Monthly Archives: July 2015

Aug 3, 2015 DeKalb Schools Board Meeting

Posted on July 31, 2015 by | Comments Off on Aug 3, 2015 DeKalb Schools Board Meeting

Monday, August 3, 2015
2:00pm – Work Session
5:45pm – Community Input Session
7:00pm – Business Meeting
Questions and Answers
8/3 – Financial Report
8/3 – HR Report
8/3 – International Teachers
8/3 – Nelson Mullins Ext
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Approval of Monthly Financial Report
3. Jim Cherry Emergency Clothing Fund Donation Approval
4. Approval of Monthly Human Resources Report
5. Approval of International Teacher Services Agreement
6. Law Firm Renewal Agreement (Part I and II)
7. Procurement for all Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Materials and Scoring Fees
8. Southern Behavioral Group (SBG) Contractual Services
9. Agreement to Provide Professional Services Between Metro East Georgia Learning Resources System (MEGLRS) with Metropolitan Regional Educational Service
Agency (MRESA) and DeKalb County School District
10. Casenex Professional Development Extension Agreement
11. Information Technology
a. Internet Firewall Protection
b. Padcaster Broadcast Unit
c. RFP 15-07 District Wide Cabling and Wireless System
12. School Nutrition Services
a. Approval for Continued Use of Statewide Contract (SWC) #9999-SPD0000091-
0002 Earthgrains Baking Company (Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc.) for Purchase of
Bread
b. Extension Bid No. 14-185 District Wide Armored Car and Ancillary Services
c. Extension Bid No. 15-457 Administration Software & Support
d. Bid No. 16-397 Purchase of Grocery Products Award
13. Fleet Services
a. North Georgia Fuel Cooperative (NGFC) Contract# 20140476 Extension Approval
14. Facilities
a. ITB 15-752-051 Electrical Contractor Award Approval
b. Portable Classroom Relocation and Routine Maintenance Services, Bid 14-752-032 Contract Extension Approval
15. E-SPLOST
a. Capital Outlay Project Application for Fiscal Year 2017
b. E-SPLOST IV Project: Approval of Bid Award No. 15-752-062 for Demolition Services at Atherton Elementary School, Sky Haven Elementary School, DeKalb Transition Facility, and Former Truancy Center Facility
c. E-SPLOST IV Project: Approval of Award of RFP No. 15-752-063 for A/E Services for Prototypical Elementary School Site Adaptation and Construction Administration Services
d. E-SPLOST IV Project: Approval of Award Bid No. 15-752-035 for Hambrick Elementary School (ES) ADA and Capital Renewal
e. E-SPLOST IV Project: Approval of Bid Award No. 15-752-053 for Midvale Elementary School (ES) Capital Renewal and Code Requirements
f. E-SPLOST IV Project: Approval of Award for RFP No. 15-752-064 for Subregion 5C: Cedar Grove Elementary School, Flat Shoals Elementary School, Rowland Elementary School, Columbia Middle School, McNair High School and Snapfinger Elementary School – ADA, Capital Renewal and Code Requirements A/E Design Firm
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (Cabinet Room)
1. Three-Year District-wide Technology Plan

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Posted in Board Meetings

Because It's DeKalb

Posted on July 28, 2015 by | 2 comments

DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester writes about why she voted against the 2015 mid-year DeKalb County budget on her website,

I voted against the 2015 Mid-Year DeKalb County Budget.
It is evident that some of the elected leaders and bureaucrats in DeKalb government have little recognition for what constitutes competent service delivery and prudent financial management. The mid-year budget continues bloating government, does nothing to reduce to size of the bureaucracy, and raises the millage rate for the General Fund even though property assessments have greatly increased. Clearly, DeKalb …is going in the wrong direction.
In addition to the already bloated proposal, the administration sent the Board of Commissioners a budget with even higher levels of spending, less than 24 hours before our vote.
I cannot support a bloated budget, poor basic service delivery, increased millage rates, and last minute un-vetted budget additions. All of these factors have led DeKalb to the poor status it holds today. I will continue to speak out and vote against these practices and habits. I hope that you will join me and let your voice be heard.

 
Commissioner Jester also addressed recent stories about ethical questions raised about DeKalb County’s procurement system saying,

It is time to shine the light of transparency on the procurement irregularities that were highlighted in the AJC story and disclose any other contracts or agreements that DeKalb has with APD solutions or Mr. Irons.I am requesting that the CEO and his administration, review their files and make public any and all documentation regarding bids, contracts, meetings, and communications with APD Solutions and Mr. Irons.
I want to be clear – the money involved in this growing scandal belongs to the taxpayers of DeKalb County. Your tax dollars must not be used as a slush fund that doles out contracts to well connected friends and their companies. Bidding, contracts, and oversight deserve professional and diligent scrutiny so that your tax dollars yield the most return for their investment.
It is unconscionable that a taxpayer-funded employee would allow your money to be spent so carelessly and with so little to show for the expense.
Sadly, in addition to taxpayers, those vulnerable communities that this grant money was meant to help, are victims. They were cheated out of investments that should have been made to their community instead of lining the pockets of the powerful and politically connected.

 
The budget proposal Jester opposed also removed $500,000 to pay for a probe of public corruption.
The commission voted 4-3 Tuesday on a budget that removes $500,000 sought by Interim CEO Lee May to help pay for an independent inquiry led by former Georgia Attorney General Mike Bowers, along with $208,000 requested by DeKalb District Attorney Robert James to hire four employees in his Public Integrity Unit in the last four months of the year.
Their investigations will continue despite the lack of funding, and commissioners said they will consider appropriating money in the future if those expenses can be justified.
Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who took office Monday, has said the “cloud of investigations” by several agencies – the FBI, the Board of Ethics, the District Attorney’s Office and Bowers – should be brought to a close.
“I feel it’s a little overkill. You can only investigate so much,” Johnson said last week after winning a runoff election. “It’s been over three years now, and so for us to move forward, these investigations must come to a conclusion.”
The denial of funding for investigations raises suspicions about the commission’s priorities, said Dan DeWoskin, the president of the DeKalb Bar Association.
“This is a house on fire. DeKalb County is plagued with the mistrust of its constituents,” DeWoskin said. “There’s got to be accountability.”
Commissioners Larry Johnson, Mereda Davis Johnson, Sharon Barnes Sutton and Stan Watson voted for the county’s $1.33 billion mid-year budget. Commissioners Gannon, Nancy Jester and Jeff Rader voted against it.

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Posted in DeKalb County, Nancy Jester