EXECUTIVE SESSION, WORK SESSION, COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION &
BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
August 10, 2022
The DeKalb County Board of Education held its Executive Session, Work Session, Community
Input Session and Business Meeting on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, in the J. David
Williamson Board Room, at the DeKalb County School District’s Robert R. Freeman
Administrative Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain,
Georgia.
Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Board Chair, convened the meeting at 11:44am and noted the following
were in attendance; Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Board Chair, Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Vice Chair,
Mrs. Anna Hill, Mr. Marshall D. Orson (virtually), Mrs. Deirdre Pierce, Mrs. Allyson Gevertz,
Dr. Joyce Morley (virtually) and Dr. Vasanne Tinsley, Interim Superintendent.
Also in attendance were Dr. Yolanda Williamson, Executive Administrator to the Board and
General Counsel Attorneys, Mr. Clem Doyle and Ms. Joyette Holmes.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Turner called for a motion to adjourn August 10, 2022, meeting to an executive session for
the purpose of discussing permitted matters regarding litigation, land, personnel, and student
appeals.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mr. DaCosta and with a unanimous vote of (7\0), the
August 10, 2022, meeting adjourned to executive session at 11:46am.
ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
There being no further business, Mrs. Turner called for a motion to adjourn the August 10, 2022,
executive session and convene to the work session and business meeting.
Mrs. Turner noted there were no objections, the August 10, 2022, executive session adjourned at
2:15pm.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mrs. Turner called for a motion to adopt the August 10, 2022, work session and business
meeting agenda.
Mrs. Turner noted there were no objections, the August 10, 2022, work session and business
meeting agenda was approved.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT and COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
1. Superintendent’s Report: Fall to Spring Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
Presented by: Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent and
Mr. Oliver J. Lewis, Associate Superintendent, Office of Continuous
Improvement
2. Committee of the Whole Presentation(s) – No Presentation This Month
REVIEW OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE AUGUST 10, 2022 BUSINESS MEETING
02.01.
BOARD OF EDUCATION – No Agenda Items This Month
02.02.a.
Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent, requested that the Board of Education approve
the minutes of the following meetings; the July 11, 2022 board meeting which includes the
executive session, work session, community input session and business meeting, the June 14,
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August 10, 2022
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2022 virtual audit committee meeting, the July 18, 2022 virtual called meeting & executive
session and the July 28-29, 2022, 2-day board retreat.
02.03.a.i.
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education accept the June 2022 Monthly Financial Reports.
02.03.b.
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education approve the FY 2021 audit corrective action plan developed in response to Senate Bill
68 requirements. FY 2021 audit results stipulate the District’s designated risk level as being
moderate. The District’s corrective action plan must be presented at a regular board meeting,
signed by each board member, and submitted to the State Board of Education no later than 120
days from receiving audit results (May 27, 2022).
02.03.c.
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education authorize the third settlement funding payment in the amount of $22.5 million in
accordance with the agreement option under section 6(c) of the settlement agreement. The
District is seeking approval to exercise the Board’s installment payment option to occur no later
than 30 days before the District’s yearly funding payment is due, October 17, 2022. American
Legal Claims, LLC is appointed as the Settlement Administrator. The first payment was made
October 9, 2020 and the second payment was made October 15, 2021.
02.03.d.
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education authorize the assignment of fund balance for the fourth and fifth settlement funding
payments, totaling $45 million. The fourth and fifth payments of $22.5 million are due October
12, 2023, and October 6, 2024, respectively. Assignment of fund balance notes the District’s
intent to utilize general funds for the remaining future settlement funding payments.
02.03.e.i.
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education (“Board”) approve an Insurance Producer Services for Property and Casualty
Insurance Agreement with Edgewood Partners Insurance Center d/b/a EPIC Insurance Brokers
and Consultants (“Epic”) for an annual fee not to exceed $150,000.00.
02.03.e.ii.
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education approve the renewal of the District’s Third Party Administrator Services
with Brentwood Services Administrators (“Brentwood”), for an amount not to
exceed $475,320.00 in fixed claim costs, excluding bill review fees that are billed monthly based
on volume.
02.03.e.iii.
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education approve the renewal of the Swift, Currie, McGee and Hiers, LLP (“Swift Currie”)
contract as Workers’ Compensation Counsel at the hourly rate of $210 for partners and senior
attorneys, $175 for associates and $120 for paralegals, excluding necessary expenses and any
necessary complex litigation, which will be determined and authorized by the Board Chair and
Superintendent on a case-by-case basis. The Swift Currie hourly rate for handling litigation
previously initiated by the law firm of Drew Eckl & Farnham is $150 for partners and senior
attorneys, $140 for associates and $95 for paralegals. The term of this annual agreement shall
commence on December 3, 2022. This is the fifth of five one-year optional renewals.
(Part 2)
Mr. Charles Burbridge, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, further requested that the
Board of Education approve the renewal of the Swift Currie contract as General Liability
Counsel, at the hourly rate of $250 for partners and senior attorneys, $200 for associates and
DeKalb Board of Education
August 10, 2022
Page 3 of 7
$150 for paralegals, excluding necessary expenses and any necessary complex litigation, which
will be determined and authorized by the Board Chair and Superintendent on a case-by-case
basis. The term of this annual agreement shall commence on December 3, 2022. This is the fifth
of five one-year optional renewals.
Item pulled from consent agenda and voted on as an ACTION ITEM.
02.04.a.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the Board
of Education approve the August 2022 Human Resources Report.
02.05.a.
Dr. Lenisera Barnes-Bodison, Executive Director, Division of Curriculum & Instruction,
requested that the Board of Education approve the purchase of instructional materials, including
print and digital resources, from the identified vendors in an amount not to exceed
$12,000,000.00.
Item pulled from consent agenda and voted on as an ACTION ITEM.
02.05.b.
Dr. Lenisera Barnes-Bodison, Executive Director, Division of Curriculum & Instruction,
requested that the Board of Education approve the MOA between the Georgia Department of
Education and the DeKalb County School District on behalf of the Georgia Learning Resources
System for an amount not to exceed $460,000.00.
02.05.c.
Dr. Lenisera Barnes-Bodison, Executive Director, Division of Curriculum & Instruction,
requested the Board of Education approve the 2023 Carl Perkins V Improvement Grant
Application that provides funding to improve Career Technical and Agricultural Education
(CTAE) programs throughout the DeKalb County School District.
02.06.
DIVISION OF EQUITY AND STUDENT EMPOWERMENT – No Agenda Items This Month
02.07.a.
Mr. Oliver J. Lewis, Associate Superintendent, Office of Continuous Improvement
(Accountability), in support of Board Policy II, requested that the Board of Education approve
the purchase of College Board PSAT 8/9 Assessments for SY 2022-2023 in an amount not to
exceed $82,000.00.
The requested purchase is a testing expenditure that does not require bid per the District’s
Purchasing Board Policy (DJE).
02.08.a.
Ms. Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and Instructional
Technology, requested that the Board of Education ratify and approve the emergency purchase of
security cameras, related components, and services from Convergint Technologies, in an amount
not to exceed $248,729.30 utilizing RFP 22-475 Physical Security Services – Access Control,
Intrusion Detection and Video Surveillance.
Ms. Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and Instructional
Technology, also requested that the Board of Education approve the additional emergency
purchase of security cameras, related components, and services from Convergint Technologies,
for a not to exceed amount of $450,000.00.
02.09.
DIVISION OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS –
No Agenda Items This Month
DeKalb Board of Education
August 10, 2022
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02.10.a.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education ratify and approve the Contract Renewal for the Athletic Department’s
Equipment and Uniform Bid with Riddell/All American and BSN Sports, LLC, an additional
year through May 16, 2023, for an amount not to exceed $900,000. This recommendation is for
year one of the four (4) one-year renewal options and supports the new programs, such as Middle
School Soccer, Middle School Wrestling, Middle School Volleyball, Middle School Baseball,
and Varsity Flag Football.
02.10.b.i.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the contract extension for Bid No. 19-465 for Catalog Discount-
HVAC Supplies, Parts, and Equipment to MSC Industrial Supply Co. for an additional year in
the amount not to exceed $100,000.
02.10.b.ii.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the contract extension for Bid No. 19-467 for Catalog Discount-
Lawn Equipment, Repair Parts & Supplies to MSC Industrial Supply Co., for an additional year
in the amount not to exceed $100,000.
02.10.b.iii.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the contract extension for Bid No. 19-464 for Catalog Discount-
Plumbing Supplies, Parts & Equipment to Best Plumbing Specialties, Inc., Marks Plumbing
Parts, and MSC Industrial Supply Co. for an additional year in the amount not to exceed
$100,000.
02.10.b.iv.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education ratify and approve a contract for Fire Alarm Monitoring Services from
August 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023, to Cliff's Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., on a month-to-
month basis for a total not-to-exceed amount of $60,565.00. It is requested that the Board of
Education ratify and approve a contract for Fire Alarm Monitoring Services from August 1,
2022, through July 31, 2023, to Cliff's Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., on a month-to-month basis for
a total not-to-exceed amount of $60,565.00. It is requested that the Board of Education ratify and
approve a contract for Fire Alarm Monitoring Services from August 1, 2022, through July 31,
2023, to Cliff's Fire Extinguisher Co., Inc., on a month-to-month basis for a total not-to-exceed
amount of $60,565.00.
02.10.c.
BUSINESS SERVICES – No Agenda Items This Month
02.10.d.
FLEET AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES – No Agenda Items This Month
02.10.e.
SCHOOL NUTRITION SERVICES – No Agenda Items This Month
02.10.f.i.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve budget reallocations to remove all remaining funds from the
following E-SPLOST V projects that have been completed: 111. Fence installation A, 112. Fence
installation B, 113. Fence installation C, 203. Peachtree MS, 221. John Lewis ES, 222. New ES
for Cross Keys North (Doraville United ES), and 321. Plumbing fixture replacement.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, also requested that
the Board of Education approve budget reallocations to remove all remaining funds from Project
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August 10, 2022
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201. Cross Keys HS (previously Cross Keys MS project) and Project 356. Cary Reynolds ES, as
these projects are no longer necessary.
02.10.f.ii.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Outlay Application to the Georgia
Department of Education (Ga DOE), totaling $16,861,594.
02.10.f.iii.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the initial E-SPLOST VI project list.
Item postponed. No Board Action was taken.
02.10.f.iv.
Mr. Richard Boyd, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, recommended that
the Board of Education approve the award of RFP No. 22-752-025 for Program Management
Services to ACERM Program Management, A Joint Venture (the ACERM Team), comprised of
two entities: AECOM Technical Services Inc. (AECOM) and Corporate Enviromental Risk
Management (CERM) the most responsive and responsible Offeror whose proposal meets the
requirements and criteria set forth in the Proposal Documents, for a not-to-exceed amount
of $15,185,671.64 to include the remaining E-SPLOST V projects and new E-SPLOST VI
(2022-2027) program.
02.11.a.
Mr. Trenton Arnold, Regional Superintendent, Region II, in accordance with Board Policy DFK,
Gifts and Bequests, requested that the Board of Education accept a donation of decorative
window mini blinds totaling $37,754.00 from the Sagamore Hills Elementary School Foundation
to Sagamore Hills Elementary School. These blinds will be used for every window set in the
building.
02.12.
PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION – No Agenda Items
This Month
02.13.
OFFICE OF AUDITS & COMPLIANCE – No Agenda Items This Month
AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS AND POLICIES
1. FIRST READ ~ Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Board Policy GBA, Professional
Compensation Guides and Contracts
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that
The Board of Education accept amended Board Policy GBA: Professional Personnel
Compensation Guides and Contracts, as a First Read to lay on the table for stakeholder
feedback at the August 10, 2022, board meeting and be considered for adoption at the
September 12, 2022, board meeting.
2. FIRST READ ~ Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: NEW Board Policy IKBB,
Divisive Concepts Complaint Resolution Process
Ms. Marissa Key, Executive Director of Employee Relations, Division of Human
Resources, requested that the Board of Education accept the proposed Board Policy
IKBB: Divisive Concepts Complaint Resolution Process, as a First Read to lay on the
table for stakeholder feedback at the August 10, 2022, board meeting and be considered
for adoption at the September 12, 2022, board meeting.
COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION AND BUSINESS MEETING
Mrs. Turner convened the Community Input Session and read the Guidelines for Public
Comments at 5:45pm.
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August 10, 2022
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The following individuals addressed the Board:
1. Ken Schroeder (virtual)
2. Willie Pringle
3. Joel Edwards
4. Kyle H. Roedler
5. Deborah Jones (virtual)
6. Daniel Sobczak
CONVENE THE BUSINESS MEETING
Mrs. Turner called for a motion to convene the August 10, 2022, business meeting.
Mrs. Turner noted there were no objections, the business meeting convened.
STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE ~ No Student Representative This Month
RECOGNITION(S) ~ No Recognitions This Month
CONSENT AGENDA
Mrs. Turner called for a motion to approve the August 10, 2022, consent agenda except for the
following (2) items, which were voted on separately as ACTION ITEMS:
• ITEM NO. E.3.e.iii. – Renewal of Swift, Currie, McGee and Hiers, LLP Law Firm
Agreement (Year 5 of 5)
• ITEM NO. E.5.a. - Purchase of Instructional Materials and Equipment (amount not
to exceed $12,000,000
On a motion by Mrs. Gevertz seconded by Mrs. Hill and with a unanimous vote of (6\0), the
motion passed to approve the consent agenda. Mrs. Pierce left the meeting at 3:00pm.
ACTION ITEM(S)
J.1. APPROVAL OF AN ITEM(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Turner called for a motion to to approve the Special Ed. Litigation Settlement as
discussed in Executive Session.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mr. DaCosta, and with a unanimous vote of (6\0)
the motion passed.
J.2. APPROVAL OF AN AGENDA ITEM(S) PULLED FROM THE CONSENT
AGENDA
a. Mrs. Turner called for a motion to approve the following ACTION ITEMS, which were
pulled off the consent agenda.
1. ITEM NO. E.3.e.iii. – Renewal of Swift, Currie, McGee and Hiers, LLP Law Firm
Agreement (Year 5 of 5)
On a motion by Mrs. Gevertz, seconded by Mr. DaCosta, and with a unanimous
of (6\0) the motion passed.
2. ITEM NO. E.5.a. - Purchase of Instructional Materials and Equipment (amount
not to exceed $12,000,000
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mr. Dacosta, and with a vote of (5\0\1) the
motion passed, with Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Mr. Marshall D.
Orson, Mrs. Anna Hill and Mrs. Allyson Gevertz, voting ‘YES’ and Dr. Joyce Morley
voting to ‘ABSTAIN'.
DeKalb Board of Education
August 10, 2022
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ADJOURN
Mrs. Turner called for a motion to adjourn the August 10, 2022, work session and business
meeting.
Mrs. Turner noted there were no objections, the work session and business meeting adjourned at
6:17pm.
_______________________ ____________________________
Secretary Ex-Officio Chair