DeKalb board approves multiple construction contracts and budget reallocations; three policy changes tabled

The DeKalb County Board of Education on Dec. 9 approved a series of contract awards, guaranteed‑maximum prices (GMPs) and budget reallocations for school construction and renovation projects, while agreeing to table three proposed board‑policy changes until newly elected members take office.

Board action followed a lengthy operations presentation describing multiple projects and associated costs. The board approved, among other items, a 90‑day extension for charter bus services; GMP and budget reallocations for Livesey Elementary HVAC ($7,402,255 GMP; $3,302,255 reallocation); Toney Elementary HVAC ($7,335,874 GMP; $1,784,124 reallocation); and a not‑to‑exceed $1,070,803 design‑build award for Lithonia Middle School gym renovation. The board also approved amendment requests for architects and owner‑requested change orders on other capital projects.

Why it matters: The votes advance long‑running facilities work across the district but were taken amid sharp disagreement over contracting practices and recurring change orders that several board members said risked expanding an already‑reported funding gap.

What the votes were — at a glance - Charter bus contract extension (90 days): Approved (motion passed, recorded as 6–1 on adoption procedural vote earlier; final item approval recorded as passed). - Livesey Elementary HVAC GMP ($7,402,255) and budget reallocation ($3,302,255): Approved (motion passed; board tally recorded in transcript). - Toney Elementary HVAC GMP ($7,335,874) and budget reallocation ($1,784,124): Approved. - Lithonia Middle School gym ceiling design‑build award (Performance Services Inc., not to exceed $1,070,803): Approved. - Third‑party commissioning services (total not to exceed $642,185.50 across projects): Approved. - Evergreen Construction change order (owner‑requested items, $468,393): Approved.

Board debate and procedural items: Three policy amendments removed from consent Board members spent substantial time debating broader governance questions and whether to finalize three policies (BBFA — local school councils/principal advisory councils; BC — board meetings; BBI — board‑staff relations) before newly elected members are seated. Citing both committee work already completed and the incoming board, members divided over whether to proceed immediately or give new members time to review.

Vice Chair Deidra P. Pierce moved — and the board voted — to table the three items for later consideration. The motion to table the ready‑for‑action policies passed unanimously in the recorded motion that followed committee discussion (transcript records the motion and a roll call resulting in the chair’s announcement: “Motion passes 7 0”).

Strong objections from Dr. Joyce Morley Dr. Joyce Morley repeatedly opposed placing operations items on the consent agenda and opposed multiple spending items during roll call votes. “I will not vote for any of it,” Morley said during the meeting when listing concerns about repeated modifications and reallocations, and later cast opposition votes on several individual items. Morley urged an external operations audit and raised concerns that contracts were repeatedly amended after award.

What’s next Projects approved at the meeting will proceed through the district’s procurement and project‑management steps, with additional early packages and guaranteed maximum prices to be presented in future meetings where noted by staff. The three tabled policy matters will be revisited after incoming board members have the opportunity to review committee work and provide input.

Speakers (selected): Dijon DeCosta Sr. (Board chair); Deidra P. Pierce (Vice chair); Joyce Morley (District 7 board member); Anna Hill (District 1 board member); Mr. Hofstadter (operations presentation).