Agenda Item
a. Approval of Cellular Services with AT&T Mobility, Inc. (Not to exceed $774,000)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the purchase of cellular services from AT&T Mobility, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $774,000.
Why: The purpose of this agenda item is to continue providing employees with the necessary cellular services required for emergency response, operational continuity, and connectivity to critical district business functions.
Details: DeKalb County School District provides cell phones to employees whose roles are classified as emergency/first responders or are essential to the continuity of district operations. Cellular service access is based on the employee’s specific operational needs.
Currently, the following devices utilize cellular service:
● 1,060 Smartphones (expandable to 1,500 phones and accessories within budget)
● 25 Hotspots The Telecommunications Department actively monitors device usage and removes inactive devices from service to manage costs.
The District selected AT&T for the following reasons:
● AT&T is providing updated iPhone hardware.
● DCSD is classified by AT&T as a First Responder district, placing our devices on the High Priority FirstNet System, which prioritizes cellular traffic for emergency services.
Financial impact: $774,000 General Funds 100.2800.553000.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer Division of Information & Instructional Technology, 678.676.1274
Effective: November 2025
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
2025 Chronology – AT&T Cellular Services
The Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT) seeks
approval to renew cellular services through AT&T Mobility, Inc. to support
DeKalb County School District (DCSD) staff with reliable communication
tools essential for safety, emergency response, and continuity of operations.
As part of the district’s ongoing operational support structure, DIIT provides
mobile devices and connectivity to employees whose job functions include
emergency response, crisis communications, transportation management,
facilities oversight, and real-time IT and infrastructure support. Cellular
service is mission-critical to ensure seamless communication during daily
operations, after-hours incidents, and emergencies that affect school safety
or district operations.
DeKalb County School District is designated as a First Responder district by
AT&T and participates in FirstNet, a nationwide high-priority cellular network
built specifically for public safety and emergency services. This designation
allows district users to benefit from prioritized cellular traffic, increased
reliability during high-volume events, and access to emergency-ready
devices and network features.
Key Services:
● Device Inventory:
○ 1,060 Smartphones currently in use
○ Capacity to expand up to 1,500 phones/accessories within
budget
○ 25 Hotspot Devices for mobile internet access
● Operational Management:
○ DIIT's Telecommunications team monitors active usage and
removes inactive lines to control costs.
○ New devices include updated Apple iPhone hardware, improving
performance and security.
○ High-priority FirstNet service provides uninterrupted cellular
access for designated users during emergencies.
Key Benefits:
This investment directly supports:
● Emergency preparedness and real-time communication during critical
incidents.
● District-wide operational continuity, including transportation
coordination, facilities oversight, and after-hours dispatch.
● Safety and security compliance as part of broader risk mitigation
strategies.
● Equity of access by ensuring key personnel in every school and
department have timely access to communication channels.
Cost Determination:
The projected cost of up to $774,000 was calculated based on the current
number of active devices (1,060 smartphones and 25 hotspots), with
capacity to expand to approximately 1,500 devices and accessories within
the approved budget. Pricing is governed by the existing State of Georgia
GTA Contract (9800-GTA794-A), which provides negotiated rates through
AT&T.
Financial Impact:
Year Cost
2022-23 $600,000
2023-24 $670,000
2024-25 $774,000
2025-26 $774,000 requested