Agenda Item
b. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta Level Up: In-school Mentoring Services (Not to Exceed $249,995)
Summary: Presented by: Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access and Opportunity, Division of Access and Opportunity
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) to provide Level Up: In-School Mentoring services to 400 students at Lithonia Middle School during the 2026-2027 school year.
Why: Lithonia Middle School has worked in partnership with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta program for the past three years, and the results show an improvement in attendance and behavior for participating students. The DCSD would like to continue to implement the Level Up: In-School Mentoring program at Lithonia Middle School to support students in developing a vision for the future, avoid risky behavior(s), and assist in their development of having a sense of belonging. Lithonia Middle School was selected based on at-risk concerns presented by students.
Details: The Level Up program utilizes nine paid staff members, including one mentoring supervisor, and eight lead mentors, who facilitate mentorship within the school day for students in a 1:5 adult mentor to student mentee ratio and in 1:1 settings for select students. The program has the capacity to serve up to 400 students.
Financial impact: Purchased Professional and Technical Services 462.1000.530000.03221.7020.1779. 8010.090.0000 (Title IV grant)
Contact: Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access and Opportunity, Division of Access & Opportunity, 678-676-0485
Latashia W. Searcy, EdD., Executive Director of Student Mentorship and Partnerships, Division of Access & Opportunity Division, 404-808-8874
Effective: August 3, 2026 - July 30, 2027
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METRO ATLANTA
JULY 2026
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) History
and Renewal
June 2023
The DeKalb County Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta in an amount not to exceed $249,983 to
provide Level Up: In-School Mentoring services to 100 students at Lithonia Middle School
during the 2023-2024 school year.
June 2024
The Board approved a subsequent MOU with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, not to
exceed $249,983, expanding Level Up: In-School Mentoring services to 300 students at
Lithonia Middle School for the 2024–2025 school year.
August 2025
The Board approved the renewal of the MOU with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta in
an amount not to exceed $249,995 to provide mentoring services to 400 students at
Lithonia Middle School during the 2025- 2026 school year.
July 2026
It is requested that the Board of Education approve the continued MOU with Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Metro Atlanta, not to exceed $249,995.00, to sustain Level Up: In-School Mentoring
services for 400 students at Lithonia Middle School during the 2026–2027 school year.
The District has maintained a multi-year partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro
Atlanta to provide Level Up: In-School Mentoring services at Lithonia Middle School,
expanding from 100 students in 2023 to 400 students by year 2025 while maintaining
consistent funding levels. The proposed 2026–2027 agreement continues this effort at an
amount not to exceed $249,995. Board approval is requested to sustain mentoring services
for 400 students.