Overview
The purpose of the Principal Advisory Council is to bring parents, school employees, students and community members together to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other’s perspectives and share ideas for increasing student achievement and performance.
The members of the Principal Advisory Council are accountable to the constituents they serve and shall:
- Maintain a school-wide perspective on issues;
- Act as a link between the school and the community;
- Encourage the engagement of parents and other stakeholders within the school community; and
- Work to increase student achievement and performance through transparent operations and shared best practices.
The Principal Advisory Council operates under the control and management of the DeKalb County School District and will follow Board of Education policies and procedures. The Principal Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations to the school principal, the local board of education and local school superintendent on matters related to school climate/culture, student achievement, and community partnerships.
Fall 2025 Principal Advisory Council Elections
Are you passionate about education and committed to making a meaningful difference in your school community? If so, DCSD invites you to declare your candidacy for the 2025–2026 Principal Advisory Council (PAC). The candidate declaration window is open now through Friday, September 5, 2025.
Serving on the Principal Advisory Council offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the success and continuous improvement of your school. As a PAC member, you will collaborate with parents, school staff, students, and community partners to foster mutual respect, embrace diverse perspectives, and develop strategies that enhance student achievement and school performance.
Council members serve as essential liaisons between the school and the wider community, promoting transparency, encouraging meaningful engagement, and sharing effective practices. Additionally, PAC members play a critical role in reviewing the school’s Continuous Improvement Plan and may be involved in the selection process for the school principal. Individuals who are enthusiastic about educational excellence and community collaboration are encouraged to consider this important leadership opportunity.
Please complete the form below to run for a position on your school’s Council.
https://form.jotform.com/electionbuddy/2025-dekalb-fall-pac-declarations
Additional Resources for Council Elections
For assistance with the electronic voting system or general information about the elections process, please contact schoolgovernance@dekalbschoolsga.org or (678) 676-0718.
2025-2026 Calendar of Events
School Governance 101 Training
Dates: October 24, November 20, December 12, January 16, and February 12
Location: Virtual Training Session
Date | Time | Link to Register |
---|---|---|
Friday, October 24, 2025 (virtual) | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Register Here |
Thursday, November 20, 2025 (virtual) | 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm | Register Here |
Friday, December 12, 2025 (virtual) | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Register Here |
Friday, January 16, 2026 (virtual) | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Register Here |
Thursday, February 12, 2025 (virtual) | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Register Here |
Feedback on 2025-2026 Principal Advisory Council Bylaws
Principal Advisory Councils play a vital role in strengthening the connection between schools and the communities they serve. Ensuring that the bylaws guiding PAC operations are clear, relevant, and reflective of the district’s core values is essential to maintaining effective governance and engagement.
The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is committed to transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As part of this commitment, the district is seeking input from Principal Advisory Council (PAC) members and the broader community on the proposed bylaws for the 2025–2026 school year.
Your voice is a valuable part of shaping the future of our schools. Thank you for contributing to this important process. Please send your feedback to schoolgovernance@dekalbschoolsga.org by July 31, 2025.
Proposed School Year 2025-2026 Principal Advisory Council Bylaws
Innovative Solutions Lab
What is the Innovation Solutions Lab (ISL)?
The School Innovation Department annually hosts a competition that awards funding for proposals that demonstrate innovation in addressing school-based problems of practice. Multiple awards up to $10,000 each are awarded to school-based teams to implement their innovative solution(s).
Who can apply?
Teams must be school-based and comprised of 3-6 individuals. Teams may include teachers, academic coaches, support staff, administrators, parents, and students. Teams must include a principal or assistant principal.
How does my DCSD school-based team apply?
Teams attend a mandatory workshop to identify a problem of practice. Additional technical support sessions are offered through the School Innovation Department. Use the application link, project plan, and budget template linked below to apply.
Get Ready for Pitch Day!
Finalists will present their innovative proposals to a panel of judges at Pitch Day!
ISL Key Dates
- August 19, 2024: Application Window Open
- October 11, 2024 (5:00pm EST): Priority Deadline – School-based teams who submit their applications by the priority deadline will receive feedback on their submissions by Monday, October 21, 2024. This feedback may be used to strengthen the ISL proposal before the final application deadline.
- October 25, 2024 (5:00pm EST): Final Application Deadline
- November 4, 2024 (5:00pm EST): Pitch Day Invitation Notification
- November 20, 2024: Pitch Day – a 20-minute block between the hours of 9:00am and 2:00pm
Optional Support Available
- Information Sessions (Virtual): October 1 (10:00am EST) and October 7 (1:00pm EST)
- TregoED Situation Appraisal Sessions to Identify a Problem of Practice (In-Person): September 25, October 3, October 8, and October 9 (8:00pm – 12:00pm EST) – Register for course # 5606 in Frontline.
- Technical Support Sessions (In-Person): On October 10 and 23, the School Innovation team will host optional work sessions to support finalizing your team’s application, project plan, and budget. Register using this link.
ISL Key Documents
If you have questions or need technical assistance, please contact Terrence Martin, Coordinator III, School Redesign at terrence_martin@dekalbschoolsga.org.
Spotlight Schools
What is the Spotlight Schools initiative?
The DCSD Spotlight Schools program is an initiative that highlights innovative instructional practices through in-person school visits and tailored resources. The program will highlight forward-thinking, cutting-edge approaches to teaching and learning for educators to learn and replicate.
Hosting schools will welcome and share practices to foster a culture of collaboration and transparency across the district.
Hosting schools will host up to 40 visitors for a full-day visit (between February—March 2026) and curate artifacts for sharing and learning. Selected Spotlight Schools will receive funding, resources, and support. For more information, please contact Alia Summers.
Videos
What are the Spotlight School requirements?
- Hosting schools must align their innovative practice to one or more of the DCSD Six Essential Systems.
- Hosting schools must curate artifacts for sharing and learning their innovative practice.
- Hosting schools must create a planning team that will meet with the School Governance Coordinator and school-based teams in December 2025 and January 2026.
- Spotlight visits must occur between February—March 2026 (1 visit per school).
Spotlight Schools Key Dates:
The Spotlight Schools application closes November 21, 2025. Selected schools must plan to host their Spotlight School visit between February—March 2026 (1 visit per school).
Spotlight Schools Resources:
If you have any questions, please contact Alia Summers.
Dear Educators,
We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the Spotlight Implementation Grants! After a highly competitive selection process, we are excited to recognize the following educators and their projects:
These educators have developed innovative plans to bring the strategies they observed during their Spotlight visits to life, and we can’t wait to see their impact on student learning!
The selection process was incredibly competitive, and we want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all applicants. If you weren’t selected this time, there will be additional grant opportunities in Fall 2025—so stay tuned!
Thank you for your commitment to continuous learning and innovation. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about future opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out.