Motion to approve the agenda as submitted.
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
DeKalb Preparatory Academy
Governing Board
Regular Meeting - Thursday June 18th, 2026 @6:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
Attendance Summary
| Name | Status | Arrival Time | Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. KathyAnn Young | present chair | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Mrs. Wanda McKay | not present member | ||
| Diane Mingo | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Lakia Shelton | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Dr. Brian Merritt | present ex-officio | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Deborah Bridges | not present member |
Welcome and Call to Order
The meeting was called to order and aquorum ascertained at 6:12 p.m.
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.
Approve Mins From Last Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes from last month's Governing Board meeting.
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Interim HOS Report
Dr. Merritt gave the following update:
- Leadership and staff are planning for the 2026–2027 school year, with priorities including staffing, scheduling, professional development, curriculum implementation, student supports, and operational readiness.
- Charter renewal preparation is ongoing. Dr. Merritt and Ms. Lee meet biweekly with 21Cobalt to review renewal requirements, organizational performance, and next steps.
- Several leadership team members will attend the National Charter School Conference (June 23–26) in New Orleans.
- Leadership met with the Georgia Department of Education Special Education team regarding the school's TSI designation.
- A special education audit begins this week and will help guide improvement efforts.
- Current enrollment is 570 of 585 students (97.4% capacity).
- Leadership anticipates opening the school year near full enrollment, the highest pre-opening enrollment in recent years.
- Grade-level enrollment continues to be monitored, with updates to be provided as classes reach capacity.
- Staff interviews and hiring continue.
- Teacher assignments are being finalized based on certification and instructional needs.
- New teacher orientation is being planned for July.
- Team leads and department chairs are being selected for the upcoming school year.
- Leadership is preparing instructional materials, data resources, and pre-planning activities.
- Momentum City Church will provide lunch for teachers during pre-planning.
Summer Programs
- The Summer Scholars and Kindergarten Camp programs served more than 100 students.
- Students participated in academic instruction aligned with next year's standards, enrichment activities (dance, chorus, and band), a field trip to the King Center, and a family showcase performance at the conclusion of the program.
Mr. Dennis reported the following:
- Safety compliance efforts continue, including implementation of Georgia's school mapping requirements.
- Requested Approval and ongoing projects include:
- Installation of 16 water fountains.
- Purchase of 180 Acer Chromebook Spin devices with protection plans.
- LED gym lighting upgrade.
- Replacement of four elementary HVAC units.
- E-rate projects continue, including upgrades to network infrastructure.
- Summer facilities work includes deep cleaning, classroom preparation, floor refinishing, and completion of the middle school painting project.
- A new enrollment billboard has been installed to support student recruitment.
- The school continues strengthening campus security and emergency preparedness.
- Staff are working with Everon to resolve recurring false alarms caused by weather-related issues.
- Additional security camera placement is under review.
- Plans are underway to install perimeter fencing to improve campus security.
- Implementation of Georgia's Ricky and Alyssa's Law includes:
- Digital campus mapping.
- Emergency panic alert devices for staff.
- Enhanced visitor management and identification procedures.
Ms. Lee reported the following:
- Staff attending the National Charter School Conference will be funded through Title II and other eligible funding sources.
- E-rate Category 1 funding (internet services) has been approved; Category 2 funding for internal network upgrades remains pending.
- The FY2027 budget and contingency budget have been prepared and posted for public hearings and are ready for Board review and adoption, pending state funding allocations.
- If approved, payroll will transition to a 26-pay-period schedule aligned with DeKalb County Schools (biweekly Wednesdays).
- Hiring continues for several vacancies, including:
- Elementary teacher
- Lead Special Education teacher
- School nurse
- Additional elementary teaching positions
- Several candidates are pending Board approval.
Academic Committee Report
The Academic Committee met and discussed the upcoming National Charter School Association Conference, personnel changes, new hires and rehires, TSI updates and an upcoming Special Education audit.
1-6-28-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Metala Lewis, Elementary Teacher
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
2-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Kelon Blackshear, Middle School Teacher
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
3-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Dr. Maria Byrd, Special Education Teacher
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
22-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Malcolm Brown as Principal.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
23-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Evelyn Guyton as Assistant Principal.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
24-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Robert Whigham as Assistant Principal.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Finance Committee Report
The Finance Committee met and discussed the proposed FY27 budget, the National Charter School Association Conference and costs, April and May Financials, April and May Vendor Payments over $5k and the contingency budget.
31-6-18-2026 Motion to approve select staff attendance at the National Charter School Association Conference at a cost of $15,892.82
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
33-6-18-2026 Motion to approve April 2026 vendor payments over $5k at a cost of $877,056.22
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
35-6-18-2026 Motion to approve May 2026 vendor payments over $5k at a cost of $550,787.76
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
36-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the 2026-27 budget at a total cost of $10,448,171.60
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
37-6-18-2026 Motion to approve Rehires for the 2026-27 school year at a cost of $4,468,291.19
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
38-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the 2026-27 Contingency Budget at a cost of $9,090,301.16
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
39-6-18-2026 2025-26 Motion to approve the End of Year Terminations and Resignations ($464,289.84)
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
40-6-18-2026 Motion to replace 4 water heater pumps by HVH Mechanical at a cost of $62,500
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
41-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the purchase of 16 water fountains with bottle fillers by J & J Plumbing at a cost of $69,500.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
42-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the gym lighting upgrade at a cost of $9,685.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
43-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the purchase of 180 Acer Chromebooks at a cost of $98,295
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
44-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Saquan Smith as a part-time Custodian.
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
45-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Dedriana Mims as a part-time Custodian.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
46-6-18-2026 Motion to hire Ashley Fields as IT Support Specialist
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
47-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Michael Forbes as a full-time Custodian.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
52-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the 2026-27 Exposure Questionnaire (Brown and Brown) at a cost of $90,213.80.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
53-6-18-2026 Motion to approve Marshall Jones as the 2026-27 Auditor at a cost of $20,750
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
54-6-18-2026 Motion to transition from a 24-week payroll cycle to a 26-week payroll cycle.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
55-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the title change from Technology Specialist to Network Manager.
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
56-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the revised salary schedule with the addition of Assistant Principal and Technology Specialist Salary Scale.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Governance Committee Report
The Governance Committee reviewed and discussed the following items:
- National Charter School Conference
- FY2026–2027 Operating Budget
- FY2026–2027 Contingency Budget
- FY2026–2027 Employee Rehires
- End-of-Year Staff Terminations
- Auditor Engagement
- Liability Insurance Renewal
- Revised Salary Scale
- Building Improvements and Capital Upgrades
- Purchase of Student Chromebooks
- Payroll Schedule Transition
- Hiring recommendations for the Principal, Assistant Principals, and Head of Schools
- Technology staff title change
- 2026-27 Governing Board and meeting schedule changes
60-6-18-2026 Motion to approve the hire of Dr. Brian Merritt as Head of Schools
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Other Business
Public Comment
Staff member, Anequa Jackson, inquired about the start date for the bi-weekly payroll to begin. Question was answered by Ms. Lee and Dr. Merritt. Additional informaiton will be provided to the staff in the near future.
Executive Session
Motion to move into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at 7:07 p.m.
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Motion to return to the Regular Meeting from Executive Session at 7:24 p.m.
By: Lakia Shelton Seconded by: Diane Mingo
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Motion to approve the appointment of Ms Deborah Bridges as a new board member.
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
The Meeting was Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:25 pm
Motion to adjourn
By: Diane Mingo Seconded by: Lakia Shelton
There was no notable discussion on the motion.