Agenda Item
a. Approval of Minutes
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the minutes of the following meetings: February 9, 2026,which include the executive session, work session, community in-put session and business meeting, February 24-February 25, 2026, a 2-day board retreat & executive session.
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
2- Day Board Retreat & Executive Session, February
24 - February 25, 2026
02/24/2026 - 09:00 AM
Emory Conference Center ~ Dogwood Room
1615 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
MEETING MINUTES
Vision
To prepare students for success as lifelong learners and responsible global citizens
Mission
To promote the academic, social and emotional growth of each student by fostering a safe, supportive and
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engaging learning environment
Attendance
REVISED 2.24.26
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Voting Members
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
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Mr. Awet Eyasu, Vice Chair
Mr. Andrew Ziffer, Board Member
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Ms. Whitney McGinniss, Board Member
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Mrs. Deirdre Pierce, Board Member
Tiffany Hogan Ph.D., Board Member
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr., Board Member
Non-Voting Members
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Dr. Norman Sauce, Interim Superintendent
Carolyn Lloyd, Executive Director BOE
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A. CALL TO ORDER
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The DeKalb County Board of Education held its 2-Day Board Retreat and Executive Session,
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February 24 – February 22, 2026, at the Emory Conference Center located at 1615 Clairmont
Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, convened the 1st day of the February 24- February 25, 2026,
2-day board retreat and executive session at 9:08 a.m.
1. Roster
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, noted the following were in attendance: Mr. Andrew B.
Ziffer, Ms. Whitney McGinniss, Immediate Past Chair, Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce, Tiffany Hogan,
Ph.D., and Interim Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Norman C. Sauce III.
Vice Chair, Mr. Awet Eyasu and Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr. participated virtually.
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Also in attendance was the Executive Director of Board Operations, Ms. Carolyn Lloyd.
B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, asked if there were any objections to adopting the agenda for
the February 24 –February 25, 2026, 2- day board retreat and executive session.
With no objections, the agenda was adopted.
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
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C. WELCOME & OVERVIEW
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Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, provided a welcome and an overview of what to expect on
the 1st day of the 2-day board retreat.
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D. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION ~ Day 1 ~ February 24, 2026
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1. Student Assignment Project Discussion ~ Updated 2.24.2026
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Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair,
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Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access & Opportunity, Division of Access & Opportunity,
Ms. Sarita Smith, Executive Director of Student Assignment Project, Division of Access &
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Opportunity, and
Mr. Tracy Richter, Vice President of Planning Services, Hoar Program Management, LLC.,
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facilitated the discussion on the Student Assignment Project.
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2. Human Resources Report ~ Best Practices
Mrs. Tasha Davis-Mills, Chief Human Resource Officer, Division of Human Resources,
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presented the human resources best practices report.
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3. Quad Team Presentation on Federally Identified Schools ~ Updated 2.25.2026
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Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief of Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability &
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Research,
Champion Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership,
Dr. Kia Billingsley, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Teaching and Learning, and
Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, presented
updates on the federally identified schools.
4. SY27 Budget Development Update ~ Updated 2.24.26
Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, presented an update of
the SY27 budget development.
5. Board Discussion on Acknowledgements & Inspirations
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Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, led the discussion on acknowledgments and inspirations.
The board decided to continue the discussion at the board retreat in April.
E. ADJOURN TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education
adjourn day one of the February 24 - February 25, 2026, 2-day board retreat to an executive
session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters regarding land, legal, litigation,
personnel and student appeals.
Motion made by: Mrs. Deirdre Pierce
Motion seconded by: Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Voting:
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Unanimously Approved
1. ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
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Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, requested a motion to adjourn the February 24,
2026, executive session.
Motion made by: Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Motion seconded by: Mrs. Deirdre Pierce
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Voting:
Unanimously Approved
F. ACTION ITEM(S)
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1. APPROVAL OF AN ITEM(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
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a. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, requested a motion from the DeKalb County Board of
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Education to approve the hiring recommendation of Mr. Terrence O. Harvey, to the
position of Executive Administrator of middle schools, in the Division of Schools &
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Leadership, as discussed in the executive session.
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Motion made by: Mrs. Deirdre Pierce
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Motion seconded by: Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Voting:
Ms. Allyson Gevertz - Yes
Mr. Awet Eyasu - Yes
Mr. Andrew Ziffer - Yes
Ms. Whitney McGinniss - Yes
Mrs. Deirdre Pierce - Yes
Tiffany Hogan Ph.D. - Abstain
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr. - Yes
b. APPROVAL OF AN ITEM FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, requested a motion from the DeKalb County Board of
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Education to accept the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Board Attorney Committee to
select firm Denmark, Ashby and Matricardi, LLC., as Board Counsel for RFP 26-718,
effective March 1, 2026, as discussed in executive session.
Motion made by: Mr. Andrew Ziffer
Motion seconded by: Tiffany Hogan Ph.D.
Voting:
Ms. Allyson Gevertz - Yes
Mr. Awet Eyasu - Yes
Mr. Andrew Ziffer - Yes
Ms. Whitney McGinniss - Abstain
Mrs. Deirdre Pierce - Yes
Tiffany Hogan Ph.D. - Yes
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Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr. - Yes
G. RECESS DAY 1 ~ BOARD RETREAT
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Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education recess
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day one of the February 24–February 25, 2026, 2-day board retreat.
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Motion made by: Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Motion seconded by: Mrs. Deirdre Pierce
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Voting:
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Unanimously Approved
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H. RECONVENE BOARD RETREAT ~ Day 2 ~ February 25, 2026
With no objections, Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, reconvened day 2 of the February 24–
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February 25, 2026, 2-day board retreat at 9:15 am.
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1. Roster
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Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, noted the following were in attendance: Vice Chair, Mr.
Awet Eyasu, Mr. Andrew B. Ziffer, Ms. Whitney McGinniss, Immediate Past Chair, Mrs.
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Deirdre P. Pierce, Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D., and Interim Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Norman
C. Sauce III.
Voting:
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Ms. Allyson Gevertz - Yes
Mr. Awet Eyasu - Yes
Mr. Andrew Ziffer - Yes
Ms. Whitney McGinniss - Yes
Mrs. Deirdre Pierce - Yes
Tiffany Hogan Ph.D. - Yes
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr. - Not Present
I. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION ~ Day 2 ~ February 25, 2026
1. Professional Development with Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement
(GLISI)
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Leslie Hazle Bussey, Ph.D., CEO, Executive Director, Georgia Leadership Institute for School
Improvement (GLISI), facilitated the professional development for the board members.
J. ADJOURN
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair, requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education
adjourn the February 24 - February 25, 2026, 2-day board retreat and executive session.
Motion made by: Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Motion seconded by: Tiffany Hogan Ph.D.
Voting:
Ms. Allyson Gevertz - Yes
Mr. Awet Eyasu - Yes
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Mr. Andrew Ziffer - Yes
Ms. Whitney McGinniss - Yes
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Mrs. Deirdre Pierce - Yes
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Tiffany Hogan Ph.D. - Yes
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr. - Not Present
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