Bulletin Board

The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education meeting recap newsletter is shared after each regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The October board meeting was held on October 13, 2026.

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.

Dr. Carmen Sulton, Chair

Mr. Hans Utz, Vice Chair

Ms. Lorraine Irier, Board Member

Mr. James Herndon, Board Member

Ms. Tracey Anderson, Board Member

Zoe Smith, Student Board Representative (not pictured)

Dyslexia Awareness Month is observed in October annually to increase understanding, foster inclusion, and advocate for individuals with dyslexia. City Schools of Decatur invited students to submit artwork showcasing empathy, inclusion, and the unique ways a neurodiverse brain sees the world. Every piece submitted was inspiring, and we are proud of all our participants for their thoughtful engagement in promoting dyslexia awareness and for sharing their artistic talents.

Student Art Submissions:

Ryan Bahraini

Novelle Hall

Henok Retta

Jenna Dbouk

Mona Sharp

Bennett Holman

Leo Branchaud

Every single piece brought something truly special to our celebration, and two submissions are our overall winners.

Student Art Winners:

Violet C. Laney

Ben Stewart

The House System at Talley Street Elementary fosters a strong sense of belonging and teaches students a sense of collective responsibility for their peers, school, and community. Each year, Student House Leaders must earn their roles through a competitive process that includes submitting a written application, planning a House meeting, and participating in the Amazing Shake, in which they demonstrate leadership, confidence, and poise to a panel of judges composed of district and community leaders.

Congratulations to the following 2026-2027 Student House Leaders:

Evie Kelly, Rêveur

Kate Schoeman, Amistad

Hailey Richardson, Nukumori

Ian Ramon, Onraka

Lu Starrchan, Altruismo

Austin Sims, Isibindi

The following staff were recognized for their support of the Student House Leaders and for helping to make Talley a place where every student can belong, lead, and contribute.

Staff Heads of House:

Alicia Reno

Jessica Young

Lindsey Combs

Ashley Dickson

Lyndsei Pacini

Jillian Farley

This year's student leaders also attended the Ron Clark Academy House Leadership Conference. Hailey Richardson, Evie Kelly, and Ian Ramon placed in the top five in their age division. Hailey will also represent City Schools of Decatur at the Georgia Department of Education's Georgia's Public Schools: Stories That Shape Us event at the Alliance Theatre, where she will join students from across the state in sharing their school experiences.

Anishka Rayshan, now a fourth-grade student at Talley Street Upper Elementary, was recognized because her third-grade artwork was selected for the cover of the 2026–2027 City Schools of Decatur Budget Book.

Each year, the Budget Book provides an opportunity to showcase not only our district's financial priorities. CSD is proud to support student talent and interest in the arts, as well as the school programs and teachers who provide creative, artistic learning experiences. After reviewing many beautiful pieces of art from students across the district, the colors, creativity, and spirit of Anishka's piece stood out as the right image to make the Budget Book engaging and to remind viewers of the heart behind the numbers.

Anishka, congratulations on having your artwork selected. We are proud to showcase your creativity and talent.

Chase Barnes of Beacon Hill Middle School received recognition for his participation in the Chick-fil-A Kind & Seek™ Acts of Kindness Series.

Chase and his aunt participated together in a family competition centered on teamwork, problem-solving, and acts of kindness. Through a series of challenges, Chase demonstrated collaboration, perseverance, and compassion while experiencing firsthand how acts of kindness can make a difference.

Chase represented the Beacon Hill community exceptionally well, and we are proud to celebrate him and his family for this unique accomplishment.

The experience ultimately contributed to a meaningful community project — rebuilding a basketball court — showing how service and teamwork can extend well beyond the competition itself.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced the names of more than 16,000 Semi-Finalists in the 2027 National Merit® Scholarship Program. The National Merit® Scholarship Program is a highly competitive, annual academic competition in the U.S. that awards scholarships to top-performing high school students.

For Decatur High School students, merit is based on PSAT scores from their junior year. This year, Decatur High School is proud to honor five 2026-2027 National Merit semi-finalists. These academically talented high school seniors will have the opportunity to continue competing for 6,700 National Merit Scholarships. National Merit Finalists for the 2026–2027 program (Class of 2027) will be announced in early February 2027.

National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists:

Sophia Clark

Charlotte Hoppin

Sophia Jiang

Albert Li

Leona Ran

Two Decatur High School students were honored for their selection for the prestigious Georgia Governor's Honors Program (GHP). Held in mid-summer, GHP is a residential educational summer program hosted at Georgia Southern University for skilled, knowledgeable, and talented high school sophomores and juniors.

The program offers instruction that significantly differs from the typical high school classroom, offering students the academic, cultural, and social enrichment needed to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.

Participants attend classes in their specific areas of study for half the day, while the evenings are filled with a variety of social and instructional opportunities. GHP is fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly through taxpayer dollars and is offered at no cost to the student.

2026 DHS Governor's Honors Program Participants:

Charlotte Kemper

Nomination Area: World Languages

Concentration: German

Charles Kennedy

Nomination Area: Engineering

Concentration: Electrical and Computer

CSD is celebrating that five principals have earned National Game-Changer Spotlight Recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). CEC is a national professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities and students with gifts and talents. CSD's Special Education Department nominated these principals for their intentional leadership in creating inclusive school communities.

Each principal leads a school with specialized programs for students with disabilities, yet their impact extends far beyond these programs. Inclusion is evident in their schools through the warm welcome extended to students, the collaboration among staff, and the commitment to ensuring that every student has opportunities to belong, participate, and succeed.

Congratulations to Alexis Glenn, Beacon Hill Middle School; Jennifer Triplett, Oakhurst Elementary; Billy Heaton, Talley Street Upper Elementary; Christine Knox, Westchester Elementary; and Dr. Duane Sprull, Decatur High School.

We commend each principal for their leadership and for demonstrating through their work that in City Schools of Decatur, all truly means all.

On behalf of the board, thank you for joining us, both in person and virtually, for our October meeting, where, as a governance team, we continue to work towards ensuring strong oversight, accountability, and continuous improvement for the district.

During today's pre-work session, we continued our book study on The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything by Steven M.R. Covey. The board also received an update on the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Legal Services, which was posted on September 22, 2026. Following the presentation, the board provided input on several policies related to Instruction and Facilities, including scheduling, the dispute resolution process for material harmful to minors, and the use of school facilities.

The work session consisted of five presentations. All of the presentations are available in Simbli.

During the board recognitions, we were excited to recognize the 2026-2027 student and adult leaders of the Talley Street House System; a Talley fourth-grader whose artwork was chosen for the cover of this year's annual Budget Book; and a student from Beacon Hill Middle School for his participation in Chick-fil-A's Kind & Seek Acts of Kindness Series. We were equally proud to honor the achievements of seven Decatur High semi-finalists for the highly competitive 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, as well as two students who were selected for and attended the Georgia Governor's Honors Program this past summer.

As we join the celebration of all principals this month, especially our CSD principals, for their daily commitment, leadership, and impact, we gave an extra round of applause to the principals from Beacon Hill Middle; Oakhurst Elementary, Westchester Elementary, Talley Street Upper Elementary, and Decatur High School, for earning the Game-Changer Spotlight Recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children, a national professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities and students with gifts and talents.

Congratulations to all of these exceptional students and teachers on their accomplishments. Please check your school newsletters and the CSD Weekly to read about all of the great things happening in our schools.

Findings of the Investigation into the Superintendent

The investigation into Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker is now complete. The third-party investigator determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of any wrongdoing by the superintendent. The report will be released within 10 days.

This month has been chock-full of celebrations of civic, nonprofit, and educational organizations. I began the month at the Georgia School Boards Association's Gala, celebrating its 75th anniversary, where I engaged with other superintendents and board members on matters affecting K-12 education statewide. That was followed by the celebration of Vital Leaders, formerly known as GLISI (Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement), marking 25 years of growing leaders in Georgia.

Just this past Saturday, I attended the ISB Atlanta Gala, which builds bridges of understanding and mutual respect among Muslims and the broader community through education, engagement, and leadership. I attend the gala annually, but this year was especially meaningful because ISB Atlanta was also celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Serving as a liaison between the school system and the community, including the entire metro area, is part of my contractual duties and responsibilities. I want to publicly thank the board for allowing me these opportunities.

I also want to thank all the volunteers who participated in Georgia Pre-K Week, CSD Reads Week and the kickoff of Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia Awareness Month. Literacy and early learning are both essential in shaping a child's lifelong success.

This week, all schools are gearing up for next week's Decatur High School Bulldogs' Homecoming festivities, and we welcome your participation in this highly anticipated annual event.

In October, we are recognizing the culture and achievements of the Hispanic community during National Hispanic Heritage Month, the history of the LGBTQ+ community, and raising awareness about Breast Cancer and Bullying Prevention. Additionally, the annual School Bus Safety Week grants bus drivers an opportunity to reemphasize the importance of safety while waiting at the bus stop, crossing the street, boarding and exiting, and emergency procedures.

This month, CSD is also honoring our amazing school principals for National Principals Month. We are incredibly grateful for their profound impact on both students and staff and their commitment and tireless efforts to make our schools safe and nurturing learning environments. Thank you for the vital role you play in shaping achievement within our educational community.

Before we move on, I want to publicly introduce CSD's new chief of safety and technology services, Mr. Hoke L. Wilcox. Hoke is a respected education and technology leader with more than 30 years of experience across diverse K-12 and higher educational environments in both Alaska and Georgia. He has built a distinguished career leading large-scale technology modernization efforts, organizational transformation initiatives, and strategic programs that enhance operational effectiveness and student success. We are pleased to welcome Hoke Wilcox to CSD and look forward to working with him to further enhance our systems and the overall support we provide to our students and staff.

At this time, Deputy Superintendent Karen Newton-Scott will present the 2026 Graduation Rate and the Fall STAR Report.

Fall STAR Report and 2026 Graduation Rate Presentation

Thank you, Mrs. Newton Scott.

I want to pause and formally acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the staff at Decatur High School. The state calculates the 96.7% graduation rate. One of the key components of the state calculation is the denominator. This year, the denominator was the largest in CSD history, with nearly 500 graduates walking across the stage last May. Let's stop and celebrate the teachers, counselors, administrators (principals and assistant principals), and the entire Decatur community for a job well done!

Listening Sessions are a staple of my work. I believe listening should occur throughout a leader's tenure in an organization, not just during the first 90 days. Therefore, I have listening sessions seasonally throughout the school year.

My first listening session of the season took place at the Decatur Housing Community Center. The 4 Emerging Themes were:

1. Support for Students and Special Education: Participants commended counselors, staff, and teachers for supporting students with dyslexia and IEPs, and noted a graduate's success at Alabama State.

2. Early Childhood Learning Center and Pre-K: A suggestion was raised to establish an early childhood learning center at Decatur High School to help parents overcome transportation barriers to College Heights. A question was raised about whether students living outside the CSD school zone can attend PreK.

3. Adult Education Programs: Several community members proposed developing adult education programs, such as high school diploma programs and computer classes for adults.

4. Community Engagement: Community members emphasized the importance of continued communication and collaboration to support DHS students in closing the achievement gap.

The second of my Fall Listening Sessions was held at DHS. The 4 emerging themes were:

• Academic Programs and Coursework Load: Participants expressed strong appreciation for CTAE Career Exploration and the flexibility of the advanced courses offered. Expanded course offerings were specifically highlighted as the main reason families who previously left the district chose to return for high school. There was also a request to evaluate and support the academic pressure on students enrolled in multiple advanced courses simultaneously.

• Counseling, Family Support, & Transitions: There was a proposal to create tailored high school orientations for families returning to the school system versus those entirely new to the district; interest in improving resources to help families navigate high school course and pathway choices. Several counseling recommendations were made:

• Ensure every counselor conducts a mandatory 5-minute 1-on-1 check-in with every student.

• Reconfigure counselor roles into specialized domains (e.g., wellness/mental health counselors vs. career/academic counselors). *Note 6-12 student advisory offered similar feedback

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy & Governance: Inquiries regarding which trusted external sources or experts the Board of Education (BOE) and administration consult when setting AI policy; Advocacy for clear public disclosures detailing how and when the district uses AI tools to interface with or assess students; Need for clear policy and discussion around appropriate student use of AI tools for studying and academic work. I want the public and the board to know this will be a topic of our next Board Retreat in November.

• Operations, Facilities, & Timelines: Inquiries on whether the proposed Pre-K recommendations are intended for implementation in the upcoming school year; Inquiries about the timeline for community discussions regarding the future of the W. Trinity site. I shared that it is the board's purview, as it is a land discussion. Also, questions regarding whether planned developments at DHS or changes will affect school parking. I shared it was TBD.

I invite all stakeholders to my third and final Superintendent Listening Session of this semester, which will be virtual on October 19 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting link is available on the CSD website.

Over the past month, the Superintendent's Advisory Councils convened to provide feedback on the District's EdTech and AI Guardrails problem of practice, among other priority topics.

Each PTA/PTO/Community Partner Advisory Council, K-5 Student Advisory Council, Interfaith Council, and System Charter Leadership Team (SCLT) followed a consistent protocol to gather stakeholder perspectives on how technology can support teaching and learning while preserving opportunities for reading, writing, face-to-face interaction, and screen-free learning. Across groups, participants emphasized that technology should enhance, not replace, student thinking, and that clear expectations are needed for both school and home use.

The PTA/PTO/Community Partner Advisory Council highlighted the importance of preparing students for a digital world while maintaining balance through paper-based learning, handwriting, books, and intentional screen-free time. Members also raised questions about daily screen-time levels, technology access for students with accommodations, and the potential for technology to become the default activity during downtime. Additional hot topics included teacher and staff sustainability related to K-5 Future Readiness Skills implementation, the structure and staffing of the nursing program, non-resident tuition, facility needs, and the possibility of expanding email access for students in grades 7 and 8. I shared that non-resident tuition will be included in the November FTE Board presentation.

The Interfaith Council broadened the conversation to community concerns, including social media education, health curriculum, workforce preparation, election-season tensions, hate, underage drinking and drug use, and the impact of a "not in my house" mindset. After the meeting with the interfaith council members, I also connected with the Decatur Prevention Institute and other community partners at National Night Out. Finally, the SCLT identified system-level priorities, including change management, parent engagement, student behavior, athletics, wellness, and executive functioning, as well as teacher retention, safety, redistricting timelines, budget input, charter system renewal, and capital improvements. Staff will incorporate feedback into future SCLT and Board discussions, while continuing to align the Charter System Renewal and Strategic Plan processes, with much of that work anticipated during the 2027–2028 school year.

The aforementioned advisory councils are engaging meaningfully. Now, I would like to ask Dr. Jennifer Burton, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, to come and provide an update on the Community Working Group and Pre-K in CSD.

Pre-K Working Group Presentation

We would also like to remind families about the upcoming CSD remote Digital Learning Day on Tuesday, November 3. This virtual learning day provides an opportunity for students to stay abreast of their digital learning skills and for CSD to ensure that all staff members can exercise their civic rights. Staff will also have dedicated time for training and professional development.

Lastly, I would like to thank Intown Ace Hardware for recently hosting a Ladies Night Out and donating the proceeds to the Decatur Education Foundation's early learning fund.

Chair Sulton, that completes my report.

The recording, which includes the pre-work session, work session, regular meeting, and public comment, is available here. The meeting commenced with a roll call. All board members were present.

Dr. Lonita Broome, Chief Financial Officer, presented the Fiscal Year 2028 budget calendar. The board approved the calendar, which establishes the timeline and key milestones for developing, reviewing, and adopting the district's FY2028 budget. The calendar is designed to provide a structured and transparent budget development process that includes financial planning, stakeholder engagement, board review and discussion, and required public hearings. The board approved the calendar to formally establish the schedule that will guide the district through the FY2028 budget development and adoption process.

Dr. Lonita Broome, Chief Financial Officer, presented a preview of the FY2027 budget amendment, including proposed options for reallocating funds originally budgeted for the construction of a new Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC). The board considered options for a one-time employee bonus, the associated employer FICA costs, and proposed employee eligibility criteria.

Following the discussion, the board directed the administration to incorporate the proposed reallocation into the formal FY2027 general fund budget amendment for subsequent board consideration and approval at the November board meeting.

Jarvis Adams, Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Lonita Broome, Chief Financial Officer, provided an update on E-SPLOST VI and VII for information purposes with no board action requested.

The presentation updated the board on the E-SPLOST VI closeout, funding reconciliation, and proposed FY2027 expenditures, and provided an overview of the E-SPLOST VII capital plan. This informational update also previewed the next five-year CSD Long-Term Facilities Plan.

The full presentation is available in the meeting agenda linked here.

Chief Communications Officer Mikkal Hart Murunga and Community and Legislative Affairs Coordinator Courtney Burnett presented the proposed 2027 legislative priorities for discussion. The final 2027 legislative priorities will be presented on the November 2026 board agenda for approval.

• E-SPLOST VI Distribution Reconciliation and General Release

• Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the DeKalb County School District and the City Schools of Decatur on the one-time reconciliation payment to City Schools of Decatur for $9,046,811.26.

• McGuireWoods Consulting

• Approve the contract for services with McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC and its subcontractor, Robert L. Fortson of Fortson, Blalock, Turner, & Germany, LLC, for lobbying services for FY2027 beginning September 23, 2026, to August 31, 2027, for an amount not to exceed $6,500 per month.

• Mayfield Dairy

• Approve the Superintendent to enter into a contract with Mayfield Dairy Farms for the purchase and delivery of milk products for the City Schools of Decatur School Nutrition Program for FY2027, in an amount not to exceed $150,000. The agreement provides milk products and delivery to district schools, with requirements addressing product quality, food safety, packaging, and temperature-controlled delivery.

• Samples Foods

• Approve the Superintendent to enter into a contract with Samples Foods for the purchase and delivery of frozen foods and grocery products for the City Schools of Decatur School Nutrition Program for FY2027, in an amount not to exceed $400,000. The contract establishes requirements for nutritional documentation, safe storage and delivery temperatures, product substitutions, and delivery to district schools.

• Convergint

• Approve an increase in Convergint Technologies LLC's Year 2 spending authorization to an amount not to exceed $200,000, inclusive of the existing service agreement, for inspection, maintenance, and corrective repairs to district fire, life-safety, and security systems using existing approved operating funds.

• KONE, Inc.

• Approve the Superintendent to enter into contracts with KONE Inc. for the purchase and installation of eight Savaria Delta ADA lifts in the north and south front stairwells at Decatur High School, in a combined amount not to exceed $638,122.58, funded through FY2027 E-SPLOST VI, consisting of $334,444.46 for the north front stairwell and $303,678.12 for the south front stairwell. The contract amounts include applicable labor, materials, and permit fees.

• University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education (UVA-PLE)
• Authorize the Superintendent to extend the University of Virginia agreement to include professional learning for K-2 instructional teams to strengthen data-driven instruction and identify student needs early. Costs will be covered by existing approved professional services and professional learning funds; no additional budget appropriation is requested.

The board approved the following consent items:

• September 2026 Personnel Report

• Field Trips

• Contracts & Memorandums

• E-SPLOST VI Distribution Reconciliation and General Release

• McGuireWoods Consulting

• Samples Foods

• Convergint

• KONE, Inc.

• University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education (UVA-PLE)

Upon review, the board determined that no changes are required for the following policies at this time and reaffirmed and readopted each one.

• IFCB: Field Trips and Excursions

• IHF: Graduation Requirements

The board discussed the following policies, which were originally on the work session agenda. These policies are now available for public comment:

• IDDD: Gifted Student Programs

• IKD: School Ceremonies and Observances

• IHE: Promotion and Retention

• IDE(3): Competitive Interscholastic Activities, Grades 6-12

Please click on the links to view each policy and provide comments.

Budget Activity Items 1 and 2

Chief Financial Officer Dr. Lonita Broome presented the August 2026 financial report. As of August 31, 2026, the district has collected 28%, or approximately $32 million, of the budgeted revenues and has expended 10%, or approximately $13 million, of the overall expenditure budget.

Approximately $2 million is encumbered for August. Encumbrances are open purchase orders that have been issued but have not been invoiced/paid. The overall effect of the financial statement is a net income of approximately $19 million. The $19 million represents the year-to-date difference between the total revenues and total expenditures. Last year at this time, 27%, or approximately $29 million, of the budgeted revenue had been collected, and approximately 10%, or $11 million, had been expended.

A more detailed look at both revenues and expenditures, including Dr. Broome's presentation, is available in the meeting agenda linked here.

The board approved the budget monitoring activity items 1 and 2.

Budget Activity Item 3

The board ratified a contract with Mauldin & Jenkins. As an addendum to the required annual audit, the Board of Education has engaged Mauldin & Jenkins to evaluate three key financial functions within the City Schools of Decatur: PCard administration, employee reimbursements, and the use of sole-source contract awards. The additional controls testing covers the period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026. The estimated cost of the service is $51,568.00.

The following policies are available for public comment:

• IDDD: Gifted Student Programs

• IKD: School Ceremonies and Observances

• IHE: Promotion and Retention

• IDE(3): Competitive Interscholastic Activities, Grades 6-12

Click on the policies to view them and provide comments.

The pre-work session included a discussion of the board's 2026-2027 book study, The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey, and an update on the legal services RFP. The board also reviewed five policies:

• IDBA: Sex Education

• IFBC: Media Programs

• IKBC: Material Harmful to Minors Complaint Resolution Process

• IED: Scheduling for Instruction

• KG: Use of School Facilities

The pre-work session portion of the meeting is available for viewing in the full recording.

During the work session preceding the Regular Meeting, the Board of Education heard five presentations and moved four policies to public comment.

The presentations included:

• FY27 School Allotment Guidelines Review

• Q1 Teacher Induction and Engagement Update

• University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education (UVA-PLE) Update

• An Interoperable Data System: eduCLIMBER

• Georgia Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

The work session portion of the meeting can be viewed in the full recording, starting at 2:31:50.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2026.

Link to Join Board of Education Meetings 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 of Education 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 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