Fernbank to Use Medlock Elementary While New School is Built?

Will Fernbank Elementary School use the recently shuttered as a temporary home if Fernbank is rebuilt?

The DeKalb County Board of Education passed a resolution in early June supporting a $475 million SPLOST IV program (which stands for "special local option sales tax"). Included in the program is the replacement of Fernbank Elementary, a $21 million project. The construction, which could begin as early as 2013 or 2014, would require the school's students to relocate temporarily.

Since the board's vote, community chatter has included the possibility of moving those students to Medlock Elementary, an important part of the Medlock community, which has been searching for a tenant since it closed earlier this summer. Most residents want the school to avoid eyesore status.

The subject was raised again at last evening's school board meeting. From DeKalb County School Watch's recounting of the public comment portion of the meeting:

Pat Camp from the Medlock community. Thanks the board for excluding the cell tower from Medlock ES. Supports Fernbank Science Center and International Community School have contacted the association with ideas for using the space. The community wants to keep a school on the property. But they voted for either organization but truly don't want an empty building. They hope to remain active participants as the school is very important to the community.

Dan Drake, the school system's planning director, also reportedly spoke with the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association about the plan as well. From the association's blog in late June:

In a phone call to MANA President Kathryn Firago, Dan Drake (Director of Planning and Forecasting DCSS) shared that the current plan for Medlock Elementary is as follows:
1. a short-term lease (~2 years)
2. use of Medlock Elementary as classroom space for students displaced during the construction phase of a 900-student elementary school (aka Fernbank Elementary)
3. again make the Medlock school available for leasing

School board member Don McChesney .

Of course, all of this will depend on whether voters will pass the SPLOST IV referendum in the fall. North Druid Hills-Briarcliff Patch has calls out to school board members and school system officials. We'll update as soon as possible.