DeKalb Preparatory Academy

Governing Board

Regular Meeting - Tuesday August 22nd, 2023 @6:30 PM

Meeting Summary of Actions

Meeting Summary

The Governing Board met on Tuesday August 22nd, 2023 @6:30 PM for what was scheduled to be a 2 hours and 8 minutes long meeting. Present: Suzette Arnold, Roberta Walker, Janelle Wilhite, Wanda McKay, Dr. Lenise Bostic Not Present: Bridget Robinson, Tamara Cooper

The members considered the following items:

  1. Welcome and Call to Order
  2. Ascertain a Quorum
  3. Approval of Agenda
  4. Minutes from Last Meeting
  5. Approval of Items By Consent
  6. Head of School Report
  7. Committee Reports
  8. Public Comment
  9. Other Business
  10. Adjournment

The committee considered 15 motions, of which 15 passed, and 0 failed:

  1. Addition to the agenda and immediate vote for new board member, Kathy Ann Young (passed)
  2. Approval of Amended Agenda Motion made by: Janelle Wilhite Motion seconded by: Roberta Walker Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  3. Approval of Minutes from the July 25, 2023 Board Meeting Motion made by: Roberta Walker Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  4. Approval of New Hires by Consent Agenda Motion to approve new hires totaling $521,203.25. Motion made by: Roberta Walker
    Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  5. 34-8-22-2023– Recommendation to approve the salary range increase for highly qualified Elementary and Middle School Principals to $90,000 to $125,000 for each principal.

Motion made by: Janelle Wilhite

Motion seconded by: Roberta Walker

Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)

  1. 32-8-22-2023 – Recommendation to approve September invoices over $5,000 at $124,431.65 not to exceed $145,000 Motion made by: Janelle Wilhite Motion seconded by: Roberta Walker Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  2. 36-8-22-2023 – Recommendation to switch from the current benefit insurance company to the State Health Benefit Plan. There is no cost associated with making the change. Discussion: Additional information was requested from the Finance Committee. Dr. Bostic provided the requested comparative analysis. Since this item was not voted on in the Finance Committee and the deadline to switch is September 30, 2023, a decision was made for the board to vote for approval. Dr. Bostic publicly thanked Mr. Kayemba and Ms. Simpson for the hard work that is being put into the research and proposal. Motion made by: Janelle Wilhite
    Motion seconded by: Roberta Walker Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  3. 37-8-22-2023 – Recommendation to increase the salary range for the School Operation Manager position to $75,000 to $85,000 from the current salary. Motion made by: Janelle Wilhite Motion seconded by: Roberta Walker Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  4. Recommendation to approve the 480 FTE 2023-24 Contingency Budget in the amount of $7,950,188.00 Motion made by: Janelle Wilhite Motion seconded by: Roberta Walker Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  5. 1-4-25-2023– Recommendation to amend the previously approved 2023-24 Academic Calendar to add 5 Professional Development days and 4 Independent Learner Days. Scholars do not report to school on Independent Learning Days. Scholars will be assigned Asynchronous, independent lessons and assignments for a grade for their scholars.
    Motion made by: Roberta Walker Motion seconded by: Wanda McKay Motion Carries: 3-Yes; 1-Nay (Kathy Ann Young) (passed)
  6. 1-8-22-2023 – Recommendation to approve a $5,000 stipend for IT support during the summer by J. Boveland and J. Young. Each person will receive $2,500. Motion made by: Roberta Walker Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  7. 2-8-22-2023 – Recommendation to approve Evelyn Guyton as the Math Coach at no change in salary Motion made by: Roberta Walker Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  8. 5-8-22-2023 Recommendation to approve Dr. Ketchia Woods as Interim Reading Coach at no change in salary Motion made by: Roberta Walker Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)
  9. 7-8-22-2023 – Recommendation to approve a $2,500 July Additional Duties Stipend for Evelyn Guyton Motion made by: Roberta Walker Motion seconded by: Wanda McKay Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)

  10. 38-8-22-2023 – Recommendation to approve the Assessments Administration in the amount of $7,234.50. These in-kind services will be provided by DeKalb County School District. Motion made by: Janelle Wilhite Motion seconded by: Wanda McKay Motion Carries: Unanimous vote (passed)

    The meeting adjourned at 7:54PM.