EXECUTIVE SESSION, WORK SESSION, COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION &
BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
April 17, 2023
The DeKalb County Board of Education held its Executive Session, Work Session, Community
Input Session and Business Meeting on Monday, April 17, 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 12:30 pm and noted the following were in
attendance; Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Mrs. Anna Hill, Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Ms. Allyson
Gevertz, Mrs. Whitney McGinniss and Dr. Joyce Morley. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim
Superintendent.
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 April 17, 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. Pierce, seconded by Mrs. Gevertz and with a vote of (6\0), the April 17,
2023, meeting adjourned to executive session at 12:40 pm.
ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
There being no further business, Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adjourn the April 17,
2023, executive session and convene to the work session and business meeting.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the April 17, 2023, executive session
adjourned at 3:15 pm.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adopt the April 17, 2023, work session and business
meeting agenda.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the April 17, 2023, consent agenda was
approved.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT and COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
1. Superintendent’s Report: Policy Update Process: Presented by: Stacy Stepney,
Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum and Instruction
2. Legislative Update: Presented by: Dan Baskerville, Senior Policy Director, Dentons
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 2 of 10
REVIEW OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE APRIL 17, 2023, BUSINESS MEETING
06.01.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Chair, requested that the Board of Education approve the
official meeting agenda for the April 17, 2023, board meeting, which includes the executive
session, work session, community input session and business meeting, the March 13, 2023,
board meeting, executive session, work session, community input session and business meeting
March 15, 2023. called meeting and executive session, and March 27, 2023, called meeting and
executive session.
There being no objection, the agenda was placed on the consent agenda. Motion passes, 6-0.
1. BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Chair presented a Cognia Update.
06.02.a.
Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent, requested that the Board of Education approve
the minutes of the following meetings: March 13, 2023, board meeting which includes the
executive session, work session, community input session and business meeting, March 15,
2023, called meeting and executive session, March 27, 2023, called meeting and executive
session.
06.03.a.
Mr. Lance McConkey, Comptroller, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of Education
accept the February 2023 Monthly Financial Reports.
06.03b.
Mr. Lance McConkey, Comptroller, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of Education
approve the resolutions necessary to update administrative signatures for the district’s banking
institutions.
06.03.c. Risk Management – No Agenda Item This Month
06.04.a.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the March 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 National Summer School Initiative (NSSI) agreement
to provide professional development, curriculum, coaching support, and leadership training that
will support grades 3-8 students, teachers and leaders for Scholars Academy not to exceed
$828,000.00.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 3 of 10
06.05.b.
Mrs. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, requested
that the Board of Education approve the adoption of the following instructional resources and
supplemental materials, including digital and print resources from the identified vendors to
support K-12 Music.
06.05.c.
Mrs. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, requested
that the Board of Education approve the purchase of a district-wide license for Edmentum’s
Apex learning courses and tutorials from Edmentum at a cost not to exceed $557,270.26.
06.06.a.
Mrs. Manomay Malathip Kidd, Executive Director, Student Advancement, Division of Equity
and Student Empowerment requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the award
and purchase of a Volunteer Management System to K-12 Solutions Group LLC., the most
responsive and responsible firm whose proposal best meets the requirements and criteria set
forth in RFP 23-520 documents in the amount not to exceed $70,368.75.
06.07.
OFFICE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (ACCOUNTABILITY) – No Agenda Items
This Month
06.08.a.i.
OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY – No Agenda Items
This Month
06.09.a.
Ms. Kina M. Champion, Director of School Innovation, Division of Community Empowerment,
Innovation and Partnerships requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve the
amendment of International Community School’s (ICS) charter school contract to increase the
maximum enrollment of ICS from 450 to 475 effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
06.10.a.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the award of RFP 23-544 Ambulance Services Metro Ambulance
Services, Inc. dba American Medical Response, not to exceed $1,250,000.00 ($250,000
annually).
06.10.b.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT – No Agenda Items This Month
06.10.c.i.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 4 of 10
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the continued use of the contract agreement with Caduceus USA
Medical Services, LLC for an additional year through June 30, 2024, for a not to exceed amount
of $200,000 for occupational medical services. This recommendation is for the third of four (4)
one-year contract renewal options.
06.10.d.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the contract extension of ITB No. 22-541 for Liquid Propane Gas
Delivery Service for the 1st of 4 - one (1)-year extensions to Ferrellgas as the primary supplier
and AmeriGas Propane LP as the secondary, in the amount not to exceed $2,000,000 per year.
06.10.e.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the extension of Bid 20-17, Fresh Produce & Eggs to Royal Food
Service, in the amount not to exceed $3,141,800.00 for SY 23-24.
06.10.e. ii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the extension of Bid 20-19, School Nutrition Paper Products to
Southeastern Paper Group, in the amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 for SY 23-24. This
request extends the agreement for Southeastern Paper Group an additional year July 1, 2023,
through June 30, 2024.
06.10.e.iii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the extension of Bid 20-23, Bread to Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc. in
the amount not to exceed $891,770.00 for SY 23-24.
06.10.e. iv.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the extension of Bid 20-25 Cold Storage Services to Boulevard
Cold Storage, in the amount not to exceed $300,000.00 for SY 23-24. This extends the
agreement for Boulevard Cold Storage an additional year, July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
06.10.e.v.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the extension of Bid 20-26, Purchase of Small Wares Equipment
Manning Brothers Food Equipment in the amount not to exceed $187,159.00 for SY 23-24.
This request extends the agreement for Manning Brothers Food Equipment an additional year
July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
06.10.e.vi.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 5 of 10
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the extension of Bid 20-28, Milk & Milk Products to Borden Dairy
Company of Kentucky LLC in the amount not to exceed $4,303,806.00 for SY23-24. This
extends the agreement for Borden Dairy Company of Kentucky, LLC an additional year, July 1,
2023, through June 30, 2024.
06.10.e.vii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the extension of Bid 22-15, Frozen Temperature Control & Dry
Food Products to Gordon Food Service, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $13,397,500.00 for SY
23-24. This extends the agreement for Gordon Food Service, Inc. an additional year, July 1,
2023, through June 30, 2024.
06.10.e. viii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the agreement between DeKalb County School District (School
Nutrition Services) and DeKalb County Government to serve as the vendor for the 2023
summer feeding program. School Nutrition Services partners with community programs to
ensure every student receives meals needed during the summer months.
06.10.f.
E-SPLOST Projects – No Agenda Items This Month
06.11.a.
Mrs. Melanie Pearch, Regional Superintendent, Region I requested that the Board of Education
accept the donation of $40,000 for Dunwoody Elementary School from the Dunwoody
Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. The donation will be used toward the purchase of five
sunshades, including installation, in the outdoor playground area. This will promote a safe and
healthy environment for students.
06.12.a.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources 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.
06.12.b.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources requested that the Board
of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Mr. Bernando C. Brown to the position of
Director of Student Transportation.
06.12.c.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 6 of 10
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources requested that the Board
of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Ms. Janetta L. Greenwood to the position
of Director of Fernbank Science Center.
06.13.a.
Office of Audits and Compliance - No Agenda Items This Month
AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS AND POLICIES
1. Mr. Lance McConkey, Comptroller, Division of Finance, requested that the Board of
Education lay the new Board Regulation DIB-R Lease Accounting on the table as a
FIRST READ for public comment and Board feedback until the May 8, 2023, Board
Meeting where the new regulation will receive final approval.
2. Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Committee Chair, requested that the Board of Education adopt
amended Board Policy BBC, Part B.1. (Membership)
**********************************
The meeting resumed at 5:45 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. Chloe Wright
2. Dr. Roberta Barber
3. Daniel Sobczak
4. Pastor Lee May
5. Bishop Frances Mills – No Show
6. Eleshia Cash
7. Miriam Martin
8. Deborah Jones
9. Nikole Howard
10. Lance Hammonds
Signed up to speak @ 5:30 pm
11. Willie Pringle
12. Phillip Parker
CONVENE THE BUSINESS MEETING
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to convene the April 17, 2023, business meeting.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 7 of 10
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the business meeting convened.
STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE –
Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley, Interim Superintendent was not able to introduce Student Board
Representative, Mr. Makhi Harrison, Lithonia High School, 12 th Grade because he did not
attend the meeting.
RECOGNITION(S)
Mrs. Whitney McGinniss, Board Member, District 2, presented a proclamation officially
recognizing the month of April as School Library Month in the DeKalb County School District
and recognize the contribution of school libraries, their teacher-librarians/school librarians, and
library support personnel to the teaching and learning process.
Mrs. McGinniss recognized the DCSD 2023 Library Media Specialist of the Year, Ms. Sarah
Sansbury, teacher-librarian at Montclair Elementary School and recognize Lakeside HS as the
first-place winner of the high school level of the 2023 Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl
Metro Regional competition and first-place winner of the 2023 Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading
Bowl State competition and first-place winner of the 2023 Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl
State competition.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to approve the April 17, 2023, consent agenda items.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Turner 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. 23-22.
On a motion by Mrs. Pierce, seconded by Mrs. McGinniss, and with a vote of (6\0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as discussed, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-23.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Turner, and with a vote of (6\0),
The motion passed.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 8 of 10
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as discussed, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-24.
On a motion by Mrs. Turner, seconded by Mrs. Gevertz, and with a vote of (6\0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-25.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Pierce, and with a vote of (5/1 – Ms. Gevertz
opposed.)
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for. Student Appeal No. 23-26.
On a motion by Mrs. McGinniss, seconded by Mrs. Turner, and with a vote of (7/0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-27.
On a motion by Mrs. Pierce, seconded by Mrs. Hill, and with a vote of (7\0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-28.
On a motion by Mrs. Gevertz, seconded by Mrs. McGinniss and with a vote of (7/0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-29.
On a motion by Mrs. Turner, seconded by Mrs. Pierce, and with a vote of (7/0),
The motion passed.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 9 of 10
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-30.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Pierce, and with a vote of (5/2 – Ms. Gevertz
& Ms. McGinniss opposed.)
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for Student Appeal No. 23-31.
On a motion by Mrs. McGinniss, seconded by Mrs. Hill and with a vote of (7/0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for contract extension for Interim Superintendent, Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley.
On a motion by Dr. Morley, seconded by Mrs. Hill and with a vote of (7/0),
The motion passed.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to accept the actions, as presented, in Executive
Session
for personnel recommendations.
On a motion by Mrs. Pierce, seconded by Mrs. Turner and with a vote of (7/0),
The motion passed.
Dr. Tinsley introduced the new hires, Dr. Kishia K. Towns, as Deputy Superintendent of
Student Support, Mr. Bernando C. Brown, Director of Student Transportation, and Ms.
Janetta L. Greenwood, Director of Fernbank Science Center.
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 April 17, 2023, work session and business
meeting.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 17, 2023
Page 10 of 10
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the work session and business meeting
adjourned at 6:38 pm.
_______________________ ____________________________
Secretary Ex-Officio Chair