DeKalb board approves construction contracts while members warn of $200 million shortfall

The DeKalb County Board of Education on Dec. 9 approved a package of construction contracts, guaranteed‑maximum price (GMP) requests and budget reallocations for school renovation projects even as several members said the district faces a substantial funding gap.

During the business meeting the board voted to extend several procurement items and to approve GMPs for planned HVAC and renovation work, including a $7,402,255 GMP for Livesey Elementary School and a $7,335,874 GMP for Toney Elementary School. The board also approved a $1,070,803 design‑build award for the Lithonia Middle School gymnasium ceiling and a third‑party commissioning contract totaling $642,185.50. Several of the construction and contract items were approved by narrow margins recorded on the dais.

The approvals came as board members pressed the administration for clarity on long‑running capital projects and contingency spending. "We have a total shortfall of about $200,000,000," said board member Anna Hill, who walked the board through program revenues and estimated completion costs for SPLOST 5 and SPLOST 6 and for ESSER projects. "This is where we are."

Board member Dr. Joyce Morley and others urged outside review of operations and contracting practices. Morley repeatedly questioned recurring modifications and reallocations, and called for audits and whistleblower protections for staff who raise concerns.

Superintendent Devon Q. Horton acknowledged the funding gap and defended the district's approach to completing long‑delayed capital projects. In remarks to the board he said operations staff had identified options and that an operations audit and other reviews are underway: "The short the shortfall is legit on in our funding," Horton said, and added the administration would bring recommendations to the board.

Votes at a glance - Charter bus contract extension (RFP 24‑72): approved, recorded 6–1. - Livesey Elementary HVAC GMP, $7,402,255 (Ajax Building Co./Croft & Associates amendments): approved, recorded 4–3. - Toney Elementary HVAC GMP, $7,335,874: approved, recorded 4–3. - Lithonia Middle School gymnasium ceiling design‑build (Performance Services Inc.), $1,070,803: approved. - Third‑party commissioning services (Total Systems Commission Inc. / TLC Engineering Solutions), not to exceed $642,185.50: approved. - Evergreen change order (owner requested items), $468,393: approved.

What happens next Board members and staff said they will present follow‑up options for closing the project funding gap, which may include reprioritizing packages, seeking additional state or local funding, and further auditing of past allocations. Operations staff said some packages are contractually obligated and that completion remains a priority because work has been under way for years.

The board’s approvals will allow several projects to proceed into construction and pre‑construction phases; members said they expect more detailed updates and potential corrective steps early next year.