Bulletin Board

The City Schools of Decatur BOE meeting recap newsletter is shared after each regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The November Board of Education meeting was held on November 12, 2024.

Meeting Agendas:

Pre-Work Session

Work Session

Regular Meeting

The recording, which includes the pre-work session, work session, regular meeting, and public comment, is available here.

The AGC (Associated General Contractors of Georgia) Skills Challenge is a regional competition in eight areas around the state. The challenge is a partnership with AGC and Georgia SkillsUSA (Career and Technical Student Organization - CTSO) that provides students the ability to tie their learning in a co-curricular nature to real-world outcomes. The Decatur High students competed at the event in the Metro Region. DHS took 28 students to the competition this year, with six students competing. Two competed in cabinet making, two in blueprint reading, one in welding, and one in electrical wiring. From that group, Peri Jeffers and Tobiah Watts finished 1st and 2nd in the Cabinet Making Competition and will advance to the upcoming state-level Skills USA competition in February. These students are currently in their third year in the Fine Furniture and Cabinet Making pathway and are sponsored and instructed by their teacher, Mr. Randall Archer. Congratulations on your achievement! We look forward to many more successes in the future.

In October, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution presented DHS Head Football Coach William Felton as the Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Week, recognizing high school football coaches for their impact on and off the field. The Decatur Bulldogs were also featured as the Fox 5 Team of the Week.

He actively engages with our local community, partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department to host summer camps, introducing youth to the game, and inspiring the next generation of athletes. Coach Felton consistently seeks creative ways to raise funds for the program, using these opportunities to create team bonding experiences that enhance the players’ sense of unity and pride.

As part of the program, presented by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the NFL, and Atlanta Falcons, Coach Felton will receive a $1,000 grant for Decatur High School’s football program and recognition from the Atlanta Falcons and AJC at an end-of-season banquet.

Senior Decatur High School football player Ethan Johnson has been selected to participate in the prestigious All-American Football All-Star Game, held annually in San Antonio, Texas! This is the highest honor a high school football player can achieve, with only the top athletes from across the country being chosen.

To celebrate, the All-American Football organization plans to visit the school on November 15 to present Ethan with his official jersey. DHS is excited for Ethan and this wonderful opportunity.

Monica Nelson, Holly Howell, and Lori Bigham are recipients of DEF grants for their innovative projects at Clairemont Elementary. Monica Nelson received funding to put on this year’s musical, The Magic Treehouse: Dinosaurs Before Dark, which will highlight the fantastic group of student actors at Clairemont. Holly Howell was awarded funding to purchase eight djembe drums to start a student drum circle, which will support our SEL practices because students must practice and engage in active listening and work collaboratively to have a successful drum circle. Finally, Lori Bigham received funding for three additional Hydroponic vertical garden towers. The grant will allow all students to participate in gardening and experience the fruits of their labor. Congratulations, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Howell, and Ms. Bigham!

Clairemont initiated the first student Camera Club this year, introducing students to photography and visual storytelling. A key goal is to highlight the joy of learning throughout Clairemont Elementary. Our club fosters collaboration, teamwork, and self-expression, inviting all students to join. The students in the club have demonstrated their exceptional work, and the school truly has some budding photographers! This enriching activity is led by a fantastic parent volunteer, Sarah Wade. Special thanks to Sarah for her dedication and leadership in this exciting venture!

Camera Club Members:

Oliver Bennett

Danilo Headrick

Antonio Tutt

Ella Kim

Ashton Jordan

Mateen Sharifi

Lydia Wade

Grayson Zachery

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has designated November 11–15, 2024, as National School Psychology Week (NSPW), with the theme “Spark Discovery.”

NSPW is an annual opportunity to recognize school psychologists’ work to help youth thrive, and school communities throughout the United States will participate in activities and initiatives designed to celebrate these critical professionals.

School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth succeed socially, behaviorally, emotionally, and academically. School psychologists are also highly trained in data-based decision-making, including behavioral operationalization and data collection/analysis.

This year’s theme, “Spark Discovery,” is meant to evoke a sense of pride in school psychologists’ scientist-practitioner training. School psychologists support their communities in exploring connections and pursuing new ideas.

CSD School Psychology Team:

Benjamin Knaebel

Dr. Leslie Hart

Dr. Geneel McKenzie

Kristen Pluemeau Cheng

Nancy Lamb

Vickie Wingard

Christie Bailey

Rebecca Fitch-Hundere

Ava Shiver

We are excited about the opportunity to recognize our non-teaching professionals who contribute tremendously every day to our district with the Professional Employee of the Year award!

This award recognizes outstanding individuals who:

1. Demonstrate leadership within the school or school system.

2. Works as a collaborative team member in the school or department; works well with staff, parents, and administrators. AND

3. Provides evidence of student achievement or exceptional job performance.

This year, we are not only recognizing individuals from each school but have also extended this recognition to our transportation, maintenance, and Wilson Center staff.

Decatur Education Foundation Board Executive Director Megan Berardi joined the recognition to generously award these deserving individuals with a gift of appreciation.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to DEF for continuously supporting our fantastic employees!

Professional Employees of the Year:

• Leslie Joiner, Media Clerk at College Heights Early Learning Center

• Brittany Miller, Stellar Substitute at Clairemont Elementary

• Kirk Setzer, Paraprofessional at Glennwood Elementary

• Craig Morgan, Special Education Paraprofessional at Oakhurst Elementary

• Yolanda Slaughter, Food Service Worker at Westchester Elementary

• Lori Siver, Media Clerk at Winnona Park Elementary

• Ethel Johnson, Bookkeeper at Talley Street Upper Elementary

• Malik Morrow, School Manager at Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary

• Jackie White, School Manager at Beacon Hill Middle School

• Darius Duffie, Lead Custodian at Decatur High School

• Cedric Dunans, Maintenance Technician

• Melita Jones, Transportation Specialist

• Britney Terrell, Employee Relations and Leave Management Coordinator

On behalf of the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education, thank you for joining us in person and virtually to learn about the progress of our strategic goals. The board shares the administration's accolades for all students, staff, families, and the community as we work together to achieve positive academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students.

As Dr. Whitaker shared, last week, citizens participated in elections. A constitutional amendment based on House Bill 581 was included on the ballot in Georgia, which the Georgia General Assembly passed in the 2024 legislative session. Ultimately, HB 581 creates a statewide floating homestead exemption, which directly impacts school districts as an inflation cap (based on the Consumer Price Index) on property tax assessments.

As with all Constitutional amendments, the bill required voter approval. More than 55% of voters in the City of Decatur voted in favor of the amendment, which will go into effect on January 1, 2025. However, as was explained during a presentation at the October board meeting work session, HB 581 allows cities, counties, and school districts a one-time option to opt out of the property tax cap. Therefore, per the legal procedures to opt out of the exemption, the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education will advertise and hold three public hearings, including two on January 14, one in the AM, one in the PM, and one in the evening of January 21.

I invite the public to review the full board presentation from the October work session on the district's website in Simbli, which includes the projected financial impact of the exemption on our school district.

During today's pre-work, we continued our book study on "The Governance Core: School Boards, Superintendents, and Schools Working Together." Pre-work also included a review of the initial draft of a policy on school-level governance teams, such as School Leadership Teams or SLTs.

There were four presentations during the work session. The first outlined how the administration monitors high-quality instruction in our schools and how our district teams support building school leaders in a continuous improvement cycle. The second presentation was co-led by the district's equity and human resources departments and provided an overview of the revised approach to professional learning.

During the next two presentations, the board received an initial draft of the 2026-2027 academic calendar for review and a summary of the FY26 budget parameters and priorities. We also accepted three "J" policies on student hearing procedures, exchange students, and student accidents for the first read. Again, all of the presentations for this and past meetings are available in Simbli.

Last month, our school community hosted a variety of Hispanic Heritage Month and Diwali festivities and celebrations. In November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, honoring the culture, traditions, and achievements of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities. It also recognizes the contributions of Indigenous people to the United States and the world.

There are so many amazing things happening around CSD as was evidenced in our board recognitions this afternoon - from school clubs and teacher grants to one of our DHS varsity football players being selected to participate in the prestigious All-American Football All-Star Game!

This evening, we also want to congratulate our Varsity Boys' and Girls' Cross Country teams on winning their regional championships. I want to pause to personally congratulate our student board representative, Sophie D'Elena, who placed 2nd in the region. Both teams went on to the state competition, where the Boys placed 11th, and the Girls earned an impressive 3rd place finish.

When she hasn't been in class and running cross country, I understand Sophie has been actively fulfilling her duties as the board's student representative with school visits. One of her first stops was at her elementary alma mater, Westchester. While at Westecher, Sophie and school board apprentice Nia Batra met with students to better understand their issues and the areas in which she could advocate on their behalf. Besides being commendable, Sophie clearly understands the importance of stakeholder engagement in public service.

Along with our school psychologists, we are joining the City of Decatur and the entire community in celebrating our dedicated crossing guards this week. Please take a moment to stop and show your gratitude to these hardworking professionals and their commitment to keeping our children safe as they travel to and from school every day.

Finally, the next board retreat will be held next Tuesday, November 19, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Hospitality Suite at Decatur High School.

Tonight, we are very proud to announce the results of the ACT for the class of 2024 and the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, otherwise known as the PSAT.

According to the results from the Georgia DOE, Decatur High School students had an impressive average ACT score of 24.6, earning CSD the #1 spot for the highest average ACT score out of 172 participating public school districts across the state. This marks a significant increase of 0.9 points from the previous year and positions the district as a state-wide leader in academic performance. The ACT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States, with scores ranging from 1 to 36.

At Decatur High School (DHS), sophomores and juniors take an important exam, the PSAT, in mid-October. The PSAT is free to all sophomores in Georgia, and City Schools of Decatur pays for all juniors to take the test.

The PSAT is scored in a range of 320–1520. City Schools of Decatur achieved a district average score of 1056, surpassing the state and national averages of 977 and 965, respectively, and an increase of 15 points. The PSAT is the sole qualifying exam for the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships managed by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. In addition to being a gateway to the National Merit Scholarship, taking the PSAT opens up access to over $300 million in additional scholarship opportunities for college-bound students.

We are also proud of Talley Street and Beacon Hill Middle for their recent recognition by the Georgia Department of Education. Congratulations to Talley Street Elementary for being named a state Literacy Leader School. And kudos to Beacon Hill Middle for being recognized as a state Math Leader School. We applaud the students, staff, and families at both schools for this achievement.

CSD's own Ella Harley, Student Engagement Coach, is nominated for Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement's (GLISI) Hidden Heroes award, which recognizes those who make a lasting impact on our students and schools. Ms. Harley plays a vital role in supporting some of our most vulnerable students and their families, helping them navigate and access the school system's resources, and ensuring that no student is left behind. Her work is across the district and requires frequent check-ins with students and their families to support them with attendance, academic success, and social and emotional needs.

Ms. Harley's selflessness and dedication profoundly impact students' lives, empowering them to navigate their journeys with confidence and resilience. Vote daily for Ms. Harley through Friday, November 22, at 5 p.m. Check our social media platforms for the link to vote.

Like every month, we also have a few observances to highlight for November. Yesterday was Veterans Day when we joined the nation in expressing our gratitude to the generations of America's veterans for their bravery, dedication, and sacrifices in service to our country. American Education Week is a week-long celebration of public education that takes place during the third full week of November. In 2024, it will be celebrated from November 18-22. This month, we also recognize the vital engagement of our parents and families in the education and well-being of their children.

Before I end my remarks, I want to mention that last week's remote Digital Learning Day underscored the district's commitment to allowing all staff to practice civic engagement. The election results have understandably prompted a mix of opinions and emotions within our diverse school community, which embodies a multitude of viewpoints, perspectives, and beliefs that add to the complexity of the issues. I want to remind families that additional support is available for students needing help processing their emotions and feelings during this time. Each campus has trained and certified school counselors, along with access to mental health professionals.

I want to also remind staff that while it is true that we each have individual rights that are protected by the U.S. Constitution, as government employees of a public, state, and tax-payer-funded school district, we have a state mandate to remain neutral on all issues. We have an equal obligation to deliberately focus on the well-being of our students first and promote a safe coexistence united by our shared humanity. This means remaining neutral on All issues for All students, regardless of our individual beliefs.

Some of you may be surprised to see me, Dr. Whitaker, at the board meeting in a t-shirt. I am wearing the same t-shirt I wore at Opening Day, with the BOE and every staff member to kick off this school year. We opened the school year with the understanding that All Means All is more than a mantra. As I've said before, we are so committed to this that we put it on a t-shirt.

Just as I said on July 27, we must continue to refocus our efforts to include positive outcomes for students emotionally AND academically, providing safe spaces where teachers understand our collective responsibility to:

1. Promote a sense of belonging for ALL students.

2. Provide environments that are conducive to learning, with a focus on promoting a climate of trust and teamwork within the classroom for ALL students.

3. Model caring, fairness, respect, and enthusiasm for ALL students

4. Cultivate ALL students into future-driven scholars.

5. Exhibit a commitment to professional ethics and our district mission to support learning for ALL students.

These are among the performance standards provided by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission to guide the work of EVERY teacher in CSD and across the state. This is how we measure and evaluate teacher performance and effectiveness in supporting ALL students, with respect for and understanding of students' diversity, including - but not limited to - race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.

Have a restful Thanksgiving!

The board unanimously approved the following consent items:

• September 2024 Financial Reports

• September 2024 School Nutrition Financial Report

• October 2024 Personnel Report

• Overnight/Out-of-State Student Travel

• 2025 Legislative Priorities

• RFQ 25-004, Early Childhood Learning Center Design Consultant Services

• K-5 ELA curriculum Great Minds

• Grades 6-8 ELA textbooks from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Into Literature)

• K-3 ELA textbooks for Wilson Reading

• Charter System Contract

• CSD Armed Security Evaluation of Options

The board unanimously approved the following policies:

• Policy DIB - Financial Reports

• Policy DJEA - Purchasing Authority

• Policy DJEAC - Purchasing or Credit Card Use

• Policy DC - Annual Operating Budget

• JCEB - Student Hearing Procedures

• JQK - Exchange Students

• JGFG - Student Accidents

Next Regular Board Meeting: The next regular board meeting will be on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Other Upcoming Meetings:

• Board Retreat on November 19, 2024, at 10:00 am at Decatur High School.

Link to Join Board Meeting Virtually: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/95614159391

Board Agenda(s): Go to Simbli to access the CSD Board of Education meeting agenda(s), supporting documents, and meeting minutes.

Public Comments: Click here for information on signing up to speak at a CSD Board meeting.

Contacting Board Members: Email the entire board at board@csdecatur.net. Click here to view board member bios and contact information.

The board values hearing from members of our community. Each Board member reviews and reads all emails sent by our stakeholders.

Georgia law governs school boards, and they cannot intervene in the day-to-day administrative operations of the school district, including direct staff and personnel matters. If you write to us with a concern about district operations, your message will be forwarded to the school or district administrator, who can best address your concern.

The board has also adopted a set of norms that govern our local communication protocols. These include:

1. Emails to individual board members are shared with the entire board.

2. Issues and concerns received by the board and or individual members will be referred to the Superintendent.

3. Board members will follow the chain of command and will educate, instruct, and encourage others to do the same.

4. The board chair will reply to emails from constituents sent to all board members. That reply will include the superintendent and other board members on the thread, and the constituent will be informed that the superintendent or their designee will respond to the inquiry/request.

5. Direct all stakeholders’ questions, input, or discussion to the Superintendent, who will communicate them as needed to the board.

Email: board@csdecatur.net
Website: csdecatur.net
Location: 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: (404) 371-3601