Decatur Public School District 61's Policy 4:150 states the Board's goal to "Develop and implement a communication plan ..." when "making decisions pertaining to design and construction of school facilities."
I requested this communication plan for Lincoln Park, Dennis Lab, the Garfield Learning Academy Modular expansion, and Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School (the new American Dreamer STEM Academy).
No communications plans were returned.
Additionally, the same policy states "As appropriate, the Board will authorize a comprehensive study to determine the need for facility construction and expansion."
I requested "Any documents/records authorizing a comprehensive study" relating to Dennis Lab & Garfield Learning Academy's modular additions.
No documents authorizing a comprehensive study were returned.
Board Secretary Melissa Bradford, who responded to my FOIA Request, directed me to the following resources where some plans and details are communicated:
- Future of Dennis Lab School
- Future Home of Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School - American Dreamer Stem Academy
- District-Wide Master Facilities Planning
I have not sought comment from the School district, and I do not plan to.
Request Details
Purpose: To determine if the School District has followed their own policy with regard to new building construction and expansion.
To: Decatur Public Schools District #61, Melissa Bradford MBradford@dps61.org
Short-Name: 2023-dps-buildings-policy
Timeline
- Sent: October 3, 2023
- Extension: October 10, 2023
- Response: October 17, 2023
Documents
No documents were returned
Request
The request I sent via email is as follows:
School Policy 4:150, in the section "Standards for Facility Construction and Building Programs", Item #5 states "Develop and implement a communication plan that ..."
I request the following:
- The above referenced communication plan regarding the construction of a new Dennis School Building, with regard to past discussions that involved Lincoln Park.
- The above referenced communication plan regarding the construction of a new Dennis School Building, with regard to the recent closures and the more recent discussions.
- The above referenced communication plan regarding the Dennis Modular units at Garfield Learning Academy
- The above referenced communication plan regarding the new American Dreamer Stem Academy
Additionally, the same policy states "the Board will authorize a comprehensive study to determine the need for facility construction and expansion"
Regarding the above:
- Any documents/records authorizing a comprehensive study related to the construction of a new Dennis Lab Building, with regard to past efforts that involved discussion of Lincoln Park.
- Any documents/records authorizing a comprehensive study related to the construction of a new Dennis Lab Building, with regard to current closures/issues.
- Any documents/records authorizing a comprehensive study related to the expansion of Garfield Learning Academy for the Dennis students (related to the modulars)