Agenda Item
ii. Resolution ~ Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) ~ Approval of New Five-Year Local Facilities Plan ~ Updated 3.5.2026
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 resolution of the DeKalb County School (DCSD) new Five-Year Local Facilities Plan and its submission to the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).
Why: Submission of the Board-approved Five-Year Local Facilities Plan to the GaDOE is required by state law for DCSD to remain eligible for state funding through the Capital Outlay Program.
Details: In accordance with Georgia law (O.C.G.A §20-2-260), all school systems are required to develop and maintain a Five-Year Local Facilities Plan (LFP) to be eligible to participate in Georgia's Capital Outlay Program for state-funded reimbursement of capital projects.
Every five years, school districts qualify for this funding by completing two (2) major requirements: reporting the number of schools the District expects to operate in the five-year period and developing a capital project scheduling plan for the same five-year period. Each year, school districts must submit a Capital Outlay Application, listing the projects for which they will seek reimbursement for the year based on this plan.
The State of Georgia provides limited funding assistance for capital outlay projects in school districts as determined by state formula. These entitlement funds are awarded as projects are completed. This process, "reimbursable" funding, means that the project (or phases of that project) must be completed first, and then the school district applies for the allotted reimbursement. The State Board of Education approved DeKalb County School District’s last LFP in May 2022, which allowed the District to remain eligible to receive project-reimbursable funds to support the District’s capital program initiatives. The last local facilities plan expired on June 30, 2025, and a new plan must be approved by the DeKalb County Board of Education no later than April 20, 2026. A state-appointed validation team visited the District on March 4, 2026, to confirm the needs outlined in the local facilities plan. The approval and submission of this plan will meet the statutory requirements and deadline to participate in the Capital Outlay Program for FY 27.
Financial impact: Approval of the District’s Five-Year Local Facilities Plan will allow the District to be eligible to apply for future reimbursements under Georgia's Capital Outlay Program. There will be no immediate financial impact.
Contact: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, 678.676.1470
Mr. Hans Williams, Director of Planning & E-SPLOST Programming, Division of Operations, 678-676-1588
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
Resolution
Georgia Department of Education (Ga DOE)
Five-Year Local Facilities Plan
Scope:
Resolution – Approval of Five-Year Facilities Plan and submission to Georgia
Department of Education (GaDOE).
Background
In accordance with Georgia law (O.C.G.A §20-2-260), all school systems are
required to develop and maintain a Five-Year Local Facilities Plan (LFP) to be
eligible to participate in Georgia's Capital Outlay Program for state funded
reimbursement of capital projects.
The DeKalb County School District (“DCSD”) currently participates in the Georgia
Department of Education’s Capital Outlay Program.
A Five-Year Local Facilities Plan (also known as a Local Facilities Plan or Educational
Facilities Construction Plan) is a strategic document that outlines a local school
system's present facility conditions and projects their future needs over a five-year
period. It serves as a roadmap for decision-making regarding the development,
renovation, and management of educational facilities. Every five years,
participating school districts must submit a Local Facilities Plan (LFP), which among
other information identifies the school and facilities to be operated by the school
district at the end of the five years, along with the capital needs of the school
district’s facilities.
Every five years, school districts qualify for this funding by completing two (2)
major requirements:
1. Reporting the number of schools the District expects to operate in the five-
year period and:
2. Developing a capital project scheduling plan for the same five-year period.
The State Board of Education approved the District’s last LFP in May 2022 which
allowed the District to remain eligible to receive project-reimbursable funds to
support the District’s capital program initiatives. The last local facilities plan expired
on June 30, 2025, and a new plan must be approved by the DeKalb County Board
of Education no later than April 20, 2026. A state-appointed validation team visited
the District on March 4, 2026, to confirm the needs outlined in the local facilities
plan.
The approval and submission of this plan will meet the statutory requirements and
deadline to participate in the Capital Outlay Program for FY ‘27.