Agenda Item
a. Relay Graduate School of Education ~ Leverage Leadership 2.0 Professional Learning and Coaching Partnership (Not to exceed $210,400)
Summary: Presented by: Champion Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools & Leadership Division of Schools & Leadership
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the partnership with Relay Graduate School of Education to deliver School Improvement training, school-based coaching, instructional rounds, and executive leadership support for school leaders in DCSD’s Area 2, Area 3, and Horizon schools for FY26. The total amount requested for implementation and coaching support is $210,400.
Why: To accelerate school improvement and build leadership capacity in priority schools, the district seeks to invest in professional learning aligned with Leverage Leadership 2.0. Relay GSE will provide a high-quality, evidence-based model to build principal and school leadership team expertise in instructional leadership practices such as teacher feedback, student culture, data meetings, and leadership planning.
Key reasons for this investment include:
Building Leadership Capacity: Relay’s hands-on model develops instructional leadership muscles through side-by-side coaching and practice.
Supporting Priority Schools: This work will directly support Horizon, Sustained Support, and DCSD Prioritized schools within Area 2, Area 3, and Horizon Area.
Aligning with Strategic Improvement: The content and coaching reinforce the district’s focus on targeted feedback, data-informed decision-making, and instructional excellence.
Sustainable Change: A yearlong investment in coaching, coupled with summer training, ensures durable leadership practices that positively impact instruction and student outcomes.
Details: Relay’s scope of work includes:
Summer 2025 Leadership Institute: Four days of in-person training for up to 150 participants focused on:
Student culture
Observation and feedback
Weekly data meetings
Leadership planning (Strong Start Playbooks)
School-Based Coaching: Embedded coaching through:
Eight full days of on-site visits across four priority schools
64 hours of virtual coaching for selected leaders and PLCs
Instructional Rounds: Two days of walkthroughs and learning experiences for up to 15 leaders per site, conducted across 2-4 priority schools
Executive Coaching: 12 hours of virtual executive coaching for senior instructional leaders
Financial impact: The purchase amount not to exceed $210,400 will be paid using general funds budgeted by:
GL Account#
100.1000.511600.01211.8410.1031.8010.020.0000
Contact: Mrs. Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-0542
Effective: July 30, 2025 - June 30, 2026
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
DATE RECEIVED: ______________
MATTER ASSIGNED TO: _________
Request for Legal Assistance
DCSD Office of Legal Affairs
ATTORNEY – CLIENT COMMUNICATION
PLEASE SUBMIT COMPLETED REQUEST FORM TO
DCSD OFFICE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS.
*** This request is a confidential communication and should be treated as such ***
DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST
Title of Item/Topic:
RELAY Leverage Leadership PL for Leaders
________________________________________________________________
(e.g., contract review, policy matter, etc.)
05/12/25
Date of request: ___________ 05/15/25 (Allow 3 to 5 business days)
Due Date: ___________
DCSD will partner with nationally recognized
Background information/Detail: __________________________________________________________
RELAY GSE for professional learning of 150 school leaders for FY26.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PROCUREMENT DETAILS (if applicable)
Include details confirming that all applicable DCSD procurement policies and requirements have been
DCSD has multiple quotes for this service as aligned to policy.
adhered to: ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Please attach/include any additional supporting documentation that are relevant to your request.
Supporting documents include a quote of services and description.
Description of supporting documentation, if any ____________________________________________
REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION
Derrick Hardy
Requested by: _____________________________________________________________________
derrick_hardy@dekalbschoolsga.org
Email: __________________________ 678-641-7246
Telephone: ____________________________________
Schools & Leadership Division
Department: _______________________________________________________________________
Michelle Dillard
Cabinet Member authorizing the request: _______________________________________________
LEGAL APPROVAL
Approved as to form by the DCSD Office of Legal Affairs? ☐ Yes ☐ No
-OR- (check one only)
Approved as to form by Outside Legal Counsel? ☐ Yes ☐ No
*Referrals to Outside Legal Counsel must be coordinated and approved by the DCSD Legal Dept.
Approving Attorney (and law firm if Outside Counsel ____________________________________
Comments: __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________