A. CALL TO ORDER
1. Roster
Details
Summary: BOARD MEMBERS:
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
Mr. Awet Eyasu, Vice Chair
Mr. Andrew B. Ziffer
Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce
Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr.
Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Interim Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
Mr. Awet Eyasu, Vice Chair
Mr. Andrew B. Ziffer
Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce
Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr.
Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Interim Superintendent of Schools
B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Details
Summary: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adopt the agenda for the April 28 - April 29, 2026, 2-day board retreat and executive session.
Motion: __________________
Seconded by: ____________
Vote: _____________________
Motion: __________________
Seconded by: ____________
Vote: _____________________
C. WELCOME & OVERVIEW
D. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ~ Day 1 ~ April 28, 2026
1. Professional Development with Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI)
Details
Summary: Facilitated by: Leslie Hazle Bussey, Ph.D., Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI)
E. RECESS DAY 1 ~ BOARD RETREAT
Details
Summary: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education recess day one of the April 28-April 29, 2026, 2-day board retreat and executive session.
Motion by: ___________________
Seconded by: _________________
Vote: ___________
Motion by: ___________________
Seconded by: _________________
Vote: ___________
F. RECONVENE BOARD RETREAT ~ Day 2 ~ April 29, 2026
1. Roster
Details
Summary: BOARD MEMBERS:
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
Mr. Awet Eyasu, Vice Chair
Mr. Andrew B. Ziffer
Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce
Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr.
Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Interim Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
Mr. Awet Eyasu, Vice Chair
Mr. Andrew B. Ziffer
Ms. Whitney McGinniss
Mrs. Deirdre P. Pierce
Tiffany Hogan, Ph.D.
Mr. Diijon DaCosta, Sr.
Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Interim Superintendent of Schools
G. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION ~ Day 2 ~ April 29, 2026
1. DeKalb Education Foundation Update ~ Updated 4.28.2026 (1 doc)
- DSEF School Board Retreat Presentation AID 2011270 Read Text
Details
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Cherisse M. Campbell, Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships and
Ms. Kymberlee Estis, Foundation Executive, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Ms. Kymberlee Estis, Foundation Executive, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
2. Disconnect to Reconnect Initiative Update ~ Updated 4.28.2026 (2 docs)
- Disconnect to Reconnect Board Presentation AID 2011277 Read Text
- HB 1009 Distraction Free Act AID 2011271 Read Text
Details
Summary: Presented by: Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services
3. DeKalb County School District Literacy Plan Development Update ~ Updated 4.28.2026 (1 doc)
- Literacy Policy Progress AID 2011723 Read Text
Details
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kia Billingsley, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Teaching & Learning
4. Process Update to Increase Carnegie Courses in Middle Schools and Advanced Placement Courses in High Schools ~ Updated 4.28.2026 (1 doc)
- MS Carnegie and HS Advanced Academics 2.0 AID 2011724 Read Text
Details
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kia Billingsley, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Teaching & Learning,
Champion Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership
Champion Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership
5. Acknowledgements
Details
Summary: Facilitated by: Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
6. Inspirations Survey
Details
Summary: Facilitated by: Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
7. Budget Changes
Details
Summary: Facilitated by: Ms. Allyson Gevertz, Board Chair
8. SY27 Budget Development Update ~ Updated 4.28.2026 (4 docs)
- FY2027 Budget Presentation April 29 - BOE Retreat AID 2011737 Read Text
- DCSD FY2027 Initial Budget AID 2011955
- Exh A. FY2027 Initial Budget AID 2011738 Read Text
- Exh B. FY2027 Guide to Understanding DCSD's Allotment Process AID 2012448 Read Text
Details
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance
H. ADJOURN TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Details
Summary: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adjourn the April 29, 2026, executive session.
Motion by: ___________________
Seconded by: ________________
Vote: ____________
Motion by: ___________________
Seconded by: ________________
Vote: ____________
I. ACTION ITEM(S)
1. APPROVAL OF AN ITEM(S) FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION (2 docs)
- Vitella Dodson rd AID 2010754 Read Text
- Executive Administrator of Schools AID 2010755 Read Text
Details
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Ms. Vitella Dodson to the position of Executive Administrator of High Schools, in the Division of Schools & Leadership, as discussed in the executive session.
b. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION (2 docs)
- Keith Jones rd AID 2010749 Read Text
- Executive Administrator of Schools AID 2010750 Read Text
Details
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Keith Jones to the position of Executive Administrator of Middle Schools, in the Division of Schools & Leadership, as discussed in the executive session.
c. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION (2 docs)
- Char-Shenda Covington rd AID 2010760 Read Text
- Executive Administrator of Schools AID 2010761 Read Text
Details
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Dr. Char-Shenda D. Dudley to the position of Executive Administrator of Specialty Schools, in the Division of Schools & Leadership, as discussed in the executive session.
d. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION (3 docs)
- Shelly K. Bishop rd AID 2010732 Read Text
- Shelly Bishop Disclosure Form AID 2010733 Read Text
- Director Wrap Around Student Support AID 2010734 Read Text
Details
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the hiring recommendation of Mrs. Shelly Bishop to the position of Director of Wrap Around Services, in the Division of Wrap Around Services, as discussed in the executive session.
In accordance with Board of Education Policy GAGD, Section G: Mandatory Disclosure by the Superintendent. In the Superintendent's monthly report to the Board, the Superintendent shall disclose the names of relatives of the current members of the Board of Education, of the current Superintendent, and of other current employees at the Director level or above, provided such relatives are to be recommended for employment in the District by the Superintendent or are being considered by the Superintendent for a promotion or a salary increase other than a State of Georgia raise, step increase, or across-the-board raise.
Relative Disclosure
Mrs. Shelly Bishop is a candidate who has been recommended for a Director of Wrap Around Services position.
Mrs. Bishop is the stepparent of the Principal at McNair Discovery Learning Academy in the Division of Schools & Leadership.
In accordance with Board of Education Policy GAGD, Section G: Mandatory Disclosure by the Superintendent. In the Superintendent's monthly report to the Board, the Superintendent shall disclose the names of relatives of the current members of the Board of Education, of the current Superintendent, and of other current employees at the Director level or above, provided such relatives are to be recommended for employment in the District by the Superintendent or are being considered by the Superintendent for a promotion or a salary increase other than a State of Georgia raise, step increase, or across-the-board raise.
Relative Disclosure
Mrs. Shelly Bishop is a candidate who has been recommended for a Director of Wrap Around Services position.
Mrs. Bishop is the stepparent of the Principal at McNair Discovery Learning Academy in the Division of Schools & Leadership.
J. ADJOURN
Details
Summary: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education adjourn the April 28 - April 29, 2026, 2-day board retreat and executive session.
Motion by: _______________________
Seconded by: _____________________
Vote: ____________
Motion by: _______________________
Seconded by: _____________________
Vote: ____________
No agenda items found.