Dear DSA Community,DCSD is currently holding public meetings to glean feedback regarding allocating E-SPLOST V funds. Due to increased construction and property costs, projects approved in E-SPLOST V are now running over budget. In an effort to balance the budget, the district has put forth several scenarios for public comment. One of the larger discussion points in these sessions is around The Arts School, which directly impacts DSA. A public meeting to specifically address The Arts School funding is scheduled for September 19 at 7PM at the AIC, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. We encourage DSA stakeholders, including students and alumni, to attend.The Arts School was originally approved in E-SPLOST IV for $3.9m with the intent of creating a K-12 comprehensive Arts School to be placed at Avondale MS (currently DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts) with a theatre. The project budget was then increased and the project was moved to E-SPLOST V with a budget of just under $12m. It is now estimated to run $15m and has become a moving target in the district’s efforts to balance the budget. The Arts School budget, as defined in the current E-SPLOST V plan is “to build a theatre and perform minor interior renovations to Avondale MS.”  Since the approval of E-SPLOST V in 2016, school board members and school leaders have traveled to Florida and Ohio to observe comprehensive K-12 arts programs. Upon their return, interest began to form around setting our sights higher and, rather than moving DSA to the Avondale MS campus and getting a theatre now, proposing a larger-scale project that would include K-12 Arts School and a performing arts center that could not only be used for students of the arts but also rented out throughout the year. Clayton County has a similar model and we are working to gather more information. As a result of this train of thought, one of the options on the table is to move the Arts School to a future E-SPLOST, expand the footprint of the campus, and build a multi-use performing arts space (estimated cost >$70m). For more information on scenarios being presented for public comment, please see the E-SPLOST V power point posted on our Member Hub site.We all know the current DSA facility is in desperate need of repair. The district knows this as well. However, there is currently no E-SPLOST funds earmarked for DSA. All DSA money is tied to the $15m Avondale MS renovation project. In order for any of the $15m Arts School budget to be allocated to the current DSA campus, the Board of Education needs to declare the Avondale MS renovation infeasible and then agree to divert a portion of that money to repairing the current DSA campus.  There is a lot on the table. Arts School stakeholders need to come together and present a unified front on September 19. The survey is the first step to gather thoughts and opinions. The PTSA and PAC will present recommendations by September 5. The first general PTSA meeting will be held Sept. 17 (6PM at the Kyle) and the Arts School Public Meeting will be held on Sept. 19 at 7PM.Please be on the lookout for the DSA survey and complete it as soon as possible.For More information please visit the PTSA Website.   If you have questions, please send an email to [email protected].  Thank you for your thoughts and insights – and for everything you do for DSA and the arts community!Kind regards,PTSA BoardPAC Board