Decatur Schools Start Wednesday -- 5 Things to Know

Students in the City Schools of Decatur return to classes Wednesday, Aug. 1. Here are 5 Things parents and students should know about the upcoming school year.

1. Enrollment has gone up again. The school system isn't giving out hard numbers yet because parents are still signing up kids, but Superintendent Phyllis Edwards has said she expects about 10 percent growth in the student body. (It rose 11-12 percent last school year.) A school system report written a month ago predicted 384 new students in 2012-13 for a total of 3,630 in the system.

2. Start times have changed at some schools. Here's the schedule.

• Pre-K at , 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m..

• K-3 at and elementaries, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• K-3 at and elementaries, 8:10 a.m.-2:40 p.m.

• , 7:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• ,  8:40 a.m.-3:40 p.m.

• and , 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

3. These are the principals for individual schools.

• College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, Suzanne Kennedy.

• Oakhurst Elementary, Mary Mack.

• Winnona Park Elementary, Gregory Wiseman.

• Clairemont Elementary, Erin Wheeler.

• Glennwood Elementary, Dianna Herron-Watson.

• 4/5 Academy, Bruce Roaden.

• Renfroe Middle School, Derrick Thomas.

• Decatur Career Academy, Duane Sprull.

• Decatur High School, Lauri McKain.

4. New special education coordinator. Dr. Latasha D. Brantley, a native of New York, has worked in special education for more than twenty years.

5. Football changes. for the first time in several years. Decatur High has a new coach, , and , meaning the Bulldogs won't face traditional powerhouses like Buford this year.