Agenda Item
d. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Acceleration Academies and the DeKalb County School District (Not to exceed $3,000,000)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Acceleration Academies and the DeKalb County School District to serve up to 300 students in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.
Why: The DeKalb County School District’s Strategic Plan Goal Area I Student Academic Success with Equity and Access prioritizes graduating students who are ready to thrive in college, career, military, and life. DCSD is committed to students who have historically been underserved in the traditional public education system by providing the instructional support and services they need. Through a partnership with Acceleration Academies, students will benefit from a flexible, non-traditional approach to earning their high school diploma.
Details: Acceleration Academies will operate a physical Academy site in Tucker, Georgia and a satellite site at McNair High School to serve students 16-21 years of age. These students will be identified via recruitment efforts of currently withdrawn students as well as direct referrals of active but credit-deficient, at-risk students by their principals or guidance counselors. Acceleration Academies will support as many students as possible; therefore, the Enrollment Marketing Team will utilize a multitude of marketing techniques to find, inform, recruit, and retain students.
Currently, the Acceleration Academy at McNair High School is serving 76 graduation candidates. At this time, 121 courses have been completed, and 60.5 Carnegie units have been earned by graduation candidates.
Financial impact: The method of compensation in this MOA will be payments in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000 to be paid to Acceleration Academies in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement from general funds.
Students enrolled during the state count period will generate per pupil funding for the District. For every eligible student enrolled in the program 15 days or more, Acceleration Academies will bill the District a base of $600 per month for each student plus applicable supplemental funding for special education and ESOL services. For every eligible student enrolled in the program less than 15 days, Acceleration Academies will bill the District a daily rate of $20 per day for each student plus applicable prorated supplemental funding for special education and ESOL services.
Cost Code: 100.2210.530000.00011.7210.9990.8010.035.0000
2024-2025 Acceleration Academies Monthly Expenses
Month
Invoice Number
Invoice Amount
Number of Graduation Candidates
December 2024
1434
$6,600.00
11
January 2025
1464
$21,819.27
33
February 2025
1540
$34,038.54
56
March 2025
1541
$35,165.45
58
April 2025
1622
$43,565.45
72
May 2025
1723
$49,638.54
76
June 2025
Pending
Total Spent as of June 11, 2025
$190,827.25
Contact: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0731
Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0731
Dr. Rose Prejean-Harris, Assistant Superintendent (6-12), Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0137
Effective: July 15, 2025 - June 30, 2026
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
PARTNERSIDP AGREEMENT BETWEEN
DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
AND ACCELERATION ACADEMIES, LLC.
This Partnership Agreement is made on _______2025 by DeKalb County School District
("District"), and Acceleration Academies, LLC ("Acceleration Academies").
PREAMBLE
A. The District seeks to re-engage students that have dropped out of school through the
provision of educational opportunities;
B. Acceleration Academies is prepared to make a long-term investment in the District and its
community by securing and providing for District-identified students each of the following:
i. An appropriate physical site within the community for serving District-identified
disengaged students;
ii. The full-time services of Acceleration Academies' certified teaching personnel,
social workers and support staff as required to provide a minimum 10-hour per
school day, 12-months per year recruitment, reengagement and education
services to District-identified disengaged students;
C. Acceleration Academies' investment in the District and its community is for a minimum of a
3-year period (2024-2027) unless terminated sooner as detailed below;
D. Acceleration Academies shall bill for and receive solely those funds available to the
District from State, Federal and Local Units of Government for the education of District
students served by Acceleration Academies ("Student Funding" as defined in Section 11);
E. The District desires to have Acceleration Academies provide its services to disengaged
students who are eligible to receive District services.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
In consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement and for other good and
valuable consideration, The District and Acceleration Academies agree as follows:
1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
1.1. Acceleration Academies will provide an alternative education program ("Program") for the
District's Eligible Students. "Eligible Students" include current and former District students who
meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Are not high school graduates;
• Are in grades 9-12 or an under-credited, over-aged 8th grader;
• Are at-risk for being withdrawn from the District due to truancy or chronic absenteeism;
• Qualify under State law for public education services from the District;
• Are previously homeschooled;
• Are impacted by the Juvenile Justice System;
1
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
• Are recommended for behavioral/discipline programming;
• Are not currently enrolled in an educational program within the District; or
• Are referred to the Program by the District or their comprehensive high school; and
• If State-required, are residents of the District
New students into the school district may also enroll directly into Acceleration Academy.
The Parties expect that eligible students shall receive academic services sufficient to satisfy the
District's educational requirements for achieving a District-issued high school diploma.
1.2. The Acceleration Academies Program's instructional content and curriculum will be
fully aligned to state standards. The District may place into Acceleration Academies'
Program students who are currently enrolled in the District when Acceleration Academy is
determined by both parties to be the most appropriate fit for that student. Once a District
student is placed in the Acceleration Academies Program, that student becomes enrolled in
the Acceleration Academies Program. All Federal, State, and Local funding available for
funding that student's education shall follow that student pro rata.
1.3. The Acceleration Academies Program will be included as an exit option in the
District's Dropout Prevention Plan.
1.4. The Acceleration Academies Program shall be delivered to Eligible Students 12
months per year and consist of research-based instructional methodologies within each
academic day, which include 1:1 face-to-face instruction, small group instruction, full-group
instruction, guided practice, online instruction, lecture and group-led instruction and
computer/direct face-to-face concurrent instruction. Instruction shall be made available to
Eligible Students generally 10 or more hours per academic day. Supervision and control of
any student participating in an Acceleration Academies Program shall be the sole
responsibility of Acceleration Academies while the student is attending an Acceleration
Academies Program site.
1.5. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the District shall make available upon
request of Acceleration Academies all educational records in its possession for Acceleration
Academies' Program purposes. Such records include but are not limited to, academic
assessments, psychosocial profiles, limited English proficiency, grade reports, attendance
data, and cumulative records. The Acceleration Academies Program shall comply fully with
laws, policies, and rules guaranteeing the confidentiality of student educational records and
access thereto.
1.6. Acceleration Academies shall in partnership with the District ensure the legal
entitlements of special students identified as exceptional and those who are limited
English proficient, through Acceleration Academies' compliance with the Every Student
Succeeds Act (ESSA), and with any District plan addressing limited English proficiency.
1.7. Acceleration Academies shall provide the District with its written procedures
2
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
governing intake, evaluation, dismissal, and separation of Acceleration Academies'
students upon request.
3
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
1.8. Acceleration Academies shall adopt the District's Code of Student Conduct and at the time
of intake shall secure student and parent/guardian signatures acknowledging an understanding of
the rules and penalties for violating them. Acceleration Academies' administrative staff will
meet quarterly or more as needed with the District's Administrative staff to discuss the Program
and progress of its students. The District will provide Acceleration Academies with available
Code of Conduct manuals for each student enrolled in the Program.
1.9. The Parties acknowledge and agree that time is of the essence in meeting their respective
obligations under this Agreement.
2. FACILITIES
2.1. Acceleration Academies agrees to provide educational services at two locations: the main site
(Tucker, or “Main Site”) and a satellite site (McNair, or “Satellite Site”). Students will primarily be
served at the Main Site unless specifically approved for services at the Satellite Site. Staffing and
services will be shared between both sites until each location reaches an enrollment of at least 150
students. If combined enrollment at both the Main Site and the Satellite Site does not meet the 150-
student threshold within the first three months of operation, Acceleration Academies reserves the
right to reduce the number of days the Satellite Site is open. Once enrollment at both sites meets or
exceeds 150 students, Acceleration Academies will fully staff each location accordingly.
Acceleration Academies agrees to maintain facilities in accordance with federal, state, and local
laws, city ordinances, and District policy. Any district provided site will be required to have a
facilities use agreement in place. Each site selected by Acceleration Academies for use in the
performance of this Agreement will meet all applicable State of Georgia requirements and
additionally shall be submitted to the District’s Facilities Department representative for approval,
and approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The District agrees that it shall state with
specificity the health or safety reason for any non-approval. Acceleration Academies welcomes
District recommendations and/or suggestions of viable sites for the Acceleration Academies sites.
2.1. Acceleration Academies will comply with the standard requirements as specified for the
Program use, as determined in the residing state's building code, Americans with Disabilities Act
(Guidelines) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code 2012
Edition (or latest edition). Acceleration Academies shall ensure that the property owner
maintains current sanitation and health certificates and that all leased sites receive an annual fire
inspection.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
3.1. Acceleration Academies shall identify an Acceleration Academies' administrator who
shall have authority to make decisions on behalf of Acceleration Academies and who will
represent Acceleration Academies, including but not limited to, all required administrative
meetings and training. If such administrator is not available, an Acceleration Academies
designee approved by the District may represent Acceleration Academies.
4
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
3.2. All Acceleration Academies' educators shall be certified teachers and shall meet the
certification requirements as set forth in the state's Board of Education Rules governing
professional standards. Further, Acceleration Academies' assigned classes shall be in
accordance with the state Course Code Directory. All Acceleration Academies employees,
appointees, or agents who encounter students as part of any Acceleration Academies Program
must submit to a background check at Acceleration Academies' expense in a manner prescribed
by the District. Acceleration Academies agrees to remove any person providing services to
students under this Agreement who does not meet the standards under District Board Policies
and administrative procedures on criminal background checks and employee history checks.
3.3. Based on enrollment data, Acceleration Academies shall employ a minimum of one
Special Education certified teacher to develop, implement and determine mastery of the
Individual Educational Plan (IEP) goals for special education students, who shall
participate in admission and exit conferences, IEP preparation and staffing, and
maintaining special education compliance for special education students. Acceleration
Academies shall promptly notify designated District personnel and complete all
appropriate forms and paperwork if any Acceleration Academies teacher or staff suspects
that a particular District student in the Program may have a disability which may qualify
that student for special education services. Because the District serves as LEA, when the
District and Acceleration Academies confirm that the Program is determined the most
appropriate placement for meeting the needs of a student with a disability, it is understood
that Acceleration Academies shall provide all appropriate IEP and special needs
accommodations, in compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
3.4. Acceleration Academies shall promptly notify the District's designated ESOL
personnel of ESOL enrollment, or language proficiency assessment and continuance of
ESOL services.
3.5. Acceleration Academies shall employ appropriately certified remote academic
support for permanent instructional personnel who are temporarily absent due to illness or
personal reason.
3.6. Acceleration Academies shall ensure that each Eligible Student participating in
its program is in compliance with all applicable District vaccination protocols.
4. STUDENT EVALUATION
4.1. Acceleration Academies shall conduct an academic assessment of each student upon
intake. The results of this assessment combined with the student's previous class schedule
and educational goals shall determine the instructional strategies employed while the student
is enrolled in Acceleration Academies' Educational Program. Acceleration Academies shall
design a student schedule outlining a course of study that the student is to follow. All
courses offered must lead toward a standard high school diploma approved by the District.
Acceleration Academies agrees to use the District or State course matrices. All Acceleration
Academies students shall be subject to the District's or State's approved academic credit
5
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
standard for a high school diploma. If appropriate, Special Education students shall be
subject to curriculum modifications as stated in applicable student IEPs to enable the student
to meet the requirements of a high school diploma.
4.2. Subsequent to the review of academic history, each non-ESE student shall have
developed a Personalized Leaming Plan (PLP) that shall identify the academic needs of
the student stated as short-term and long-term academic goals. The PLP shall be
reviewed and revised with the student participating on regularly scheduled intervals.
4.3. Acceleration Academies agrees to prepare students for any end-of-course examinations,
and any other District-wide mandated assessment by ensuring that each Acceleration Academies
teacher delivers appropriate instruction.
4.4. Acceleration Academies agrees to administer end-of-course examinations, and other
District-wide mandatory tests on-site, proctored only by Acceleration Academies' staff
members certified to meet all legal mandates and State policies. All course grading shall use the
identical formula for course grading used in the District's traditional high schools (e.g., a
numerical grade shall be issued if comparable courses in District high schools provide a
numerical grade).
4.5. Acceleration Academies shall maintain individual achievement records in a form
prescribed by the District for each student. Included therein must be a record specifying which
competencies have been mastered, the date on which mastery was achieved, and the signature of
the certified teacher verifying mastery.
4.6. Acceleration Academies shall make available a quiet, private room for District sponsored
psychological evaluations and Special Education and/or ESOL interviews or parent/teacher
meetings.
4.7. Each student in Acceleration Academies' Program shall be provided, over extended hours
in a 12-month academic year, accredited curriculum and instruction that include rigorous
instruction, counseling, career counseling, and/or case management. Additionally:
A. Each student shall receive regularly scheduled Case Management services from
Acceleration Academies' staff as documented in Acceleration Academies' proprietary
system (MyIncites) consisting of a description of each action/interaction affecting the
student.
B. Each Student shall demonstrate adequate academic progress as assessed by accredited
and State approved assessment provider Edmentum.
5. CONTENT, CURRICULA AND DISTRICT TEXTS/MATERIALS
Acceleration Academies' Program shall employ Acceleration Academies-approved and/or
Acceleration Academies-established educational content and curricula aligned to District and
state standards, in accordance with Paragraph 1.2, above.
6. ATTENDANCE, MEMBERSHIP & DIPLOMA/GRADUATION PROTOCOL
6
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
6.1. Acceleration Academies’ personnel shall be subject to all confidentiality protocols
applicable to District staff. The Parties acknowledge that time is of the essence, and that
immediately upon execution of this Partnership Agreement, the District shall, without delay,
commence training of Acceleration Academies' designated personnel on accessing, inputting
data and obtaining relevant information from the District's Student Information System (SIS).
The Parties acknowledge that such training is crucial to this Agreement, and crucial to timely and
effectively meeting the needs of students. Further, the District expressly warrants that it will
provide designated Acceleration Academies' personnel-to the maximum extent possible-
sufficient login and password rights to enable Acceleration Academies to timely do all of the
following:
• Register and schedule Eligible Students into applicable State and District student information
systems.
• Enter relevant student data into those applicable information systems.
• Report attendance and grades through applicable information systems.
• Access relevant Eligible Student records contained in those applicable information systems.
Acceleration Academies agrees to comply with the state's attendance protocols and requirements.
Acceleration Academies agrees to take attendance daily and forward information to the appropriate
District designee on an agreed upon timeline. Acceleration Academies will provide the appropriate
computer hardware, and the District will provide the Programming and software, along with the
required training, to Acceleration Academies' designated personnel.
6.2 Membership defined. A student is in Membership when he/she is officially assigned by the
District to an Acceleration Academies course or Program.
A student in Membership remains in Attendance until formally withdrawn. The District agrees that it
will provide Acceleration Academies full and immediate access to all technology necessary to
enable Acceleration Academies to timely enter necessary data. This access is dependent upon
Acceleration Academies adhering to all applicable District administrative procedures related to
student and school system data confidentiality and privacy.
All course identification must be accurate (e.g., must specify State approved course number, section
number, if applicable).
6.3 "Enrollment "Criteria: The criteria for determining whether a student is enrolled in an
Acceleration Academies' program is comparable to the criteria for determining whether a student is
enrolled in a District traditional/general education program.
6.4. Because Acceleration Academies is a program and not a stand-alone high school, each
Acceleration Academies' student who meets all District requirements for a high school diploma shall
be designated, for graduation rate calculation and analyses, a graduate of the boundary high school
that the student attended. Any required State testing shall occur at each secure Acceleration
Academies' site in accordance with District and State protocols unless otherwise directed by the
District.
7
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
7. STUDENT RECORDS
7.1. Acceleration Academies will prepare and maintain records relating to the students and the
Program in accordance with the District's daily quality record requirements. Records will
include demographic data, test scores, discipline records, attendance, withdrawal (leave)
code documentation, and other appropriate information. Acceleration Academies shall
convey such information confidentially and directly to the District using protocols and
technology reasonably requested by the District.
7.2. Acceleration Academies understands that the District must have access to copies of student
administrative and educational records to effectively participate in this Agreement.
Acceleration Academies agrees to provide the District access to all student, administrative,
educational, and financial records required to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of
Acceleration Academies' Program. Acceleration Academies agrees to allow the District to
access all facilities, including classrooms, during all regularly scheduled operation hours.
7.3. Acceleration Academies understands and agrees that it is subject to all federal and state
laws and School Board rules relating to the confidentiality of student information.
Acceleration Academies further agrees to comply with the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act ("FERP A") 34 C.F .R. § 99. Acceleration Academies shall regard all student
information as confidential and will not disclose student information to any unauthorized
third party. If the District is compelled by law to furnish information or records in the
possession of Acceleration Academies, Acceleration Academies promptly shall furnish
such information and records to the District and the District shall have the right to release
such information and records to the extent that the release is lawfully required.
8
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
8. MEDIA
Acceleration Academies shall implement and comply with all District policies and procedures
governing or affecting media and its usage.
9. DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITIES
9.1. On the first Monday of every month, the District shall provide Acceleration Academies its
most recent and updated list (e.g., withdrawal list, Did-Not-Enroll ("DNE") list, etc.) of
students/former students who have withdrawn from the district and may remain eligible for
participation in the Acceleration Academies Program and are pre-approved to enroll. This list will
include students with the following district-coded distinctions:
• Did Not Enroll in a new semester.
• Any student aged 16 or older who leaves school voluntarily with no intention of returning
and has filed a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment.
• Any 8-12 grade student withdrawn from school due to court action.
• Any 8-12 grade student who is withdrawn from school due to non-attendance.
• Over-aged 8th grader.
• Any 8-12 grade student at risk for being withdrawn from the District due to truancy or
chronic absenteeism.
• Any 8-12 grade student who is homeschooled.
• Any 8-12 grade student who is impacted by the Juvenile Justice System.
• Any 8-12 grade student who recommended for behavioral/discipline programming.
• Any 8-12 grade student whose whereabouts are unknown.
• Any student who withdraws from school to enter the adult education program prior to
completion of graduation requirements.
• Any student who does not meet graduation requirements upon their graduation cohort
date.
The District understands and acknowledges that time is of the essence in its development and
production of each list and list update. By including the student and/or guardian on the list of
eligible students, the district confirms that it has received opt-in permission from the student
and/or guardian for Acceleration Academies to contact those students via email, text message,
and/or phone. At a minimum, this list shall contain the following data for each individual
identified student/former student:
• Complete name
• Last-known address and phone numbers (student's cell, parent's home, and cell if
available).
• Credits earned-to-date
• Date of last attendance
• Date of Birth
• Email addresses of the student and their emergency contacts
• Any other student-related information that the District determines relevant.
9
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
9.2 The District shall inform all District guidance counselors of Acceleration Academies'
programs at the start of each academic year. The District may refer any disengaged student to
an Acceleration Academies' program. Funding for any student referred to Acceleration
Academies under this section 10.2 shall follow the student pro rata. However, such pro-rata
funding shall be paid in accordance with the 12-month funding protocols specified in Section
12 below.
9.3 The District shall assist in arranging for Acceleration Academies teachers and/or staff to
participate in District staff development activities, both mandatory and optional, and
classroom visitations and observations as requested.
9.4 The District shall include the Acceleration Academy Program on its website, invite
representatives from the Program to participate in district open house and other district-
sponsored events, and provide other opportunities to support program recruitment efforts.
9.5 The District shall meet quarterly or more as needed with Acceleration Academies'
Administrative staff to discuss the Program and progress of its students.
9.6 The District shall perform any required multi-factored evaluations and develop IEP's for
students with disabilities. Acceleration Academies shall provide the academic component
of these IEPs while the district shall provide any required clinical or non-academic
services.
9.7 The District shall expedite any Acceleration Academies' request for all data entry rights
necessary to enable Acceleration Academies to timely enter required student data into
State or District automated data systems.
9.8 The District shall diligently act to ensure that it receives maximum Federal, State, and
Local per-student funding available for each Eligible Student being served by
Acceleration Academies.
9.9 The District shall refrain from doing the following without the express, written consent of
Acceleration Academies:
a) Appropriating or using any of the intellectual or other property of
Acceleration Academies.
b) Soliciting, employing, or contracting the services of any Acceleration
Academies' employee or contractor during this Agreement or within one year
following the termination of this Agreement.
9.10 The District shall provide Acceleration Academies limited editing access to the
District's student information system to solely enable Acceleration Academies to input
academic data (course completions) and register students into the program.
10. FINANCIAL RECORDS, RELATED DATA, AND PROCESSES
10.1. Acceleration Academies shall maintain all financial records related to each
10
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
educational service Acceleration Academies provides under this Partnership Agreement for
three (3) years.
10.2. During the Term of this Agreement, the District may at its option arrange for an
independent audit of funds it is paying or has paid to Acceleration Academies under this
Agreement. Such an independent audit would be at the District's sole expense and
performed during reasonable business hours upon reasonable notice. If the District issues
a written audit report, Acceleration Academies shall be provided a reasonable opportunity
to submit a written response to it. The District shall ensure that a written audit report, if
any, is combined with Acceleration Academies' written response in any publication or
report that is subject to the State's applicable Public Records Act or Freedom of
Information Act.
10.3. The District shall act as the agency through which all third-party (e.g., State,
Federal and local) funds will pass through in the process of compensating Acceleration
Academies for its services under this Agreement. The District shall take all necessary
steps and use its best efforts to obtain all Federal, State, and Local funding available for its
students being served by Acceleration Academies.
11. SERVICES DISBURSEMENT CALCULATION
11.1 The District's disbursement to Acceleration Academies for all of Acceleration
Academies' services under this Agreement shall be, in Year Two, base of $600 per month
per Eligible Student receiving Acceleration Academies services for 15 calendar days or
more for up to 300 Eligible Students, plus applicable supplemental funding as specified in
Schedule A for Special Education and English As A Second Language services.
11.2 The District's disbursement to Acceleration Academies for all of Acceleration
Academies' services under this Agreement shall be, in Year Two, for Eligible Students
receiving Acceleration Academies services for less than 15 calendar days, a daily rate of $20
per day, plus applicable prorated supplemental funding as specified in Schedule A for
Special Education and English As A Second Language services.
11.3 In each renewal year, services disbursement shall be increased by 3% beginning July 1,
2026.The District's maximum disbursement and maximum possible debt to Acceleration
Academies for all of Acceleration Academies' services under this Agreement shall be limited
to the amount authorized by the Board of Education of DeKalb County during the applicable
term year. It is understood, however, that if more than 300 Eligible Students are to be served
by Acceleration Academies in an applicable term year, the Board of Education of DeKalb
County will meet in good faith to vote to authorize disbursement for the education of those
students in excess of 300, at levels consistent with per pupil funding specified in this
Agreement. Acceleration Academies is not bound to serve more than 300, Eligible Students
unless sufficient funding is authorized and allocated by the Board of Education of DeKalb
11
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
County and Acceleration Academies agrees to do so.
12. REPORTS AND EVALUATIONS
12.1. In accordance with Paragraph 10, Acceleration Academies will maintain and retain
throughout the term of this Agreement and for a period of at least three (3) years thereafter,
financial information that discloses use of funds received from the District. In the event of a
State, Federal or Local Unit of Government audit of the District regarding expenditures of
State, Federal or Local Unit of Government funds, Acceleration Academies shall make
available for inspection such financial information as required by the State Department of
Education or other applicable auditing agencies.
12.2. Upon District request, Acceleration Academies shall submit an annual report of each
year of implementation, starting with the end of the first year of implementation. The annual
report shall contain basic demographic data, attendance rates, enrollment data, and
achievement data on all participating students. Student achievement data shall include, but
not be limited to, the number of credits earned by each student, the number of students
participating in the Program, and the number of graduates exiting the Program.
12.3. If requested, Acceleration Academies will provide the District with a final summative
project report at the completion of the Agreement's Term. The report shall include, but will not
be limited to, project background information, a description of the project implementation, and
all relevant accomplishments and conclusions.
12.4. The District reserves the right to conduct its own evaluation of contract performance at
any time in accordance with Paragraph 4.7 to verify effectiveness. No reports or evaluations
created pursuant to this Agreement may be released to third parties without prior written consent
of District; the District affirms that its consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
13. EFFECTIVE DATE, TERM, AND AMENDMENTS
13.1. This Agreement shall become binding on the Parties upon being signed by the District's
Superintendent, School Board Chairperson and an Acceleration Academies-authorized agent.
The date Acceleration Academies' services shall commence is (the "Effective
Date").
13.2. Term. The Term of the Agreement (which shall include any renewal period) shall begin on
the date Acceleration Academies begins serving students and continue for a period of One Year
(12 months); the [District shall have one (1) remaining one-year renewal option which it may
exercise at the District's sole discretion. Further, the Term shall be subject to the early termination
provisions of Paragraph 21 below.
In accordance with applicable law to include O.C.G.A. § 20-2-506 et. seq., this Agreement shall be
deemed to terminate at the end of the calendar year in which it was executed (December 31st) but,
at the option of the District, shall be deemed to automatically renew for the duration of the then
12
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
current Term until the End Date under the same terms of this Agreement, unless terminated earlier
by the Parties in accordance with this Agreement.
13.3. The Parties agree to review this Agreement annually, and either party may request
amendments. An amendment may be made only in writing that conforms to all formalities of this
Agreement.
14. Dispute Resolution. In the event of a dispute of any nature between the Parties, including
any dispute or claim arising from their contractual relationship or the termination of their
contractual relationship:
i. Each Party (which includes officers, directors and/or employees of each Party) agrees
to enter into negotiation to resolve any dispute. Both parties agree to negotiate in good
faith to reach a mutually agreeable settlement within a reasonable amount of time.
Each Party agrees that this Dispute Resolution Section shall govern any and all disputes between
the Parties that may arise under this Agreement. If any phrase or sentence of this Dispute
Resolution Section is held to be prohibited, void or unenforceable, only that phrase or sentence
shall be ineffective, and only to the extent of such prohibition (the prohibition shall not invalidate
the remaining provisions of this Paragraph). This Dispute Resolution Paragraph shall survive and
remain in effect after the Parties' relationship under this Agreement ends. A successor or
assignee of rights/duties under this Agreement shall be bound by this provision.
15. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES
It is understood and agreed that Acceleration Academies is providing its partnership services
as an independent contractor and that neither it nor any employee or agent of Acceleration
Academies shall be deemed, for any purpose, to be an employee (paid or volunteer) or agent
of District. This Agreement does not create a joint venture under State law. Acceleration
Academies assumes full responsibility for the actions of its personnel and volunteers while
performing any services incident to this Agreement. Acceleration Academies shall remain
solely responsible for the supervision, daily direction, control, and compensation (including
withholding of income taxes and social security contributions, as applicable), of its
employees, volunteers, and agents. In no event shall either Party be responsible or liable to
the other party for any action or inaction of its respective officials, agents, administrators,
employees, volunteers, and students.
13
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
16. INSURANCE
Acceleration Academies agrees to provide and maintain, during the term of this Agreement,
automobile liability (if applicable), general liability, professional liability for errors and
omissions, and workers' compensation insurance in amounts listed on Schedule B.
Acceleration Academies will provide the District with original or copies of certificates of
insurance evidencing insurance and coverage amounts prior to implementing the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. Such certificates shall provide that the District will receive
thirty (30) days prior written notice before cancellation or alternation of any coverage
shown. The District will be added as an additional insured on the automobile liability and
general liability policies. The District shall be provided a Waiver of Subrogation on the
automobile liability, general liability, and workers' compensation insurance.
17. NO WAIVER OF DEFENSES
Neither Acceleration Academies nor District waives or relinquishes any defense on behalf
of itself, its trustees, officers, employees, or agents as a result of the execution of this
Agreement or the performance of the functions and obligation described herein.
18. NO WAIVER OF BREACH
No waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be construed to be a waiver
of the breach of any other provision. No delay in acting with regard to any breach of any
provision shall be construed to be a waiver of such breach.
19. RIGHTS IN PROPERTY
All titles to Acceleration Academies supplies, equipment, furniture, and records shall remain the
sole property of Acceleration Academies. All title to District-furnished supplies; equipment,
furniture, materials, and/or textbooks shall remain the sole property of the District.
14
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
20. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
20.1. The District recognizes and understands that Acceleration Academies maintains confidential
information respecting its Programs and methods, including, without limitation, its written course of
instruction, manuals, business model, and education plan. The District agrees that it will not
appropriate any such information to its own use except with written permission from Acceleration
Academies, and that it will not voluntarily disclose any of such information to any third party
without the prior written consent of Acceleration Academies. The District agrees that it will
surrender such information only where required to do so by the Open Records laws of the State in
which it is situated. In the event the District receives an Open Records Law request seeking any
information about Acceleration Academies' methods and procedures, or which would necessarily
involve disclosure in order to honor the request, the District will give Acceleration Academies
written notice of the request three business days before responding to the request.
20.2. District warrants and agrees it will not appropriate Acceleration Academies' Program, use
without authorization, or allow others to access Acceleration Academies' intellectual property.
21. TERMINATION
The Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration of the Term as follows:
a. By mutual written Agreement of the parties hereto, which Agreement shall state the
effective termination date and any other terms and conditions of that termination.
b. Upon either Party's sixty (60) days' written notice to the other Party of the other
Party's specified material breach of this Agreement, unless within such 60-day period
the other Party has cured the breach specified in the notice.
c. In accordance with applicable law to include O.C.G.A. § 20-2-506 et. seq., the Parties
further agree that this Agreement may be terminated immediately and absolutely at
such time as appropriated and otherwise unobligated funds are no longer available to
satisfy the obligations of the District under the Agreement. The District shall employ
all steps reasonably necessary to seek future appropriations for the Services, and the
District may not exercise its right to terminate for non-appropriation simply to
substitute the Services with those of an alternative provider. The District may not rely
on non-appropriation to avoid payment for Services rendered.
22. NOTICE
Any notice required under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be duly served when it is
both e-mailed to the applicable Party's e-mail address below with the words IMPORTANT
CONTRACT NOTICE printed on the subject line, AND additionally:
a. Hand-delivered to the street address specified below for the addressee;
15
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
b. Deposited, duly registered or certified, return receipt requested, in a United States
Post Office addressed to the street address specified below for the addressee:
To the District: DeKalb County School District
Attn:
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
To: Acceleration Academies Acceleration Academies
Attn: David Sundstrom
910 West Van Buren, Suite 315
Chicago, IL 60607
dsundstrom@davidmsund strom.org
Either party may designate a different address by providing the other party ten (10) days' prior
written notice in the manner provided above.
23. NO ASSIGNMENT
No assignment of this Agreement or of any duty or obligation or performance or payment
hereunder, shall be made by either Party, in whole or in part, without the consent of the
other Party. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. "Assignment" does not
include any transaction involving ownership of stock in-or assets of-Acceleration
Academies if Acceleration Academies primary functions and essential educators and staff
remain substantially unchanged.
24. SECTION HEADINGS
The headings of sections contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they
shall not, expressly or by implication, limit, define, extend, or construe the terms or provisions
of the sections of this Agreement.
25. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed by the laws of the State of
Georgia.
26. NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to create any third-party beneficiaries or
otherwise give any third party any claim or right of action against either party.
27. COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING
16
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
This Agreement shall constitute the complete understanding of Acceleration Academies
and District, and may not be modified in any manner without the express written consent
of both Parties.
28. PERFORMANCE OF WORK
Acceleration Academies shall perform the services, furnish the equipment, facility, and
personnel, and do all things necessary and proper for the performance and completion of its
work required by this Agreement all at Acceleration Academies' sole cost and expense.
29. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in more than one counterpart, each of which shall be deemed
an original and all of which together shall be deemed one and the same instrument. An
electronic or facsimile copy of this Agreement shall have the same effect as an original.
30. AUTHORITY
Each person signing this Agreement on behalf of each party individually warrants that he or
she has full legal power to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Party for whom he or she
is signing, and to bind and obligate such Party with respect to all provisions contained in this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement to be effective on
, 2025.
DeKalb County School District Acceleration Academies, LLC
By: _ By: ,_______________________________
Dr. Devon Q. Horton, Superintendent Kelly Campbell, Chief Executive Officer
17
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
SCHEDULE A
1. ACH transmittal of monthly payments:
Commencing , the District shall convey to Acceleration Academies through
ACH transmittal the sum specified in the monthly billing statement provided by Acceleration
Academies, based on students served for the preceding month.
In order to set up ACH transmittal, Acceleration Academies shall complete the attached ACH
Payment Form and provide a voided check mailed to:
2. BASE AND SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING:
Base Funding per Eligible Student shall be $600.00 per month as authorized by the Board of
Education of DeKalb County. However, such pro-rata funding shall be paid in accordance with
the 12-month funding protocols specified in Section 11. Supplemental funding for the education
of each Eligible Student qualified to receive Special Education and/or English As A Second
Language services shall be in the amount allocated by the State of Georgia for those services in
each applicable year, the amount of which is not under the control of the District.
Funding Annual Amount Per
Month
TOTAL BASE FUNDING PER STUDENT $7,200.00 $600.00
Supplemental Funding Available based on
identified services
ESOL $ $
Special Education - Category I $ $
Special Education - Category II $ $
Special Education - Category Ill $ $
Special Education - Category IV $ $
Special Education - Category V $ $
18
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
SCHEDULE B
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirement
Type of Insurance Coverage Limits
Comprehensive General Liability $2,000,000 annual aggregate
Including Contractual Liability, $1,000,000 per occurrence
Professional Liability for errors and omissions,
Bodily Injury, Property Damage,
And Worker's Compensation.
Comprehensive Auto Liability $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit
Bodily Injury and Property Damage each accident
Covering Owned, Hired and Non-Owned Autos
Umbrella Liability/Excess Liability $2,000,000 occurrence
$2,000,000 aggregate
Workers Compensation and Statutory Coverage A
Employer's Liability $1,000,000 per accident
19
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
20
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement
21
DeKalb Acceleration Academies Agreement