Agenda Item
i. 2026 Graduation Venue ~ Georgia State Convocation Center (Not to exceed $359,133.75)
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the contract for rental of the Georgia State Convocation Center for 23 graduation ceremonies for an amount not to exceed $359,133.75.
Why: To host in-door graduation ceremonies, as preferred by our students and families, it is necessary to rent a venue that has the capacity to accommodate 23 schools. Because we have 20+ schools, we facilitate multiple ceremonies each day and require a venue that has the capacity to accommodate between 3000 and 8000 attendees and the traffic flow.
Details: This contract is for the 2026 graduation season. The rental fee includes the cost of security, EMS Services, chair rental, stage rental, stage draping, and custodial services for the commencement exercises of DeKalb County School District high schools. The event will take place over a period of five (5) days, plus an additional day for setup. The Georgia State Convocation Center is located at 455 Capitol Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30312. Dates of May 15, 2026 (setup) and May 18-22, 2026.
Financial impact: The total budget for these services is allocation within the FY 2026 budget under cost code (100.2100.544100.02011.7000.9990.8010.010.0000)
Contact: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, 678.676.1470,
Ms. Jacquelyn Simmons, Clerical Substitute, Superintendent's Office, 678.676.0731,
Dr. Bernetta Jones, Substitute Administrator, Superintendent's Office, 678.898.2883
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Chronology of Agenda Item:
• May 2025- Requested Dates for 2026 Ceremonies
• July 2025-Discussed availability of desired dates w/ GA State
• July 2025- Finalized Graduation Schedule; Shared with Georgia State
• August 2025- GA State responded with approval of dates and reminders to
work within their constraints around scheduling of large schools and
requirement of additional security
• September 2025- The 2026 Graduation Schedule submitted to
Superintendent for approval
• September 2025- Adjustments made to schedule at request of
Superintendent; schedule adjusted; approval received
• October 2025- Graduation Schedule Approved and Published
• November 2025- Submitted Approved schedule to Georgia State
• January 2026- Received contract from Georgia State University
• January 2026- Revisions requested by DCSD
• February 2026- Revised contract received for Georgia State; contract
submitted for Legal Review
• February 2026- Board Agenda Item Prepared (to be presented at the March
board meeting)
REVISED 07.2019