Agenda Item
b. Student Assignment Project Update
Summary: Presented by: Triscilla Weaver, Ph.D., Chief of Access & Opportunity, Division of Access & Opportunity and
Dr. Cherisse M. Campbell, Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Student Assignment Project:
August Updates
Presented by:
Dr. Triscilla Weaver, Chief of Access and Opportunity
Dr. Cherisse Campbell, Chief of Community Engagement and Innovative
Partnerships
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Three Commitments
01 02 03
Community Voice Comprehensive Independent
Is Essential Conversations Facilitators
No recommendation will be presented to Buildings, boundaries, and programs are Each cluster conversation will be led by a
the Board of Education until impacted addressed together, not in separate silos. third-party facilitator who specializes in
communities have had a genuine, Communities will see how each decision trusted community conversations.
substantive opportunity to participate. affects the others.
Not after. Not simultaneously. Before.
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Centering the Student Experience
Overcrowded Schools Under-Enrolled Schools
Students and teachers stretched beyond what a healthy Empty seats drain programs that students deserve and
learning environment allows. have a right to access.
• Crowded classrooms • Fewer AP and advanced courses
• Insufficient shared spaces • Reduced arts and elective offerings
• Teacher workloads that strain quality • Less access to resources and technology
Conversations begin in the Fall of 2026 in Conversations begin in the Spring of 2027
the Lakeside, Cross Keys, Chamblee, in the Towers, McNair, Cedar Grove, Miller
Tucker, Dunwoody, and Druid Hills Grove, Columbia, and MLK clusters.
clusters.
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Tentative Public Engagement Timeline
Aug. 31 – Sept. 11: Define Goals, Process, Expectations Oct. 19 – Oct. 30: Refine Options
• First Meeting of Community Advisory Teams (CATs) • Third Meeting of Community Advisory Teams
• First Public Comment Sessions • Third Public Comment Sessions
• Online Public Survey • Online Public Survey
• Online Focus Groups Available • Online Focus Groups Available
Sept. 22 – Oct. 2: Consider Multiple Options
• Second Meeting of Community Advisory Teams
• Second Public Comment Sessions
• Online Public Survey
• Online Focus Groups Available
The Interim Superintendent and the Board of Education will receive regular updates
throughout the engagement process.
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Community Advisory Teams (CATs) Structure and Selection Process
Participant Categories Process
• Principals and School-based Staff • Each participating school will be allotted
• Students (Middle and High School) 10 Community Advisory Team seats
• Parents and Guardians (5 - 10 schools per cluster)
• Community Members • Previous Student Assignment Project
• District Administration Advisory Committee members who
• DCSD Partners submit an interest form will automatically
• PAC/PTA/PTO members be selected
• Current SAP Committee Members • Submission of an interest form does not
• Alumni guarantee a seat on the team
• Seats will be filled through a random
selection process with the support of
our Research and Accountability
Department
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Community Advisory Teams (CATs) Selection Process
Timeline Communication
Aug. 11: Launch CAT Interest Form CAT application window will be
Aug. 25: CAT Interest Form Closes communicated via:
Aug. 26 – 27: Random selection • DCSD Social Media Platforms
process • DCSD Website
Aug. 28: CAT members notified • DCSD Monday Newsletter
Sept. 8 – 10: CAT sessions begin • Municipal Newsletter
• DCSD Family and Community
Engagement Team
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Community Engagement Opportunities
Type Description Time Commitment
Community Advisory Teams A representative group of stakeholders that meets throughout the Six Community Advisory Teams
engagement process to provide feedback, review information, and help meeting three times each
inform project planning. Approximately 2 hours per meeting
Online Public Survey An on-demand online public survey that includes a brief video overview and 10-15 minute online public survey
topic-specific questions, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback at their available on demand, once online public
convenience. survey window opens
Online Focus Group Meetings Stakeholders who complete the online public survey may choose to 60-minute virtual sessions with 10-15
participate in a follow-up virtual focus meeting to provide more detailed participants each
feedback. These facilitated discussions will be conducted during multiple
dates and times.
Public Comment Sessions Formal public hearings that provide community members an opportunity to In-person sessions approximately two
share oral comments in accordance with Board policy. Individual comments hours in length
are limited to three minutes.
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Communications Approach
The communications goal is to help every stakeholder understand why the Student Assignment Project
matters, how it affects student opportunity, and how they can meaningfully participate.
To accomplish that, the strategy rests on the following six pillars:
Clarify Build Shared Meet People Foster Build Trust Maintain
Student Understanding Where They Two-Way Through a Continuous
Opportunity Are Dialogue Transparency Conversation
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Communications Ecosystem
Every Connection Matters
Awareness Understanding Engagement Ongoing Updates
Social Media Website Community Advisory Teams Email
Superintendent Videos Maps Online Public Surveys Text Messages
Online Focus Groups
Newsletters FAQs SchoolMessenger®
Public Comment Sessions
Print Materials Explainer Videos Principal Updates
Community Connectors
Local Media Podcasts Board of Education
Updates
The goal is not more communication. The goal is communication that meets people where they are and moves
them toward meaningful participation.
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Communication: Community Touchpoints
Trust Travels Through Relationships
Strategic Outreach and Engagement
Schools Community Business Government
• Principals • Faith leaders • Chambers of Commerce • County commissioners
• PTA/PTO/PAC leaders • HOAs • Local employers • City/Municipal leaders
• Parents and Guardians • Civic organizations • Community partners • State legislators
• Teachers • Neighborhood associations • Public libraries
• Student leaders • Nonprofits
• Alumni
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Next Steps
Launch Community Advisory Team (CAT) Interest Form and communications campaign
Conduct CAT selection process
Develop engagement metrics and participation goals
Begin Phase 1 community meetings, online public surveys, and focus groups
Monitor participation rates, stakeholder representation, and community reach
Provide regular updates and engagement summaries to the Interim Superintendent and Board of
Education
Compile feedback findings and develop community-informed recommendations
No decisions have been made. Community input, engagement data, and stakeholder feedback will be collected,
reviewed, and considered before any recommendation is presented to the Board of Education.
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Thank you.
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