DeKalb County, GA — The DeKalb County Board of Education plans a virtual retreat on Oct. 24 and one of the agenda items is a “communication agreement” between the board and superintendent.

The agenda doesn’t provide any additional details. The meeting, which begins at 2 p.m., will be live-streamed. To view the live stream, click here.

At the beginning of the meeting, board members will hold a closed meeting, known as an executive session, to discuss matters that may include litigation, land, personnel, and student appeals.

The agenda items are:

— Board Self-Assessment Results

—  Finalizing the Superintendent’s 2023-2024 Goals and Artifacts

— Communication Agreement between the Board and Superintendent

There are no documents attached to the agenda that would provide additional information about the topics being discussed.

This week, the district has been fielding questions after board member Dr. Joyce Morley alleged that the district chief of schools Michelle Dillard hired her husband to work for the district. In an interview with WSB-TV regarding the hiring of Donald Dillard as a school engagement coordinator, Morley said, “I found out in the last 24 hours what has been going on. I was not aware and, as a board member, I should’ve been aware. As a matter of fact, all board members should’ve been made aware.”

A spokesperson for the district said Michelle Dillard did not directly hire her husband to work for DeKalb County Schools. He also does not report to her, the spokesperson said.

The job was publicly posted, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the board did not have to approve the hire of Donald Dillard as a separate agenda item, but his name did appear on an HR report presented at the last regular meeting. The district’s nepotism policy can be found by clicking here.

“At the regular board meeting held on October 16, 2023, the District hired Mr. Donald Dillard as a coordinator in the Department of Continuous Improvement,” the district’s spokesperson said. “He continues to be employed by the DeKalb County School District.”

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