Savannah superintendent: 'Evaluating two properties' for new West Chatham school

According to a Facebook post made June 4 by Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Superintendent Denise Watts, SCCPSS is evaluating two properties for a much-needed high school in the fast-growing western part of the county.

Watts made the announcement in response to a private Facebook comment made on June 4 by Connect Savannah freelance contributor Kristy Edenfield, who covers education. One of Edenfield's followers, asked, "Why hasn't there been prioritization of a high school in West Chatham County where school zoned land is being rezoned for industrial and commercial at an alarming rate and it is the 2nd fastest growing section of the county? WITH NO HIGH SCHOOL [capitalization commenter's emphasis]."

The need for a West Chatham area high school has been a topic of conversation for years both informally and more formally at school board meetings and district town halls. What was slightly different was that Watts, who typically delivers critical announcements through press briefings or during board meetings, responded via social media:

"I have an answer to this question. The lack of additional schools in Western Chatham County was one of the first things that was brought to my attention even before I was officially hired," Watts wrote. "We now are evaluating two properties for a school in Western Chatham County and should have a recommendation to the board to have a site purchased by the end of this calendar year. Your question is valid and I can understand the frustration given the population growth in the area. I made this a priority in year 1 of being a superintendent. Additionally, there were some boundary changes that helped alleviate overcrowding in some schools. I am sorry that I am working a reactive state right now but please note that the concerns have been noted and we are currently responding to this issue."

The boundary changes she was referring to related to the Long-Range Facilities Plan Phase 1 approved this past January by the board.

The Savannah Morning News connected with Watts on Wednesday afternoon to address why the statement about potential property acquisition was delivered via social media rather than through an official statement or press briefing, especially given property speculation that could occur due to such an announcement.

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Watts clarifies online statement

"It was not a commitment to anything. It was not anything bonding. It was something that, I thought, had already been stated in other meetings and, for me, it was just a reminder," she said of her Facebook comment after the school board's June 5 Regular Meeting. She said that while the district has two "active explorations" in relation to property in West Chatham right now, those explorations could be ongoing. "It could be 10 more, it could be five more, it could be three more," she said.

She said the district's facilities' team was leading the evaluation, but she was not sure if the real estate firm of Dudley Thomas Spade SRE, LLC (DTSpade) DTSpade was involved in the evaluations.

SCCPSS's Chief Public Affairs and Administrative Services Officer Kurt Hetager confirmed, "We do have the real estate firm that the board has previously approved."

DTSpade is the real estate firm that represents SCCPSS in search of available properties, which was determined through the real estate broker contract agreement passed by the board on Oct. 5, 2022. DTSpade is headquartered in Atlanta and has locations in Philadelphia and Nashville as well as Hackensack, New Jersey.

Watts conceded that the number 'two' in her Facebook statement may have been "too specific." She said, "My intent was to convey to that particular person, and everybody in that area of town, that I see you western Chatham County." She wants it to be clear that an additional high school was one of the first issues presented to her when she sought the role of superintendent and it remains a priority.

Diana Campbell, real estate broker for DTSpade who is working with SCCPSS, was unwilling to comment when asked to confirm if DTSpade was still working to identify additional properties beyond the two currently under evaluation.

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Watts can evaluate property but needs purchase approval

A school board action on Oct. 4, 2023, 7.29 Real Estate License Agreement: Right of Access for Due Diligence, was passed as part of the consent agenda that granted Watts the ability "to evaluate properties prior to any recommendation to the Board for eventual purchase and acquisition." The action expedites the process of securing property in a part of town that has become highly developed due to industrial and residential growth.

The action also stated two key procedural steps that need to occur before any land could be purchased. A purchase would require Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) site approval under its Guidelines for Educational Facility Site Selection and the Guideline for Risk Hazard Assessment of Educational Facility Sites. Additionally, the SCCPS board action stated that "any land purchases will require Board approval prior to any offer, or execution of a Purchase and Sale agreement."

Watts reiterated that many "different steps have to happen" before any proposal will be brought before the board, which she aims to have by September or October of this year. "We have to start exploring somewhere and that is going to lead us to maybe other explorations, and then to a final recommendation," she said.

Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah superintendent clarifies evaluation of properties for new school