Brighten Academy

Minutes

Brighten Academy Charter School Governing Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday June 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Location

5897 Prestley Mill Rd, Douglasville, GA 30135

The Brighten Academy Governing Board will meet on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 6:00 pm, in the Media Center.

Directors Present

C. Burns Falker, C. Claiborne, D. Carter, J. Smith, K. Moses, R. Finan, S. Battle

Directors Absent

M. Vitale, N. Lord, R. Zackery

Ex Officio Members Present

D. Davis

Non Voting Members Present

D. Davis

Guests Present

K. Bemus, K. Smith, S. Littles

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Smith called a meeting of the board of directors of Brighten Academy to order on Monday Jun 2, 2025 at 6:09 PM.

C.

Adoption of Agenda

J. Smith made a motion to Adopt the agenda with the amendments.
S. Battle seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Approval of Minutes

J. Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from Brighten Academy Charter School Governing Board Meeting on 04-28-25.
C. Claiborne seconded the motion.

Regina Finan abstained. 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of Minutes

J. Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from Brighten Academy Charter School Governing Board Meeting on 05-12-25.
S. Battle seconded the motion.

Cary Clairborne abstained.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

Public Comment

Kelly Cadman gave stakeholder feedback. She spoke about her concerns with enrollment, funding, etc...

II. Executive Director's Report

A.

April Surplus List

J. Smith made a motion to approve the April surplus list that was presented in the last meeting.
S. Battle seconded the motion.

Cary Clairborne abstained. 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Cleaning Contract Update

Current cleaning contract is $184,000. New bid coming up. Will vote on bid at the next meeting. Base satisfaction based on complaints from the staff. Teachers have help tickets they can submit if they need additional services. 

C.

School Calendar Update

Calendar will be submitted to the admin team this week for review and approval. Calendar should be available to families and stakeholders by July.

D.

Facilities Update

Two new HVAC units have been installed. The HVAC unit in building two will have a coil replaced next week. The kitchen has had preventative maintenance. 

 

Phase 2: Two HVAC units in band room will cost $42,000. The second phase for the roof should be completed this year. 

 

$17,000 for new sod and drainage on the field. PTO said the money they are willing to contribute will be distributed next year, 2026. 

E.

Food service RFP Proposal

Received five bids for the food service RFP proposal. These prices include breakfast, lunch, and snack. 

 

Meals Pro: $4.61

SLA: $3.84

ORDO: $4.10

Nourish: $3.25

School Gourmet: $4.50

 

School Gourmet presented to the board. 

F.

Staffing Update

Three contracts waiting to be signed for the upcoming school year. 

 

Mr. Montgomery would like to be released from his contract. He was the part-time business teacher. 

G.

PTO Update

They are planning for next year. There are no current updates at this time. 

H.

Workplan Data Update

Kelly Bemus presented scores for the year. Skills block covers phonics. She compared scores from the 2023-2024 school year to this year. 

 

iready reading

The school is above the 50th percentile. We have above expected growth levels. High performing levels for middle school. 300% growth percentile for 8th grade. 

 

iready math

100% growth percentile 

50% of students met their growth

 

Dyslexia monitoring 

iready uses three tasks and scores to determine if they have dyslexia or in need of intervention programs.

 

Brighten HOS Grades 

2024-2025: Scores 90% or above. 

 

Leadership opportunities 

128 students involved in leadership opportunities 

 

Disipline 

2023-24 58.33%

2024-25 57.03%

 

Attendance 

above 95%

 

 

III. Executive Committee

A.

Board Training Reminder

Dr. Carter reminded the board that board training is due by the end of this month to keep us compliant. If training is not completed by 6/30, you will not be able to continue serving on the board. 

IV. Finance Committee

A.

Monthly Financials

D. Carter made a motion to approve the financials that were presented in the last board meeting 5/12/25.
R. Finan seconded the motion.

Cary Clairborne and Coriya Burns Falker abstained. 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

V. Policy/Governance Committee

A.

Info Only Policy Review

Policy chair, Shauncey requests that the board bring policy D3-Capital Assets back to Katie Smith, the Finance Director. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Announcements

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Smith