Agenda Item
d. Canvas Learning Management System with Instructure (Not to Exceed $656,294)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the purchase of the Canvas Learning Management System with Instructure Incorporated, for an amount not to exceed $656,294.
Why: The purpose of this agenda item is to support teaching and learning district-wide through continued use of Canvas as the DeKalb County School District’s learning management system. Canvas provides a centralized instructional platform that supports virtual instruction, access to board-approved curriculum, professional learning, and consistent instructional practices across schools.
Details: Canvas serves as the district’s enterprise learning management system and is a critical instructional platform supporting students, teachers, and staff. The system enables instructional continuity and equitable access to digital learning resources while integrating with other core district systems.
Key Services:
Support for virtual and blended instruction
Access to the district’s board-approved curriculum
Delivery of professional learning for staff
Assignment and assessment management
Integration with district systems (e.g., Infinite Campus, Microsoft, Google)
Engagement and usage reporting and analytics
Parent portal to support family engagement
Financial impact: General Fund: 100.1000.553200.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology, 678.676.1274
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Chronology- Canvas Learning Management System
The Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT) seeks approval to continue the
districtwide use of Canvas as the DeKalb County School District’s enterprise learning
management system. Canvas provides a centralized instructional platform that supports virtual
instruction, curriculum delivery, professional learning, and instructional continuity across all
schools.
Canvas serves as a primary instructional platform for the district, supporting equitable access to
learning resources and standardized instructional practices. The platform enables teaching and
learning within a consistent digital environment while maintaining integration with other core
district systems.
Key Services:
● Support for virtual, blended, and asynchronous instruction- providing a consistent,
accessible online platform that enables students to engage with course content,
complete assignments, and participate in learning activities at their own pace across
classrooms and schools
● Access to the district’s board-approved curriculum- centralized system for
delivering instructional content and materials
● Delivery of professional learning for staff- integrated tools for training, resources, and
instructional support
● Assignment and assessment management- distribute, collect, grade, and provide
feedback on student work
● Integration with district systems- support seamless data flow and instructional
workflows
● Engagement and usage reporting and analytics- monitor participation, usage trends,
and instructional activity
● Parent portal to support family engagement- provide visibility into assignments,
progress, and classroom activities
Canvas replaced the district’s former learning management system, itsLearning (VERGE),
during the 2022-23 school year. As a core instructional platform, Canvas provides long-term
continuity, standardized implementation, and ongoing compatibility with district instructional
processes.
Procurement:
Pursuant to Board Policy DJE III.D.3.g, competitive sealed bidding is not required for this
purchase. Canvas is an instructional software platform and learning management system that
qualifies as an instructional program and software subscription under the instructional materials
and programs exception.
Financial Impact:
Year Cost
2025 $715,310
2026 $815,250
2027 $656,294 requested