MOU - Between DCSD BBBS 2025-2026 05.01.2025

                                     Memorandum of Understanding

This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is entered into by and between the DeKalb County
School District on behalf of Lithonia Middle School and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta,
(BBBSMA) a non-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia,
(“BBBSMA”) (collectively, the “Parties”, and singly, a “Party”) to confirm the present intent and
understanding of the Parties in the implementation of the “Level Up” Mentoring Program, led by the
BBBSMA Lead Mentor.

Section 1.    Purpose

1.1    The purpose of this MOU is to memorialize the Parties’ intent to cooperate in the collaboration
       activities as described in Exhibit A.



Section 2.    Terms and Conditions

2.1    Schedule. The terms of this agreement shall begin August 1, 2025, and end on July 31, 2026.

2.2    Relationship of the Parties. Neither this MOU, nor any activities described herein, shall be
       construed as creating a partnership, joint venture, franchise, agency, or other such relationship.
       Neither Party shall have the right, power, or authority to obligate or bind the other Party in any
       manner whatsoever, without the other Party’s prior written consent.

2.3    Non-Exclusivity. The relationship between the Parties is non-exclusive. Neither Party will be
       precluded from entering into similar relationships with other entities or individuals.

2.4    Expenses. SCHOOL and BBBSMA agree that each Party shall pay its own fees, costs, and
       expenses, and those of its agents, independent contractors, and consultants, in connection with this
       MOU, including without limitation any legal fees, except as expressly specified herein or otherwise
       agreed upon in writing by both Parties.

2.5    Notices. Unless otherwise provided in this MOU, all notices, including, but not limited to, any notice
       of termination of this MOU, will be in writing and will be personally delivered, sent by regular mail,
       overnight delivery service or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid.
       Notices will be deemed given (a) on the date delivered if delivered personally, (b) on the first
       business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by overnight delivery service, or (c) on the
       earlier of confirmed receipt or the fifth business day following the date of mailing if sent by certified
       mail. Notices must be sent to the respective address set forth below or such other address that a Party
       specifies in a notice delivered pursuant to this Section.
2.6

       2.6.1 To School:              Lithonia Middle School – Principal, Dr. Cornelius R. Polk
                                     2451 Randall Avenue Benjamin E Mays Dive
                                     Lithonia, GA 30058


       2.6.2 To Company:             Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta-Pierre Gaither, Chief
                                     Operating Officer
                                     680 Murphy Avenue SW, Suite 1090
                                     Atlanta, GA 30310

2.7    Student Records.

       2.7.1 Company shall comply with Federal and State laws and regulations regarding confidentiality
             of student records. Specifically, Company shall comply and shall assist ‘School Name’ in
             compliance, in all material respects, with applicable laws and regulations, including with the
             Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, and the Protection
             of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, and all applicable privacy laws.

       2.7.2 To the extent Company or its subcontractors comes into contact with any student data or
             information, Company or its subcontractors will not disclose such information without
             eligible student/parent/guardian permission. Personally identifiable student information and
             education records, as defined pursuant to O.C.G.A. Title 20 and FERPA, will be, and will
             be deemed to have been, received in confidence and will be used only for purposes of the
             services contemplated in this Agreement.

2.8    Background Check. Prior to any student contact, BBBSMA will ensure that each of its employees
       or volunteers has undergone the same criminal background check required of DCSD’s employees,
       in addition to any mandatory background check performed by BBBSMA. Such background checks
       will be done by DCSD at the expense of the BBBSMA or individual employee or volunteer.
       Additionally, BBBSMA agrees that any individual charges against such persons may be deemed
       unacceptable in DCSD’s discretion regardless of whether dismissed, expunged, sealed, removed
       from a record, treated as a “first offender” action or if the matter has not been prosecuted (nolle
       prosequi or dead docketed)

2.9    Governing Law and Venue. This MOU shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State
       of Georgia, without regard to its conflict of laws. The exclusive venue for any action arising out of
       or related to this MOU shall be in the federal, superior, or state courts of Fulton County, Georgia.

2.10   Termination. Either Party may terminate this MOU without cause upon ninety (90) days prior
       written notice. Either Party may terminate this MOU immediately in the event of a breach of any
       provision of this Section 2 by the other Party.

2.11   Entire Agreement. This MOU, including any exhibits, constitutes the entire agreement between
       the Parties with respect to its subject matter and merges all prior and contemporaneous
       communications, both written and oral. This MOU shall not be modified except by a written
       agreement signed by both Parties.

2.12   Counterparts. This MOU may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
       original.
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:


DeKalb County School District               Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro


By:                                         By:

Print Name: ___________________________   Print Name: __________________________
Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent               Kwame Johnson, President and CEO

Date:                                       Date:
                    EXHIBIT A:
                     LEVEL UP
              MENTORING PROGRAM
    BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METRO ATLANTA
Partnership Goals
Lithonia Middle School and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta agree to work together to:
    • Match at least 400 students with a mentor, maintaining the relationship for the duration of the
        school year when possible.
    • Facilitate mentorship within the school day for students in a 1:5 adult mentor to student
        mentee ratio and in 1:1 setting for select students
    • Foster a sense of support and attention to the match relationship across the school community
    • Communicate openly and expeditiously about any concerns or questions about the relationship
        of parties within
    • Improve Little’s social emotional skills, sense of belonging, sense of future, and avoidance of
        risky behaviors and contribute to the school’s goals.

The responsibilities of each party are as follows:

Lithonia Middle School agrees to:
    • Create opportunities for BBBSMA to recruit students for the program
    • Refer students who could benefit from a mentoring relationship with an adult mentor for the
        entire school year to BBBSMA Supervisor
    • Share information or allow BBBSMA to share information about the program design,
        implementation, and outcomes with school staff to ensure awareness and support of the
        student participation.
    • Appoint a school liaison, along with an alternate, to:
            o Act as the primary BBBSMA contact person at the school
            o Meet with the BBBSMA Supervisor and Lead Mentor at least monthly regarding program
                 progress and mentee outcomes
            o Coordinate the advertisement, distribution and collection of applications and parental
                 referral forms.
            o Work with BBBSMA in scheduling enrollments interviews of students on school campus
            o Coordinate with teachers and other stakeholders regarding the student’s time with their
                 mentor
            o Assist in the development and implementation of a sign-in system to track Big/Little
                 contact.
    • Allow participating students to spend at least 30-60 minutes at a minimum of every other week
        with their Bigs, during the times specified by the school
    • Provide a consistent appropriate space and supervision for weekly mentoring sessions that
        allows for discussion between the Big and Little but is not sequestered
    • Assist with parent contact and coordination, when necessary
    • Provide evaluation data (grades, attendance, behavior) on a monthly basis
    • Inform BBBSMA of any major student enrollment, behavior, and/or familial changes.
       Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta agrees to:
           • Provide two Lead Mentors per 100 students served that will report to the school daily to
               conduct mentoring sessions
           • Provide one mentoring supervisor per school to coordinate with school personnel and oversee
               mentoring activities.
           • Hire, train, and supervise the Lead Mentors to provide excellent, consistent mentoring
           • Deliver and implement social-emotional learning curriculum to each Little
           • Create future planning curriculum and planning guides with Littles
           • Implement conflict-resolution and restorative justice practices throughout the program
           • Facilitate high-quality mentoring to students through a combination of 1:5 group mentoring, 1:1
               professional mentoring, and 1:1 volunteer mentoring
           • Recruit, screen, assess, and match adult volunteer mentors with students in accordance with the
               program polices as needed to join the groups or mentor their own 1:1 Little
           • Provide matching services for the program, including:
                   o Conduct volunteer interviews
                   o Conduct background and reference checks on all volunteers
                   o Interview students
           • Provide ongoing support and training to volunteers.
           • Collaborate with school personnel regarding program implementation and improvement
           • Meet with school liaison monthly to discuss progress and mentee outcomes
           • Collect program data, including but limited to survey data regarding youth outcomes,
               relationship development, and curriculum/program evaluation
           • Supervise all program matches on a quarterly basis, via calls, emails, and in-person visits.
           • Get signed parental permission for all program participants.
           • Cooperate with the school to minimize any potential disruption related to the implementation
               of this program.
           • Train mentors in best practices of mentoring and mandated reporting responsibilities
           • Conduct surveys in accordance with the BBBSMA national guidelines
           • Communicate any safety risks and child wellbeing threats to the school administration

       All parties agree to:
            • Maintain open communication throughout the implementation of the program
            • Meet at least monthly to assess the program and to the make changes if needed.

Funding Agreement

DeKalb County School District agrees to support the program in the amount of $249,995. Payment
schedule to be mutually agreed on.