Meeting Minutes 20250428

Community Input Meeting Minutes

Date: April 28, 2025
Time: 5:40 PM – 6:34 PM
Location: Sequoyah Middle School Cafeteria
Facilitators: Mr. Ziffer, Ms. McGinniss
Attendees: 2 members of the Construction Committee, community participants, & school
staff
Welcome and Introduction
Mr. Ziffer and Ms. McGinniss opened the meeting and welcomed attendees. The purpose of
the meeting was to gather community input regarding school names, mascots, colors, and
review the survey participation.
Community Participation Suggestions
    • Suggestions were made to encourage in-person community participation.
    • Noted that "Chargers" is a mascot already associated with a current DCSD middle
        school (Champion Theme School).
    • A concern was raised by a teacher regarding survey access issues between mobile
        and desktop devices.
School Naming Discussion
    • Community suggestion for school names:
            o Aztec Middle
            o Aztec High
            o Sequoyah United Middle School
            o Sequoyah United High School
            o Sequoyah High School
            o Doraville High School
            o Northwoods High School
    • Consistency Vote:
        Mr. Ziffer conducted a hand vote:
            o Majority supported having the same name for both the middle and high
                schools.
            o A minority felt it did not matter.
Mascot Suggestions
    • Ocelot was suggested from the floor, highlighting its Native American significance.
    • Other mascot suggestions from Mr. Ziffer’s Google survey included:
            o Otters
            o Foxes
            o Coyotes
            o Hawks
            o Storm
            o Braves
School Color Suggestions
    • Mr. Ziffer recommended avoiding specialty colors due to purchasing band uniforms
        and supply costs.
    • Suggested colors:
            o Red, Black, and White
          o  Teal and Silver
          o  Green and Gold
   • Ms. McGinniss noted that many existing schools heavily use blue (navy, indigo) and
      suggested avoiding additional blue-themed palettes.
   • Historical note: Cross Keys High School formerly used red and white but adopted
      green and gold when it merged with Sequoyah High School
Survey Process Updates
   • Two surveys have been conducted:
         o Initial Google Survey.
         o Current DCSD SoGo Survey.
   • Mr. Ziffer presented initial results from the DCSD survey.
   • The DCSD SoGo survey will remain open through May 9.
   • The committee will vote on the top 3 selections on May 13.
Naming Schools After Individuals
   • Ms. McGinniss reminded the group that:
         o If a school is named after an individual, the family must be contacted for
             permission.
         o If the individual is still living, Board of Education approval is required.
Ensuring Voting Accessibility
   • Concern was raised about how to accommodate voters who may not be literate.
   • Suggestions included:
         o Setting up paper ballots at schools with staff available to assist.
         o Offer voting opportunities during the 5th-grade Bridging Ceremonies.
         o Incorporating voting at community events (e.g., City of Doraville events).
         o Sending ballots out through schools, city, and community newsletters.
         o Placing paper copies at all feeder schools.
Adjournment and Next Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 PM. Next meeting is May 13 at 5:30 PM.