Parents and teachers express frustrations about staffing and educational disruptions in Decatur schools.

District staff and outside advisors told the board there is active interest from New Markets Tax Credit investors (Carver State Bank, City First) for the proposed ECLC; NMTC could provide up to ~20% net project subsidy, but uses a private‑entity ownership structure and seven‑year compliance period.

At a special-called meeting, the City Schools of Decatur board considered a March 15 request from the DeKalb legislative delegation asking the district to hold a public referendum on the Early Childhood Learning Center plan and, after legal analysis and member debate, recorded a 3'0 vote on the motion.

District officials presented the design and delivery plan for a new Early Childhood Learning Center and Decatur High expansion and said Parish Construction was selected under a construction manager‑at‑risk approach; staff reported a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) capped at $22 million and defended procurement and per‑square‑foot pricing while community members asked for further cost comparisons and transparency.

Decatur schools address inequity by adding positions to support diverse student populations at the school level.

The Decatur Education Association ratified a three‑year contract and the board approved it (six ayes, one abstain). The contract includes multi‑year average salary increases (about 4.78% year one), expanded tuition reimbursement, a new emergency leave provision and adjustments to special‑education workload and substitution rules.

Condolences expressed for Johnny Travis, Scott Busboom, and Michael Frederick's families.