DeKalb GA News

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) has announced the acquisition of a new administrative building as part of its ongoing efforts to address overcrowding and improve workspaces for its staff. The purchase is part of a broader investment strategy, with the district allocating over $550 million this year for maintenance and capital improvements.

The newly acquired property at 2175 Park Lake Drive NE will house departments from the Robert R. Freeman Administrative and Instructional Complex (AIC) and staff from the East DeKalb Campus. The decision to purchase an existing building was deemed more cost-effective than repurposing or renovating other facilities. "Due to market conditions and the availability of move-in-ready facilities, purchasing an existing building within the county was the most cost-effective solution," stated DCSD officials.

Funding for this acquisition did not involve E-SPLOST or local tax funds, ensuring that planned capital improvements remain unaffected. Instead, DCSD utilized its fund balance for this one-time purchase of the 88,000-square-foot building, previously owned by Kroger, Inc., which was bought for $6.5 million in November 2024.

The need for additional office space was identified in summer 2023, leading to evaluations and negotiations. While details remain confidential, it is confirmed that both the superintendent and Board Members were informed throughout the process.

Relocation efforts are expected to commence this summer after cleaning and assessing costs for painting and carpet replacement. Despite these changes, there will be no staff expansion or new hires associated with this move.

In response to concerns about communication regarding the purchase, DCSD acknowledged that stakeholders were not adequately informed at the time of acquisition. Moving forward, DCSD commits to sharing all completed real estate transactions on its website and through various communication channels.