Agenda Item
d. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Summary: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Sean Tartt as our new Deputy Chief Academic Officer for the Division of Curriculum and Instruction.
Details: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200
Contact: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources , 678.676.1200
Effective: Upon Board approval
DeKalb County School District
Position Specification
Title: Deputy Chief Academic Officer
DIVISION: Curriculum & Instruction GRADE: ASP
DEPARTMENT: Curriculum & Instruction WORKDAYS: 246
REPORTS TO: Chief Officer FLSA STATUS: Exempt
RETIREMENT: Teachers Retirement System APPROVED (HR): November 2023
General Statement of Job
Reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer to ensure the daily, effective and efficient delivery of
instructional programs for all aspects of the DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) Curriculum and
Instruction Division. Assists the Chief Academic Officer in ensuring compliance with established Board
goals, the school district’s strategic plan, and all legal and procedural requirements attendant to the
effective operation of the school district. Assist the CAO in creating partnerships between District
offices and schools to ensure closer alignment of District resources with school needs, to implement
an instructional plan for the district that ensures effective teaching in every classroom, and to create
conditions that ensure systemic improvement of practice over time in every classroom.
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. Tasks and responsibilities will be in concurrence with implementing the Strategic
Plan and Aligned Management System. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Collaborates with the Chief Academic Officer, develops districtwide instructional priorities
that improve student growth and proficiency on state local, state, and federal assessments
and reduce academic performance gaps between the identified student groups.
• Analyzes the needs, interests and strengths of students to strategically identify programs,
services, and resources to enhance their learning experiences.
• Advocates, facilitates and monitors the alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment,
and improvement in the accomplishment of district goals and School Improvement Plans.
• Provides leadership and direction for the development and implementation of strategic
plans within the division, aligned with and supportive of the District Strategic Plan.
• Interprets impact of legislation, state board rule and policy as it relates to curriculum,
instruction, assessment and reporting student progress.
• Develops requirements for promotion and graduation of students consistent with state
requirements.
Page 1 of 4 Reviewed/Revised: 07-22-2015
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 Capital Management will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves
the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
Deputy Chief Academic Officer
• Monitors and communicates trend, benchmark and comparison data in the areas of
curriculum, instruction, assessment, and improvement activities to assist school personnel
in analyzing data for continuous improvement of student achievement.
• Vested with the authority of the Chief Academic Officer to resolve issues related to the day-
to-day operations of the division including Elementary; Secondary; and Career, Technical
and Adult Education departments.
• Collaborates in the development of the division’s annual budget, recommends school
staffing models and the progress report schedule and provides input to school calendar.
• Participates in cross divisional work to include: FTE projections, student assignment and
represents division in planning capital outlay projects.
• Develops and monitors program processes and services based on data and the needs of
students, teachers, administrators, families, businesses and community.
• Provides direction for the improvement of student achievement in grades PreK-12-Adult
systemwide.
• Develops, organizes and implements models of technical assistance for schools with low
student achievement and organizes and implements models’ programs & practices, for
schools with average to high student achievement including acceleration mechanisms.
• Supports an achievement team of Executive Directors, their directors and staff members to
provide direct assistance to schools served by that team with the delivery of technical
assistance to schools.
• Works collaboratively with Area Superintendents, school system departments, community
agencies, local universities, research laboratories, etc. •
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education and/or Experience:
Master’s degree from a Professional Standards Commission approved accredited college or
university in curriculum and instruction required.
Minimum seven (7) years of experience as an administrator in a school district setting with
demonstrated successful advancement through the instructional administrative hierarchy required.
Certificates, Licenses, Permits:
Valid Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved certificate in educational leadership at
level L-5, NL-5, PL-5, or above required. If a level L-5, NL-5, PL-5, or above certificate is not held, the
individual must be eligible for the NPL certificate in educational leadership.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of organizational and department planning and operational procedures; the organization
of specific assigned area; budgeting and spending, labor issues and efficiencies; all relevant federal,
state, and local laws and regulations attendant to public education; DCSD policies and procedures;
manpower and facilities requirement forecasting; all relevant available public and private resources
and services; curriculum guidelines for the school district and state requirements; child development;
and instruction, assessment and professional learning legal requirements and “best practices”
Page 2 of 4 Reviewed/Revised: 07-22-2015
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 Capital Management will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves
the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
Deputy Chief Academic Officer
Skill in oral, written, and interpersonal communication; coordinating and collaborating with federal,
state, regional, and local organizations and departments to establish and execute responsibilities;
administration and management skills gained through increasingly responsible management
positions; recruiting, training and motivating employees; leading school improvement initiatives;
leading change process in a large, complex and diverse organization; analytical processing; systems
thinking; negotiation, diplomacy and public relations
Ability to direct and administer the programs and services of a non-profit educational and/or service
organization; establish objectives and procedures governing the performance of assigned activities
among employees; develop and understand financial and/or operating reports; maintain confidential
information; plan and develop course of study suitable for specific grade levels; use relevant
computer applications; prioritize assignments; delegate; and manage multiple assignments
simultaneously
ADA 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 other sedentary criteria are met.
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 by means of 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 to make fine
discrimination in sounds, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts with or without
correction.
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 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 persons 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.
Organizational Skills: Ability to establish priorities; simultaneously manage multiple tasks; and
deliver a quality work product by a designated deadline.
Page 3 of 4 Reviewed/Revised: 07-22-2015
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 Capital Management will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves
the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.
Deputy Chief Academic Officer
Decision Making: Ability to make appropriate business decisions.
Attention to Detail: Ability to recognize errors or layout features that detract from the physical
attractiveness or accuracy of a work product.
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 district. Ability to
demonstrate professionalism while interacting with others and to maintain constructive working
relationships.
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.
Travel: Ability to travel throughout the school district and across the country and abroad on behalf of
the school district.
Page 4 of 4 Reviewed/Revised: 07-22-2015
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 Capital Management will always govern. The DeKalb County School District reserves
the right to modify, alter or discontinue these reference materials for any reason.