Keep the two schools. Only cities which are preparing for a shrinking population, like Gadsden (unfortunately), are consolidating high schools. Decatur is a growing city with growing needs; we should invest in our current high schools, maintain the economic boon that their rivalry provides, and prepare for future growth. There is no need to combine them while our city has such wonderful prospects for growth!

A sports complex I do support, but I do not support a combined high school; we would be only setting ourselves up for failure!

No to the combined high schools. Sad this is even being considered.

Look at Madison, they just built "another" high school. They were just one....so if "bigger" is better, why did they just not stay like they were (and the largest high school in the state). But they didn't! Decatur DOES NOT need to consolidate our high schools. The administrators need to get this "fantasy fad" out of their minds and get on with making Decatur High and Austin High the schools they need to be.

Both Austin and Decatur are landlocked. Where would they build new buildings? Where would the students and teachers park?

A single off campus shared sports facility will make all games "away" games. How does this add to our schools?

A new sports complex. What would they name it, ? Kyle Staduim? If youpre going to spend money spend it on the roads that needs it. You got Jack Allenstaduim..

I totally disagree. We are not Madison, whose population is among the fastest growing in the Southeast. Everyone is concerned about the Decatur-Austin rivalry. Sure that would go away, but the main thing that people need to realize is that with one High School, you can have increased Course offerings. You have students having to go across town to either Decatur or Austin to take Courses thatt are only offered at one school. Our High School Enrollment has dropped on average 100 Students per year over the last 3 years. If we dont do something soon, we will be left behind.

More advantages to one High School is the City as a whole can support and have something to get excited about and have Premier Programs in both Academics and Athletics. There have seen 3 systems that have done this in the last 10 years. Their Cities have come together and supported the Athletic Teams. Two of these, Gadsden and Florence have thrived with moving to 1 High School. This City has struggled to support 2 High Schools. If you look, those Athletic Programs are beating the Austin and Decatur teams when it gets to the Playoffs. I'll leave you with this: "If You Always Do What You Always Done, You Will Always Get What You Always Got!!!"

I believe you people are missing the point. Madison is a booming community. It is where good people move to when they come to this area. Decatur is not growing, at least not in the right direction. The Decatur daily is just throwing numbers out there saying a combined school would be the largest in the state. They are not considering a 9th grade academy, which most large schools have. Combine the schools Build a new facility for grades 10-12. Have a transition 9th grade academy at one of the existing sites. And make the other a trade/tech school( which would help with dropouts). This is the only plan for Decatur to succeed. Otherwise decatur will end up an inner city school

@ Orville - by law and due to earmarking, the money spent on shools cannot be spent on roads and visa versa. @ Charles - are Florence and Tuscaloosa shrinking cities? These cities have reletively new combined schools. Every situation is different. Think of it this way, "You may have nearly half the administrators." Those salaries aren't cheap you know! We need new solutions and we do not have the money to invest in both schools.....we simply don't have the money. We must do what is best for the overall situation and to meet the best interests of the maximum number of students.

word above should be "schools".

Madison built another school because they are growing at a rapid rate. James Clemens and Bob Jones will be bigger than Austin and Decatur in another 5 years. It is crazy to have two 6A schools with a population and economic base that can only afford one. If the schools are not combined expect to see mediocrity as the norm across the board.

Put down turf and build new press box and new score board thats all it needs

West Morgan,Priceville,and Danville would like the kids that do not get to play the one high school

People are saying Decatur is growing, if they are it is at a very small rate, I understand we increased about 5000 people in the last 10 years, anybody got some exact figures?

There are a few of the"in crowd" in Decatur that wants what Madison wants. Decatur has rich tradition with our two high schools. What will be done if one school is built with the two empty high schools? The schools are landlocked, but......if there is a need to expand, then consider building another high school. A combined sports facility? 8 million roughly for a new facility, or 2 or more million to upgrade Ogle. DUH! What is wrong with Ogle that cannot be fixed and upgraded?There are more needs in Decatur than a new sports facility, one needs to go no further than driving down a bumpy city street.

And the thing about kids not getting to play sports. If we combine the. We can actually field the number of teams that most 6A high schools have without having to get kids from the middle school. We can have the depth on a football team so kids don't have to go both ways. It will also teach our athletes how to compete for their jobs and not be handed a position because there is no one else that can play. Combing the schools would give athletes hope because they will be playing for something much bigger than a city rivalry!!

Why do they say there is no room for expansion? If you can't go out, then you go up! What I wish someone would address, hint, hint @ Charles.....is having graduation at Calhoun and each senior only getting 7 tickets! That has been ridiculous since they started that! Everyone's family doesn't get to see their love one graduating.

Decatur, get ready for about $100M in new taxes and spending for a new "mega" high school, a renovated DHS for Ed's office and those of this staff, and a renovated AHS for ninth grade. SAVE UP cause you will be forking over EVEN more of your hard earned money. More Obama Money and more Hammon-Anders-Kirby-Ard-Jackson-Kyle Money! Tax us, please! Tax us more and more!