Agenda Item
e. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) on behalf of the Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) Renewal (Year 2 of 4) - (Not to exceed $564,000)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Georgia Department of Education and the DeKalb County School District on behalf of the Georgia Learning Resources System for an amount not to exceed $564,000.00.
Why: Metro East GLRS provides direct support to six area school systems: DeKalb, Buford City, Decatur City, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Rockdale Counties. In these systems, Metro East GLRS provides support for parents of students with disabilities, teachers of students with disabilities, as well as students with disabilities. Metro East GLRS also provides in-kind ancillary services for the remainder of the Metro area: Cobb County Schools, Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton County Schools, Marietta City Schools, Douglas County Schools and Forsyth County Schools. Metro East GLRS works directly with the Directors and Executive Directors of Special Education to design and implement the Statewide Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP), Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) and Corrective Action Plans (CAP). These services are in the form of planning, professional learning, seminars, coaching, and mentoring. In addition, Metro East GLRS maintains and operates the Materials Production Center (MPC) and Resource Library located in the DeKalb County Administrative and Instructional Complex (AIC).
Details: Under this Agreement, GLRS will provide consistent, regional and state-wide opportunities for professional learning that include “train-the-trainer” sessions to support equitable opportunities in each region. The GaDOE will inform the scope of work of GLRS based on the priorities for state-wide and region-level needs for professional development. Funding must be used solely for activities and deliverables that directly support the accomplishment of the organizations purposes, priorities, and expected outcomes during the contractual period.
Metro East GLRS maintains, operates and funds The Materials Production Center (MPC), located within DeKalb County. The MPC houses all equipment and machinery necessary for teachers to prepare instructional materials for the classroom. Metro East GLRS also provides, at cost, any supplies required to produce instructional materials on site. In addition, this places the GLRS Resource Library within the District. This Resource Library contains not only books and materials but adaptive equipment for instructional use by Students with Disabilities (SWD). All material and equipment may be checked out by teachers of the SWD population. Though these facilities are open to all school districts served by the Metro East GLRS, the facility’s proximity to DeKalb County schools is advantageous. During the FY23 school year, 78% of the 2,800 patrons visiting the center were DeKalb County teachers, administrators and parents. During the first three quarters of FY24 school year, the staff of Metro East GLRS has conducted 211 professional learning and technical assistance activities engaging 4,100 individuals from six metro districts. Thirty-five percent (35%) of those participants were DCSD teachers, coaches, and administrators. In addition, MEGLRS has successfully implemented the Georgia New Teacher Provider Retention Program retaining 100% of the DeKalb County Completers.
The programs are funded by the Georgia Department of Education, Divisions for Special Education Services and Supports, and are operated in collaboration with Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESA’s) or a local school district that serves as a fiscal agent. MEGLRS is funded entirely with federal discretionary funds made available by the state through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). There is an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) between the Georgia Department of Education and DeKalb County School District (DCSD) in which DCSD serves as the fiscal agent for MEGLRS.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the following topics were addressed by the existing MEGLRS New Teacher Induction Specialists and the Project Facilitators
New Teacher Induction - New Teacher Coaching Support
Social Emotional High Leverage Practices - Train the Trainer model
Check and Connect
Mindset
Behavior Support
Understanding the Autistic Child
De-escalation Strategies
Structured Literacy
Specially Designed Instruction
Based on current requests for training, in addition to all of the above topics, the following trainings will be added for the 2024-2025 school year:
Increased New Teacher Coaching Support
Understanding the Psychological Evaluation
Classroom Management
Restorative Practices
Artificial Intelligence
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Financial impact: The method of compensation in this MOA will be payments in an amount not to exceed $564,000.00 to be paid to DCSD in accordance with the approved budget. Payment is rendered upon submission of documented allowable disbursements, plus documentation of completion of specific performance objectives. There is no financial impact to the DeKalb County School District.
Contact: Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1093
Mrs. Kiana King, Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678.676.1885
Ms. Terri Jenkins, Director, Metro East GLRS, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.2413
Effective: July 8, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025 with required Board approval
Status: Reviewed and approved by General Counsel
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
RENEWAL #2
This renewal hereinafter referred to as “Renewal #2” is made and entered into by and between the State Superintendent, on
behalf of the Georgia Department of Education (hereinafter referred to as, “GaDOE”) and DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”), the parties shall collectively be referred to as the “Parties”.
WHEREAS, the GaDOE and the RESA entered into an agreement on or about July 1, 2022 (No. 41400-025-0000040830-
0006) hereinafter referred to as the “MOA”, for the purpose of providing equitable regional Learning Resources System across
RESA regions for leaders and teachers that will directly impact students with disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, due to the continued need for the services, the MOA needs to be renewed:
NOW THEREFORE, the Parties hereto mutually agree to renew and amend the MOA as follows, effective upon execution of
signatures:
1. Term of MOA
The renewal term for the MOA shall be July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
2. Payment Amount
The payment amount for this Renewal #2 shall not exceed $564,000.00 unless the MOA is amended in writing under the
provisions of the MOA.
Except as amended herein, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement and subsequent amendments to the
Agreement, if any, shall remain in full force and effect.
CONTRACTOR GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
By:______________________________ By:______________________________
Authorized Name: Rusk Roam
Chief Financial Officer
Title: Federal EIN: 58-6002042
Date: ____________________________ Date: ______________________________
Contract No.: 41400-025-0000040830-0006-R2