🌱 Dr. Gyimah Whitaker To Be Superintendent Of CSD + GA Reps. Salary

Hi, everyone. Greetings, and what a wonderful Wednesday it is! A huge shoutout is going out to the award-winning platform, Masterworks, thank you for all the great work you do. To my Decatur- Avondale friends, I'm back with your fresh edition of the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town today, including:

• Dr. Gyimah Whitaker being named the sole finalist in the run for superintendent of the City Schools of Decatur.
• Senate bill 62 passed.
• The City Schools of Decatur School Board.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 65 Low: 40.

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Here are the top stories in Decatur-Avondale Estates today:

1. Currently, Georgia state senators and representatives earn a salary of $22,342. They also have a daily allowance of $247 during each session. This is the most they've ever earned. The last raise was back in 2007. Historically, Georgia’s legislature has been run by everyday citizens, as opposed to career politicians. There are people who are for this low pay and others who are against it. Those who are pro say that low pay is key to maintaining the citizen legislature. Those who are anti-low-pay feel that it limits who is able to run for office to those who are wealthy or retired and have no need for higher pay within this sector. (Decaturish.com)
2. Senate bill 62 passed on Monday, allowing local governments and hospitals the power to abandon people who are homeless by leaving them in other counties. The House voted 99-76 and is now on its way to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto. Opposing Democrats are accusing Republicans of attempting to criminalize homelessness and poverty. (WABE 90.1 FM)
3. Dr. Gyimah Whitaker has been named the sole finalist in the run for superintendent of the City Schools of Decatur. Her official start date is scheduled for July 1. Whitaker has two decades of leadership experience. She was the deputy chief academic officer for Fulton County Schools, overseeing a budget of $48 million in general funds, $61 million in federal funds, and $47 million in ESSR funds. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts in African American studies and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She also has a doctoral degree from Georgia State University in Educational Leadership and Administration. Whitaker has stated that she was "drawn to this district because it is truly a gem — a rare and special find." The district will hold a meet and greet on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the CSD Board Room and Thursday in the Decatur High School cafeteria. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
4. The City Schools of Decatur School Board met yesterday at 3 p.m. for its work session. The meeting was held in person at the Wilson School Support Center, 125 Electric Ave., and via Zoom. The agenda called for the school board to discuss updates on school nutrition, the fiscal year 2024 budget updates, and the updated graduation policy and requirements. (Decaturish.com)
5. DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael Thurmond issued an executive order closing access to Intrenchment Creek Park and other county-owned properties in the area. On March 27, the county announced that they were planning on taking steps to reopen the park.
   The park must first be cleared of traps placed on the property and there must be no activists on the premises. (Decaturish.com)

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Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• GrowSmart DeKalb — DeKalb Chamber of Commerce (9:00 AM)
• Women's History Month Trivia Challenge (10:00 AM)
• Books and Babies Storytime — Decatur Library (10:00 AM)
• Teen Hang Out — Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library (3:30 PM)
• V Baseball @ Lithonia — Decatur High School (5:55 PM)

From my notebook:

• Shelby Pluger is one of the Foster Care Case Managers at Wellroot. She said her most impactful moment at Wellroot has been advocating for residential mental health treatment for the children she works with. Visit Wellroot.org/Our-Stories to learn more. (Wellroot Family Services via Facebook)
• Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), national Interfaith Power & Light, United Women in Faith, and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas delivered a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The organizations are calling for the agency to work on its current proposal to limit soot pollution. You may read the letter in its entirety at https://loom.ly/N4twAyI. (Georgia Interfaith Power & Light via Facebook)
• Amplify My Community Decatur is scheduled to host its spring concert in the Square on Saturday, April 29. The line-up is full of amazing musicians. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amplify-decatur-music-festival… (The Decatur Education Foundation via Facebook)
• The Junior League of DeKalb County’s Women Mean Business, Leadership Development Conference is this Friday, March 31. You can purchase your ticket today at www.jldekalb.org.(Junior League of DeKalb County, Inc. via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters

About me: Cherryl Young DBA MamaNyeMatters. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to Georgia in 2017. My first children's book, You Are the Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow was published in 2021. https://www.mamanyematters.com... I've worked in Atlanta and Gwinnett County Public Schools assisting children who have special needs. I studied Community Development @ Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. My Purpose In Life Is To Connect, Create, Inspire, Write, and Expand and I am ELATED to Be Here as a Contributing Writer @ Patch! Journey With Me...

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