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CSD Weekly, January 23, 2025

January 23, 2025

CSD Weekly, January 23, 2025 January 23, 2025

In This Issue

  • School Newsletters: Find Important School News!
  • Have You Registered for the School Safety & Security Summit on Jan. 27?
  • Final Public Hearings for Homestead Exemption Opt Out (Georgia HB 581) on Jan. 30
  • Around CSD: MLK/CSK Award Winners, All-State Punter, DHS Chorus Performs in NYC
  • Save the Date: Superintendent's Listening Sessions, Run With the Dogs 5K, Bulldog Bash

CSD will Resume Normal Operations on Friday, January 24. Expect Bus Delays.

City Schools of Decatur recognizes the challenges this week's virtual learning days have caused to families and the disruption to education. However, the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Essential personnel were on-site today to warm up buses, inspect routes, clear ice and snow, and evaluate all facilities. These actions are part of our standard operating procedures for recovery after a winter storm.


DeKalb County has lifted the state of emergency. CSD looks forward to welcoming students and staff back tomorrow, Friday, January 24, 2025, as we will resume normal operations. However, bus riders please be patient, as some buses will experience delays due to icy conditions at Hillcrest Dr., Mt. Vernon at Glendale, Missionary at Inman, North Decatur Rd. going East, and Clairemont at Maediris. These bus routes will be adjusted to ensure they can safely transport students. Families should use the Stopfinder app for updated pick-up and drop-off times and information. Late bus riders will have the chance to eat school breakfast.


Walkers should be cautious on sidewalks and dress warmly. Car riders are encouraged to drive slowly. Athletics and after-school activities will resume as scheduled.


As a reminder, elementary students should return to school with the Chromebooks and chargers that schools provided last Friday.


Be safe and stay warm, CSD!

School Newsletters

Find out what's happening in CSD schools by clicking on your school's newsletter name.

School Safety & Security Summit

Have You Registered for the School Safety & Security Summit, Jan. 27?

CSD and the City of Decatur (COD) will co-host a joint School Safety & Security Summit on Monday, January 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of Decatur High School. The conversation is open to all students, staff, families, and school communities. Advance registration and submission of questions are encouraged. Find more details, register to attend, and submit questions at this link.

HB 581 Public Hearings

CSD Hosts Public Hearings to Opt Out of Homestead Exemption (HB 581)

CSD will host five hearings in January for the public to learn more about the district's plans to exercise the one-time option for local governments to opt out of Georgia House Bill 581, which establishes a statewide floating homestead exemption and cap on property taxes.


The schedule for the remaining public hearings is:

Thursday, January 30, 10 a.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)

Thursday, January 30, 6:45 p.m. (virtual only, access the meeting here)


Passed during the 2024 Legislative Session, HB 581 impacts property taxes for cities, counties and school districts by capping the annual increase in property values for tax purposes, effective January 1, 2025. The bill aims to provide property tax relief for local residents, using the Consumer Price Index as an inflationary index. Since school districts rely heavily on property taxes for funding, this cap could impact the availability of CSD schools' resources and programs.


The Board of Education will follow the legal procedures to opt out of the exemption, including holding the three virtual public hearings. Following the hearings, the board will vote to adopt an opt-out resolution at the February Board of Education meeting and file the resolution with the Secretary of State by March 1, 2025.

This Week's Highlight

DHS Chorus Performed at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City

The Decatur High School Chorus, led by choral director Elise Eskew Sparks, performed as a guest choir at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Tuesday, January 21. Well done to all members of the chorus and thank you to the staff and families who helped make this trip possible!

District News

Evan Fisher Selected as GHSA All-State Punter

DHS Varsity football player, senior Evan Fisher, was selected as a GHSA All-State Specialist (punter). Evan has only played football for two years but was the only 5A punter chosen for this honor. Evan was also invited to the 2024 Kicking World National Showcase, one of only 75 participants representing 28 states. His hard work and dedication exemplify what being a Decatur Bulldog is all about!

CSD Honors MLK/CSK Awardees

Congratulations to the student award recipients recognized at the 2024-25 CSD MLK/CSK Awards Ceremony, celebrating the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Awardees were acknowledged for exemplifying the values of freedom, justice, democracy, and service. We thank Georgia State Representative Omari Crawford (District 89) for being our guest speaker. Board Chair Dr. Carmen Sulton, Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, district leaders and staff, families, schools, and community members were among the attendees.


Kudos to the YLOE and GENTS participants, the Equity Department, and the Office of the Deputy Superintendent for an excellent program!


CSD 2024-2025 MLK/CSK Honorees:

Jason Zheng, F.AVE

Zoe Greene, F.AVE

Henry Menendez, Talley Street

Madeline Bardorf, Talley Street

Charlie Moore, BHMS

Stella Grow, BHMS

Kimberly Grant, BHMS

Olivia Wilke, BHMS

Sacadiyo Sheikh, DHS

Meagan Shahriari, DHS

Jackson Jeffrey, DHS

Jaemin Park, DHS

Watch STEM Teacher Alicia Reno on 11Alive

Watch Alicia Reno, STEM teacher at Talley Street, CSD's 2025 Teacher of the Year, and the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year Runner-Up, on the 11Alive afternoon show filmed on Friday, January 17, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as she talks about the Georgia Teachers Initiative, the GA Foundation for Public Education, and CSD!

Dr. Whitaker's Upcoming Listening Sessions

As we create more opportunities for dialogue around CSD, families are invited to attend an upcoming winter listening session where Dr. Whitaker will hear directly from our community about the issues that matter to them.


  • Monday, February 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m., CH-ECLC (Media Center)

  • Monday, February 10, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Public Feedback Needed

We Want to Hear from You!

This school year, CSD is developing a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) framework that fully aligns with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. The implementation will begin in grades 6-12, as data shows these students have the most pressing SEL needs. The SEL framework for elementary schools will be introduced at a later date.


Information regarding the SEL framework was presented during the Board of Education meeting in September 2024. CSD has created a comprehensive needs assessment, finalized the CSD 6-12 SEL standards, and selected a dedicated SEL curriculum. The next steps involve drafting CSD's SEL vision and long-term objectives, establishing K-5 SEL standards, and providing SEL professional learning for middle and high school leaders and staff.


CSD appreciates all who have offered their insights and feedback. We invite families to engage in this vital work. Please complete this input and feedback form regarding the proposed CSD SEL vision and long-term goals by Friday, February 7, 2025.

Resources and Opportunities

Standard Response Protocols Documents Available for Schools and Families

CSD has shared new Standard Response Protocols (SRP) posters and documents with schools to educate students, families and staff about best practices for responding to a crisis. Schools will display posters in highly visible areas, handouts will be sent home for families, and students will receive small reference cards to keep with them. English and Spanish versions are available for these documents.


What is SRP?

Developed in collaboration with law enforcement and the I Love U Guys Foundation, SRP is a set of terms and actions that students, CSD staff and first responders can incorporate into a school safety plan to train school communities to respond more effectively to emergencies


SRP Terms and Actions:

  • Lockdown: Secures a room and keeps people quiet and in place

  • Evacuate: Moves people from one location to another

  • Shelter: States the hazard and safety strategy

  • Hold: Students stay in their classroom or area until the "All Clear" is announced

  • Secure: Students get inside and lock outside doors

Student License Plate Design Contest: U.S. Semiquincentennial

The Georgia Departments of Education and Revenue are launching a student license plate design contest to commemorate the United States semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, celebrated on July 4, 2026.


The final license plate will be selected from designs submitted by students in grades six through eight in Georgia schools. See the submission guidelines and submit a design by January 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. Contact licenseplatecontest@doe.k12.ga.us with questions.

2025 Legislative Update

Georgia 2025 Legislative Session Begins

The doors to the Georgia General Assembly opened Monday, January 13, signaling the beginning of a robust 40-day legislative session. This year, the legislature has twenty-two new members, including 18 in the House and four in the Senate. Over the next few months, CSD will provide legislative updates to ensure families remain informed and engaged on issues that impact our schools.


During his State of the State Address, Governor Kemp shared plans for $50 million as a one-time grant for school safety. He also added $159 million more for ongoing K-12 school safety funding. The Governor included $523 million to fund K-12 education fully.


The legislature works on two budgets each session, adjusting for the current year and developing the next fiscal year. Here are some highlights:


FY25 Amended Budget & FY26 Budget Highlights


FY25 Amended Budget

  • $114,935,908 increase in Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula funds for a midterm adjustment based on enrollment growth
  • $12,904,817 increase in formula funds for the State Commission Charter School supplement for a total supplement of $248,482,930
  • $5,688,691 increase in formula funds for a midterm adjustment to the State Commission Charter School supplement for training and experience
  • $1,875,833 decrease in formula funds for the Completion Special Schools Supplement
  • $12,440,382 increase in funds to reflect growth in the Special Needs Scholarship
  • $267,110 increase in formula funds for a midterm adjustment to the charter system grant
  • $835,166 increase in funds to reflect a data correction for two locally-approved charter schools (Drew Charter School and The Kindezi School) in Atlanta Public Schools
  • $150,725 increase in formula funds for a midterm adjustment to the local charter school grant
  • $50,000,000 to provide one-time funds for security grants in the amount of $21,635 per school allowing local school systems to enhance security system-wide
  • $610,093 by transferring $265,501 funds from the Charter Schools program and providing $344,592 in additional funds to implement HB 318 (2024 Session)
  • $95,859 to provide funds for 2 full-time and 2 part-time positions and operating costs to sustain Great Promise Partnership operations as a part of work-based learning programs for at-risk students at GaDOE


FY26 Budget

  • $173,782,658 to fund the state share of employer increases on certified educators who participate in SHBP*
  • $305,904,192 for enrollment growth and training and experience to recognize a 0.07 percent increase in enrollment, bringing the total number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students funded in FY26 to 1.74 million students and over 148,000 teachers and administrators
  • $34,121,273 for growth in the State Commission Charter Schools supplement
  • $313,627 increase in formula funds for the charter system grant
  • $48,477 increase in formula funds for the local charter school grant
  • $1,828,238 reduction in formula funds for the Completion Special Schools supplement
  • $10,313,902 for the Pupil Transportation Grant to reflect updated bus count and operating expense
  • $5,918,900 for Sparsity Grant funds, including the addition of 93 eligible schools
  • $543,000 to increase funds for custodian supplement grants
  • $3,015,000 to fund 400 Mbps of internet connectivity for all schools statewide
  • $1,250,00 to establish a High Demand Equipment Grant to support K-12 vocational classrooms in high needs areas statewide
  • $178,510,823 for construction and renovation projects for local school systems
  • $20,000,000 to replace 227 school buses
  • $21,436,838 in additional funds for Dual Enrollment to meet the projected need
  • $141,016,057 to establish the Promise Scholarship Program (SB 233) for eligible K-12 students
  • $872,000 to fully fund the school psychologist ratio at 1:2,420 pursuant to HB 283
  • $265,501 by transferring funds from the Charter Schools program and providing $120,850 in additional funds to implement the provisions of HB 318
  • $200,000 removal to upgrade the Capital Outlay Program Software (COPS) to integrate public Pre-K classrooms from SB 233 (2024 Session)
  • $339,799 to increase funds to sustain supplements for school literacy leads at all 1,343 K-3 schools
  • $1,846,344 to reflect a reduction in formula earnings based on enrollment and training and experience for GNETS
  • $7,345,070 Purchase vocational and agriculture education equipment, statewide
  • *NOTE: The cost of SHBP for certified employees, which is covered by the state, will increase to $1,885 on July 1, 2025. The cost of insurance for non-certified school employees, which is covered by local districts will also increase to $1,885 on July 1, 2025.

District Dates & Observances

  • National Mentoring Month, January 1-31

  • CSD Safety and Security Summit, January 27

  • Homestead Exemption Opt-Out Public Hearings (HB 581), January 30

  • Dr. Whitaker's Listening Sessions, February 3 & 10

  • Winter Break, February 17-21

  • Early Release Day, February 26

  • DHS Graduation Day, May 16

Community Partner News

Decatur Prevention Initiative

The Decatur Prevention Initiative (DPI) seeks the community's help in learning more about community perceptions and concerns regarding underage drinking and substance misuse among Decatur's youth. Please take this anonymous survey to help DPI plan, implement, evaluate and sustain programming.

Register to Run While Supporting Decatur Athletics

Did you know that Run With the Dogs 5K is one of Decatur Bulldog Booster's biggest fundraisers? In addition to being a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and a great community event, all proceeds go to support team play needs for 1,100+ athletes on 57 teams, representing 19 sports at DHS and BHMS.


Register today and get an amazing t-shirt designed by Decatur's Adam Pinsley! Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 25 – you won't want to miss it!




​​​​​​​2025 Run With the Dogs Sponsors:

Event Sponsors

Decatur FC

Green Orthodontics


Presenting Sponsors

Amy Widener, Realtor

Body 20 Decatur


Associate Sponsors

Fleet Feet Decatur

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Decatur

M. Cary and Daughters Plumbing

The Law Office of Ken Lanier

Call for Auction Donations

Plans are underway for another amazing event to raise money for Decatur Athletics – The Bulldog Bash! Save the date for this year's event on Saturday, March 22, at Independent Distilling Company. The event will feature a live online auction that includes everything from artwork and experiences to trips, restaurant gift cards, sporting event tickets, self-care, and more.


Do you have a connection, talent, vacation home or something unique that can help us raise money for our student-athletes? If so, please fill out this form! More information to come!

City of Decatur logo

City of Decatur

City of Decatur Parks and Recreation Upcoming Youth Events

Learn more about upcoming events and programs here, or visit the recreation center webpages:


Visit Parks and Recreation's one-stop-shop website for information about after-school programs, school holiday programs, and summer camps. To stay updated on all things Decatur Parks and Recreation, follow them on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for their monthly newsletter here!

Previous Issues of CSD Weekly

City Schools of Decatur
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Our Vision

We strive to cultivate an educational foundation that empowers students to realize their full potential, thrive as productive global citizens, ignite positive change, and create a more just and equitable world.


Our Mission

In partnership with our community, our mission is to inspire and enable student growth through meaningful and engaging learning experiences supported by highly qualified and caring educators in a safe and inviting environment.