DeKalb_Phase2_Implementation_Planning_Proposal

                                                             August 2026

                                                             DeKalb County Schools
                                                             Central Office: Phase II
                                                             Implementation Planning




The information contained on the pages below includes        Prepared for
RTI International confidential and proprietary information
and is intended for the sole purpose of review and
evaluation for the potential award of the specific work      Tasha Davis-Mills
addressed herein. Distribution or sharing of any kind        Chief Human Resource Officer
outside of the intended purpose is prohibited. This          Tasha_Davis-Mills@dekalbschoolsga.org
document is for budgetary purposes only and does not
constitute an offer by RTI International.
Context and Project Overview
DeKalb County School District (DCSD) engaged RTI International in spring 2026 to conduct a
comprehensive Central Office Operational Assessment. Following presentation of the
assessment findings to the DCSD Board of Education, the District has asked RTI to develop a
proposal for Phase II: Implementation Planning, focused on translating the audit’s findings into a
recommended central office reorganization, cost savings analysis, and implementation roadmap
to support a planned January 2027 rollout.
RTI proposes to deliver a customized program of support based on the following priorities:
   • A recommended central office reorganization plan with options for district staff to
       consider, including proposed organizational chart changes and a cost savings analysis
   • Implementation options and considerations including the operational and financial
       implications of each option
   • A phased implementation timeline and confidential Board materials to support a
       November 2026 Board review and January 2027 rollout
Proposed Scope of Services
The anticipated window of time within which to complete the proposed scope of work is August
2026 through December 2026, with recommended organizational changes taking effect in
January 2027.
   A. Central Office Reorganization Plan and Organizational Chart Development
      Building on the findings of the Central Office Operational Assessment, RTI will develop a
      recommended reorganization plan for the DCSD central office.
          • Revised organizational chart(s) addressing redundancies, reporting lines and
              inefficient spans of control
          • Options for consolidation, elimination, or redesign of specific roles and functions
       RTI will work directly with DCSD leadership to validate proposed structures against
       operational needs, staff capacity, and the District’s strategic priorities, ensuring
       recommendations are feasible, actionable and aligned with the urgent need to improve
       student outcomes.
       Key Deliverables:
          • Recommended central office organizational chart(s), including near-term and
             future-state options
          • Summary of proposed role and structural changes with rationale

   B. Cost Savings and Financial Impact Analysis
      RTI will quantify the fiscal impact of the recommended reorganization, providing DCSD
      leadership with a clear understanding of anticipated savings and associated costs.
          • Projected personnel cost savings associated with role consolidations,
              eliminations, or restructuring
          • Estimated one-time transition costs (e.g., severance, reclassification, staff
              transition support)
          • Net multi-year fiscal impact summary
       This analysis will be presented in a format suitable for Board review, distinguishing
       recurring operational savings from one-time implementation costs. RTI anticipates
       working closely with Human Resources and Financial Services to arrive at accurate cost
       estimates and assumes a significant staff effort in the data gathering phase of the work.
       Key Deliverables:
          • Cost savings and financial impact summary for options presented in the above
             central office reorganization plan. RTI anticipates this as a combined deliverable
             with task A.

   C. Implementation Options and Roadmap
      RTI will develop implementation options for DCSD’s consideration, outlining the
      operational and financial trade-offs of each approach to sequencing and rolling out the
      recommended changes.
         • Comparison of implementation options (e.g., phased vs. full implementation),
              including timing, risk, and resource considerations
         • Operational and financial implications of each option
         • A phased implementation timeline sequencing key actions to support a January
              2027 rollout
       RTI will incorporate change management best practices, including communication and
       staff transition planning, to support a smooth and well-sequenced rollout.
       Key Deliverables:
          • Implementation options analysis with recommendation
          • Phased implementation timeline

   D. Confidential Board Materials and Communication Support
      To support the district’s planning and Board approval timeline, RTI will develop
      confidential materials summarizing the recommended reorganization, cost savings, and
      implementation approach for Board review in winter of 2026-2027 school year.
         • Confidential Board briefing materials (e.g., presentation deck and executive
             summary)
         • Talking points and communication guidance for internal and external audiences
       Materials will be designed to support clear, transparent Board discussion and decision-
       making regarding the proposed changes.
       Key Deliverables:
          • Confidential Board presentation and executive summary
          • Communication guidance and talking points

Timeline
RTI anticipates beginning Phase II work immediately upon contract execution in early August
2026, with the following high-level milestones:
           •   August 2026: Contract execution and project initiation; DCSD provides the Board
               an informational update on the transition to implementation planning at the
               August 10 meeting
           •   August–October 2026: Development of the recommended reorganization plan,
               organizational chart changes, cost savings analysis, and implementation options
           •   November 2026: Delivery of confidential Board materials for Board review
           •   December 2026: Finalization of the implementation plan and transition materials
           •   January 2027: Recommended organizational changes take effect

Assumptions and District Support Needed
This proposal and the associated fee estimate are based on the following assumptions. RTI
welcomes the opportunity to discuss and refine these with DCSD:
           •   RTI plans to engage in at least one in person meeting to Dekalb County for day
               long planning and strategy sessions with select Dekalb leadership staff
           •   DCSD will designate a primary point of contact and provide timely access to
               current staffing, budget, and organizational data needed to finalize the cost
               savings analysis
           •   DCSD will support scheduling of leadership meetings and, as needed, the
               November Board presentation
           •   Confidential Board materials will be shared only with DCSD leadership and the
               Board of Education, consistent with the confidentiality provisions of this
               engagement
           •   This estimate assumes work proceeds on the timeline above; delays in contract
               execution or District approvals may affect the proposed schedule

Budget Estimate
Presented as a range that includes all RTI staff labor, materials, and travel.


  Total Estimate                                                         $91,500 – $92,000


Next Steps
This budget and scope are further customizable to best meet the needs of DeKalb County
School District (DCSD). If the services outlined in this estimate are satisfactory, we will proceed
to prepare a formal proposal consistent with the contracting processes of DCSD.
About RTI and the Center for Education Services

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the
human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and
multidisciplinary approach.
Combining scientific rigor and technical proficiency, we deliver reliable data, thorough analysis,
innovative methods, novel technologies, and sustainable programs that help clients ground
practice in evidence. We scale our approach to fit the demands of each project, delivering the
power of a global leader and the passion of a local partner.
Within education, we believe all children deserve access to a quality education that empowers
them to thrive. Yet our teachers and administrators face environments with increasing
complexity, constraint, and ambiguity. At RTI, we empower educators and their partners to
design, plan, and implement action steps to better address those challenges.
From the classroom to the board room, our work focuses on five areas we believe are levers for
change in education: strengthening instruction (in the classroom), developing leaders (in the
school), improving organizational operations (in the district), facilitating collaborative networks
(across communities), and leveraging technology (across systems).

For more information, please visit educationservices.rti.org.




 RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition.
 Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates
 expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the
 promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities,
 and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.

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