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Housing Authority, Decatur Schools reach agreement

Decatur

Housing Authority, Decatur Schools reach agreement

City Schools of Decatur Board of Education members met on Dec. 9 and approved an agreement that will allow Decatur Housing Authority students to stay in CSD while the Housing Authority completes a renovation project. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt
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City Schools of Decatur Board of Education members met on Dec. 9 and approved an agreement that will allow Decatur Housing Authority students to stay in CSD while the Housing Authority completes a renovation project. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

City Schools of Decatur Board of Education members met on Dec. 9 and approved an agreement that will allow Decatur Housing Authority students to stay in CSD while the Housing Authority completes a renovation project. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

The City Schools of Decatur and the Decatur Housing Authority found a way to keep DHA kids in school while their homes are being renovated next year.

During the Dec. 9 City Schools of Decatur Board of Education meeting, board members approved an agreement that would allow students being relocated as part of the Gateway Manor redevelopment to attend school in the city of Decatur.

Under the terms of the agreement, these students would be granted courtesy tuition. DHA has agreed to give these families a stipend to cover the costs of driving their kids to school each day. DHA Executive Director Doug Faust said between 20 and 30 children will remain in the city’s schools.

“Over time as we have additional vacant units we’ll bring families back into the city,” Faust said. “A lot of families have cars. Families with cars can solve their own transportation issues, particularly with a stipend.”

The renovations are expected to start in January. When the project is completed, the 24 units at Oakview Apartments in Oakhurst will become part of the renovated Trinity Walk apartments, located at 421 West Trinity Place.

There was some uncertainty about whether the board would be able to grant the DHA request. CSD has stopped offering paid tuition to students who live outside of the district. Courtesy tuition is available to employees, but there was uncertainty about whether this could be extended to DHA students.

CSD Attorney Bob Wilson worked with Faust to draft the agreement.

The relocation will last for approximately 15 months, ending in March 2016.

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