DeKalb Preparatory Academy

Governing Board

Regular Meeting - Thursday June 27th, 2024 @6:30 AM

Meeting Minutes

Attendance Summary

Name Status Arrival Time Departure Time
Ms. Suzette Arnold not present chair
Mrs. Roberta Walker present vice-chair On Time At Adjournment
Mrs. Janelle Wilhite present Treasurer On Time At Adjournment
Ms. Bridget Robinson present member On Time At Adjournment
Mrs. Wanda McKay present member On Time At Adjournment
Dr. Tamara Cooper not present viewer
Dr. Lenise Bostic present ex-officio On Time At Adjournment
Ms. KathyAnn Young present member 10 Minutes Late At Adjournment
Mrs. Jatoyia Franklin present Non-voting Administration On Time At Adjournment

Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:47 pm.

Approval of Agenda

The committee approves the agenda items.

Motion to amend the agenda to remove report by governing board to include HOS report.

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite

Unanimous Vote

Motion to approve amended agenda.

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite

Unanimous Vote

Budget Hearing

Budget Hearing:

Dr. Bostic thoroughly reviewed the original and the proposed budgets.

Total Expenditures $7,737,826.36

Dr. Bostic presented several different scenarios for salaries and benefits.

Scenario 1: The governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, DPA salary increases of $2500 for full-time positions, $1250 for all part-time positions in total all raises equal to $781,832.51.

Scenario 2: The governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, DPA $2500 for all full-time positions, $1250 for all part-time positions in total all increases will amount to $982,244.64.

Scenario 3: The governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, $5,000 increase for teachers and certified staff, $2500 for other full- time staff, no increase for part- time staff.

Scenario 4: The governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, DPA will increase teachers $3500, $1000 for certified positions, $2500 for full-time positions, and $1250 for part-time positions. ($6,000 teacher, $3500 for certified staff outside of the classroom, $2500 for full-time staff, and $1250 for all part-time staff).

Scenario 5: The governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, $6000 teacher increase, $3500 certified staff increase, $2500 for other full-time staff.

Scenario 6: Teacher increases for all teachers $10,500 which includes the $2500 governor’s increase, $3500 for certified staff positions, and $2500 for part-time staff.

Dr.Bostic thoroughly explained how scenario 6 is important in hopes of retaining teachers, on boarding new teachers, and providing excellent services to our students.

Bridgett Robinson asked Janelle Wilhite if DPA will be able to operate with the surplus given in scenario 6. Janelle Wilhite answered that it would be cutting it close. She would rather lean conservatively and revisit this scenario in September.

Bridgett Robinson asked Janelle Wilhite if she has a margin or a range in which the school can function comfortably. Janelle Wilhite advised that she likes scenario 2 the $2500 increase for everyone and $1250 for part-time because it leaves space for emergencies and facility needs.

Bridgett asked Dr.Bostic if she feels that the governor’s $2500 increase would suffice in retaining and attracting new teachers? Dr. Bostic answered no.

Janelle Wilhite asked if she investigated stipends.

Dr. Bostic advised that stipends are good, but they do not contribute to TRS.

Roberta Walker asked Janelle Wilhite if she is stating that she does not want to consider the additional revenue that will come in from DeKalb County at this time.

Janelle Wilhite answered that she suggests that we revisit after the fiscal year has started and we have reviewed financial reports.

Janelle Wilhite questioned when will the salary increases go into effect.

Dr. Bostic answered July 1, 2024, but the governor’s increase will begin September 1, 2024.

Wanda McKay asked what incentives are being offered to fill teacher positions if we are unable to compete?

Janelle Wilhite suggested a onetime incentive from fun balance. She stated that a one-time incentive can be used to both attract and retain staff.

Wanda McKay asked when will the staff receive the incentive?

Roberta Walker said that she likes the idea.

Dr. Bostic suggested that we could consider scenario 3: The governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, $5,000 increase for teachers and certified staff, $2500 for other full- time staff, no increase for part- time staff and $1,000 sign on bonus.

Bridgett Robinson questioned why there is not a scenario for teacher increases only and revisit increasing other staff members salary later.

Dr. Bostic answered that it takes a lot of people to make a school and she wants to make sure that everyone is taken care of.

Roberta Walker expressed that we must keep in mind that whatever decision is made we must be able to sustain it year after year.



DPA must come back to the board to approve how the incentives will be distributed.


Adjourned @7:48 pm

Move that we approve the governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, DPA $2500 for all full-time positions, $1250 for all part-time positions in total all increases will amount to $982,245.00 for the FY25.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote 

Move that we approve the total budget for FY25 in the amount of 7,990,819.00 at an enrollment level of 560 students.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Move to amend the $7,990,819.00 and approve the total budget for FY25 in the amount of $7,790,407.00.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Move that we resend our earlier vote on the change item for salaries increase in the amount of $982,245.00

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Move to correct the previous motion to increase salaries in the budget by $781,833.00 which includes the governor’s salary increases of $2500 for certified staff, DPA $2500 for all full-time positions, $1250 for all part-time positions.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Move to approve a maximum of incentives 350,000 for retention bonuses and sign on bonuses incentives for teachers and staff from Fun balance for FY25.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Ascertain a Quorum

Kathy Ann Young was present and virtual.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

Head of Schools Report

The new staff orientation will begin July 22, 2024. Teachers and staff will return July 23, 2024. Dr. Bostic invited everyone to the summer school student’s performance tomorrow, June 27, 2024. July 25, 2024, is our open house from 5pm to 7pm. There are 529 completed registrations and we are in the process of getting everyone enrolled. We held a leadership retreat on June 17, 2024, and June 18, 2024. Summer cleaning is also in progress currently. We have eleven vacancies currently.

Motion to accept the HOS report as presented.

By: Ms. Bridget Robinson Seconded by: Mrs. Wanda McKay

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Approval of Minutes

Approval of the minutes with the proposed corrections.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Mrs. Wanda McKay

Unanimous Vote

Report from Governing Board

There was no Governing Board report.

Finance Committee

Dr. Bostic gave an update on the appraisal process.

Janelle Wilhite asked if there was consideration of other vendors.

Dr. Bostic answered yes; however, the one she presented was more responsive.

Janelle Wilhite asked the cost of the vendor.

Dr. Bostic answered $17,000.

Move to approve the appraisal in the amount of $17,000 so that DPA can address the fixed asset recording issue for CVIZ VALUATION GROUP LLC.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Academic Committee

The academic met in June and approved several candidates for hire.

Kathy Ann Young questioned the title of the nurse considering that she is not a registered nurse.

Dr. Bostic explained that the funding we receive is for a nurse, so the position is titled school nurse.

Motion to approve Densie Johnson as instructional coach for $ 63,245 for base salary for the 2024-2025 school year.

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote 

Motion to approve Staci Dent as instructional coach for the 2024-2025 school year for a base salary of 60,884.54.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote 

Motion to approve R. Murphy as school counselor for the 2024-2025 school year salary 53,186.45.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Motion to hire Mr. Gibson for middle school teacher salary $43,249.60 for the 2024-2025 school year.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Motion to approve the hire of Jasmine Pittman as elementary school teacher for the base salary of $49, 197.50 for the 2024-2025 school year.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Motion to approve the hire of Jada Jones as an elementary school teacher for the base salary of $43,249.60 for the 2024-2025 school year.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Motion to approve the hire of Shan Jones as the school nurse for the base salary of 34,886 for the 2024-2025 school year.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Motion to approve the hire of Sanquisa Bradley as a paraprofessional for the base salary of $35, 879.98 for the 2024-2025 school year.

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Motion to approve the hire of Bernadette Baker as the parent liaison for the 2024-2025 at a base salary of $34,886.16.

By: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite Seconded by: Ms. Bridget Robinson

Unanimous Vote

Other Business

Janelle Wilhite questioned the status of the auditor.

Dr. Bostic that they are ready.

 Janelle Wilhite requested an engagement letter and the dollar amount from the auditor. 



There will be a special called meeting the week of July 8, 2024. 

Adjournment

Motion for adjournment at 8:13 pm

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.

Motion to adjourn

By: Ms. Bridget Robinson Seconded by: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite

There was no notable discussion on the motion.