Agenda Item
3. Ready For Action: Deletion of Board Policy BBF: Advisory Committees and Combine with Board Policy BBC: Board Committees
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Mariel Smith, Legal Counsel, Hall Booth Smith, PC, Attorneys at Law
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education accept a recommendation to Board Policy BBF: Advisory Committees for First Read. The proposed recommendation is to delete this policy and combine it with Board Policy BBC: Board Committees. This policy has been reviewed and analyzed by the Board Policy Committee. The Committee agrees on the recommendation.
Why: The Board Policy Review Committee met and conferred regarding Board Policy BBF: Advisory Committees and determined that this policy should be combined with Board Policy BBC: Board Committees.
Details: At the April 15, 2024 meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Education, the Board Policy Review Committee was established. The purpose of the Board Policy Review Committee is to ensure the ongoing review, development, and refinement of Board policies governing the District. The Board Policy Review Committee has the goal of promoting transparency, accountability, and compliance with state, local, and federal laws while fostering a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for all within the District.
The Board Policy Review Committee reviewed and analyzed Board Policy BBF: Advisory Committees and determined that it should be deleted and combined with Board Policy: BBC Board Committees. As a result, it is requested that this policy be deleted.
Financial impact: No Financial Impact to the District
Contact: Ms. Mariel Smith, Legal Counsel, Hall Booth Smith, PC Attorneys at Law (404) 954-5000
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District
Board Policy BBC: Board Committees Status: ADOPTED
Original Adopted Date: 11/13/2023 | Last Reviewed Date: 11/13/2023
Board Policy BBC: Board Committees
A committee is a DeKalb County Board of Education (“Board”) committee only if its existence and charge
come from the Board, regardless of whether Board members sit on the committee. The only Board
committees are those which are established in accordance with this Policy. Special committees may be
appointed for specific tasks and shall automatically be dissolved when the task is completed or at any time by
Board action.
A. Board Committees
The Board may authorize the creation of Board Committees (“Committees”) but only in conformity with the
provisions below.
1. Membership:
a. Committee members may include members of the Board, staff, students, and/or other citizens
residing within the DeKalb County School District boundaries to serve as members of
Committees and in accordance with other Board policies.
b. A Committee will have no more than three (3) Board members.
c. The Board Chair will designate a Committee Chair at the time Committee members are named.
2. Term of Service:
a. A Committee will cease to exist on the earlier of sixty (60) days from its creation or when the
Board takes action upon the need or matter the committee was created to review.
b. The Board may dissolve any committee at any time. Upon a vote of two-thirds of the Board, the
Board may extend a Committee’s existence for up to sixty (60) additional days.
3. Purpose and results of Committees:
A Committee shall only be formed to address a single issue or extraordinary matter and the Board shall
specifically identify such issue or matter in the resolution creating a Committee. The Board shall not
establish standing committees for general or specific purposes.
4. Meeting Locations:
a. All Committee meetings shall occur on District property.
b. When a Committee needs to identify a meeting location, the Committee Chair should notify the
Superintendent he/she needs to arrange a meeting location on the date and time needed by the
Committee.
B. Audit Committee
1. Membership
The Vice Chair of the Board shall be the Chair of the Audit Committee, which will include no more than two
other Board of Education Members elected in January of each year by the Board of Education. Each member
of the Audit Committee shall serve a one-year term and be eligible for re-appointment at the conclusion of
that term. A vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Education.
2. Community Advisors
The Board of Education shall review all applications and shall elect by a majority vote, at least two and
no more than three non-voting community advisors to the Audit Committee who are residents of
DeKalb County. Any member of the Board of Education can nominate one person to serve as a non-
voting advisor to the Audit Committee. Advisory members shall serve a one-year term and may be
considered for re-election to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms by a majority vote of the
Board of Education. Members must have operating management experience, a background in financial,
accounting, or auditing matters, and/or special expertise that would provide unique support to the
Audit Committee.
3. Staff Support
The Superintendent, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Internal Audits & Compliance shall support
the Audit Committee and attend quarterly meetings. Other DCSD staff shall support the Audit
Committee and attend meetings, as needed.
4. Purpose
The Audit Committee shall be a standing committee of the Board. The Audit Committee shall review
financial operations of the School District and make periodic reports to the Board of Education
regarding: financial reporting processes, audit process, internal controls, fraud, waste, and abuse
inquires, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Audit Committee shall work with
the Office of Internal Audits & Compliance and shall perform any other appropriate function as
delegated by the Board.
5. Meetings
The Audit Committee will conduct meetings at least quarterly which shall be open to the public and
advertised as required under the Open Meetings Act.