factchecker.stanjester.comStanJester - FactChecker | Record, transcribe, summarize and monitor the factual accuracy of what is

StanJester – FactChecker Record, transcribe, summarize and monitor the factual accuracy of what is said in public by the DeKalb Schools board and administration. Skip to content Approved 2020-2021 School Calendar Oct 12 : Columbus Day Nov 3 : Early Release Nov 23-27 : Thanksgiving Break Dec 21 – Jan 1 : Christmas Break Jan 13 : Last Day of 1st Semester Regional Town Hall Meetings For Parents Noember 30, 2020 – You are invited to attend the Region I-VII Town Hall Meetings for Parents. The purpose of each regional meeting is to provide detailed information about the reopening plan and answer questions. DeKalb Schools 2020 Graduation Rates Noember 10, 2020 – DeKalb County Schools four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2020 is 75.97% Black Lives Matter in DeKalb Schools Noember 9, 2020 – Black Lives Matter (BLM) began as a social media hash tag in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi in response to the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. Giving Grace Network – Struggling and Hardships October 28, 2020 – While the community is trying to flatten the COVID-19 curve with lockdowns and 100% virtual learning, the Giving Grace network has seen those who were already struggling only deepen into their hardships. 2018 and 2019 Auditor’s Reports October 20, 2020 – The 2018 and 2019 Annual Financial Report and Independent Auditor’s Reports have been issued. Material Weakness and Significant Deficiencies were identified. September Survey Results October 19, 2020 – DeKalb Schools (DCSD) sought updated stakeholder input on preferences for returning to school in a traditional or hybrid setting or remaining in distance/remote learning. Teacher Town Hall – My Notes October 14, 2020 – My notes from the Teacher Town Hall. Teachers are not coming back to work on October 19. Spectators – Billboards – Town Hall October 14, 2020 – The DeKalb County School District will allow spectators for Football games starting the weekend of October 15 – October 17, 2020. Returning to Face to Face Learning October 7, 2020 – DeKalb Schools sent out a 2-Week return to hybrid working environment notification to staff yesterday. Re-Open Athletics & Schedule September 25, 2020 – DeKalb Schools will implement a phase in approach to allow athletic and extra curricular activity to return. Formula To Calculate Moving To Hybrid September 22, 2020 – DeKalb Schools administration stated the school district will begin the transition to a hybrid learning model if the Cases Per 100K (Last 2 Weeks) is below 100 for 14 days straight. How do we calculate that? COVID-19 Cases Trending Down September 18, 2020 – Over the last few days the COVID-19 “Cases per 100K (last 2 weeks)” in DeKalb have gone from 122 to 117. Divisive Statement By Dr. Joyce Morley September 17, 2020 – I was disappointed and disturbed by the divisive statement made by Dr. Morley at our last Board of Education meeting. Conditions To Move To Hybrid September 17, 2020 – On Monday, the DeKalb Schools administration presented the conditions under which the school district would transition to a hybrid learning environment. The Georgia Department of Public Health provides a daily report with numerous data points including the number of COVID-19 cases. Sports – DeKalb Schools Delays Athletics August 14, 2020 – DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is delaying all athletic activity for the Fall 2020 season until the end of September. This includes marching bands and auxiliary groups. School Virtual Opening Update August 11, 2020 – Teachers started pre planning yesterday and students are back to school 100% virtually on Monday. The following are my takeaways from the administration’s latest update. Professional Development Institute August 2, 2020 – DeKalb Schools has a new concept called the “Professional Development Institute”. It will be deployed this Wednesday – Friday (Aug 5-7). The goal of these 3 days is to learn how to teach virtually effectively. DeKalb Schools Approved 2020-2021 School Calendar July 24, 2020 – At the 10am Board Meeting this morning, the DeKalb Schools administration will request that the Board of Education approve the following 2020-2021 calendar. What are your thoughts? Micro-Schools: Students & Teachers Coming Together July 21, 2020 – Given the recent failures of virtual learning this past Spring combined with the Fall semester starting virtually, parents are searching for options to educate their children. A number of families are coming together to start their own Micro-Schools. New 2020-2021 School Calendar July 18, 2020 – DeKalb Schools administration went back to the drawing board and has come out with a new 2020-2021 school Calendar. The first semester ends before Christmas Break, the second semester ends in May and there are 9 furlough days (calendar reduction days). Results – School Re Opening Survey July 10, 2020 – The DeKalb County School District sought stakeholder input on their preferences and perspectives for learning models and hybrid options that the school district is considering for the reopening of schools. DeKalb Notice of Property Tax Increase July 9, 2020 – DeKalb Schools administration is recommending to the Board no change in the millage rate for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The millage rate was 23.08 mills last year and that is what the Administration is requesting the Board approve again. Opening Schools in Metro Atlanta July 8, 2020 – Schools across Metro Atlanta will be opening next month. What’s the plan for DeKalb Schools? DeKalb Schools’ new fearless leader, Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris, and her team will be presenting the School Re-Opening Plan at the July 13 board meeting. DeKalb Schools Re-Opening Update July 5, 2020 – Will DeKalb Schools open on August 3rd as planned and what will learning look like when DeKalb Schools opens? Marshall Orson is currently the chair of the DeKalb Schools Board of Education. He addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about opening DeKalb Schools in the Fall. Survey Results – DES 4/5 Academy Site Name June 22, 2020 – A plurality of the survey entries support naming the DES 4/5 Academy site, “Dunwoody Elementary School Upper Campus”. DeKalb Schools Re-Opening Framework June 20, 2020 – DeKalb Schools Re-Opening School Task Force built a framework to serve as a transition document to the new Superintendent for final decisions on how to re-open on the first day of school on Aug 3, 2020. Public Input on Name of DES 4/5 Academy June 15, 2020 – The Naming Committee for the new Dunwoody Elementary campus is asking for input from our community to officially name the school site. The site will serve 4th and 5th graders from Dunwoody Elementary. Due to the physical location (former Kittredge building), we are asking for input from Dunwoody and Chamblee cluster schools. DeKalb Schools – FY2021 Budget Considerations June 14, 2020 – Revenues are expected to be down for this fiscal year. Ditto for the tax collection rates. DeKalb School’s administration is recommending that the Board of Education, tax payers, parents and employees contemplate these budget considerations. DeKalb Schools Approves TSA Settlement June 9, 2020 – This morning the DeKalb Schools Board of Education approved a settlement in the GOLD case (Tax Shelter Annuity – TSA Case) for $117.5 million over a 5 year period. Cheryl Watson-Harris – DeKalb Schools Superintendent – Sole Finalist June 4, 2020 – The DeKalb County Board of Education announces Cheryl Watson-Harris as the sole finalist in its search for a new superintendent. Meeting 1 – Naming Committee – DES 4/5 Academy June 2, 2020 – The Dunwoody Elementary School (DES) 4/5 Academy will have its first meeting Wednesday June 3 at 6pm to name the elementary school at the Nancy Creek site. Officially Naming the DES 4/5 Academy May 27, 2020 – Dunwoody Elementary School will be moving its 4th and 5th grades to the former Kittredge, and former Nancy Creek Elementary School site in Brookhaven this Fall. DeKalb S...