Brighten Academy
Minutes
Policy Committee Work Session
Date and Time
Monday October 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Committee Members Present
J. Smith, M. Vitale, S. Battle
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
C. Sparks, G. McGhee, S. Littles, T. Pugh
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
Minutes were previously approved from the 9/10/25 meeting.
II. Policy/Governance Committee
A.
Review policies
10/6
Booster club policy - TABLED
Smith asked for Comprehensive list of clubs with boosters. Currently 4/of them, 2 have EINs
How do we roll out the new policy since booster are already in operation?
What do we have now that outlines how we interact with boosters?
If Pugh stopped the operation of a curr3ently running booster, can there be legal ramifications? No, if the reasons are solid
Pugh: make them follow the process so we know who is operating in the school
Personal Leave and Critical Days - Approved to be voted on
Merges with F39.
5 days instead of 3
Aligns with state and district policies
Protects the school
Ga House Bill 127
Combination of the Wellness Days and Personal Days to total 5
Update to how many days in advance days can be requested
Gray area for us when it came to approving or denying leave
Chris has already looked at this revision
Contract Release and Breach of Contract - Approved to be voted on
Not Replacing F27
Take off contracts from F27 & let Contracts live on its own
F27-R1
Policy Acknowledgement Form - Approved to be voted on
F27-E1
Acceptable Use & Personal Electronic Device - TABLE
Builds E7 out
Is there a reason why we wouldn’t notify the parent on violation 1? In line with Douglas County’s policy to contact parent on the 2nd violation
Concern: if the 1st violation is documented in IC, shouldn’t the parent be contacted? Documented in communication log, not the behavior log
Revise the last paragraph on Level 2 offenses (H26)
Revise the next to last paragraph on level 1 offenses (H26)
Pugh to revise h26 and bring it back to the committee
Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct - Approved for vote
Will go home with student for parents to sign
Goal is to make electronic at some point because tracking will become cumbersome
Brand new policy
Will be added to the I section
Suggested to go into effect with the ‘26-’27 school year
Integrated into the Parent Covenant in I1
The 20 hour rule has to come out. We’re a public charter, and it is not allowed
Suggested to have R1 and E1
Progressive Discipline Policy for Staff - Approved for vote
Language of corrective action plan has to be changed to professional development plan because it is more supportive & corrective action has a negative connotation
Live under F40 as an R1
No acknowledgement forms are needed since it will be embedded in the policy
Will still use the template from F40 to guide the professional development plan
B1-E1
Pugh referenced the chart that helps to separate B1-E1 tasks
Strategic plan will be aligned to the format similar to Douglas County
B.
Review B1E1
B1-E1
Pugh referenced the chart that helps to separate B1-E1 tasks
Strategic plan will be aligned to the format similar to Douglas County
B1-E1
Pugh referenced the chart that helps to separate B1-E1 tasks
Strategic plan will be aligned to the format similar to Douglas County
III. Other Business
A.
SOP
To be discussed at next work session
B.
Public Comment
No public comments made
Minutes were captured during 9/10/25 meeting