Agenda Item
a. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources.
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Kishia K. Towns to the position of Deputy Superintendent of Student Support in the Division of Student Support & Intervention .
Financial impact: There is no impact to the general budget as the position already exists in the general budget.
Contact: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200.
Status: Upon Board approval.
DeKalb County School District
Position Specification
Title: Deputy Superintendent, Student Support & Intervention
DIVISION: Student Support & Intervention GRADE/SCHEDULE: DPC
DEPARTMENT: Student Support & Intervention WORKDAYS: 246
REPORTS TO: Superintendent FLSA STATUS: Exempt
RETIREMENT: Teachers Retirement System APPROVED (HR): November 1, 2022
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under limited supervision, has direct oversight responsibility for all aspects of the day-to-day implementation of
designated programs, services, activities, and personnel for Student Support Services, Title IV, Afterschool Extended
Day, Psychological Services, Student Relations, Student Advancement, relevant programs, activities, and operations;
ensures the daily implementation of student support services which are fundamental to the effective and efficient
delivery of instructional programs in DeKalb County School District (DCSD).
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions:
The following duties are representative of this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude
them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties
may be required and assigned.
• Provides supervision of daily operations of Student Support Services (guidance, counseling, mentoring,
nurses, psychologists, and social workers), Psychological Services, Student Advancement, Student
Relations, relevant programs such as afterschool extended day, activities, and operations through heads of
departments/work units in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, Georgia Department
of Education requirements, and board policies and regulations
• Develops a district equity plan/framework, to ensure that our strategic plans are fully reflective of, and
inspired by, an equity lens and reflect our equity identity
• Develops and implement district-wide training for all staff to promote cultural proficiency and competency
and a climate of equity and inclusion, with regard to implicit bias and best practices regarding underserved
and historically marginalized populations (e.g., racial equity, gender equity, LGBTQ+ equity, disability
status, etc.)
• Oversees district’s initiatives of Culture and Climate including extraordinary events
• Ensures the implementation of initiatives designed to promote a positive school/district climate in support
of student success
• Provides direct supervision to personnel assigned to the sphere of supervision; ensures that duties,
responsibilities authority, and accountability of all direct and indirect subordinates are defined,
understood, and properly executed
• Directs, monitors, and appraises the performance of departments/work units
• Oversees the fiscal management of funds allocated to departments/work units under the sphere of
supervision
• Manages Title IV budget and implementation
• Provides executive leadership in support of district goals, school district initiatives, and strategic plans;
maintains current knowledge of trends that impact all areas of responsibility and advises the
Superintendent of appropriate courses of action
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required
of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources will
always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
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Deputy Superintendent, Student Support & Intervention
• Designs and implements plans to improve service delivery provided by departments/work units under the
sphere of supervision
• Promotes district initiatives to provide students with post-secondary options
• Plans, guides, and advises Superintendent, Board, and Senior Cabinet on equity and student support issues
• Performs other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s degree from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved accredited college or
university required.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience as an administrator in a school system setting or as an executive with
demonstrated successful advancement through the administrative or executive managerial hierarchy, as
appropriate, required.
• Valid Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved certificate in educational leadership at level L-
5, NL-5, PL-6, or above required. If a level L-5, NL-5, PL-6, or above certificate is not held, the individual must
be eligible for the NPL certificate in educational leadership or Support Personnel License from the Georgia
Professional Standards Commission (HR applies for SPL upon hire).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Knowledge of DCSD (DeKalb County School District) policies and procedures, organizational and department
planning, and operational procedures
• Knowledge of the organization of specifically assigned areas
• Knowledge of budgeting and spending, labor issues and efficiencies, and all relevant federal, state, and local
laws and regulations attendant to public education
• Knowledge of workforce and facilities requirement forecasting, and relevant available public and private
resources and services, including but not limited to human services.
• Knowledge of curriculum guidelines for the school system and state requirements, including but not limited
to requirements for alternative education and English Language Learners programs and pupil personnel
services requirements
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Skilled in coordinating and collaborating with federal, state, regional, and local organizations, and
departments to establish and execute responsibilities
• Skilled in administration and management skills gained through increasingly responsible management
positions
• Skilled in recruiting, training, and motivating employees with analytical processing and leading change
process in a large, complex, diverse organization
• Skilled in negotiation, diplomacy, and public relations
• Ability to direct and administer the programs and services of a non-profit educational and/or service
organization
• Ability to establish objectives and procedures governing the performance of assigned activities among
employees
• Ability to develop and understand financial and/or operating reports while maintaining confidential
information
• Ability to use relevant computer applications, prioritize assignments, and delegate and manage multiple
assignments simultaneously
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required
of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources will
always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
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Deputy Superintendent, Student Support & Intervention
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or
constantly to lift carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves
sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all sedentary
criteria are met.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand
or arm as in handling.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which one must convey detailed
or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discrimination in
sounds, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts with or without correction.
Vision: The ability to perceive the nature of objects with the eye. Acuity (near and far vision), depth perception
(three-dimensional vision), accommodation (adjustment of lens to the eye to bring an object into sharp focus), the
field of vision (the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are fixed on a given point)
and color vision (ability to distinguish and identify colors) are required factors.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
PERFORMANCE FACTORS
Interaction with Others: Ability to maintain, on a regular and consistent basis, relationships that are not
characterized by high levels of hostility, social withdrawal, or failure to communicate. Ability to be flexible relative
to daily routines. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the differences among diverse populations.
Concentration: Ability to maintain workflow and thought processes in the presence of frequent distractions. Ability
to ignore irrelevant sights or sounds and intrusive thoughts or stimuli. Ability to manage multiple tasks
simultaneously with only a few or no errors.
Stressful Circumstances: Ability to produce quality work when short or unexpected deadlines are presented. Ability
to adjust work processes without incident when new and unexpected directions are given relative to a project that
may be in process. Ability to maintain composure and not compound a situation when interacting with people who
may be angry, demanding, or otherwise less than polite.
Independent Judgment: Ability to complete work tasks without being given precise directions relative to work steps
or the final project.
Decision Making: Ability to make appropriate business decisions.
Organizational Skills: Ability to establish priorities; simultaneously manage multiple tasks; and deliver a quality
work product by a designated deadline.
Attention to Detail: Ability to recognize errors or layout features that detract from a work product's physical
attractiveness or accuracy.
Public Contact: Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with superiors,
colleagues, and other individuals within and external to the school system. Ability to demonstrate professionalism
while interacting with others and to maintain constructive working relationships.
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required
of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources will
always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
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Deputy Superintendent, Student Support & Intervention
Attendance and Dependability: Ability to be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and to seldom
be absent from work. Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate manner and to be conscientious about work
performance.
Environmental Factors: Hazardous physical conditions (mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc.);
Atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation); Travel
Disclaimer: Information contained within this position specification only summarizes information for interested individuals. The statements herein are intended to describe the general
nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required
of a person in this position. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this position specification, the current documents obtained in the Division of Human Resources will
always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
Page 4 of 4 Reviewed/Revised: β12.7.2022