May 29, 2024 board retreat and executive session

                        BOARD RETREAT & EXECUTIVE SESSION
                                     OF THE
                        DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                          May 29, 2024

The DeKalb County Board of Education held its Board Retreat & Executive Session, May 29,
2024, at the Emory Conference Center Hotel at 1615 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30329.

Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Chair, convened the meeting at 9:10 a.m. and noted the following were
also in attendance; Mrs. Vickie B. Turner, Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Ms.
Whitney McGinniss, and Superintendent, Dr. Devon Q. Horton. Dr. Joyce Morley joined the
retreat virtually.

Also in attendance were General Counsel Attorney, Ms. Melanie Slaton and Executive
Administrator to the Board, Ms. Carolyn Lloyd.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adopt the May 29, 2024,
Board Retreat & Executive Session agenda.

There being no objections, the agenda was approved.

BOARD RETREAT & EXECUTIVE SESSION – MAY 29, 2024

       1. Welcome & Overview
          By: Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Chair

ADJOURN TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. DaCosta, Sr. called for a motion to adjourn May 29, 2024, 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. Pierce, seconded by Mrs. Turner, and with a vote of (5/0), the May 29,
2024, meeting adjourned to executive session.

ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Pierce called to adjourn the May 29, 2024, executive session to adjourn the executive session
and convene the board retreat.

On a motion by Ms. Gevertz, second by Mrs. Turner, the May 29, 2024, and with a vote of 4/0,
executive session adjourned to convene the board retreat.

STRATEGIC WAIVER SCHOOL SYSTEM (SWSS) CONTRACT RENEWAL
Ms. Shakina Champion requested that the Board of Education approve the Strategic Waiver
School System (SWSS) contract for submission to the Georgia Department of Education.
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May 29, 2024
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ADOPTION OF THE DEKALB SCHOOLS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.
AMENDED NAME CHANGE
Ms. Melanie Slaton requested that the Board of Education adopt the amended name for The
DeKalb Schools Educational Foundation, Inc.

CONSENT AGENDA
Mrs. Pierce called for a motion to approve the May 29, 2024, consent agenda items.

On a motion by Ms. Gevertz, second by Ms. McGinniss and with a vote of (4/0) the motion
passed to approve the consent agenda.

APPROVAL OF ITEMS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

a. Agenda Item: Worker’s Compensation Settlement as discussed in Executive Session

             Motion by Mrs. Turner. Second by Ms. McGinniss
             All in favor – 4 Motion passed 4/0.

b. Agenda Item: $25,000 Bond for Superintendent as discussed in Executive Session

             Motion by Mrs. Turner. Second by Ms. Gevertz
             All in favor – 4 Motion passed 4/0.

DISCUSSION TOPICS
   1. Ms. Aurora Lora, Facilitator, Insight Education Group led the Strategic Planning Board
      Work Session.

   2. Dr. Horton, Superintendent, introduced the Chiefs of the Divisions to provide updates.


       a. Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Erick Hofstetter provided a 10-minute update on the
          Division of Operations.

       b. Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Byron Schueneman provided a 10-minute update on the
          Division of Finance.

       c. Chief of Schools & Leadership, Champion Michelle Dillard provided a 10-minute
          update on the Division of Schools & Leadership.

       d. Chief Information Officer, Ms. Monika Davis provided a 10-minute update on the
          Division of Information & Instructional Technology.
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May 29, 2024
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       e. Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Dr. Yolanda Williamson
          provided a 10-minute update on the Division of Community Engagement & Innovative
          Partnerships.


       f. Chief Academic Officer, Ms. Stacy Stepney provided a 10-minute update on the
          Division of Curriculum & Instruction.


       g. Director of Employment Services, Dr. Angelica Collins and Ms. Karen Beadles
          provided a 10-minute update on the Division of Human Resources.


       h. Chief of Wrap Around Services, Dr. Kisha Towns provided a 10-minute update on the
          Division of Wrap Around Services.


       i. Chief of Accountability & Continuous Improvement, Dr. Markisha Mitchell provided
          a 10-minute update on the Division of Accountability & Continuous Improvement.


       j. Chief of Student Services, Dr. Norman Sauce provided a 10-minute update on the
          Division of Student Services.


       k. Chief of Staff, Mr. Elijah Palmer provided a 10-minute update on the Chief of Staff
          Division.

ADJOURN
Mrs. Pierce requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adjourn the May 29, 2024,
Board Retreat & Executive Session.

Mrs. Pierce noted there were no objections, the Board Retreat adjourned at 5:47 p.m.


_______________________                     ____________________________
Secretary Ex-Officio                        Chair