Agenda Item
b. Memorandum of Agreement with Communities In Schools of Atlanta, Inc. for Integrated Student Support Services (Not to Exceed $500,000)
Summary: Presented by: Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access & Opportunity, Division of Access & Opportunity
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Communities In Schools of Atlanta, Inc. (CIS) and the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) for a total amount not to exceed $500,000. This funding will support the delivery of community-based, integrated student support services at eight identified schools during the 2026-2027 school year.
Why: Communities In Schools of Atlanta, Inc. is a research-based partner dedicated to improving student outcomes through integrated student support services. The organization provides evidence-based interventions designed to strengthen academic achievement, improve attendance, increase student engagement, and promote post-secondary success.
The requested funding will support the placement of Communities In Schools (CIS) site coordinators at eight identified schools: Clarkston High School, Columbia High School, Cross Keys High School, Stone Mountain High School, Towers High School, Columbia Middle School, Ronald E. McNair Middle School, and Stone Mountain Middle School. Site coordinators will provide targeted interventions, coordinate wraparound services, and connect students and families with school and community-based resources to address barriers to learning. This agreement also expands services to three additional schools during the 2026-2027 school year, strengthening continuity of support across feeder patterns and better addressing the identified needs of students, families, and the surrounding community. Expanding services will enhance the continuum of academic, social-emotional, and wraparound support, creating a seamless network of resources as students transition between grade levels while responding to the unique needs of each school community.
Communities In Schools of Atlanta, Inc. successfully met the goals and contractual deliverables established under the previous agreement. The organization remains committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based integrated student support services that improve student outcomes through coordinated case management, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive school and community resources.
Details: Communities In Schools of Atlanta, Inc. will partner with the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) to implement the evidence-based CIS Model, delivering comprehensive, school-based integrated student supports designed to remove barriers to student success. The CIS Model is grounded in a continuous improvement framework that includes comprehensive needs assessment, strategic planning, coordinated delivery of integrated student support, ongoing progress monitoring, and evaluation of student and program outcomes. Through this partnership, CIS will provide intensive case management services to identify at-risk students, connecting them with individualized academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and basic need support. By coordinating school and community resources, CIS will help students overcome barriers to learning, improve attendance and engagement, strengthen academic performance, and increase their likelihood of remaining on track for grade promotion and high school graduation. This integrated approach fosters equitable access to resources and services that support students' long-term academic success and overall well-being. It is important to note that Stone Mountain Elementary School and Flat Shoals Elementary School currently receive CIS services through funding provided by the Georgia Department of Education under their designation as Comprehensive Support and Improvement Tier IV schools. Accordingly, funding for these schools is not included in this request, as they are supported through a separate funding source.
Financial impact: Title IV Funding: 462.2100.530000.03222.7020.1779.8010.090.2026 - ($210,000)
General Fund: 100.2300.530000.00011.8720.9990.8010.092.0000 - ($290,000)
Contact: Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access & Opportunity, Division of Access & Opportunity, 678.676.0485
Dr. Latashia W. Searcy, Ed.D., Executive Director of Student Mentorship and Partnerships, Division of Access & Opportunity, 404.808.8874
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Request for Sole Source or Single Source Purchase
Purchasing Department Non-Competitive Request Form
7/16/26
Date ________________________________________________________________________
Student Mentorship and Partnerships
Requesting Department: _______________________________________________________
Latashia Searcy
Department Head: ____________________________________________________________
Triscilla Weaver
Budget Unit Manager: _________________________________________________________
Approved TouchPoint Requisition/Blanket Number_________________________________
Amount _____________________________________________________________________
Instructions:
Request for a sole source or a single source purchase must be in compliance with BOE Policy DJE,
Exceptions to Competitive Selection.
The purpose of this form is to certify conditions and circumstances for the purchase of goods and services
under the sole source or single source exception to the competitive process.
Use this form for a Non-Competitive Sole Source or a Non-Competitive Single Source Request for Capital
and Non-Capital Projects.
Complete the Section for a SOLE SOURCE or SINGLE SOURCE Request
This completed request must be signed by the Requesting Department Head and the Budget Unit Manager
Completed request form and all requested documentation must be attached to the approved TouchPoint
requisition. Note: Items with a total cost of $100,000.00 or more require prior Board approval. The Purchasing
Manager must also pre-approve the sole or single source purchase request.
Note: A Sole Source or Single Source designation is valid for requisition/purchase order associated with the
request.
February 2020
COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR A SOLE SOURCE REQUEST
Request for Sole Source Purchase
Sole Source- The required goods or services can only be obtained from one source in the marketplace. Such goods or
services will usually be of a unique nature and have performance characteristics that can only be obtained from that source.
Written document
authorized designee, shall be maintained in the project and/or contract files. For capital improvement projects, specified
equipment and materials of a proprietary nature will be identified and submitted to the State DOE Receiving State Capital
Outlay Funds 160-5-4-.16(a)(8). (Board Policy Purchasing DJE III. Competitive Selection; D. Exception to Competitive
Selection, 3. b.)
The following written documentation is required and must be attached to Approved TouchPoint
Requisition
1. Explanation on supplier stating that the good or service is only available from vendor.
2. Statement from DCSD requisition initiator and budget unit manager describing in detail the reason(s) why the
supplier is a sole source and the necessity to make the purchase. Please explain why the sole source good or
service is the only method that can satisfy the requirements; and include specifics regarding specifications,
features, characteristics, requirements, capability and compatibility. Additionally, explain why alternatives are not
acceptable.
3. Explain the impact to the District or public if this request is not approved.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Detailed Description of Sole Source Good or Service to be purchased
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Name of Sole Source Vendor: _________________________________________________________________
6. Conditions and special circumstances for Sole Source must be specifically stated. Complete the following:
A. Manufacturer ________________ (
B. Man
C. Authorized Distributor for Region ___________________________________
D. Copyright (©) Yes_____ No_____
E. Yes_____ No_____
F. Trade Secret Yes_____ No_____
G. Proprietary Information Yes_____ No_____
H. Other Yes_____ No_____
Explain: ___________________________________________________________________
I. Additional Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
J. Will this purchase obligate DCSD to a particular vendor for future purchases, either in terms of maintenance
or a need to purchase more like items in the future to match this one?
Yes____ No____
K. Is all requested documentation attached to the Approved Requisition?
Yes____ No____
_______________________________________________________________________________
Purchasing Department Use:
Approved: Yes_____ No_____
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
February 2020
COMPLETE THIS SECTION FOR A SINGLE SOURCE REQUEST
Request for Single Source Purchase
Single Source- The required goods or services can only be obtained from one source among others in a
competitive marketplace for a substantial reason such as compatibility or standardization provided a
reasonably diligent search has been made for other vendors (additional quote) or other appropriate
Written documentation of such
determination, in a manner prescribed by the Superi ,
shall be maintained in the project and/or contract files. For capital improvement projects, specified equipment
and materials of a proprietary nature will be identified and submitted to the State DOE Receiving State Capital
Outlay Funds 160-5-4-.16(a)(8). (Board Policy Purchasing DJE III. Competitive Selection; D. Exception to
Competitive Selection, 3. c.)
The following written documentation is required and must be attached to Approved TouchPoint
Requisition.
1. Statement from DCSD requisition initiator and budget unit manager describing in detail the reason(s) why the
supplier is a single source and the necessity to make the purchase. Please explain why the single source good
or service is recommended to satisfy the requirements; and include specifics regarding specifications, features,
characteristics, requirements, capability and compatibility. Additionally, explain why other suppliers or
alternatives are not acceptable.
2. Explain the impact to the District or public if this request is not approved.
If this request is not approved, support services provided to the identified schools could not be able to start or
________________________________________________________________________________________
continued. This could have an impact on graduation rate and college enrollment.
________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Detailed Description of Single Source Good or Service to be purchased
Communities In Schools will provide intensive case management services to identified at-risk students, connecting
________________________________________________________________________________________
them with individualized academ, behavioral, social-emotional, and basic need support.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Communities in Schools
4. Name of Single Source Supplier: _____________________________________________________________
5. Conditions and special circumstances for Single Source must be specifically stated. Complete the following:
A. Standardization X
Yes_____ No_____
B. Warranty Yes_____ No_____
C. Function, compatibility Yes_____ No_____
D. Chemical make-up Yes_____ No_____
E. Exclusivity Yes_____ No_____
L. Other Yes_____ No_____
Explain: ___________________________________________________________________
M. Additional Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
N. Will this purchase obligate DCSD to a particular vendor for future purchases, either in terms of
maintenance or a need to purchase more like items in the future to match this one?
Yes____ No____X
O. Is all requested documentation attached to the Approved Requisition?
X
Yes____ No____
Purchasing Department Use:
x
Approved: Yes_____ No_____
Comments: Approved 7.21.26.
____________________________________________________________________
February 2020