Approval of Agenda

So that there is agreement between board members on the agenda, and the amount of time spent on the meeting, the board shall vote to approve an agenda for the meeting. To the best of its ability, it will follow that agenda, and allow for the chair to move the board through the agenda as specified.

Approval of Last Month's Governing Board Minutes

Approal of Actions Via Consent Agenda

New Hires - Ecumbered via FY 24 Budget

5th Grade ELA Teacher - $65,996.89

School Resource Officer - Benefits Only - $18, 929.46 (Approved by Fin. Committee)

Spec. Ed Teacher - $78,858.68

7th Grade Math Teacher - $ 66,843.26

6th Grade Science Teacher - $83,941.97

Elem. Principal - $150, 216.06

Middle Sch. Principal - $150,216.06

Operations Manager - Lateral Position Change

Head of School Report

Head of Schools Report – Dr. Lenise Bostic

Dr. Bostic introduced the new Elementary School Principal, Ms. Jameda Owens, and Middle School Principal, Mr. Timothy Brown. She also introduced the new Academic Specialist, Dr. Brian Merritt. Lastly, Dr. Viola Blackshear was acknowledged and appreciated for her service this school year as the Interim Principal.

Dr. Blackshear presented the following August Principal Highlights:

Teacher of the Year, Trevius Ward

Employee(s) of the year: Mattie Reid and Nikki Glover

There were 261 attendees at Grandparents Day. 167 parent attended Open House.

Dr. Blackshear presented the Parent Involvement and Engagement Program. She also gave an overview of the Extra Curricular Activities that DPA offers for students. Those activities include DPA Football, DPA Volleyball, DPA Cheerleaders, DPA Pep Squad, DPA Dancing Bulldogs, DPA Glee Club, DPA Band, DPA Garden of Hope Club, Girls in Pearls, and DPA Boys Club.

Dr. Bostic presented upcoming events and academic highlights. The first Independent Learning Day will occur on Friday, October 6, 2023. Students will work independently at home and staff will participate in Professional Development activities. School will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2023, for Indigenous Peoples Day

The current enrollment is 561. The grade level breakdown is as follows:

Kk – 60

1^st –  56

2^nd – 58

3^rd - 63

4^th – 66

5^th -  58

6^th – 69

7^th – 67

8^th – 64

Operational Highlights:

Covid Deep Cleaning of the School will take place on October 9, 2023, while students and staff are out of the building. Landscaping and new mulch for the playground were completed on September 21, 2023.

Information Technology Highlights:

IT along with external managed services are continuously monitoring the school’s infrastructure for performance and protection. There are some server issues will be addressed during the presentation of a board action during the Finance Committee report. All DPA teachers are assigned an electronic device for use during school.

Since the consent agenda with all new hires has been approved, there are currently only two vacancies: 1- 5^th Grade ELA teacher and 1-Business Manager (Central Office).

Dr. Bostic announced that Ms. Marian Simpson has accepted a position as Chief Financial Officer at another school and thanked her for her contributions to DeKalb Preparatory Academy over the years.

Dr. Bostic gave an update on Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES). Goal setting was the focus in September.

Data/Test scores:

Dr. Bostic reviewed the Georgia Milestones Assessment System data. The board requested additional detailed information regarding the test scores. A comparative analysis of DPA, DeKalb County School District and Georgia Department of Education scores will be provided to the board. There was a brief detailed discussion regarding the curriculum that is currently utilized. 

Finance Committee Report

The Finance Committee met on September 19, 2023. The committee reviewed the August financials and discussed the status of bank reconciliations for July and August.

Mr. Kayemba, Chief Financial Officer, presented the finance report. Ms. Wilhite asked questions about personnel ratios. Adjustments will be made. In the future, projections will be presented that show actual trends. Ms. Wilhite requested that Mr. Kayemba check the cash on hand numbers.

 Ms. Wilhite asked for the status of the audit. Dr. Bostic stated that the audit documents have been submitted to the auditors. She explained that she had given the auditors DPAs timeline. The audit will be presented for approval at the October Governing Board meeting.

The board asked for the status of the accountability report. Dr. Bostic explained that the report in the process of being prepared. The accountability report is due November 1, 2023, and will be presented for approval in the October Governing Board meeting.

The board asked about the status of the Facility Grant. Mr. Kayemba stated that it has been submitted. 

Report from Academic Committee

The Academic Committee met on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The committee accepted the recommendations for the principals and teachers that were approved via the consent agenda. The committee also discussed the extra-curricular activities and testing. 

Governance Committee Report

. The Governance Committee did not meet. However, there are three board actions for consideration that would have normally gone through the Governance Committee for vetting. 

.51-9-26-2023: Contract with ADP Total Source for the provision of Human Resources Services

Item was tabled until 3 quotes are provided. This item may be presented at the October Governing Board meeting.

. An update on two items that were previously discussed.

60-9-26-2023: Federal Programs update - Information Only-Dr. Bostic announced that DPA has received approval of federal budgets.

 .61-9-26-2023: State Health Benefit Plan - Information Only-Dr. Bostic stated that the initial application was not approved. However, DPA can reapply after we have received notification of reauthorization. 

Public Comment

There was one questioned posted in the Zoom chat: “Will computers be provided for independent learning days?’ Dr. Bostic stated that activities will be able to be completed without the computers. Now that Canvas has been approved, the instructional leadership team is looking at how the remainder of independent learning days will look. The information will be communicated to all stakeholders. 

Any Other Business

The Governing Board Retreat will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2023.

Reauthorization - School leadership has met and is working with Elisa Falco to finalize the Reauthorization document and prepare for capacity interviews.  

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:56 am

Welcome and Call to Order

Welcome and Call to Order – Roberta Walker at 6:32 p.m.