Showing posts with label DeKalb Schools. Show all posts

Sunday, January 4, 2026

DeKalb County School System - Forward Together Forums with Superintendent Dr. Norman Sauce are scheduled this month.

The session closest to our area will be held at:

Cross Keys High School
1626 N. Druid Hills Rd., Atlanta, GA 30319
Tuesday, January 21, 2026
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

2024 City of Dunwoody Retreat Recap from Councilman John Heneghan (Park Plans, Financial Future, Police Priorities and maybe a few paths too)

The City of Dunwoody hosted a "Retreat" for Council & Staff to sit in a room for two days to discuss our past, present & future. Financial realities were brought forward that we have a large capital reserve, but operating expenses are slowly outpacing revenue, commercial property is strong, hotels are thriving, and apartments are full with high rents; on the downside, office vacancies are currently at 25%, with most of that in several large complexes and residential taxes are locked, frozen and low. We are presently funding police expansion and ambulance service with Federal funds; we are still looking at compensation raises by year's end, and in 2026, we will be renegotiating city contracts for services that will rise in price because in 2021, we received low bids because of COVID.

Parks discussions were had regarding build-out plans for Wildcat (on Roberts) and Homecoming (on Vermack), with some council members wanting to put a bond on the November ballot. However, it was decided to maintain these parks as open fields just as they are and to install portable restrooms (better than porta potties) at each park. It was also decided that there will be no parks bond in 2024.

Everyone on Council (including me) agrees with building the trails in the Perimeter Center Business District as the PCID is matching funds and other monies are coming from our hotels. There is still disagreement on the construction of 10 to 12-foot wide paths in front of single-family homes, but the current Council (excluding me) has the will and votes to move forward on Winters Chapel and Mount Vernon.

In other park news, when the slides for park priorities failed to mention the turfing of the PCMS field with the track, I asked for an update. I was told DeKalb County School System didn't see it as a priority and was worried about equity to other schools in the district who don't have turf. As a reminder, the DCSS was bound to rebuild Austin Elementary School on its original site when the City proposed a a win / win solution to the County so that our families and children wouldn't be inconvenienced. In October 2016, we proposed a land swap for the Dunwoody Senior Baseball Fields; in order to make that happen, the City purchased the land where the ball fields sit from DCSS and executed a 25-year lease for nighttime use of the football field. The City later installed lights for night time use on the field, installed a facility storage building and would now like to turf that field in order to maximize usage. Without that turfing of the field, it is overused and almost unplayable without adequate care. The City of Dunwoody set aside 1 Million dollars in our 2024 budget with the hopes to pay for the turf installation but the required construction approval from DCSS has not been received. Unsure of all logistics, but maybe there will be some movement soon?

I have been very open regarding my concerns about the long term stability of City Finances and they will be a huge topic of conversation in the coming months because we are currently at our maximum millage rate and based on everything I am hearing, in 2026 our operating revenue will not be keeping up operating expenses. This is a separate conversation from dedicated Capital funds for stuff like parks and paving as we can not use those funds for operating costs.

Based on the intention of the city founders and charter, if taxes were to be increased over our current maximum millage limit, a referendum would be needed to remove the cap. We have operated under those constraints for the last 15 years, but financial pressures are building. We know there is possibly a technical workaround by placing the entire City into a special tax district for safety (Police, Ambulance, and maybe a supplemental charge to 911 costs over current phone taxes) to raise taxes for those services, but doing so without a resident vote is contrary to the founding plans of the City. If a referendum were to be held to raise operating funds and it were to fail, would we want to cut police services that are needed based on the growth and crime stats?

Right now, I anticipate a slowdown of some capital projects (Parks and Paths) in order to preserve high fund balances in the coming year so that we can attempt to get a good handle on finances from the spending side. These fund balances include both Capital and some Operational that we are saving for a rainy day or a golden opportunity should one arise. That being said, there are some capital projects and improvements to the police department going forward (again with one-time federal funds) because the safety our community is the primary goal of government.

Below are the documents from the retreat provided to council for discussion.

https://www.jkheneghan.com/city/meetings/2024/03/Retreat/06%20Dunwoody%202035.pptx

https://www.jkheneghan.com/city/meetings/2024/03/Retreat/03%20Budgets%20Finances%20Millages%20Trends.pptx

https://www.jkheneghan.com/city/meetings/2024/03/Retreat/02%20Parks.pptx

https://www.jkheneghan.com/city/meetings/2024/03/Retreat/01a%20Commercial%20Real%20Estate.pptx

https://www.jkheneghan.com/city/meetings/2024/03/Retreat/05%20Police.pptx

https://www.jkheneghan.com/city/meetings/2024/03/Retreat/01b%20Sangster.pptx

Friday, August 25, 2023

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday Aug 28, 2023 - School Speed Cameras are coming, DeKalb SPLOST Penny Sales Tax, video cameras at apartments, hotels and gas stations.

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 28, 2023 - 6:00 PM
DUNWOODY CITY HALL - DUNWOODY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Agenda 6 pm - City Site Agenda

City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page.

They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/82324264973 or phone +14703812552,,82324264973#

You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Presentation of Officer/Employee of the 1st and 2nd Quarter for 2023 to Officers C. Dobbins/M. Umana and Employees K. Stone/H. Madden

Public comments - in person 3 min each / 30 min max with additional at end of meeting if needed.

Gateway Sign Construction Contract

Contract Award for Installation of Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Contract Award for Installation of Shade Structures for Brook Run Park Baseball Fields

Resolution to Surplus Twelve Vehicles

SPLOST II (2023) Intergovernmental Agreement and Resolution Authorization and Approval

Approval of MOU Between the City of Dunwoody and the DeKalb County School District for Automated Speed Enforcement in School Zones

AJC - School zone speed cameras arrive in Georgia due to recent law

Collaborative Contract Amendment

Discussion of Ordinance to Provide for the Mandatory Use of Video Surveillance Systems at Hotels, Motels, and Extended Stay Hotels

Discussion of Ordinance to Provide for the Mandatory Use of Video Surveillance Systems at Multifamily Rental Dwellings

Discussion of Ordinance to Provide for the Mandatory Use of Video Surveillance Systems at Convenience Stores, Service Stations, and High-Risk Retail Establishments

DeKalb Ordinance

Contract Award for Design Services of the Brook Run Park Maintenance Facility

Sunday, May 1, 2022

DeKalb County School Board Member Anna Hill will present at tonight's Dunwoody Homeowners Association Meeting at 7:30 pm

The monthly DHA Board meeting is held on the first Sunday of the month, much of it is open to the public and it is sometimes live streamed here. The agenda for tonight's meeting looks interesting as they are discussing three topics that have all crossed my desk with resident questions / concerns in the last week.

The first is a discussion on a Multi-Use Trail and with at least eight path projects either under construction or under consideration within the city limits, I am not sure of the discussion topic but will list some documents or links below. The Winters Chapel path is the one under current construction and guessing this discussion will be about that specific topic and resident impacts.

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/winters-chapel-corridor-mutiuse-trail

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/ashford-dumwoody-commuter-trail

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/dunwoody-high-school-path

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/peeler-road-shared-use-path

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/mount-vernon-road-corridor-improvements

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/old-spring-house-lane-shared-use-path

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/tilly-mill-road-shared-use-path-from-womack-rd-to-mt-vernon-rd

https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/projects/public-works/till-mill-sidewalk-from-n-peachtree-to-lost-mine-trail

The second topic is a discussion on an update to the PDK Master Plan and residents are concerned of greater aircraft noise. Documents are below and I offered to request that the PDK Staff & related County Officials like DeKalb Commissioner Robert Patrick, give a presentation on the proposed master plan update and how it would effect Dunwoody long term. Maybe that conversation is happening at the DHA Meeting? If not, City Council is happy to raise too.

https://www.pdkmasterplan.com/

https://www.pdkwatch.org/

http://www.pdkwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PDK-Expansion-Concerns-in-Master-Plan-NBCA-Newsletter-2020.pdf

http://www.pdkwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Citizens-Advisory-Committee-Concerns-on-PDK-Master-Plan-2020.pdf

The final topic of discussion is an update from our DeKalb County School Board Member, Ms. Anna Hill whom I am guessing is on the agenda to explain the DeKalb Board of Education’s recent decision to remove Superintendent Watson-Harris. A few links below but I couldn't find any public comments from Ms. Hill to share.

https://www.cbs46.com/2022/04/27/gov-kemp-leaders-respond-shake-up-dekalb-county-school-district/

https://www.facebook.com/CityofDunwoody/posts/362023412625726

https://decaturish.com/2022/04/state-superintendent-refers-dekalb-schools-complaint-to-ag-again-threatens-to-cut-off-state-building-funds/

https://www.facebook.com/AnnaHillForDeKalbCountySchools/

PS: have you paid your DHA dues for 2022 as they do so much for our community (independent representation, 4th of July parade, Food Truck Thursday's, Light up Dunwoody, Farmers Market, election forums, etc...)

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Dunwoody police discuss inaction by the DeKalb School System over cameras to slow speeding on main roards near schools.

I'm a Dad. I live a block or two from Peachtree Middle School and several blocks from Chesnut Elementary School where my three boys walked to elementary school every day (usually with older older neighbors or siblings). In my thirteen years as a Chesnut Parent, walking safety and speeding on North Peachtree has always been an issue and I have done what I can from a City Council perspective to work these safety issues from a city wide perspective.

For those who may not be aware, I am also a father of a child who was almost hit by a speeding car when my son Declan was crossing at the crosswalk in front of Chesnut with the assistance of a crossing guard holding a Stop Sign; who saved my son's life pushing him out of harms way while a speeding car disobeyed numerous traffic and safety precautions.

My son is now 16 but this issue is still a priority for me as there are still hundreds of children walking to Chesnut, Austin and Dunwoody Elementary, all situated along main roads where a momentary lapse in judgement could be have deadly circumstances. I want strict enforcement of speed limits in school zones and many parents want that too.

With the help of the state legislature, the City Council found a possible way to slow traffic in several busy school zones but we have been blocked from installation from the DeKalb School Board as the legislature forgot that in many places the school system and the local governmental jurisdiction are not the same. If the DeKalb County School Board and Administration does not sign off on this reasonable request to allow the local cities to slow the speeds in our communities, we will be lobbying our State Legislature to modify HB 978 form 2018 to remove the School System from the equation of roadway safety.

A special thank you to the local Chief's of Police to hold a special press conference to try to make this safety improvement happen.

11Alive - Police chiefs in DeKalb County want school district to sign off on new speed detection cameras

Full Press Conference

CBS46 - DeKalb County police express frustrations as school zone camera program remains in limbo

Anyone need a hug?

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Proposed DeKalb School Changes as Preliminary Master Plan is released, DHA Candidate Forum on Oct 13th, New Dunwoody Park Plans include Splash Pads and Girls Softball Facilities

Preliminary - DeKalb County School System Comprehensive Master Plan

For our cluster, the DeKalb County School System suggests turning Austin and the new Shallowford (to be built on Chamblee Dunwoody in Georgetown) into K-8, adding an Early Learning Center to Kingsley, rebuilding Hightower and redistricting the new Shallowford and Hightower students to the Chamblee Cluster. This will reduce both Peachtree and Dunwoody student populations. Note there are no planned projects suggested for Peachtree or Dunwoody High School, and only new HVAC systems for Chesnut and Kingsley. Also, note that nothing seems to change for at least two years as the construction of Shallowford is two years out and Hightower is 5 plus years out. More information will be coming on October 26th during the Regional Townhall - link below.

Video - Comprehensive Master Plan Phase 2 Wrap-Up Meeting - Oct 4th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJXGT06Q8Qs

Region I Meeting – Oct 26^th, 2021 at 6:00 PM

https://bit.ly/region1-cmp-townhall

Austin & Vermack Park Plans – splash pads and Girls Softball are on the table.

Click here to review the full Austin Park concepts.

Austin Park Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZG899Y7tsA

Here are the full Vermack Park proposals.

Dunwoody Homeowners Association Candidate Forum will be streamed via Facebook

DHA Candidate Forum
City Council District Races
October 13, 2021 7 PM | Facebook Live

The traditional moderator is the sitting DHA president. Occasionally a news editor has been invited to participate. In the past the forums have been held at local swim/tennis clubs or at the Dunwoody High School auditorium.

Questions are collected from the public via an online form. DHA exec board members coallate the questions for each race. Candidates do not know the questions prior to the forum and they do not play a role in setting the format.

Submit your questions for Candidate Forum.

Three Dunwoody City Council seats are on the Nov. 2 ballot, with six candidates vying in the races. Reporter Newspapers asked each candidate their views on pressing city topics.

Advance voting for the November 2, 2021, General Election/Special Election will take place at the Dunwoody Library from October 12 through October 29, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Weekend advance voting days are October 16 and October 23 with available hours from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Halloween

One more thing - Briers North will not be hosting Halloween crowds this year.

Halloween 2021 Cancellation in the Briers North Subdivision off Tilly Mill

Due to Covid-19, we again made a decision to cancel trick-or-treating this year in Briers North. Our traditional Halloween candy and decorations will be absent. We will revisit the situation next year - hopefully we will be able to resume in 2022. If you've never been, it was always quite a sight, and kudos to the many families who would put on this event year after year.

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Dunwoody City Council Meeting of Monday Feb 22, 2021 (DeKalb School Board Member Anna Hill, GDOT 285 update, Senior Living, speed limits)

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 22, 2021
6:00 PM – DUNWOODY CITY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83925705232

Or join by phone: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 Webinar ID: 839 2570 5232

Agenda - City Site Agenda

PUBLIC COMMENT
To take part in public comment, please send an email to publiccomment@dunwoodyga.gov. Include your name, your email address, and phone number. You will be placed on a first-come, first-served list for public comment. The first public comment section has a 30-minute time limit. Each speaker is allowed up to three minutes. If time runs out, pre-registered speakers will be called on during the second public comment section toward the end of the meeting. If you don't pre-register, you can use the "raise hand" feature on zoom during the meeting to be added to the public comment list.