Board splits over equity audit, attendance automation and a stock donation; several consent items deferred

Several consent‑agenda items became flashpoints at the Oct. 7 DeKalb County Board of Education meeting, prompting extended debate and the removal of multiple items for later consideration.

Equity audit: Dr. Weaver (S24) sought approval to contract Public Consulting Group LLC to perform a system‑level equity audit (not to exceed $178,000) to evaluate gaps in performance, discipline and opportunity and to recommend policies. Board member Dr. Morley (S3) objected, arguing the district lacks a clear definition or policy of “equity” and that an audit without an agreed definition is premature. Morley asked that the audit item be removed from consent so the board could define equity first; the item was pulled.

Everyday Labs attendance platform: The wraparound services division (S23) proposed continuing Everyday Labs (an automated text/mail ‘nudge’ system) for Horizon schools (about $121,733). Several trustees and one board member (S3) questioned replacing human outreach with automated messaging and asked for household‑level analyses showing where multiple siblings benefit. S3 voted against the item on principle, saying human case management cannot be replaced by automation; the item was removed from consent for follow‑up.

Donation conversion and Fernbank Science Center: The board also reviewed a donation from the Waldemeyer estate originally tendered as Coca‑Cola stock and converted to a $21,333.33 check intended for Fernbank Science Center programming. Members asked who decided to liquidate the stock and whether any tax or stewardship issues applied; district counsel said the estate/wealth manager executed the conversion and the estate authorized the check. Trustees requested supporting documentation (gift letter, tax/transfer records, and intended annual use of dividends if stock retained) before accepting the gift; the item was deferred for the November meeting.

Broader governance concerns surfaced as trustees debated amendments to board bylaws and the role of outside counsel. Several members recorded abstentions or votes against policy changes, citing prior governance disputes and concerns that legal advice sometimes serves the superintendent rather than the full board. The meeting concluded with multiple previously removed items returned for vote; some passed, others were continued for additional information.

What happens next: The board directed staff to provide the equity‑definition documentation or to clarify the scope of the audit, to produce household‑level analyses and impact projections for Everyday Labs, and to deliver the estate’s gift documents and any available tax guidance on the donation before the board votes on acceptance.