Motion to approve the agenda as presented
By: Dr. Brian Merritt Seconded by: Mr. Malcom Brown
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
DeKalb Preparatory Academy
Governance Committee
Regular Meeting - Thursday April 23rd, 2026 @12:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
Attendance Summary
| Name | Status | Arrival Time | Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Angela Rodgers | present secretary | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Ms. KathyAnn Young | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Mr. Malcom Brown | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Mr. Wayne Dennis | present member | On Time | At Adjournment |
| Dr. Brian Merritt | present ex-officio | On Time | At Adjournment |
Welcome
The meeting was called to order and a quorum ascertained at 12:11 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Approve mins from last meeting
Motion to approve the minutes from the previous committee meeting.
By: Dr. Brian Merritt Seconded by: Ms. Angela Rodgers
There was no notable discussion on the motion.
Organizational Chart
The Governance Committee discussed two organizational chart options for the school structure. The first option maintains the current setup with two principals, an instructional specialist, and two instructional coaches. The second option proposes removing the chief academic officer and principal positions while adding two assistant principal positions (one for high school, one for middle school, and one for elementary school), with all scholar related-operations reporting directly to the principal. DPA argued that consolidating under one principal would provide better clarity and cost savings, while maintaining back-end operations with existing staff.
Other Business
The discussion focused on certification requirements and handbook updates. The team discussed progress on the Kennesaw State certification program, with 19 teachers and paraprofessionals showing interest. Mr. Brown is working on revisions to policies including attendance and dress code for the student handbook, with a deadline set for next week, and a goal to post updated uniform and supply policies on the website by May 5th.
The committee discussed the upcoming Governing Board-executive leadership retreat scheduled for May 15th from 9 AM to 2 PM. DPA discussed a recent governance review meeting with the innovation team, where they observed improvements in board functioning and noted that the school had addressed previous concerns about turnover and strategic planning. The team also reviewed upcoming academic testing plans and discussed the process for presenting spring MAP data at the next board meeting. The conversation ended with updates on staff interviews and non-renewal appeals.
Board Actions
There were no board actions presented for approval. Organizational restructure will be considered and approved by the full board.
The Meeting was Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:40 p.m.
Motion to adjourn
By: Mr. Malcom Brown Seconded by: Ms. Angela Rodgers
There was no notable discussion on the motion.