April 18-April 19, 2024 2-day board retreat & executive session

                  2-DAY BOARD RETREAT AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
                                   OF THE
                      DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                   April 18 – April 19, 2024

The DeKalb County Board of Education held its 2-Day Board Retreat and Executive Session, April
18 – April 19, 2024, at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center located at 800 Spring Street
NW, Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Chair, convened the meeting at 9:41 a.m. and noted the following were
in attendance; Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Mrs. Anna Hill, Ms. Whitney McGinniss, Mrs. Vickie B.
Turner, Ms. Allyson Gevertz, and Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent. Dr. Joyce Morley
joined the meeting virtually.

Also in attendance were General Counsel Attorney, Ms. Melanie Slaton and Ms. Carolyn Lloyd,
Executive Director of Board Operations.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adopt the April 18 – April
19, 2024, 2-Day Board Retreat and executive session.

On a motion by Mrs. Pierce, second by Ms. Gevertz, and a vote of 6/0, the agenda was approved.

BOARD RETREAT – APRIL 18, 2024 (DAY 1 – 9:41 AM)

       1. WELCOME & RETREAT OBJECTIVES
          By: Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Chair.

       2. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION – Day 1

          a. Student Assignment Update
             Presented by: Ms. Sarita Smith, Executive Director of Student Assignment,
             Division of Equity & Student Empowerment

          b. ESPLOST Update
             Presented by: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations

          c. Budget Presentation
             Presented by: Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance

          d. Human Resources (HR) Update
             Presented by: Dr. Tekshia Ward-Smith, Administrator, Division of Human
             Resources

          e. Foundation Update
DeKalb Board of Education
April 18 – April 19, 2024
Page 2 of 3

               Presented by: Mr. Thurman Green, Oversight Executive, Division of Community
               Engagement, & Innovative Partnerships
               Dr. Yolanda Williamson, Chief Community Engagement & Innovative
               Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships

           f. New BOE Member Pre-Orientation
              Presented by: Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Board Chair

RECESS BOARD RETREAT – DAY 1
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education recess Day 1, April 18,
2024, of the 2-day board retreat and executive session. On a motion by Mrs. Turner, second by
Mrs. Hill, and a vote of 6/0. Day 1 of the board retreat recessed at 4:45 PM.

RECONVENE BOARD RETREAT – APRIL 19, 2024 (DAY 2 – 8:30 AM)
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called the DeKalb County Board of Education to reconvene the 2-day board
retreat and executive session to order. On a motion by Mrs. Turner, second by Mrs. Pierce, and a
vote of 6/0 the board retreat reconvened at 8:57 am.

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION ~ (Day 2 ~ Part 1)

a. Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) Presentation & Training
   Presented by Ms. Julie Bernath, Board Development Specialist, Georgia School Board
   Association

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr., called for a motion to adjourn April 19, 2024, 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. Turner, second by Mrs. Hill, and with a vote of (6/0), the April 19, 2024,
board retreat adjourned to Executive Session.

ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr., called for a motion to adjourn the April 19, 2024, Day 2 executive session

On a motion by Mrs. Turner, second by Mrs. Pierce and with a vote of (6/0), the April 19, 2024,
board retreat adjourned the Executive Session.

ACTION ITEM(S)
Mr. DaCosta requested that the DeKalb Board of Education vote to extend the Superintendent’s
contract.
On a motion by Mrs. Pierce, second by Mr. DaCosta, Sr., and a vote of 6/0, Dr. Horton’s contract
was extended.
DeKalb Board of Education
April 18 – April 19, 2024
Page 3 of 3



                  TOPICS OF DISCUSSION – Day 2 ~ Part 2

           a. Professional Development Activities
              Presented by: Dr. Rita D. Williams, Visionary & CEO, F1NE TUNE

ADJOURN
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adjourn the 2 day, April
18 – 19, 2024 Board Retreat & Executive Session

On a motion by Mrs. Hill, second by Ms. McGinniss, Mr. DaCosta, Sr. noted that the 2-day
board retreat adjourned at 3:15 p.m.


_______________________                    ____________________________
Secretary Ex-Officio                       Chair