City Schools of Decatur unveils Blue and Gold Institute to reengage virtual and off‑track students City Schools of Decatur presented the Blue and Gold Institute, a campus‑based reengagement and credit‑recovery program that will absorb the Decatur Virtual Academy at Decatur High School to support full‑time virtual students and those off track for graduation.

Decatur High School is launching the Blue and Gold Institute to bridge the gap for virtual and off-track students, offering a blend of in-person support and online coursework to help them reach graduation.

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#GA #CitizenPortal #EducationInnovation #DecaturSchools

Demographer warns Decatur District 61 faces accelerating enrollment decline, urges economic and facility strategies A demographer told the District 61 board the district has seen long-term student losses and accelerating declines—driven by falling birth rates, an aging population and rising private-school enrollment—and recommended partnerships with the city, boundary adjustments and incentive strategies to attract young families.

Decatur's schools are facing a steep enrollment decline, with projections showing a sharp drop in student numbers due to aging demographics and rising private-school enrollment.

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#IL #CommunityIncentives #EducationDecline #EconomicStrategy #DecaturSchools #CitizenPortal

Decatur schools expand visitor screening, weapon detection and cybersecurity efforts City Schools of Decatur reported upgrades to visitor‑management (instant background checks), security cameras, vestibule designs, a weapons‑screening rollout at middle/high schools and the Wilson Center, expanded SRO cooperation, and a cybersecurity and AI work plan during the Jan. 13 work session.

City Schools of Decatur are stepping up safety measures with advanced visitor screening, weapon detection systems, and a comprehensive cybersecurity plan to protect students and enhance learning environments.

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#GA #EducationTechnology #PublicSafety #DecaturSchools #CitizenPortal

Decatur board slows K–2 consolidation, launches community committees to study school utilization After weeks of community concern, the City Schools of Decatur board agreed to “slow down” proposals for K–2 consolidation and approved Option B: a community‑led, four‑committee study of K–2 utilization. Education Planners will convene organizational meetings Nov. 13 and the board will review committee outputs at a Nov. 18 retreat.

The City Schools of Decatur is taking a step back from K–2 consolidation to ensure community voices are heard in a new, collaborative review process.

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#GA #CitizenPortal #DecaturSchools #TransparencyInGovernance #EducationReform

City Schools of Decatur lays out 2026 legislative priorities: safety, mental health, funding and local authority City Schools of Decatur officials and their new lobbyists outlined four proposed 2026 legislative priorities — school safety, student mental health, school funding (QBE/capital outlay/early learning) and preserving local authority — and flagged concrete steps the district will pursue, including an anonymous tip line and an Early Learning Center.

City Schools of Decatur is stepping up for 2026 with bold legislative priorities focusing on safety, mental health, and funding, all while empowering students with a voice on the board!

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#GA #CitizenPortal #SchoolSafety #MentalHealth #DecaturSchools #EducationFunding

UVA partnership credited with lifting Decatur schools’ state rankings; board reviews proposal to expand leadership work to K–2 District leaders described progress under the University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education, citing donor-funded executive education, leadership pipeline work, and improved statewide rankings. The board discussed options to continue and expand the partnership to K–2 leaders and asked staff to gather teacher and principal feedback.

The City Schools of Decatur are witnessing a remarkable transformation, with state rankings soaring from 21% to 78% in just six years, thanks to their partnership with the University of Virginia!

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#GA #CitizenPortal #EducationImprovement #CommunityPartnerships #DecaturSchools

Decatur board reviews draft 2026 legislative priorities emphasizing safety, mental health, funding and local authority District staff presented draft 2026 legislative priorities organized under safety and security, mental health, funding and local authority. Staff said priorities are intended to guide advocacy with the Decatur delegation and the district’s new lobbyists; final approval is scheduled for the November meeting.

Decatur's schools are prioritizing safety, mental health, and funding as they prepare for the 2026 legislative push—will your voice be heard?

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#GA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MentalHealth #DecaturSchools #EducationFunding

Decatur board authorizes $52M bond sale, pledges district backing for early childhood center and high school work City Schools of Decatur approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Decatur Public Facilities Authority to underwrite up to $52 million in revenue bonds to fund a new Early Childhood Learning Center, Decatur High School renovations and potential refunding of 2014 certificates of participation. The board approved the sale parameters and

The City Schools of Decatur is set to transform education with a groundbreaking $52 million bond approved for a new Early Childhood Learning Center and high school renovations!

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#GA #PublicFinance #CitizenPortal #EarlyChildhoodEducation #DecaturSchools

City Council to Consider Speed Zone Study for Victory Christian Academy on Mulberry Street Council discusses need for speed zone study to enhance safety at Victory Christian Academy.

Decatur's city council is taking urgent steps to enhance safety for students at Victory Christian Academy, but will it be enough to protect our children?

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#DecaturWiseCounty #TX #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #DecaturSchools #CommunitySafety #EducationAwareness

Decatur Public Schools welcomes 14 new teachers and renews counseling contract Decatur Public Schools increases teacher recruitment with 14 new participants in certification programs.

Decatur Public Schools is making strides in teacher recruitment and student behavior management, welcoming 14 new educators while significantly reducing expulsions!

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#IL #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSupport #StudentBehaviorManagement #DecaturSchools #EducationReform

Decatur Public Schools outlines strategic plan ahead of enrollment decline District updates on tax relief grant application and ongoing strategic planning process.

Decatur School District 61 faces a challenging future as it grapples with declining enrollment and financial setbacks, all while striving to enhance educational opportunities for its students.

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#IL #FinancialTransparency #EducationReform #CommunityEngagement #DecaturSchools

Abby Steele addresses board on enrollment and staffing challenges in schools Abby Steele calls for urgent actions to address staffing and enrollment issues in schools.

A heartfelt plea from parent Abby Steele at Decatur School District 61's board meeting reveals shocking truths about declining student enrollment and the urgent need for stable teaching staff.

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#IL #EnrollmentIssues #DecaturSchools #StaffingChallenges #CitizenPortal

Decatur Public Schools plan five-year strategic overhaul for educational improvement Decatur Public Schools initiate a five-year strategic plan focusing on school improvement processes.

Decatur Public Schools are gearing up for a transformative five-year strategic plan that could reshape the future of education in the district—will your school be affected?

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#IL #StrategicPlanning #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #DecaturSchools #SchoolImprovement

City Schools of Decatur plans budget adjustments amid rising teacher insurance costs Decatur school district faces budget challenges, urges opt-out for financial sustainability.

Decatur's school district faces a looming budget crisis as teacher insurance costs double, putting quality education at risk—what's the plan to secure our educators' future?

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#GA #BudgetTransparency #TeacherCompensation #DecaturSchools #EducationFunding #CitizenPortal