2-DAY BOARD RETREAT AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
OF THE
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
August 23 – August 24, 2023
The DeKalb County Board of Education held its 2-Day Board Retreat and Executive Session,
August 23 – August 24, 2023, at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort located at 4021 Lakeview
Drive, Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Chair, convened the meeting at 9:44 a.m. and noted the following were
in attendance; Mrs. Anna Hill, Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Mrs. Whitney
McGinniss and Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent. Mrs. Vickie Turner attended virtually.
Also in attendance were General Counsel Attorney, Ms. Melanie Slaton and Dr. Yolanda
Williamson, Chief of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adopt the August 23 –
August 24, 2023, 2-Day Board Retreat and executive session.
There being no objection, the agenda was approved.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr., called for a motion to adjourn August 23, 2023, Day 1 of the board retreat to
an executive session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters regarding litigation, land,
legal, personnel, and student appeals.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Ms. McGinniss, and with a vote of (6/0), the August 23,
2023, board retreat adjourned to Executive Session.
BOARD RETREAT – AUGUST 23, 2023 (DAY 1 – 9:44 AM)
1. WELCOME & RETREAT OBJECTIVES
By: Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Chair, & Ms. Clara Axam, Facilitator, Clarification
& Mediation, Inc.
2. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION – Day 1
a. Progress Update from Cognia
Presented by: Dr. Sherry Everett, Director, Strategic Planning, Division of
Continuous Improvement
b. Presentation of Audit Findings (2022-2023)
Presented by: Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance
c. Update on Corrective Action Plan (SB68 Requirements and Risk Assessment)
DeKalb Board of Education
August 23 – August 24, 2023
Page 2 of 5
Presented by: Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance
d. Lunch and Team Networking
e. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Progress Review
Presented by: Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance
Ms. Monica Davis, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and
Instructional Technology
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources
f. Revisiting the Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) and Update on Land Usage
Presented by: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Financial Officer, Division of
Operations
g. Foundation and Policy Updates
Presented by: Ms. Melanie Slaton, General Counsel, Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
Attorneys at Law
RECESS BOARD RETREAT – DAY 1
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education recess Day 1, August 23,
2023, of the 2-day board retreat and executive session. There being no objections, Day 1 of the
board retreat recessed at 4:00 PM.
RECONVENE BOARD RETREAT – AUGUST 24, 2023 (DAY 2 – 9:45 AM)
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called the DeKalb County Board of Education 2-day board retreat and executive
session to order.
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr., called for a motion to adjourn August 24, 2023, Day 2 of the board retreat to
an executive session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters regarding litigation, land,
legal, personnel, and student appeals.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. McGinniss, and with a vote of (6/0), the August 24,
2023, board retreat adjourned to Executive Session.
ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr., called for a motion to adjourn the August 24, 2023, Day 2 executive session
On a motion by Ms. Gevertz, seconded by Ms. McGinniss and with a vote of (6/0), the August 24,
2023, board retreat adjourned the Executive Session.
OPERATIONS
DeKalb Board of Education
August 23 – August 24, 2023
Page 3 of 5
a. Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations,
requested that the Board of Education approve four (4) E-SPLOST V budget
reallocations in the amount of $7,002,926(Chesnut ES-$2,050,000, Druid Hills
MS-$340,661, Laurel Ridge ES-$2,762,265, Woodridge ES-$1,850,000) from
Program Contingency which will allow the proper funds to be allocated to the
necessary project cost code for the construction of the major building system
replacements at Chesnut Elementary School, Druid Hills Middle School, Laurel
Ridge Elementary School, and Woodridge Elementary School.
It is requested that the Board of Education approve the award of RFP No. 23-752-
018 to Evergreen Construction, the most responsive and responsible offeror
whose proposal is the most advantageous to the Board based on the evaluation
factors, for general contractor services for Chesnut Elementary School, Druid Hills
Middle School, Laurel Ridge Elementary School, and Woodridge Elementary
School for the lump sum amount of $26,600,000.
b. Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations,
requested that the Board of Education approve an E-SPLOST V budget
reallocation in the amount of $5,338,350 from Program Contingency which will
allow the proper funds to be allocated to the necessary project cost code for the
construction of the major building system replacement at Hawthorne Elementary
School
It is requested that the Board of Education approve the award of RFP No. 23-752-
019 to Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc., the most responsive and
responsible offeror whose proposal is the most advantageous to the Board based
on the evaluation factors, for general contractor services for Hawthorne
Elementary School for the lump sum amount of $9,389,100.
c. Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations,
requested that the Board of Education approve the recommended budget
adjustments to projects in the District’s E-SPLOST V program found in the
document “E-SPLOST V Adjustments August 2023.pdf."
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta requested that the DeKalb Board of Education approve all three of the ESPLOST
Projects that were discussed.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Turner, the items were approved.
d. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
DeKalb Board of Education
August 23 – August 24, 2023
Page 4 of 5
a. Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent requested that the Board of Education
approve the hiring recommendations of 6 Executive Administrators as listed in
Simbli.
Mr. DaCosta requested a motion to approve the personnel recommendations #1-6,
as discussed in executive session.
On a motion by Mrs. Pierce, seconded by Ms. Gevertz, and with a vote of 6/0, the
personnel recommendations to hire the 6 Executive Administrators were
approved. .
1. The hiring of Dr. Beth Kyle to the position of Executive Administrator
was approved.
2. The hiring of Mrs. Syrenthia Bines-Truitt to the position of Executive
Administrator was approved.
3. The hiring of Dr. Kia Billingsley to the position of Executive
Administrator was approved.
4. The hiring of Mrs. Bridgette Allen to the position of Executive
Administrator was approved.
5. The hiring of Dr. Lisa McGhee to the position of Executive Administrator
was approved.
6. The hiring of Ms. Terri Brown to the position of Executive Administrator
was approved.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION – Day 2
a. Enhancing Communication between Superintendent and Board
Presented by: Julie Bernath, Board Development Specialist, Georgia School
Board Association (GSBA)
b. Superintendent 90-Day Plan
Presented by: Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent
c. Superintendent Evaluation: Proposed Goals and Artifacts
Presented by: Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent
Ms. Clara Axam, Facilitator, Clarification & Mediation, Inc.
d. Presentation: Programs Supporting Scholars
DeKalb Board of Education
August 23 – August 24, 2023
Page 5 of 5
My Brother's Keeper (MBK), My Sister's Keeper (MSK)
Presented by: Dr. Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent of Student
Support and Intervention, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment
Before/After School Tutorial
Presented by: Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent
Early Learning Center Update/Discussion
Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of
Curriculum & Instruction
ADJOURN
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adjourn the August 24,
2023, executive session, and August 23- August 24, 2023 board retreat and executive session.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the 2-day board retreat adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
_______________________ ____________________________
Secretary Ex-Officio Chair