Agenda Item
a. Contract Renewal RFP 24-585 Leadership Development Services ~ The Leadership Academy (Not to exceed $115,000)
Summary: Presented by: Champion Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County School District Board of Education (“the Board”) approve the contract renewal for The Leadership Academy for the development of the assistant principal pipeline (DLI) and to provide a structured transition of design and facilitation responsibilities to the DeKalb Leadership Development Team for the principal pipeline (DPP) in the amount not to exceed $115,000.
Why: The DeKalb Leadership Development Team requests to extend its partnership with The Leadership Academy (TLA). In collaboration with The Leadership Academy, the Leadership Development team will enhance and expand the district’s comprehensive leadership programs. The Leadership Academy brings national expertise in implementing research-based leadership strategies focused on leadership style development, capacity building, and evaluation support for the new DeKalb Leadership Institute (DLI) and the DeKalb Principal Pathway (DPP).
This request is for contract renewal of The Leadership Academy to apply a transformational leadership approach grounded in hands-on, job-embedded learning experiences. Their work equips school leaders to build strong school cultures and student-centered systems that are rigorous, engaging, and hold every child to high expectations.
Partnering with The Leadership Academy will enable DCSD to strengthen instructional leadership capacity, develop sustainable leadership pipelines, and ensure alignment with the district’s strategic goals. This year’s collaboration will provide a gradual release from The Leadership Academy to DCSD, resulting in full internal ownership and reduced reliance on external vendors.
Details: Scope of Services for FY26 includes six major activities:
Leadership Development Team Coherence and Capacity Building - Continue district coherence meetings to align program goals, strengthen facilitation skills, and prepare the DCSD team to sustain and expand DPP and DLI. From Sept-Dec: Bi-monthly 90-minute virtual meetings; Jan-May: Monthly sessions with The Leadership Academy in a feedback role.
Session Design Asynchronous Support - Up to 25 hours of design support to transfer tools and knowledge.
In-Person Co-Facilitation - Seven full days of co-facilitation from Sept-June to model facilitation best practices.
Evaluation and Reporting - Mid-year and end-of-year evaluation reports with participant surveys.
Sustainability Planning Support - Up to 8 hours to refine cohort selection and program design.
Technical Support - 8 hours of just-in-time assistance, billed only if used.
Financial impact: The total budget for these services is allocated from the cost code 100.1000.53000.0011.7250.9990.8010.020.0000 under the Leadership Development General Fund Budget in the amount of $115,000.
Contact: Champion Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-0542,
Mr. Michael Kelly, Interim Executive Director, Leadership Development, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678-676-0377
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Pending Approval by the Office of Legal Affairs