EXECUTIVE SESSION, WORK SESSION, COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION &
BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
February 13, 2023
The DeKalb County Board of Education held its Executive Session, Work Session, Community
Input Session and Business Meeting on Monday, February 13, 2023, 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.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr. convened the meeting at 11:32 am and noted the following were in
attendance; Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Mrs. Anna Hill, Mrs. Deirdre Pierce, Mrs. Allyson Gevertz,
Mrs. Whitney McGinniss and Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent. Dr. Joyce Morley
joined the meeting virtually.
Also in attendance were General Counsel Attorney, Ms. Melanie Slaton and Dr. Yolanda
Williamson, Executive Administrator to the Board.
ADJOURN TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adjourn February 13, 2023, meeting to an executive
session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters regarding litigation, land, legal,
personnel, and student appeals.
On a motion by Mrs. Turner, seconded by Mrs. Hill and with a unanimous vote of (7\0), the
February 13, 2023, meeting adjourned to executive session at 11:45 am.
ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
There being no further business, Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adjourn the February 13,
2023, executive session and convene to the work session and business meeting.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the February 13, 2023, executive session
adjourned at 12:20 pm.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adopt the February 13, 2023, work session and business
meeting agenda.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the February 13, 2023, consent agenda was
approved.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT and COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
1. Superintendent’s Report: 2022-2023 Preliminary Winter MAP Data
Presented by: Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent
Dr. Rebecca Braaten, Director, Division of Research Data & Evaluation
2. Committee of the Whole – No Agenda Item This Month
REVIEW OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE FEBRUARY 13, 2023, BUSINESS MEETING
06.01.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Chair, requested that the Board of Education approve the official
meeting agenda for the January 9, 2023, board meeting, which includes the executive session,
work session, community input session and business meeting, the February 1, 2023, called board
meeting and executive session.
There being no objection, the agenda was placed on the consent agenda. Motion passes, 7-0.
1. BOARD OF EDUCATION – No Agenda Items This Month
DeKalb Board of Education
February 13, 2023
Page 2 of 7
06.02.a.
Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent, requested that the Board of Education approve
the minutes of the following meetings: January 9, 2023, board meeting which includes the
executive session, work session, community input session and business meeting, and the
February 1, 2023, called meeting and executive session.
06.03.a.
Mr. Lance McConkey, Comptroller, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of Education
accept the December 2022 Monthly Financial Reports.
06.03b.
RISK MANAGEMENT – No Agenda Items This Month
06.04.a.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the Board
of Education approve the January 2023 Human Resources Report.
06.05.a.
Mrs. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, requested
that the Board of Education approve the contract extensions with Pediatric Services of America,
Inc. dba Aveanna Healthcare: Cobb Pediatric/The Stepping Stones Group: Delta T Group: and
Maxim Healthcare as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide school health and
school nursing services for more than $50,000 per vendor but not to exceed a total contracted
amount of $3,000,000.
06.05.b.
Mrs. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, requested
that the Board of Education approve the contract extensions of RFP 20-187 for Progressus
Therapy; Community Rehabilitation Associates, Incorporated: Cobb Pediatric/Stepping Stones
Group (EBS is now part of the Stepping Stones Group); Comprehensive Therapy Consultants;
Pediatric Developmental; Orange Tree Staffing; Atlanta Pediatric Therapy; EDU Healthcare and
Soliant as the most responsive and responsible bidders to provide speech-language, occupational
therapy, and physical therapy services for more than $50,000 per vendor but not to exceed the
total contracted amount of $9,000,000.00.
06.05.c.
Mrs. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, requested
that the Board of Education approve the purchase of band uniforms for Columbia High School,
Dunwoody High School, and Tucker High School in the amount not to exceed $350,000.
06.06.a.
Mrs. Manomay Malathip-Kidd, Executive Director, Student Advancement, Division of Equity
and Student Empowerment requested that the Board of Education approve the contract renewal
for RFP No. 19-513 for the Naviance Inc. by PowerSchool, for an additional year in the amount
not to exceed $360,370.15
06.06.b.
Mrs. Denise Revels, Director, Wrap Around and Support Services, Division of Equity and
Student Empowerment requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the contract
renewal for the Student Success Agency (SSA) platform for an additional year for an amount not
to exceed $215,000.
06.07.
OFFICE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (ACCOUNTABILITY) – No Agenda Items
This Month
DeKalb Board of Education
February 13, 2023
Page 3 of 7
06.08.a.
Ms. Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology, requested that the Board
of Education approve the amended extension to RFP 17-487 Disaster Recovery As A Service
(DRaaS) to CenturyLink Communications LLC (Lumen) and the purchase of Disaster Recovery
as a Service (DRaaS) for the district, in an amount not to exceed $700,000.00.
06.09.a.
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS - No Agenda
Items This Month
06.10.a.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the Board
of Education 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, 2024, for an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.00. This recommendation is for year two of
the four (4) one-year renewal options and supports the growing programs, such as Middle School
Soccer, Middle School Wrestling, Middle School Volleyball, Middle School Baseball, and
Varsity Flag Football.
06.10.b.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the renewal for ITB 21-752-011 for HVAC Maintenance and Repair
services to MAXAIR, Inc., Mechanical Services, Inc. and Sluss and Padgett, Inc. for an
additional year in the amount not to exceed $2,500,000.
06.10.b.ii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the Board
of Education approve the award of EZIQC Contract No GA-ST01-040820-FHP to F.H. Paschen,
S.N. Nielsen & Associates, LLC. Work to be performed as per the Final Detailed Scope of Work
attached and as per the terms and conditions of EZIQC Contract No GA-ST01-040820-FHP for
the cost of materials, delivery, design and construction services for the construction of outdoor
soccer mini-pitch at both Chapel Hill Middle School in an amount not to exceed $142,284 and
Sequoyah Middle School in an amount not to exceed $141,471 for a total of $283,755.
Work to be performed as per the Final Detailed Scope of Work per the terms and conditions of
EZIQC Contract No GA-ST01-040820-FHP.
06.10.b.iii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the contract extension for RFQu 19-752-023 for A/E Continuing
Contract for Professional Services to BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc., CDH Partners,
CORGAN, Croft & Associates, P.C., GSB Architects & Interiors, Inc., Moody Nolan, Inc.,
Southern A&E, LLC, Stanley, Love Stanley, P.C., Sy Richards, Architects, Inc. and 2WR of
Georgia, Inc. on an as needed basis for minor capital improvement projects for a not to exceed
amount collectively of $3,000,000. This request extends the agreement for Southern A&E, LLC
and Sy Richards, Architects, Inc. an additional year March 11, 2023 – March 10, 2024; BRPH
Architects-Engineers, Inc., Stanley, Love Stanley, P.C., and 2WR of Georgia, Inc an additional
year March 20, 2023 – March 19, 2024; CDH Partners and CORGAN and additional year March
29, 2023 – March 28, 2024 and Croft & Associates, P.C., GSB Architects & Interiors, Inc., and
Moody Nolan, Inc., an additional year April 23, 2023 – April 22, 2024.
06.10.b.iv.
Chief Bradley Gober, Executive Director of Public Safety, Division of Operations, requested that
the Board of Education approve the purchase of Centegix Crisis Alert in the amount of
$3,933,000 as a safety and security enhancement to be installed in all elementary, middle, and
high schools throughout the DeKalb County School District. The agreement will be for 5 years
(three years with a two-year option for renewal).
06.10.c.i.
DeKalb Board of Education
February 13, 2023
Page 4 of 7
Business Services – No Agenda Items This Month
06.10.d.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the purchase and installation of twelve (12) surface mount drive-on
vehicle lifts, from Stertil-Koni Inc., utilizing the Sourcewell Contract No. RFP 013020 for an
amount not to exceed $2,400,000.
06.10.d.ii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the contract renewal of Bid 19-752-050 for “turnkey” GPS
Technology Systems to Education Logistics, Inc. (EDULOG). This is for year three (3) of four
(4) one-year contract renewal options. The date of renewal period will be from March 13, 2023,
through March 12, 2024.
06.10.d.iii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the purchase of thirty (30) support vehicles for the Transportation
Department from Wade Ford, Inc., through Georgia Statewide Contract 99999-SPD-
ES40199373-009S for an amount not to exceed $828,360.90.
06.10.e
SCHOOL NUTRITION SERVICES ~No Agenda Items This Month
06.10.f.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the award of RFQu 23-752-008 for Architectural and Engineering
Services for Dresden Elementary School Replacement to BRPH Architects Engineers Inc., the
most responsive and responsible Offeror whose submittal is the most advantageous to the Board
based on the evaluation factors, for the lump sum amount of $2,280,000.
06.10.f.ii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education and Superintendent execute the “Certificate of the Board of Education”
document(s) and authorize staff to submit to the Georgia Department of Education all documents
necessary to receive the State Capital Outlay Reimbursement amounts shown below totaling
$550,408.00 for the following project(s):
Project Name Project# Reimbursement
Henderson Mill ES 19-644-007 $96,124.00
Southwest DeKalb HS 19-644-008 $454,284.00
06.11.a.
Mr. Trenton Arnold, Regional Superintendent, Region II requested that the Board of Education
ratify the donation of outdoor classroom equipment totaling $32,348.40 from the Fernbank
Elementary Foundation to Fernbank Elementary School. This equipment is being installed in the
school’s courtyard area to allow for teachers and students to hold classroom activities outdoors.
06.11.b.
Mr. Trenton Arnold, Regional Superintendent, Region II requested that the Board of Education
accept a donation of $14,076.30 from the Jaguar Endowment Fund to Smoke Rise Elementary
School. These funds will be used to support classroom instruction such as the purchase of
instructional materials and supplies, school-wide events, and various activities and celebratory
events such as Student of the Month, Teacher of the Month, extracurricular clubs, etc.
06.12.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources
06.13.a.
DeKalb Board of Education
February 13, 2023
Page 5 of 7
No Agenda Items This Month
AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS AND POLICIES – No Agenda Items This Month
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The meeting resumed at 5:44 pm.
COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION AND BUSINESS MEETING
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. convened the Community Input Session and Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce read the
Guidelines for Public Comments.
The following individuals addressed the Board:
1. Michelle Gordon
2. Brittany Franklin
3. Dr. Valentino Shumate
4. Kay Colson
5. Deborah Jones
6. Libra Wise
7. Lance Hammonds
8. Anna Katz
9. Hannah Choi
10. Marques Moreland
11. Bela Sharma
12. Zakiya Jones
13. Julia Witcher
14. Charlotte Evans
15. Khadijah Barry
16. Bin Huang
17. Troy Butler
18. Ivis Avila – No Show
19. Stacie Griffin
20. Keyra Scott
CONVENE THE BUSINESS MEETING
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to convene the February 13, 2022, business meeting.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the business meeting convened.
STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent. introduced Student Board Representative, Miss
Georgia Taylor, Tucker High School, 12th grade.
RECOGNITION(S)
Dr. Joyce Morley, Board Member, District 7, presented a proclamation honoring the late Ms.
Zepora Roberts, to acknowledge her noble career, dedication, and service to the children of
DeKalb County School District.
Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent, presented a proclamation honoring the late Dr.
Crawford Lewis to acknowledge his noble career, dedication, and service to the children of
DeKalb County School District
Mrs. Anna Hill, Board Member, District 1, presented a proclamation to officially recognize
March 6- March 10, 2023, as Exceptional Children’s Week.
Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Vice-Chair, presented a proclamation recognizing the entire month of
February as Career, Technology, and Agricultural Education Month.
DeKalb Board of Education
February 13, 2023
Page 6 of 7
Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Board Member, District 5 presented a proclamation to recognize
February 6- February 10, 2023, as National School Counseling Week.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to approve the February 13, 2023, consent agenda.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Pierce and with a unanimous vote of (7\0), the
motion passed to approve the consent agenda.
ACTION ITEM(S)
J.1. APPROVAL OF AN ITEM(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as discussed, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-17.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Turner, and with a unanimous vote of (7\0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for Special Education Litigation.
On a motion by Mrs. Turner, seconded by Ms. Gevertz, and with a unanimous vote of
(7\0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for Worker’s Comp settlement.
On a motion by Mrs. Pierce, seconded by Mrs. McGinniss and with a unanimous vote of
(7\0),
The motion passed.
J.2. APPROVAL OF AN AGENDA ITEM(S) PULLED FROM THE CONSENT
AGENDA –NO ITEMS WERE PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
ADJOURN
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adjourn the February 13, 2023, work session and
business meeting.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the work session and business meeting
adjourned at 7:08pm.
DeKalb Board of Education
February 13, 2023
Page 7 of 7
_______________________ ____________________________
Secretary Ex-Officio Chair