EXECUTIVE SESSION, WORK SESSION, COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION &
BUSINESS MEETING
OF THE
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
December 11, 2023
The DeKalb County Board of Education held its Executive Session, Work Session, Community
Input Session and Business Meeting on Monday, December 11, 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 12:35 pm and noted the following were in
attendance; Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Mrs. Anna Hill, Ms. Whitney
McGinniss, Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Ms. Allyson Gevertz, and Superintendent, Dr. Devon Q.
Horton.
Also in attendance were General Counsel Attorney, Ms. Melanie Slaton, Mr. Aaron Webb and
Ms. Carolyn Lloyd, Executive Director to the Board.
ADJOURN TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adjourn December 11, 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. Hill, seconded by Mrs. Turner and with a vote of (6/0), the December 11,
2023, meeting adjourned to executive session at 12:40 pm.
ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called to adjourn the December 11, 2023, executive session to convene the
work session.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the December 11, 2023, executive session
adjourned to the work session at 2:51 pm.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. notified the public of an amendment to the requested action listed on agenda
item E.6.a 2024 – 2026 School Calendars. The Board of Education will “consider” the calendars
for the next two school years. No action will be taken at this meeting.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested a motion to adopt the December 11, 2023 work session and business
meeting agenda.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted there were no objections, the December 11, 2023, the work session and
business meeting agenda was approved.
DeKalb Board of Education
December 11, 2023
Page 2 of 8
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT and COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
1. Superintendent’s Report ~ “MIRACLES” Update
Presented by: Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent
2. Committee of the Whole Presentations
a. School Improvement Annual Report
Presented by Dr. Rebecca Braaten, Director of Research & Evaluation, Division
of Continuous Improvement (Accountability)
REVIEW OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE DECEMBER 11, 2023, BUSINESS
MEETING
06.01.a.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the Board of Education approve the official meeting schedule
for February 2024 through January 2025.
06.02.a.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the following
meeting: November 13, 2023, board meeting which includes the executive session, work
session, community input session and business meeting.
06.03.a.i
Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, requested that the Board
of Education accept the October 2023 Monthly Financial Report.
06.03.b.
Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, 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 ASSESSMENT – No Agenda Items This Month
06.04.a.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the December 2023 Human Resources Report.
06.04.b.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the award recommendation for RFP 24-566 ~ Human Resource
Professional Services (Not to exceed $650,000) to IBEX IT Business Experts / H3C (Human
Capital Consultants Consortium.
DeKalb Board of Education
December 11, 2023
Page 3 of 8
06.05.
SCHOOLS & LEADERSHIP - No Agenda Items This Month
06.06.a.
Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, requested
that the Board of Education consider the calendars for the next two school years. This item
establishes the school calendars for the District during the period of July 1, 2024 through June
30, 2026.
06.07.
EQUITY & STUDENT EMPOWERMENT - No Agenda Item This Month
06.08.
OFFICE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (ACCOUNTABILITY - No Agenda Item This
Month
06.09.a.
Ms. Monika Davis, Chief of Informational & Instructional Technology, Division of
Informational & Instructional Technology, requested that the Board of Education approve
the contract renewal for RFP 22-475 Physical Security Services – Access Control, Intrusion
Detection and Video Surveillance to Convergint Technologies, LLC in an amount not to
exceed $750,000. This is year 3 of the five-year agreement.
06.09.b.
Ms. Monika Davis, Chief of Informational & Instructional Technology, Division of
Informational & Instructional Technology, requested that the Board of Education approve
the purchase of technology advisory services from Gartner, Inc., at a cost not to
exceed $108,360 utilizing Georgia State Contract GTA 9800-SS000.
06.10.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS ~ No Agenda Item This
Month
06.10.a. DONATIONS ~ No Agenda Item This Month
06.11.a.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education authorize the Superintendent to execute the Hudl dba Agile Sports
Technologies ICA that exceeds $50,000.00 with a total contract value not-to-exceed $114,000.
06.11.b.
DeKalb Board of Education
December 11, 2023
Page 4 of 8
FACILITIES ~ No Agenda Items This Month
06.11.c.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the contract 24-556 for district wide moving services to Atlanta
Cargo Transportation Co., Atlanta Peachtree Movers, Beltmann Relocation Group, AVS Lines
Services Inc., The Armstrong Group, for a term through December 11, 2027, not to exceed
amount of $450,000.
06.11.d.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the purchase and installation of eight (8) surface mounted drive-on
vehicle lifts, from Stertil-Koni Inc., utilizing the Sourcewell Contract No. RFP 013020 for an
amount not to exceed $2,500,000.
06.11.e.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education ratify and approve the renewal of RFP 20-20, purchase of Sanitation
Services and Materials to Sanitech Systems, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $230,000 for SY
23-24. This request extends the agreement for Sanitech Systems, Inc. an additional year from
November 5, 2023 through November 4, 2024.
06.11.f.i.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve a budget reallocation in the amount of $234,918.24 and approve
the Lefko Construction Change Order No. 7 for Security Vestibule in the amount of
$234,918.24.
06.11.f.ii
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the application to the Georgia Department of Education for site
approval of the Globe Academy.
06.11.f.iii.
Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, requested that the
Board of Education approve the award of RFQu No. 24-752-006 for construction management
services for the Champion Theme School and Nancy Creek Facility Project to the Balfour
Beatty the most responsive and responsible Offeror whose proposal is the most advantageous to
the Board based on the evaluation factors set forth in the Request for Qualifications solicitation
document.
In addition, it requested that the Board of Education approve a not-to-exceed amount
of $100,000, for the Pre-Construction Phase Fee associated with this contract agreement.
Additional packages will be presented to the Board of Education for approval as indicated
below:
DeKalb Board of Education
December 11, 2023
Page 5 of 8
Site package will be presented in Winter 2023-2024
Final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) will be presented in Summer 2024.
Additional sub packages may be presented to the Board of Education for approval as needed.
06.12.a.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Loukisha Walker as the new
Executive Director of Student Mentorship in the Division of Equity and Inclusion from
executive session.
06.12.b.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. CharSenda Covington as the new
Director of Student Options in the Division of Equity and Inclusion from executive session.
06.12.c.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Ms. Lauren Scott as the Deputy
Chief of Finance in the Division of Finance from executive session.
06.12.d.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Sean Tartt as the Deputy Chief
Academic Officer for the Division of Curriculum and Instruction from executive session.
06.12.e.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Mr. Kevin Phillips, Jr. for EIP
Teacher, nephew of the Director of the Early Learning Center. In accordance with Board of
Education Policy GAGD, Section G: Mandatory Disclosure by the Superintendent. In the
Superintendent’s monthly report to the Board, the Superintendent shall disclose the names of
relatives of the current members of the Board of Education, of the current Superintendent, and
of other current employees at the Director level or above, provided such relatives are to be
recommended for employment in the District by the Superintendent or are being considered by
the Superintendent for a promotion or a salary increase other than a State of Georgia raise, step
increase, or across-the-board raise.
06.12.f.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation Ms. Shamika Gaines for the Face
Advocate position, half-sister of the Director of Human Resources. In accordance with Board
DeKalb Board of Education
December 11, 2023
Page 6 of 8
of Education Policy GAGD, Section G: Mandatory Disclosure by the Superintendent. In the
Superintendent’s monthly report to the Board, the Superintendent shall disclose the names of
relatives of the current members of the Board of Education, of the current Superintendent, and
of other current employees at the Director level or above, provided such relatives are to be
recommended for employment in the District by the Superintendent or are being considered by
the Superintendent for a promotion or a salary increase other than a State of Georgia raise, step
increase, or across-the-board raise.
06.12.g.
Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human Resources, requested that the
Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Mr. Tony Weaver for the Technician
I Logistics position, husband of the Area Superintendent for Horizon Schools. In accordance
with Board of Education Policy GAGD, Section G: Mandatory Disclosure by the
Superintendent. In the Superintendent’s monthly report to the Board, the Superintendent shall
disclose the names of relatives of the current members of the Board of Education, of the current
Superintendent, and of other current employees at the Director level or above, provided such
relatives are to be recommended for employment in the District by the Superintendent or are
being considered by the Superintendent for a promotion or a salary increase other than a State of
Georgia raise, step increase, or across-the-board raise from executive session.
06.13.
OFFICE OF AUDITS & COMPLIANCE – No Agenda Item This Month
F. AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS AND POLICIES ~ No Agenda Items This Month
**********************************
The community input session began at 5:47 pm.
COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION AND BUSINESS MEETING
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. convened the Community Input Session and Mrs. Pierce read the Guidelines
for Public Comments.
The following individuals addressed the Board:
1. Corey Frazier
2. Dr. Carolyn King-Stephens
3. Maude King
4. Nancy Kelly
5. Jessica McGruder
6. Ted Golden
7. Carla Weston-Brown
8. Avery Armour-Epps
9. Rachel May
DeKalb Board of Education
December 11, 2023
Page 7 of 8
10. Tess Cobb
11. Dr. Lakeia Shelton
Mr. DaCosta Sr. recognized visitor Rockdale County Board of Education member, Ms. Janie
Jones.
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested to amend the agenda to include an emergency amendment that was
discussed in executive session. He informed the public that the board will vote on the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the Trust for Public Land.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, second by Ms. Gevertz, and a vote of 6/0, The Memorandum of
Understanding concerning the Trust for Public Land would be voted on.
CONVENE THE BUSINESS MEETING
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested a motion to convene the December 11, 2023, business meeting.
With a motion from Mrs. Pierce, second by Mrs. Turner, and a vote of 6/0, the business meeting
convened.
STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE – Student Representative Miss Madison Roberts,
Miller Grove High School, 12th Grade did not attend the meeting.
At 6:15 pm the meeting was paused due to a medical emergency. In the absence of the Board
Chair, Mr. DaCosta, Sr, Vice-Chair, Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce facilitated the rest of the meeting.
RECOGNITION(S)
Board member, Mrs. Anna Hill presented the recognition for Veteran Substitute Recognition
Day.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mrs. Pierce called for a motion to approve the December 11, 2023, consent agenda items.
On a motion by Ms. McGinniss , second by Mrs. Hill and with a vote of (5/0) the motion passed
to approve the consent agenda.
ACTION ITEM(S)
J.1. APPROVAL OF AN ITEM(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Mrs. Pierce called for a motion to accept the actions, as discussed, in Executive Session
for item: Student Appeal #24-18.
On a motion by Ms. Gevertz, second by Mrs. Turner, and with a vote of 5-0.
The motion passed.
DeKalb Board of Education
December 11, 2023
Page 8 of 8
b. Mrs. Pierce called for a motion to accept the actions, as discussed, in Executive Session
for item: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Trust for Public Land.
On a motion by Mrs. Hill, second by Ms. Gevertz, and with a vote of 5-0.
The motion passed.
J.2. APPROVAL OF AN AGENDA ITEM(S) PULLED FROM THE CONSENT
AGENDA – No items were pulled from the consent agenda.
ADJOURN
Mrs. Pierce called for a motion to adjourn the December 11, 2023, work session and business
meeting.
With no objections, and a vote of 5/0 the work session and business meeting adjourned at 6:45
pm.
_______________________ ____________________________
Secretary Ex-Officio Chair