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
C.
Adoption of Agenda
D.
Approval of Minutes
Regina Finan abstained.
E.
Approval of Minutes
Cary Clairborne abstained.
F.
Public Comment
II. Executive Director's Report
A.
April Surplus List
Cary Clairborne abstained.
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
Cary Clairborne and Coriya Burns Falker abstained.
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.
Kelly Cadman gave stakeholder feedback. She spoke about her concerns with enrollment, funding, etc...