DeKalb Schools Hoping to Purchase Land for New Elementary Soon

DeKalb County School officials are hoping to purchase land for a new elementary school in the near future.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said the district has selected three or four properties where they could potentially construct the new school.

“We would like to purchase the land sooner rather than later so we can get the work going,” Cripps said. “Of course, any land we purchase will be contingent on a TDOT study as far as traffic flow, and also the county commission’s approval for the use of funds.”

The new elementary school would serve Pre-K through second grade students and ultimately replace Smithville Elementary.

A set timeline has not been set at this time by the district as far as when the land will be purchased or how soon construction could begin.

“We’re going to do phasing planning,” Cripps said, “so that we can put in place [a plan] for the next school to be built and what that need would be.”

Cripps estimates construction of the school itself would be at least $20 million, not including the land purchase or planning costs through Upland Design Group.