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 These students will be identified via recruitment efforts of currently withdrawn students as well as direct referrals of active but credit-deficient, at-risk students by their principals or guidance counselors.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
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:
________________________________________________________________
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Acceleration Academies and the DeKalb County School District (Not to exceed $3,000,000)
(e.g., contract review, policy matter, etc.)
6/6/25
Date of request: ___________ 6/11/25 (Allow 3 to 5 business days)
Due Date: ___________
Acceleration Academies operates an IEO that supports overaged high schoolers
Background information/Detail: __________________________________________________________
ages 16-21 who are seeking to complete their HS diploma. The original partnership was established in July 2024.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PROCUREMENT DETAILS (if applicable)
Include details confirming that all applicable DCSD procurement policies and requirements have been
Board Policy DJE III.D.3.g.1 allows for the purchase of instructional
adhered to: ____________________________________________________________________________
programs selected in accordance with Board Policy IFA or selected by qualified professional personnel.
______________________________________________________________________________________
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Please attach/include any additional supporting documentation that are relevant to your request.
MOA-Acceleration Academies
Description of supporting documentation, if any ____________________________________________
REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION
Rose Prejean-Harris, Asst. Superintendent 6-12 Curriculum and Instruction
Requested by: _____________________________________________________________________
Rose_Prejean-Harris@dekalbschoolsga.org
Email: __________________________ 678-676-0137
Telephone: ____________________________________
Curriculum and Instruction
Department: _______________________________________________________________________
Ms. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer
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: __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________