Key take-aways from the June 14, 2021 Board Meeting:
Committee of the Whole (COW)
SPLOST VI
- November 2, 2021, Referendum to authorize the re-imposition of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for an additional five years beginning on July 1, 2022, and continuing until June 30, 2027
- DCSD resolution will include capital outlay and improvement projects including technology
- DCSD Estimated revenue for a five-year collection of a 1% sales tax, up to approximately $742 million
FY 22 Budget Calendar
- June 14th – Board to adopt spending resolution for July (1/12 of the final FY21 Budget) “Funds from all sources for July 2021 not to exceed one-twelfth of the final amended all funds budget for all funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, and such other funds known to be used in July or as previously authorized by the board of education.”
- June 14th 1st & 2nd Public Millage Rate Hearings
- June 21st 3rd Public Millage Rate Hearing and Adoption of the Millage Rate
- June 21st 1st Public Budget Hearing to solicit feedback on the FY2021-2022 Budget
- July 5th Advertise on the district’s website FY2021-2022 Tentative Budget details
- July 12th 2nd Public Budget Hearing to solicit feedback on the FY2021-2022 Budget
- July 12th Final Adoption of the FY2021-2022 Budget
Comprehensive Master Plan
Equity and Transparency
- CMP Calibration
- Launch Annual Planning conversations
Educate/Evolve/Engage
- Regional Town Halls to hear update on engagements
- Share updates on SPLOST 4 & 5
- Engage additional stakeholders in the process
Meetings with Principals and Regional Superintendents
- 100% of 1:1s with Regional Superintendents
- Over 80% of 1:1 with Principals (Expected time of completion: June 30, 2021)
Preliminary Findings
- 11 primary areas for Capital Outlay e.g. Roofs, Heating, Ventilation & Cooling (HVAC), Electrical, etc.
- Findings disaggregated into:
- Regions
- Educational bands (Elementary, Middle, High)
Next Steps
- Develop prioritization list of projects calibrated by triangulating:
- FCA
- District Input
- Community Input
CMP: Equity and Transparency
- Hear the concerns from our community.
- Commit to continuous 2-way dialogue with all stakeholders.
- Focus on our instructional core and will identify ways to push and redirect more funding to the classroom.
- Examine/Understand/Resolve the causes of underutilization of buildings and work with our community to create innovative programs that will provide multiple choice options to make DCSD the number one choice for families.
Superintendent Report
Graduation Rate
The GA Department of Education reports official Georgia High School Graduation Rate Data—by District and High School—in the Fall of each year. Accordingly, school districts use local internal controls to facilitate and ensure that the graduation cohort data is accurate. The process of data quality assurance takes place over time and includes additional graduating of students that fulfil graduation expectations during the summer.
Projected graduation rate data changes between May and August/September (typicall2y increases), as a result of local school and district cohort data clean-up, summer high school graduates, and culminating with the GADOE reconciliation of student records (i.e. “state clean-up”). As a result, final reporting of accurate graduation rate data is determined and allocated in the Fall.
The 2021 graduation rate next steps include supporting potential summer graduates (FLEX Restore and High School Credit Recovery), and monitor cohort clean-up process.
Summer School Open Enrollment
As of June 2, 2021, the number of registered students in the Mosaic Summer Learning Programs is 9,810. The district expanded program options and partnered with DeKalb Work Source, Georgia State University and Lockhead Martin. The district also hired counselors to provide academic, social and emotional support for students and families. The district purchased instructional resources to provide intentional, targeted support in reading, mathematics and language acquisition. The district also purchased appropriate grade-level learning backpacks for students in PreK through second grade to promote and reinforce reading and mathematics skills development.