Brighten Academy
Minutes
Brighten Academy Charter School Governing Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday August 19, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Location
5897 Prestley Mill Rd, Douglasville, GA 30135
The Brighten Academy Governing Board will meet on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 6pm.
Directors Present
C. Burns Falker, C. Claiborne, D. Carter, J. Smith, K. Moses, M. Vitale, N. Lord, R. Finan, R. Zackery, S. Battle
Directors Absent
None
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
Reginald abstained.
II. Executive Director's Report
A.
GMAS Update
B.
Parent and Student Handbook Approval
Cary abstained.
C.
Contract Approval
D.
Discipline Matrix
Dr. Littles provided a discipline tracker. The tracker has the offenses listed, grades, month of offense, and the number of offenses. Reginald asked if we would have the previous tracker as a comparision for next time, Dr. Littles said, yes. Cary asked about the physical aggression in K-5th with 10 offenses. Kelly Bemus said they are learning the kids and integrating disipline.
E.
AP Contract Approval
F.
Executive Session
6:41pm
III. Executive Committee
A.
Board Olympics Update
Discussed the Board Bash. The date has been changed to September 27th at 6pm. Discussed the Olympics theme. Two people confirmed that they will be able to bring their food trucks. Sponsorship opportunites are available.
Presale tickets will end on 9/20/24.
Activities: basketball, sack race, hulla hoops, jump rope, musical chairs.
Flyer was created.
Presale: $6 per person
Day of: $8 at the door
Dr. Carter will work the door.
Food provided:
- Cotton Candy
- Popcorn
- Kona Ice
- Funnel Cakes (food truck)
- Hot Dogs
B.
Board Committees Update
Committee Chairmen and Chairwomen:
Policy: S. Battle and Dr. Littles
CORE: K. Moses
Academic Oversight: Dr. Carter and K. Bemus
Executive Committee: J. Smith and D. Davis
Finance: R. Zachery and K. Smith
IV. Finance Committee
A.
June Financials
Reginald discussed the June financials. The budget will be amended around October-November.
Cash on hand: 120 days of unrestricted funds
The bond closed on May 23rd. We are moving all our bank accounts to South State Bank. Admin and board members are getting their credentials from South State Bank.
Once the operating bank account is established, new credit cards will be distributed to those appropriate with their names on the card.
B.
Audit Update
The audit information has been submitted. We are currently waiting to see if they have any other requests.
C.
Surplus List
No update.
V. Policy/Governance Committee
A.
Policy Recommendations
VI. Closing Items
A.
Public Comment
B.
Board Comments
Mrs. Davis and Jamilia attended the Pie breakfast. Mrs. Davis met various attendees including a communications rep, a rep at Georgia Power and others to foster a partnership.
Jamilia discussed September Saturdays. We will attend September Saturdays for further outreach on September 21st. As of now, we will not be present for the 28th.
Shauncey has been in contact with BOE. They would like to schedule time to come to the school and tour it.
Coriya asked if we still have Teacher for a Day and Principal for a day.
Jamilia thanked everyone for submitting their availability for the all board training.
Jamilia thanked Dr. Carter for leading the Board on Track training. She reminded the board to complete their profile as it is public-facing.
Jamilia reminded the board to check email at least once a week.
Mrs. Davis reviewed the ELA numbers for 2023-2024 including math, science, and social studies. She also discussed sub group scholar's performance with ELL data 2023-2024 9% proficiency
Next steps: adminstering the iready screener, intervention specialist, & para professionals to pinpoint dyslexia, learning disabilites, etc...
Kelly Bemus said the iready screener has prioritized math in the iready screener
*All documents are linked in the agenda.