DeKalb Preparatory Academy

Governing Board

Regular Meeting - Tuesday September 24th, 2019 @6:30 PM

Meeting Minutes

Attendance Summary

Name Status Arrival Time Departure Time
Mrs. Janelle Wilhite present member On Time At Adjournment
Harry Stern present ex-officio On Time At Adjournment
Chris Estes present ex-officio On Time At Adjournment
Mrs. Wanda McKay not present member
Matthew Goodison-Orr not present member
Mrs. Roberta Walker present vice-chair On Time At Adjournment
Ms. Suzette Arnold present chair On Time At Adjournment
Karen Shabazz not present secretary
Tamara Gammon not present Treasurer

Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Suzette Arnold at 6:54 p.m.

Meeting Protocol Announcemnt

This is a public meeting held at DeKalb Preparatory Academy, a public school, for the purpose of conducting the schools business. Board members present for the meeting are: Suzette Arnold, Roberta Walker, Janell Wilhite, Tammy Gammon, and Harry Stern.

Approval of Agenda

The committee approves the agenda items. Approved as outlined.


Approve as outlined

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Harry Stern

Motion made by Tammy Gammon

Report from Governing Board

The Governing Board met on Tuesday August 27th, 2019 @6:30 PM for what was scheduled to be a 2 hours and 9 minutes long meeting. Present: Janelle Wilhite, Harry Stern, Chris Estes, Wanda McKay, Roberta Walker, Suzette Arnold, Karen Shabazz Not Present: Matthew Goodison-Orr

The members considered the following items:

  1. Welcome and Call to Order
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Approval of the Minutes
  4. Election of Officers
  5. Meeting Protocal
  6. Head of School Report
  7. Report from Governance Committee
  8. Report from Academic Committee
  9. Report from Development
  10. Report from Finance Committee
  11. Any Other Business
  12. Public Comment
  13. Adjournment

The committee considered 16 motions, of which 16 passed, and 0 failed:

  1. Approve the agenda as submitted with changes (passed)
  2. Approve the minutes as submitted (passed)
  3. The board will create an annual innovation award for instruction. (passed)
  4. Accept the report as presented (passed)
  5. Approve the contract for the KMG Teacher Development with the corections noted. The amount not to exceed $13,100.00 (passed)
  6. Approve the purchase of interactive flat panel boards in the amount of $56,215.00. The school must first present the board a complete inventory report of all items that are in the school. Evidence must be provided and sample review completed by the board. (passed)
  7. Approve the hire 3 teachers: technology, and reading interventionist not to exceed $115,000.00 (passed)
  8. Approve the Ciridia invoice for the month of August in the amount of $6,020.00. (passed)
  9. Approve the rental agreement for office space at 4139 Covington Highway North Park Office Center for offsite offices for 5 staff members with the following adjustment: 1 year contract with option to renew for 2 years. Contract must include an exit clause. (passed)
  10. Approve the repair cost for the ADA ramp to the play field at the back of the school for the amount of $8,688.35. (passed)
  11. Approve the contract with Painters Delight to paint and installations of partitions in restrooms in the amount of $5,060.00. (passed)
  12. Approve the purchase of 3 HVAC units from Johnson Controls for the amount of $20,249.00. (passed)
  13. Approve the increase of administrators' salaries by 3%. The increase is retroactive to July 1, 2019. (passed)
  14. Approve the increase of academic coaches salaries to include 10 additional days. (passed)
  15. Increase salary of assistant principal to $72,000.00 to make it more equitable. (passed)
  16. Motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel issues. (passed)

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Approve the minutes of the last meeting.

By: Harry Stern Seconded by: Mrs. Roberta Walker

2nd by Tammy Gammon

Head of School Report

The school leader reports on the status of the school. 549 students presently enrolled. Accreditation Engagement Review will be held February 10 - 12. There are 2 HR vacancies (7th grade science and 6th grade math).

Accept report as presented by HOS

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Harry Stern

Motion made by Tammy Gammon.

Report from Academic Committee

Report made by Roberta Walker. PBL showcase will be October 5 - 7th.

Accept report as presented

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Harry Stern

Motion made by Tammy Gammon.

Approve puchase of IReady from Curriculum Associates for the amount of $6,536.00

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

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Approve the purchase of USA Test Prep in the amount of 8,211.00

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

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Purchase license for NWEA Map Assessment for the amount of $10,497.50

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

2nd - Tammy Gammon

Approve the purchase of My Own Reading for the amount of $6,050.00

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

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Approve hiring Deidra Burson as a Reading Interventionist part time for $24,000.00

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

2nd- Tammy Gammon

Report from Development

Committee report given by Tanya Watkins.

Accept the report as presented

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Harry Stern

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Report from Finance Committee

Report presented by Janell Wilhite. Financial statement report given by Susan Wright.

Accept report as presented

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

Motion by Tammy Gammon

Approve the Ciridia invoice for the month of September in the amount of 6,565.00.

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

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Approve the hiring of a cafeteria monitor in amount of $4,410.00

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

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Election of Officers

Election of Officers for the new term. There were 2 Board members absent from the meeting therefore the consensus was that we call a special meeting for the election of officers.

Call a special meeting for the election of officers. The meeting will be held before our next monthly meeting.

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

2nd - Tammy Gammon

Public Comment

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the board. Each member of the public may sign up to comment at the meeting, and will be allotted two minutes. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Our meetings are open to the public and public record. As such, if your comment is about a private matter, please contact the board via email, or speak to the board chair privately.


Mr. Wittingham made a comment to the board.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:36 p.m.

Adjourn to executive session.

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

2nd by Tammy Gammon

Executive session began at 8:36 p.m.  Ended at 9:15 p.m.

Accept the resignation of Harry Stern as Board member. He will continue to serve as ex officio member of the development committee.

By: Mrs. Roberta Walker Seconded by: Ms. Suzette Arnold

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Approve Marcus Vassell as member of the DeKalb Prep governing board

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

Motion by Tammy Gammon

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:32 pm

Motion to adjourn

By: Ms. Suzette Arnold Seconded by: Mrs. Janelle Wilhite

There was no notable discussion on the motion.