Preparations under way for presidential visit to Decatur

DECATUR, Ga. — The sound of hammers could be heard on McDonough Street in Decatur Tuesday as city crews hung up "no parking" signs along both sides of the street.

A street sweeper was clearing the roads in front of the College Heights Early Education Center while landscapers put down fresh pine straw across the campus.

Channel 2's Shae Rozzi and her photographer also watched as school bus drivers pulled in and out of the bus lane in what appeared to be a drill ahead of President Barack Obama's visit Thursday.

A Secret Service SUV was also at the school.

Official statements are being left up to the White House Communications Staff but a couple of teachers shared their excitement with Rozzi.

"I'm really excited to see the president. I hope I meet him," said Aneesah Edwards, an assistant teacher at the school.

"I just want to wave and say, 'Hey,'" said Tabitha Battle, another assistant teacher.

Obama will be highlighting the success of thepre-K program at College Heights.

Wendy and Damon Vance live across the street from the school.

Their 2-month-old daughter, Josie, is on a waiting list to get into the day care program.

"We found out we were pregnant in April and we pretty much signed up right away and have been on the wait list ever since," Wendy Vance told Rozzi.

Damon Vance referred to College Heights as a trailblazer for the type of early education programs that they offer. He said he likes that the school has its own garden and teaches children about sustainability, all things the president will get to see.

After visiting the school, Obama will deliver a speech in front of a crowd of hundreds inside the newly renovation recreation center in Decatur.

Tarps cover the basketball court and waste management crews had to remove Dumpsters for security reasons.

It's a lot of work for a short time in the national spotlight but Director of Active Living Greg White said it's work he's excited to do for the president of the United States.

"At my age, I'll never get the chance to do this again. So we'll do what we got to do," White said with a smile and a sense of pride.

WSBTV