The DeKalb County Board of Education is scheduled to receive a comprehensive progress report from architect Brian Templeton of Upland Design regarding the construction of the new Smithville Elementary School during their regular monthly meeting on Thursday night. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Ernest Ray Education Center, with a workshop session preceding the main meeting at 5:00 p.m.
The board's agenda includes critical action items related to the school construction project, specifically calling for approval of the final school schematic design. Additionally, the board will consider moving forward with the Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Quotes (RFQ) process as part of their preparation to select a qualified construction manager for the project.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps provided an update to WJLE last month on the project's current status. According to Cripps, Templeton confirmed that the topographical survey has been completed successfully, indicating that the selected site is suitable for construction purposes. The architect's team has used new information gathered from this survey to refine the site design and prepare an updated schematic design package for presentation to the school board.
"He (Templeton) will come and give (school board) an update and show where the school will be placed on the site," Director Cripps explained. "We will then look at the board approving us to go forward with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in search of a construction manager to help with the design process, layout and to start the bidding process. A committee will help select that (construction manager). Hopefully we can start moving dirt by March or April."
Beyond the elementary school construction updates, the Board of Education will address several other important matters during Thursday night's meeting on November 13th. Among these agenda items, the board is expected to officially set the graduation date for the Class of 2026, scheduling the ceremony for Friday, May 22nd. The board will also take action on approving the Student Data Privacy Consortium, and Director Cripps will present his monthly personnel report to the members.
The consent agenda for the evening includes numerous items that will be considered following the public comment period. These items encompass the adoption of the meeting agenda and approval of October meeting minutes. The board will also consider and act on the 2024 Local Education Compliance Report, review 142 budget amendments related to CTE Perkins funding, and address textbook adoption matters.
Additional consent agenda items include consideration and action on DeKalb Middle School students' attendance at the BETA convention scheduled for November 23-25. The board will also review 141 additional budget amendments and consider approval for the DeKalb West School Jr. Pro program's use of the DWS gymnasium. Finally, the board will deliberate on joining the US Educational Technology Purchasing Alliance.
With the architectural updates and multiple action items on the agenda, this meeting represents a significant step forward in the new Smithville Elementary School project while addressing various educational and administrative needs throughout the DeKalb County school system.
