Agenda Item
1. READY FOR ACTION ~ Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Board Policy BBC: Board Committees, Part B. 2 (Community Advisors)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Melanie Slaton, General Counsel, Hall Booth and Smith PC.
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education adopt amended Board Policy BBC: Board Committees, Part B.2. (Community Advisors).
Why: Board Policy BBC, Part B.2 (Community Advisors) is presented for revision for the purpose of clarifying that Community Advisors must be voted on by a majority of the members of the Board of Education and listing their term as one year, with the eligibility to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms pending a majority vote of the Board of Education.
Details: Board Policy BBC is being presented by the Board for revision based on the goal of clarifying the vote for Community Advisors and the length of service. The proposed revisions seek to increase transparency and improve efficiency.
Financial impact: There is no financial impact to the District.
Contact: Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Vice Chair, District 3
Ms. Melanie Slaton, General Counsel, Hall Booth and Smith PC. Attorneys at Law 678.676.1200
Status: Approved by General Counsel
RED-LINE COPY BOARD POLICY BBC: Board Committees, B.2 (Community Advisors)
Board Policy BBC: Board Committees
A committee is a DeKalb County Board of Education (“Board”) committee only if its
existence and charge come from the Board, regardless of whether Board members sit on
the committee. The only Board committees are those which are established in
accordance with this Policy. Special committees may be appointed for specific tasks and
shall automatically be dissolved when the task is completed or at any time by Board
action.
A. Board Committees
The Board may authorize the creation of Board Committees (“Committees”) but only in
conformity with the provisions below.
1. Membership:
a. Committee members may include members of the Board, staff, students,
and/or other citizens residing within the DeKalb County School District
boundaries to serve as members of Committees and in accordance with
other Board policies.
b. A Committee will have no more than three (3) Board members.
c. The Board Chair will designate a Committee Chair at the time Committee
members are named.
2. Term of Service:
a. A Committee will cease to exist on the earlier of sixty (60) days from its
creation or when the Board takes action upon the need or matter the
committee was created to review.
b. The Board may dissolve any committee at any time. Upon a vote of two-
thirds of the Board, the Board may extend a Committee’s existence for up
to sixty (60) additional days.
3. Purpose and results of Committees:
A Committee shall only be formed to address a single issue or extraordinary
matter and the Board shall specifically identify such issue or matter in the
resolution creating a Committee. The Board shall not establish standing
committees for general or specific purposes.
4. Meeting Locations:
a. All Committee meetings shall occur on District property.
b. When a Committee needs to identify a meeting location, the Committee
Chair should notify the Superintendent he/she needs to arrange a meeting
location on the date and time needed by the Committee.
B. Audit Committee
1. Membership
The Vice Chair of the Board shall be the Chair of the Audit Committee, which will
include no more than two other Board of Education Members elected in January of
each year by the Board of Education. Each member of the Audit Committee shall
serve a one-year term and be eligible for re-appointment at the conclusion of that
term. A vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Education.
2. Community Advisors
The Board of Educa on shall review all applica ons and shall appoint by agreement of
elect by a majority vote, of the Board of Educa on from the community at least two
and no more than three outside non-vo ng community advisors to the Audit
Commi ee who are residents of DeKalb County. Any member of the Board of
Educa on can nominate one person to serve as a non-vo ng community advisor to
the Audit Commi ee. The Advisory members shall serve a one-year term and may
be considered for re-elec on to serve a maximum of two consecu ve terms by a
majority vote of the Board of Educa on. Members must of the Audit Commi ee shall
have opera ng management experience, a background in financial, accoun ng,
or audi ng ma ers, and/or special exper se that would provide unique support to the
Audit Commi ee.
3. Staff Support
The Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Internal Audits &
Compliance shall support the Audit Committee and attend quarterly meetings.
Other DCSD staff shall support the Audit Committee and attend meetings, as
needed.
4. Purpose
The Audit Committee shall be a standing committee of the Board. The Audit
Committee shall review financial operations of the School District and make
periodic reports to the Board of Education regarding: financial reporting processes,
audit process, internal controls, fraud, waste, and abuse inquires, and compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations. The Audit Committee shall work with the
Office of Internal Audits & Compliance and shall perform any other appropriate
function as delegated by the Board.
5. Meetings
The Audit Committee will conduct meetings at least quarterly which shall be open
to the public and advertised as required under the Open Meetings Act.