Agenda Item
a. Student Assignment Project Monthly Update ~ Updated 2.9.2026
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Sarita Smith, Executive Director of Student Assignment, Division of Access & Opportunity, and
Mrs. Jennifer Caracciolo, Deputy Chief of Communications, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Student Assignment Project
Communications Plan
Feedback Phase: January – May 2026
1
SAP Communications Plan
Feedback Phase: January 2026 – May 2026
This plan prioritizes early communication, intentional listening, and
visible accountability, especially for families who are not traditionally
engaged.
Stakeholder feedback is important and will be reviewed as part of the
SAP process. While not every suggestion can be implemented,
community input helps inform the district’s planning and understanding
of local priorities. Final decisions rest with the Board of Education.
SAP Communications Plan 2
Guiding Principles
Students are our top priority!
Accessibility: Multiple languages, formats, and entry points for feedback
Shared Leadership: No single individual carries the weight of this work
Clarity Without Finality: Scenarios are tools for discussion and feedback, not final decisions
Internal First: Principals and staff are briefed before public release
Respect for History: Honor DeKalb’s growth legacy while addressing today’s challenges
SAP Communications Plan 3
Main Messages - Overall
The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is built for 110,000 students. Today we serve 92,000, and
enrollment is projected to decline further.
The Student Assignment Project (SAP) is our commitment to invest resources where they matter
most, in classrooms with students, not in empty seats. This is about being educationally focused and
cost avoidance, creating a district where every child has access to strong academic programs, well-
resourced schools, and meaningful opportunities to learn and grow, regardless of where they live.
SAP’s work and community feedback will shape DCSD for the next generation. This is our moment to
analyze the data, listen to our communities, and design a district that is more efficient, inclusive, and
stronger.
SAP Communications Plan 4
Main Messages - Academic
• Expanded Academic Access: Strengthening academic programs including but not limited to AP course offerings and
advanced coursework, Dual Enrollment, enhancing CTAE pathways, broadening World Language offerings, Music, and
Fine and Visual Arts opportunities. Additionally, strengthening Gifted services and enrichment opportunities.
• Enhanced Instructional Staffing: Comprehensive instructional teams, minimized itinerant roles, and strengthened efforts
in recruiting and retaining specialized staff.
• Enhanced Student Supports: Greater capacity for on-site counseling, mental health services, and targeted interventions.
• Efficient Use of Resources: Redirecting funding from underutilized facilities to instruction, technology, and learning
environments.
• Clear Academic Pathways: Intentional grade-band structures and aligned feeder patterns that support smooth
transitions.
SAP Communications Plan 5
Audiences
During this phase of SAP (February – May), we are focused on those we need to engage to
receive feedback on the scenarios, as well as those that can help us get the word out.
Parents/Caregivers DCSD Staff
(students) (principals will be key)
Broader DeKalb
Media
Community
SAP Communications Plan 6
Reaching Our Audiences
Strategic Community Outreach
Community feedback meetings (in person and virtual) are scheduled for:
• February 23 – February 26
• March 23 – March 26
Additional outreach includes speaking engagements at civic/community groups and sharing SAP
information with the faith-based community and local municipalities.
Targeted subgroups include, but are not limited to:
McKinney-Vento families, students with Diverse Educational Needs, English Language Learners
and Bilingual students, Foster Care families, Newcomers, Immigrants, Refugees, and those
facing challenges such as transportation and non-traditional work schedules.
SAP Communications Plan 7
Reaching Our Audiences
School-Based Opportunities for Sharing Information
In addition to engaging parent groups (PAC/PTO/PTA), there are many school events happening through
May where information about the Student Assignment Project (SAP) will be shared.
These include, but are not limited to:
• Athletic events
• Fine arts events
• Trainings
• Conferences
• School based events with large populations of families
SAP Communications Plan 8
Timeline
January – Early February February February – May
Internal Preparation (Happening Now) Principal Touchpoint Sustained Engagement
• Begin SAP Toolkit • Scenario presentation • Monthly SAP eNewsletter
• Finalize website updates and • Share Guide to SAP Toolkit • Video series, podcasts, community
feedback infrastructure Scenario Launch at SAP Committee conversations
• Create COMS tools Meeting • Ongoing social, School Messenger,
• Scenario presentation and and earned media pushes
survey launch in 15 languages • Targeted outreach
February 4 February 12 Communications Scenario
Newsletter Kickoff Sharing:
Public Scenario Launch
• First SAP eNewsletter 1. Board of Education
• SAP website fully live (scenarios, data
(introductory, non-scenario 2. Principals
dashboard, FAQs, feedback forms)
specific) 3. SAP Committee
• Launch video and social
• Finalize SAP Toolkit for principals 4. DCSD Stakeholders
• Media release and proactive outreach
and other leaders 5. Media
• Website banner kickoff (district and
school websites)
SAP Communications Plan 9
Channels
Main Messages Core Videos Earned Media
Toolkit • Dr. Sauce - Message from Interim Supt. • Op-ed by Dr. Sauce
Websites • Person-on-the-Street Videos • Media release at scenario launch
Social Media • Roundtable Conversation • Pitch media for in-depth process stories
• Bench model spokespeople*
School Messenger • Principal
• Ms. Jennifer Caracciolo (overall)
DSTV • Student
• Dr. Norman Sauce
• SAP Committee Member & Parent
(overall/academics)
• HPM Representative
• Dr. Triscilla Weaver (overall/A&O)
• Motion Graphic • Mr. Tracy Richter (technical)
• How-To Dashboard/Survey Video by • Mr. Erick Hofstetter
HPM (operations/buildings)
• In the Know Podcast • Selected SAP Committee members
• SAP Episode with Dr. Triscilla (process)
Weaver (aired February 3) * People available for issue related media inquiries
SAP Communications Plan 10
Toolkit for DCSD Leaders
SAP Toolkit
Roll out in February
Audience: Includes:
• Principals • Message guidance and talking points
• Directors • Sample parent and staff emails; newsletter content
• Chiefs • 30-minute meeting kit (PowerPoint, video embed, sample agenda, sample
• Board Members meeting invite)
• Scenario survey QR code and url (15 languages)
Format: • Flyers for backpacks and drop-off lanes (15 languages)
• Virtual rollout • Posters and FAQs
• Downloadable resources • Sample speeches/announcements at events
• Postcards with feedback QR code and url (15 languages)
• Text for school signs; provide signs for drop off lanes/schools
SAP Communications Plan 11
Feedback Design
SAP Guiding Principles - Feedback Loop: February – May
Build Scenarios Share Publicly Get Feedback Incorporate Feedback
Scenario Survey: Feedback Compilation: Additional Feedback Tools:
• Built by HPM • HL Strategy, independent • In-person focus groups
• Available in 15 third party, compiles all for targeted audiences
languages feedback from surveys as needed
• QR code and url and meetings, and
provides reports to DCSD
and HPM
• DCSD shares feedback
with stakeholders
SAP Communications Plan 12
SAP Community and
Committee Feedback
dekalbschoolsga.org/sap
13
January SAP Committee Feedback
SAP completed our evaluation scenario committee meeting series in January. They completed a feedback survey.
Please see the results below.
Consolidated Primary vs Secondary Metrics Results Chart
Metric Primary Secondary
School Adequacy – How well the facility aligns with the 53% 47%
school needs
School Capacity – Number of students a build can serve 56% 44%
School Condition – Overall state of a school’s physical 62% 38%
environment and operational readiness
Distance to Neighboring Schools 53% 47%
Forecasted Students within 1 / 1.5 miles 20% 80%
Forecasted Utilization 20% 80%
SAP Communications Plan 14
January SAP Committee Feedback
Other criteria metrics the committee would like to consideration:
Additional Building Metrics Additional Enrollment Metrics Additional Proximity Metrics
• Age • Transportation • Transportation costs (busing,
• Expansion potential • Displacement/disruption public transit)
• Neighborhood impact • Demographics • Population density and
• Campus lot size community layout
• Remodeling costs
• Historical trends • Impact of major roads, highways,
• Traffic/footprint limitations
or railroads
• Accessibility • Distance between schools in a
• Safety cluster (elementary → middle →
high)
• School level differentiation
(elementary vs. middle vs. high)
SAP Communications Plan 15
January Community Feedback
Families strongly oppose breaking up or destabilizing successful school communities
• Vanderlyn Elementary is a strong, high-performing neighborhood school with excellent academic outcomes,
meaningful enrichment opportunities, and a deeply engaged school community. Families value the school’s
walkable location, well-maintained and efficiently used facility, and strong alignment with Peachtree Middle
School, all of which support continuity, connection, and student success.
• Redistricting, closures, or reassignments would damage community cohesion, disrupt children’s education, and
reduce trust in the district.
Kittredge Magnet School (KMS) is a rare and valuable gifted education resource
• While access is limited through a lottery, KMS provides exceptional opportunities that cannot currently be
replicated district-wide due to staffing and financial constraints.
SAP Communications Plan 16
January Community Feedback
Limited access to magnet programs is preferable to eliminating them entirely
• Many families believe it is better to offer high-quality magnet programs to some qualified students than to
remove them in the name of equal access.
Sudden changes to specialty programs and feeder tracks are harmful to families
• Parents make long-term housing and education decisions based on established pathways; abrupt changes cause
disruption that families cannot easily absorb.
The district needs clearer communication, transparency, and long-term planning
• Families are frustrated by unclear timelines, lack of updates, and decisions perceived as driven by enrollment
balancing rather than educational quality and community impact.
SAP Communications Plan 17