Lakeside Construction- this will affect you. Please Read.

10/31/2018 3:47 pm

Update 12/17

 

Lakeside Construction/Expansion News

 

The feasibility studies as well as the Feasibility Report from Perkins+Will Architects are all available for viewing. These reports include the Traffic Impact Study (PDF), State of Lakeside Extracurriculars (PDF) , DeKalb High School Access Summary (PDF), Lakeside High School Addition Feasibility Report (PDF), Sewer Capacity Approval Letter (PDF) The complete video of the Dec. 10th presentation and meeting with Dekalb County leadership will also be available online later this week. The next Construction Advisory Committee Meeting will be January 11th at 7:30AM at Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Questions, ideas and concerns can be sent to lakesideCAC18@gmail.com

 

 

All-

 

The construction expansion project at Lakeside is important for you and our community now. 

 

We continue to hear from folks who have no idea what’s going on at Lakeside but have a lot of questions about the expansion which will directly impact not only our kids but our entire community.  We want folks to be informed with facts, so they can make educated decisions. 

 

Please, direct questions to Laurie Hobbs at jhobbs9@bellsouth.net.  The next construction meeting is Friday, November 16 at 7:30 AM at Oak Grove Methodist Church, room 104.

 

 

Construction Advisory Committee— CAC

 What is it? What’s the purpose?

  • The CAC is a group of volunteer Lakeside community members who were selected by the Principal Advisory Committee through an application process.
  • The purpose is to serve as the liaison between the DCSD and the Lakeside High School/LHS community related to the planned 750 seat expansion at Lakeside High school and educate our Lakeside Community on the facts related to the expansion through monthly meetings and forums for the community to share thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
  • The CAC also works with the DCSD to ensure a logical process occurs to make the best decision for OUR community
  • The CAC has no decision making authority.

Facts about the expansion:

  • The expansion will accommodate 750 ADDITIONAL students above current capacity. Once completed, the capacity will be for 2500 students. The County has indicated that the school will likely open overcapacity and students will then need to be redistricted.
  • The location of the new wing is yet to be determined.
  • The expansion as defined by DCSD does not include plans for additional locker rooms and PE spaces, Fine Arts spaces, or administrative and counseling spaces to accommodate the additional students and the staff needed for the increased enrollment.
  • The feasibility studies (the studies to determine if the expansion is a viable option) on traffic, safety, sewer, and programmatic adequacy are currently in process.

Facts about the current state of Lakeside.  

  • Lakeside is extremely overcrowded.  We have a capacity for 1796; we are currently at 2111.
  • We currently have 11 trailers located on the tennis courts. There are roughly 12 “floating” teachers with no assigned classrooms. Every inch of space at the school is in use. There are no common areas for students to gather, the cafeteria, original hallways, and stairwells are packed during classes changes, and there are no office spaces for teachers to complete work.  
  • Lakeside, due to its unique geography, has the same access as a single family home with one ingress and egress. Traffic in the area is at an all-time peak due to the overcrowding.
  • There is zero parking for visitors and extremely limited parking for students at Lakeside.  Parents must park on neighborhood streets to attend school functions and/or conferences.  Some parents were unable to attend Curriculum Night due to the parking shortage. The CAC must host meetings offsite due to space and parking limitations at the school.
  • With our expanded student numbers, we are now in the 7A Athletic Division and must compete against schools with state of the art athletic facilities.  The athletes at Lakeside must share pool, field and gym space with students from many other schools.  It is very difficult to compete at this highest level with limited access to space and resources, and no funds to support them. 
  • In 2012, DCSD completed our fabulous Fine Arts building along with a classroom addition.  The Drama program, along with the music and visual arts programs have now become huge community assets.  
  • Despite the many challenges our school faces, we are proud of the hard work of our administrators, teachers, staff, and students. We continue to focus on excellence and academic success.

Other Info:

  • The PTSA and Parent Advisory Council (PAC) are both officially opposed to the expansion.
  • The PTSA and the PAC believe we need to spend the SPLOST money to improve Lakeside.
  • Improvements include:  Upgrade and renovate the 1960’s era heart of the school (everything from creating more access points to installing fire sprinklers and better lighting as well as more offices for staff and teachers to use).  Demolish the 50+-year-old pool and rebuild.  Create new practice fields for football, soccer, and Lacrosse;  Expand the Counseling suite to house resources for the students at Lakeside such as mental health specialists, etc.; Expand seating for cafeteria (provide covered outside patio, etc); replace tennis courts; Remove trailers. Find a solution for the narrow hallways and stairwells in 1960’s building.   

Why is it important to be aware and involved?

  • The status of Lakeside affects everyone in the community. Student safety and academics are of utmost importance.
  • Contact LakesideCAC18@gmail.com to ask questions or provide feedback.

Next Meeting:

  • Our next CAC meeting is Nov. 16, Friday, 7:30 AM at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Room 104.  Plan to attend to have your questions answered and concerns voiced.  If you would like to speak, please send an email to the LHS CAC.