DeKalb Brilliance Academy
Minutes
FY26 Full Board Meetings
Date and Time
Monday January 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Directors Present
J. Akpan (remote), J. Carruth (remote), J. Counts (remote), L. Norris (remote), M. Greene (remote), Q. Johnson (remote), S. Samuels (remote)
Directors Absent
B. Hartman, C. Armour, Jr., M. Freeland
Ex Officio Members Present
E. Parks (remote), K. Herbert (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
E. Parks (remote), K. Herbert (remote)
Guests Present
J. Alter (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Q. Johnson called a meeting of the board of directors of DeKalb Brilliance Academy to order on Monday Jan 26, 2026 at 7:07 PM.
C.
Approve November meeting minutes
M. Greene made a motion to approve the minutes from FY26 Full Board Meetings on 11-24-25.
J. Akpan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Meeting opening
A.
Mission and Vision
B.
Board Commitments
Team Agreements was reviewed silently amongst the board.
C.
Public Comment
No one present for Public Comment.
III. Committee Updates
A.
Finance Committee Updates
- Quentin reviewed the financial presentation. Total fundraising is in the green. Days on cash is in a strong position for the remainder of the academic year. Updated Uncat expenses is at $3K as of today.
- 24-24 Comprehensive Framework misses the mark by 5 points, currently appealing 15 points
- Working with EdTec to align structures tp prevent any future audit issues.
- 25-26 financial indicators on CPF on track to remain in green.
B.
Academic Committee Updates
- Mesha presented for Academic updates.
- Strategic staffing adjustments aligned to the RIF rubric to strengthen instructional leadership.
- corrected scope and sequence misalignment in upper elementary to ensure alignment to assessed standards.
- implemented weekly quizzes and school-wide data analysis cycles to monitor mastery and adjust instruction in real time.
C.
Partnerships Committee Update
- Vetting grants for school to apply to (LaKenya)
- sourcing fundraisers to recruit to the Board (Joseph)
- Supporting annual campaign board work (Curtis)
- All board members have an annual give/get commitment of $1,500 by June 30th.
IV. School Leadership Report Out
A.
School Leader Report Out
- Jocelyn presented
- Staffing
- 25-26- 2 resignations in January; 1 open role
- 26-27 hiring: 180 applicants so far
- Enrollment
- 25-26- 496 current students (goal 504)
- 26-27: 262 applicants so far (45% increase compared to this time last year)
- Compliance
- strong CPF results
- 100th day of school, Hive Time Celebration and Kinder Chant Off, and Staff of the Month
V. Executive Session - Leadership Contracts
A.
Enter Executive Session
- Joseph motioned to go into executive session and Jenea seconded.
- The session was concerning employment contracts for leadership.
- Unanimous vote
B.
Exit Executive Session
Exited at 8:10pm
VI. Closing Items
A.
Team shoutouts
- Quentin and Joseph spoke to their enjoyment of being on the board and their growth.
- Jocelyn thanked finance for all they do.
B.
Meeting closing
Governance Board Training February 11-12th
C.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Q. Johnson
Kedra read the mission. Jenea read the mission.