Agenda Item
b. RFP 26-736 Special Education Comprehensive Audit (Not to Exceed $176,700)
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education award RFP 26-736 to LinkIt! dba Magnolia Consulting Group as the most responsive vendor to conduct a comprehensive Special Education Program Audit. Approval will authorize the Superintendent or designee to enter into an agreement with the vendor in accordance with District procurement procedures as the most responsive and responsible bidder for more than $100,000, but not to exceed the total contract amount of $176,700.
Why: The Special Education Program Audit will provide the District with an independent, comprehensive review of special education programs, services, procedures, and compliance practices. The audit will assess the effectiveness of current systems, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, evaluate alignment with federal and state requirements, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance service delivery and student outcomes. Findings from the audit will inform strategic planning, support continuous improvement efforts, strengthen accountability measures, and ensure the District is well-positioned to meet the needs of students with disabilities while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Details: The request for proposal for RFP 26-736 was issued on May 7, 2026, with a response deadline on June 17, 2026. The approved DCSD RFP process was followed. Thirteen (13) vendors responded with eleven (11) vendors deemed responsive to the requirements of the solicitation. RFP 26-736 was posted to IonWave on May 7, 2026 and advertised in the Champion Newspaper on May 7, 2026, and May 14, 2026. Additionally, electronic notification was sent to 241 vendors from the DCSD Vendor Bid List, sent to 641 vendors through the State of GA Procurement Registry and electronic notification was sent to 1,115 vendors through IonWave. Vendors were evaluated based on their demonstrated expertise in special education program audits, experience with comparable school districts, knowledge of federal and state special education requirements, qualifications of proposed staff, ability to provide an independent and comprehensive review, stakeholder engagement methodology, capacity to deliver actionable recommendations, project timeline, and overall value to the District. The vendor selected is LinkIt! dba Magnolia Consulting Group.
Financial impact: General budget: 100.2213.53000.00011.734.2061.8010.904.0000. Not to exceed $176,700.
Contact: Mrs. Kiana King, Interim Chief of Student Services, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1079
Dr. Erin Broyard Baptiste, Interim Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Division of Student Services, 678-676-1814
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
RFP 26-736 Special Education Comprehensive Audit
This agenda chronology is intended to provide the Board with additional context regarding the
rationale, scope, and anticipated benefits of conducting a comprehensive independent audit of the
Department of Exceptional Education’s Office of Special Education.
Why is this Audit Needed?
The DeKalb County School District serves a large and diverse population of students with
disabilities and is committed to ensuring that all students receive a Free Appropriate Public
Education (FAPE) in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and
other applicable federal and state requirements. The proposed audit is designed to provide an
objective, independent evaluation of the district’s special education programs, operations,
compliance practices, and service delivery systems. The audit will support continuous
improvement efforts by identifying strengths, opportunities for enhancement, emerging risks, and
areas where additional efficiencies or supports may be warranted.
What Will the Audit Examine?
The comprehensive audit will evaluate multiple aspects of the district’s special education system,
including:
• Instructional practices and implementation of services for students with disabilities.
• Compliance with federal, state, and local special education laws and regulations.
• Departmental governance, organizational structure, and operational effectiveness.
• Policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Service delivery models and staffing practices.
• Fiscal management, budgeting, and use of special education funds.
• Data systems, accountability measures, and monitoring practices.
• Risk areas that may impact compliance, quality of services, and student outcomes.
The selected vendor will conduct document reviews, data analyses, stakeholder interviews, focus
groups, and operational reviews to provide an evidence-based assessment of the district’s special
education program.
What Are the Benefits to the District?
The comprehensive audit is expected to provide significant value to the district by:
• Delivering an independent and objective assessment of current practices and
performance.
• Identifying strengths that can be replicated and scaled across the district.
• Highlighting gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Providing practical and actionable recommendations to improve compliance, operational
efficiency, service delivery, and student outcomes.
• Increasing transparency and accountability through data-informed decision-making.
• Developing an implementation roadmap with measurable performance indicators to guide
future improvements.
• Informing strategic planning, resource allocation, and long-term decision-making related to
Exceptional Education services and supports.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion, the Board and district leadership will receive a comprehensive audit report,
findings presentation, and implementation roadmap outlining prioritized recommendations for
short-, mid-, and long-term improvements. The audit will support the district’s ongoing
commitment to excellence, compliance, educational equity, and improved outcomes for students
with disabilities.
Fiscal Impact: $176,700 as outlined in the procurement recommendation and associated RFP
process.