler awards recognition for Decatur High theatrical productions. Burton also described partnership expansions with the Alliance Theatre (early childhood workshops) and plans to add Wolf Trap early‑learning arts play for three‑ and four‑year‑olds.
Chief Operations Officer Jarvis Adams reported athletics participation levels—about 942 high‑school participants (nearly half the DHS student body) and ~350 at Beacon Hill Middle. He noted increased competitive demands as Decatur High advances to GHSA 6A (classification change every two years) and stressed space and scheduling constraints: heavily shared gyms, limited turf lifecycle replacement planning, and reliance on city and community partners (Legacy Park, Decatur Tennis Center, Agnes Scott and other facilities) for practice and competition space. The board asked for a more granular breakdown of arts participation and which teams are most impacted by limited practice facilities.
Dr. Dwayne Scroll (DHS principal) presented college‑and‑career updates including a first‑year rollout of the Naviance/Navvian platform and expansion of OneGoal advising: initial implementation served grades 9–11 and OneGoal cohorts showed high persistence; staff reported seniors’ average GPA and scholarship indicators (seniors averaged a reported 3.7 GPA, with substantial Hope and other scholarship awards). Trustees questioned counselor staffing levels (DHS has five counselors and a sixth scheduled to return) and how Naviance data accuracy will be ensured during implementation.
Ending: Board thanked staff for highlights and instructed operations and academic teams to return with requested participation breakdowns and facility planning inputs for capital discussions.
