Letter: Nancy Jester addresses DeKalb school issues

Nancy Jester is the DeKalb School Board representing District 1, which includes Dunwoody and the surrounding areas.

Issues regarding the Capital Improvement Program (SPLOST)   

On February 29th, the DeKalb Board of Education was informed of a potential shortfall that may to occur if changes are not made to the planned spending for the remainder of SPLOST III. 

Initially DeKalb school staff reported that the shortfall was $41.35 million.  On March 8th, at another called meeting, the BOE was informed that the shortfall had been revised to $36.52 million. 

The Superintendent presented recommendations to the BOE to prevent the shortfall.  These include the reallocation of 114 projects to reduce SPLOST III by $33.78 million. This would mean not starting or reducing many projects that are currently scheduled.  

Chamblee Charter High School

Another component of the shortfall is that $9.96 million more will be needed to complete the rebuild of Chamblee High School.  The BOE was told that the largest drivers of this cost increase are, 1; increased compliance and financing costs associated with the QSCBs (QSCBs are the type of bond the BOE used to finance the rebuilding of the school when it was approved in 2010, 2; the cost of construction of the natatorium.        

The BOE asked the Superintendent to research the feasibility of moving some of the projects slated for elimination or reduction to SPLOST IV.  The Board awaits hearing from our legal counsel on this possibility. 

Reapportionment Update 

The BOE presented the DeKalb Legislative Delegation with a consensus map pursuant to their request.  While there were other maps that I preferred, I thought that the Board's consensus map was solid and I support it.  Unfortunately, the DeKalb Delegation, that asked for this consensus map, recently rejected it and brought forth and passed yet another map.  I have asked for a copy of this map but it has not been forthcoming from the legislators. 

It was also reported that members of the delegation believed that the BOE's consensus map was not compliant with the statistical tolerances necessary to be a viable map.  I have posted the BOE's consensus map on my website, along with the statistical data that comes directly from the State's own office for reapportionment. Click here to go directly to my blog entry containing the map and data files. 

This data demonstrates that the consensus map is within the prescribed tolerances <1% deviation.  The consensus map also provides greater unification of the Briarcliff corridor.  This is a community of interest that has long been Balkanized and my preference is to see that area coalesced in one Board district subject to the population constraints given to us from the census data.  

The next step in the reapportionment process is for the Senate and House maps to be reconciled in a conference. The maps passed independently in the Senate and House are not the same. 

I would prefer that the conference reconcile the maps by accepting the Board's consensus map.  I have included the delegations' emails below so that you may send them your thoughts.   
As always, I am available if you have any questions or concerns.   

--Nancy