Motion to approve the agenda as presented.
By: Ms. Angela Rodgers Seconded by: Dr. Brian Merritt
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
DeKalb Preparatory Academy
DPA Development Committee
Regular Meeting - Friday March 21st, 2025 @1:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
Attendance Summary
| Name | Status | Arrival Time | Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. KathyAnn Young | present chair | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Ms. Suzette Arnold | not present Non-voting Administration | ||
| Dr. Lenise Bostic | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Mr. Malcom Brown | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Mr. Wayne Dennis | not present member | ||
| Ms. Angela Rodgers | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Ms. Evelyn Guyton | not present member | ||
| Mr. Michael Newell | not present member | ||
| Dr. Brian Merritt | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
Call to order
Meeting was called to order and a quorum ascertained at 1:05 p.m.
Approve Agenda
Approve Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting.
Motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting.
By: Dr. Lenise Bostic Seconded by: Dr. Brian Merritt
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Grants Update
Ms. Cooper reported that there was a pause in federal grants, but she is exploring state and local opportunities
Teacher Appreciation
The committee discusses and approves a proposal for teacher appreciation activities. Ms. Holland presents four options with varying costs and items. After discussion, the committee agrees on option 2 which includes personalized items and food for staff, totaling $6,438. KathyAnn offers to cover one day of lunch personally, and the committee decides to seek board approval for the additional funds needed beyond the initial $5,000 budget.
Motion to approve option 2 for Teacher Appreciation Week at a total cost of $6438.
By: Dr. Brian Merritt Seconded by: Dr. Lenise Bostic
Ms. Rodgers to complete a board action form to present to the Governing Board.
Internet
Ms. Young announced that the Internet will now be a part of the Development Committee. Dr. Bostic reported that the Internet is stable and working, with minor issues resolved during testing. She also discussed the e-rate program, a government-funded initiative providing discounted internet services for schools. The application for this program has been submitted, and once approved, it will significantly reduce internet bills and enable necessary upgrades. Dr. Bostic and her team are monitoring the internet's stability and addressing any challenges.
Ms. Young, Dr. Bostic, and Ms. Guyton discussed the testing process and reported no irregularities. Dr. Merritt suggested reporting minor buffering issues for transparency.
Dr. Bostic discussed the selection of AT&T for their internet services, citing price as the main factor. Ms. Young asked for a comparison of the new package with their current services, and Dr. Bostic agreed to provide this information. Ms. Rodgers inquired about the scoring of the different proposals, and Dr. Bostic clarified that the vendors' information and proposals were available for review.
The team discussed the issues with the school's internet connectivity, particularly in certain classrooms. They identified the problem as old wiring and planned to replace it with new, better wires, including fiber lines. This would improve the connectivity in those areas. The team also discussed the need to avoid moving students during testing, as it could disrupt their environment. They agreed to work on rectifying the issues before the upcoming Georgia Milestones testing.
Other Business
Ms. Young requested that the minutes reflect that Mr. Thomas should be the point of contact for Information Technology initiatives.
The Meeting was Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:24 pm
Motion to adjourn
By: Dr. Lenise Bostic Seconded by: Ms. Angela Rodgers
There was no notable discussion on the motion.