The DeKalb County School District is considering selling the historic Druid Hills High School campus, a possibility raised by Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton during a recent public meeting. The statement came as the district presented three potential plans for the school's future, with a final decision anticipated in November.
This development adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over whether to renovate the nearly century-old facility or relocate the high school to a new site. Community members and parents have expressed significant concerns about the transparency of the process and the potential loss of the historic school.
Key Takeaways
- Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton stated that selling the Druid Hills High School property is an option under consideration.
- The district is evaluating three plans: modernizing the current site for $148.1 million or relocating to one of two other school sites for a lower initial construction cost.
- Parents have raised concerns that relocation cost estimates do not include the necessary expense of renovating the old campus for a new purpose, potentially misrepresenting the total financial impact.
- A potential sale could face legal challenges due to deed restrictions requiring parts of the campus to be used for educational purposes.
Superintendent's Comments Surprise Community
During a question-and-answer session at a public meeting on September 30, DeKalb Schools Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton introduced the possibility that the Druid Hills High School property could be sold. The meeting was intended to discuss three specific proposals for the school's future, all of which involved maintaining the building as an educational facility.
Horton's remark was a direct response to a question about why the cost of modernizing the current building for a new use wasn't factored into the total cost of the relocation options.
"What makes sense for us is that currently no decisions have been made, so even if we decided to move off campus, this property could very well be sold," Horton explained. "I'm just being honest. We've not made a commitment to what it will be. We don't want to sell, but we just don't know that."
The statement visibly surprised some attendees. A district spokesperson later confirmed that selling the property is among the options being considered, stating, "all options, including selling, may be considered."
Background on the Druid Hills Debate
Druid Hills High School, constructed in 1927, is the oldest facility in the DeKalb County School District. In 2022, the school board approved a $50 million budget for modernization, but the project never started as cost estimates quickly surpassed the allocated funds. This led the district to explore alternative solutions, including relocating the entire high school.
Three Plans for the School's Future
The September 30 meeting, attended by over 100 community members, was the first of three public sessions to present the district's findings. The district hired a firm for $220,000 to study alternative sites for a potential relocation. Chief Operations Officer Erick Hofstetter outlined the three viable options currently on the table.
Option 1: Modernize the Current Campus
This plan involves a comprehensive renovation and expansion of the existing Druid Hills High School at 1798 Haygood Drive NE. The project would add 20 classrooms, a new cafeteria, and a new auditorium.
- Total Estimated Cost: $148.1 million
- Capacity Increase: From 1,200 to 1,600 students
- Key Features: Conceptual designs include a parking garage with a practice field on its roof.
Option 2: Relocate to DeKalb School of the Arts Site
This option would involve a complete teardown and rebuild at the DeKalb School of the Arts (DSA) location. Hofstetter noted this site offers more flexibility for future growth.
- Total Estimated Cost: $126.8 million
- Capacity: 1,600 students, with the potential to expand to 2,400.
- Location: 1192 Clarendon Ave.
Option 3: Relocate to Druid Hills Middle School Site
The third option proposes relocating the high school to the current site of Druid Hills Middle School. This option presents spatial challenges due to the smaller size of the property.
- Total Estimated Cost: $133.6 million
- Design Challenge: Hofstetter stated that to conserve land, the district would likely need to "build upwards."
Cost Comparison At a Glance
While the relocation options appear cheaper upfront, parents argue the figures are misleading. The costs of $126.8 million (DSA) and $133.6 million (DHMS) do not account for the additional funds that would be required to renovate the historic Druid Hills campus for a different educational use after the high school moves.
Parents Question Cost Transparency and Planning
Several parents voiced concerns that the district's cost projections are incomplete. Parent Jamie Freeman pointed out that the two relocation plans omit the inevitable cost of renovating the current Druid Hills site, which officials have stated would remain an educational facility.
"There is going to be an update for renovation costs for this building no matter what, but for the second, third and fourth option they are intentionally not including that in the numbers," Freeman said. He believes this makes the modernization of the current building seem like the most expensive option when it might not be.
Another parent, Daniel Weissman, felt the district was rushing to a decision without a fully developed plan for any of the options. "It seemed like they wanted to decide first and then plan later and, to me, it seems like you need to think about the full plan before you can actually make an informed decision," Weissman commented.
Potential Hurdles and Next Steps
If the district proceeds with selling the property, it may encounter legal obstacles. Deed restrictions on parts of the campus stipulate that the land must be used for educational purposes. With Emory University located adjacent to the school, the university could potentially have a legal claim over some of the property if its use changes.
Despite the uncertainty, some community leaders remain hopeful. Dr. Charlie McAdoo II, a member of the Druid Hills High Principal Advisory Council, said he is "cautiously optimistic" that a solution will be found that honors the school's legacy while meeting student needs.
The district will hold two more public meetings to present the same information:
- October 7 at DeKalb School of the Arts
- October 20 at Druid Hills Middle School
Both meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. The district encourages community members to submit questions and comments via email to [email protected] with the subject line "DHHS Modernization."
