SACS Investigation Notice

SACS Investigation Notice
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Dear Dr. Atkinson:

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED, acknowledges receipt of your letter regarding allegations that the DeKalb County School District is in violation of AdvancED® Accreditation Standards and/or policies. As you shared in your correspondence, many initiatives are underway that have the promise of improving the school system. However the concerns described in the letter of correspondence to you, dated August 27, 2012, could have a significant, negative impact on the capacity of the school system to realize the many improvements that are the focus of these initiatives.

Consequently, AdvancED has determined that an on-site investigation is warranted and necessary to evaluate the adherence of the DeKalb County School District to the Accreditation Standards and/or policies. Based upon the review of the documentation received to date, the focus of the on-site investigation will be, but is not limited to, the following Standards: Standard Two: Governance and Leadership, and Standard Four: Resources and Support Systems.

A Special Review Team will be appointed to conduct the on-site investigation. The team will be comprised of trained professionals. The pmpose of the on-site investigation is to afford all parties the opportunity to provide information and evidence related to the stated concerns so that an informed decision can be made as to the validity and extent of alleged violations relating to the Standards of Accreditation. The Special Review Team will evaluate the DeKalb County School District's adherence to the Accreditation Standards and policies and make recommendations, if necessary, that will require immediate and decisive corrective action. In addition, the Special Review Team will recommend the appropriate accreditation status relative to the DeKalb County School District (e.g. continued accreditation, advised, warned, probation, or dropped).

The on-site investigation will be conducted at no cost to the DeKalb County School
District. However, the institution is expected to accommodate and support all aspects of the Special Review. Expectations include, hut are not limited to, the following:
• Identify and make available a contact person at the institution for
communication and coordination with AdvancED
• Prepare and submit any documents and/or other information requested by
AdvancED within specified timelines
• Host the Special Review Team on the dates requested by AdvancED
• Assist in arranging for stakeholders and other individuals to be interviewed as
requested by AdvancED
• Make available artifacts, and if need be copies of the same, for the team's review
• Assist in coordinating and scheduling observations that may be requested by the
team
• Make available the institution head, leadership team, and Governing Board to
meet with the Special Review Team as needed while on site.

The visit has been scheduled for October 17-19, 2012. The system contact will help in the identification of persons to be included in the interviews and the development of the schedule for the Special Review Team. Please inform this office of the name and contact information for this individual immediately.

If you have questions or need additional information please contact me at your
converuence.

Sincerely,
Mark A. Elgart, EdD., President/CEO

cc: Dr. Mike Bryans, Director, Georgia AdvancED/SACS CASI
Dr. Eugene Walker, Chair, DeKalb County Board of Education
Dr. Annette Bohling, Chief Accreditation Officer