
Monika Davis | Information Technology

Ms. Davis’s graduate education includes a Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership both from Georgia State University as well as an Education Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University. Her interest in technology started as a student at Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia where she excelled in coding, computer math, and graphics design. Upon graduation from Redan High School, Ms. Davis attended Georgia Institute of Technology where she studied Computer Science for three years. As fate would have it, K – 12 education beaconed changing her career and higher education trajectory.
Ms. Davis has worked with local school districts as an employee and consultant including DeKalb County, Fulton County, and Atlanta Public. She also has industry experience providing technical support and technology-related instructional design for businesses both stateside and abroad. She has facilitated multiple sessions covering various educational technology topics with collaborative learning groups, such as the Explorer’s Guild, Tech and Learning, and The Learning Counsel. Ms. Davis is also no novice to the technology conference circuit, having served as presenter, panelist, steering committee member, and keynote speaker for events such as Georgia Educational Technology Conference, International Society of Technology in Education Conference, and RTM CIO Congress.
Being a life-long learner is critical in a field as dynamic and constantly evolving as information technology. Ms. Davis embraces this challenge and believes it is her job to empower stakeholders by connecting the dots between information technology and education through leadership, strategic planning and execution, and ongoing advocacy. Ms. Davis is currently fixated on continuing the district’s digital transformation journey with a focus on enhancing security and operational effectiveness.
Our job is to facilitate unique collaborative partnerships between our customers – students, teachers, staff, parents and the community. The results are improved student achievement and optimum business processes, to establish and maintain a technology-rich teaching and learning environment where students and staff develop 21st century skills to be successful citizens in a global community.
Erick Hofstetter | Operations Officer

Mr. Byron Schueneman | Chief Financial Officer

He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Berry College and a Master of Accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Before joining DCSD, Mr. Schueneman served as the Chief Financial Officer at the Clarke County Board of Education and the Baldwin County Board of Education and was an Auditor at the Georgia Department of Audits.
In his current role, he is responsible for developing and managing the District’s budget, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal financial regulations, and providing expert fiscal guidance to the Board of Education and District leadership. In his free time, Mr. Schueneman enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his friends and family.
- Accounting
- Accounts Payable
- Payroll
- Purchasing

Ms. Stacy E. Stepney | Chief Academic Officer

Ms. Stepney began her career in 1993 as a long-term substitute in science at Dunwoody High School. Throughout her professional career at Dunwoody High School for 15 years, she was a substitute, paraprofessional, teacher, assistant principal, interim principal, and principal. In 2002 at the age of 31, Stacy was named principal; she was the youngest principal in the DeKalb County School System at that time. Ms. Stepney served as principal at Dunwoody High School for six years.
Ms. Stepney joined the Division of Curriculum and Instruction in 2008 as the Director for High School Instruction. Over the last ten years, Ms. Stepney has focused on teaching and learning while serving as the Director for Electives and Special Programs, Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and Interim Chief Academic Officer. In May 2018, Ms. Stepney was appointed Chief Academic Officer.
In an effort to stay abreast of best teaching practices consistent with educational trends, Stacy is a member of ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). She is also an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators.
Ms. Stepney is a native of Grenada, Mississippi. She graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 1989 as the co-valedictorian of the class. Stacy furthered her education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology and minor in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1993. She graduated with honors in English, math, and history. She continued her graduate studies at Georgia State University in 2000 and earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. Also, Ms. Stepney attended the Harvard Public Education Leadership Project, a summer leadership institute sponsored by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School.

Student Support & Intervention
Profile, Function, & Departments »
Dr. Kishia K. Towns | Deputy Superintendent, Student Support and Intervention

The Division of Student and Equity Empowerment is comprised of several departments including After-School Extended Day Programs, Counseling and Mentoring, Psychological Services, School Social Work Services, Student Health Services, Migrant Education, Student Advancement, and Student Relations. Collectively, the departments provide an array of services to support families, school administrators, teachers, and community stakeholders.
Dr. Towns has over twenty-five years of experience in education and specifically student support services. Prior to her current role, she served as a teacher, district coordinator, and director in the DeKalb County School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Fisk University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Georgia State University. Dr. Towns was the first Black woman to receive a doctoral degree in chemistry from Georgia State University in 1997.
As the Deputy Superintendent of Student Support and Intervention, she is responsible for identifying and mitigating academic, affective, medical, behavioral, and societal factors that could potentially impede the academic success of students. The goal of the division is to support the mission of the district by ensuring student success, leading to higher education, work, and lifelong learning.
Dr. Towns serves as an active partner in the community as a member of the DeKalb County Juvenile Court Rebound Drug Court and Secretary of the Rebound Advisory Board. She is also a member of the DeKalb County Student Attendance Protocol Committee, DeKalb Board of Health, DeKalb Child and Adolescent Coalition, Atlanta Restorative Practices Consortia, and the DeKalb Judicial Screening Committee.
Dr. Towns’ passion is supporting and nurturing the whole child in all areas of development and learning from social-emotional and cognitive skills to literacy while ensuring a safe, positive learning environment for all students.
The Division of Equity and Student Empowerment staff work tirelessly to help identify and mitigate academic, affective, medical, behavioral, and/or societal factors that could potentially impede the academic success of students. The Departments’ goal is to support the mission of the district by ensuring student success, leading to higher education, work, and lifelong learning.
- After School Programs
- Counseling & Mentoring
- House Bill 91
- Migrant Education
- Psychological Services
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Social Work Services
- Student Advancement
- Student Health Services
- Student Relations
- Title IV
Area Assistant Superintendents

Area 1 Elementary
Profile, Function, & Departments »
Melanie Pearch, Area 1 Elementary

In 2001, she transitioned to an administrative role at Cary Reynolds Elementary School. She remained in the Cross Keys cluster for 15 years serving as principal of Cary Reynolds and Woodward Elementary. During this time, she earned recognitions of Superintendent’s Excellence in Parental Involvement, Department of Education Outstanding Achievement School, Title I Distinguished School, Title I High Progress School, Georgia Family Friendly School, and Region I Principal of the Year. She transferred to Kingsley Elementary in the Dunwoody cluster in 2016. Her focus has always been on developing leaders and “doing the right thing, even when no one is looking”.
Originally from New England, Mrs. Pearch graduated from the University of Rhode Island and earned her Master’s degree from Georgia State University. She currently resides in Region I with her husband and two middle school children.
- Ashford Park ES
- Austin ES
- Cary Reynolds ES
- Chesnut ES
- Doraville United ES
- Dunwoody ES
- Hawthrone ES
- Henderson Mill ES
- Hightower ES
- Huntley Hills ES
- John R. Lewis ES
- Kingsley ES
- Montgomery ES
- Oak Grove ES
- Pleasantdale ES
- Sagamore Hills ES
- Vanderlyn ES
- Woodward ES

Area 2 Elementary
Profile, Function, & Departments »
Mr. Trenton Arnold, Area 2 Elementary

In 2005, Mr. Arnold became Principal of Sequoyah Middle School where he served for four years and then went to work as Principal at Stone Mountain Middle School for almost two years. After serving as Principal, Mr. Arnold was the Executive Director for Research, Assessment, and Grants where he led the District in meeting requirements associated with state assessments and accountability.
Mr. Arnold received his undergraduate degree in English from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia.
He enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Christy, and his two daughters, Lauren and Molly.
- Avondale ES
- Briar Vista ES
- Briarlake ES
- Brockett ES
- Dunaire ES
- Evansdale ES
- Fernbank ES
- Hambrick ES
- Idlewood ES
- Indian Creek ES
- Jolly ES
- Laurel Ridge ES
- Livsey ES
- McLendon ES
- Midvale ES
- Museum School
- Rockbridge ES
- Smoke Rise ES

Area 3 Elementary
Profile, Function, & Departments »

Area 4 Middle School
Profile, Function, & Departments »
Jacqueline Taylor | Middle Area

Mrs. Taylor is originally from Tennessee. She graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1991 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Political Science. In 1993, Mrs. Taylor earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education, also at ETSU. In 1999, she completed the Educational Leadership Program at the University of Georgia.
Mrs. Taylor describes herself as an experienced leader whose passion is working collaboratively: to assist in the delivery of quality instruction; create a safe and orderly school environment; support leaders in reaching their full potential; and engage community stakeholders in the life of the school.
- Cedar Grove MS
- Chamblee MS
- Champion Theme MS
- Chapel Hill MS
- Columbia MS
- Druid Hills MS
- Freedom MS
- Henderson MS
- Miller Grove MS
- Peachtree MS
- Redan MS
- Sequoyah MS
- Stephenson MS
- Stone Mountain MS
- Tucker MS

Area 5 High School
Profile, Function, & Departments »
Dr. Norman C. Sauce III | High Area

- Arabia Mountain HS
- Chamblee HS
- Cedar Grove HS
- Clarkston HS
- Columbia HS
- DeKalb Early College
- DeKalb HS Tech-South
- DeKalb School of Arts
- Druid Hills HS
- Dunwoody HS
- Lakeside HS
- Lithonia HS
- Margaret Harris Comprehensive School
- Miller Grove HS
- M. L. King Jr. HS
- Redan HS
- Southwest DeKalb HS
- Stephenson HS
- St Mountain HS
- Tapestry Charter
- Tucker HS
- Warren Technical School

Dr. Triscilla Weaver | High Area

As an instructional leader, Dr. Weaver spends a great deal of her time strengthening the instructional capacity of others. She works with teachers and school leaders in the areas of data analysis, effective teaching strategies, differentiated instruction, and effective classroom rituals and routines for academic success. She currently serves as one of the co-chairs for the CIA2 Committee, which is dedicated to building instructional capacity in building leaders in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment and accountability.
Dr. Weaver received a Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Education and Specialist in Education from Georgia State University. She also earned her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in mathematics. Her Dissertation topic was: “A Case Study of Two Master Teachers of Mathematics of African American Males.” Dr. Weaver has received several outstanding community service awards and is a former DeKalb County’s Middle School Teacher of the Year.
- Bethune MS
- Browns Mill ES
- Cross Keys HS
- DeKalb Alternative
- Dresden ES
- Elizabeth Andrews HS
- Fairington ES
- Flat Rock ES
- Flat Shoals ES
- Montclair ES
- Oakview ES
- Panola Way ES
- Peachcrest ES
- Pine Ridge ES
- Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy
- Ronald E. McNair High School
- Ronald E. McNair Middle School
- Salem MS
- Shadow Rock ES
- Snapfinger ES
- Stone Mill ES
- Stone Mountain ES
- Stoneview ES
- Towers HS
- Woodridge ES

Dr. Michelle Jones | Specialty Area

- Bethune MS
- Browns Mill ES
- Cross Keys HS
- DeKalb Alternative
- Dresden ES
- Elizabeth Andrews HS
- Fairington ES
- Flat Rock ES
- Flat Shoals ES
- Montclair ES
- Oakview ES
- Panola Way ES
- Peachcrest ES
- Pine Ridge ES
- Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy
- Ronald E. McNair High School
- Ronald E. McNair Middle School
- Salem MS
- Shadow Rock ES
- Snapfinger ES
- Stone Mill ES
- Stone Mountain ES
- Stoneview ES
- Towers HS
- Woodridge ES