Brevard Academy

Minutes

Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday May 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Mission:

The Mission of Brevard Academy is to prepare its students to achieve academic excellence through the Core Knowledge Sequence. Through a partnership involving students, teachers, and parents the school strives to create citizens with strong moral character and active intellectual inquiry.

Vision:

Brevard Academy: A Challenge Foundation Academy (BA-CFA) a K-8 public charter school develops and encourages motivated, intellectually curious students who are skilled in critical thinking, individual expression, and problem-solving. From their diverse backgrounds, students accept our challenge to pursue personal and academic excellence. Through this pursuit, they become confident members of their community who lead by serving others.


 

Strategic Goals:

  1. Ensure Academic Success for Every Student
  2. Actively Engage Stakeholders to Strengthen and Enrich Our Communities
  3. Recruit, Hire and Retain Highly Effective Personnel
  4. Use Resources Effectively and Be Fiscally Responsible
  5. Provide Effective and Innovative Learning Environments

Directors Present

Abe Pallas, Hannah Camenzind, Jamie Atkinson, Jennifer Silva, Mark Franklin, Paul Cooper, Trish Andrews

Directors Absent

Brandon Smith, Tyree Griffin

Ex Officio Members Present

Ted Duncan

Non Voting Members Present

Ted Duncan

Guests Present

Ali Liubenov

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Jamie Atkinson called a meeting of the board of directors of Brevard Academy to order on Wednesday May 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Pledge of Allegiance

Leo Koppel, Sarah Gray Monk, Will Jensen led us in the Pledge and Code of Behavior. 

D.

Approve Meeting Agenda

Paul Cooper made a motion to approve the Meeting Agenda.
Abe Pallas seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approve Minutes

Abe Pallas made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 04-15-26.
Hannah Camenzind seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Approve Special Meeting Minutes

Jennifer Silva made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Board Meeting on 05-15-26.
Paul Cooper seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Regular Meeting Business

A.

Good News

Student Accomplishments

  • Middle School students participated in the Amazing Shake
  • Tennis Team won the Conference Championship, and had an undefeated season
  • All our Spring Sports had a great season
  • Our Athletic Banquet was held on May 15
  • Our Spring Concerts were held on May 12 and 14th
  • Our Symphonic Band competed in the All-District Bandmaster's Competition. We entered 6 events and received 5 Superior Ratings and 1 Excellent Rating.
  • Our 6th Graders participated in the county-wide Democracy Project.

 

Staff Accomplishments

  • Our Staff Honorees were recognized at our May 1 Friday Assembly.
  • Officer Light won the Marisol Gollnick Golden Leaf 
  • We will have 4 presenters at the NC Charter School Conference - Jen Iden, Megan Monk, Stacey Seefeldt, and Emily Webb

School News

  • We broke ground on the Arts/STEM Building 

Community Relations/Professional Presentations

  • We held a device and clothing drive on Saturday, May 2
  • Our PTO put together a wonderful Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

B.

Student Highlight

  • Presentation of 8th Grade Graduates
  • Top 6 students from the Amazing Shake

C.

Staff Highlight

End of the Year Honors

  • Jamie Conley - Teacher of the Year
  • Katie Sprunger - Instructional Assistant of the Year
  • Sophia Gamache - Beginning Teacher of the Year
  • Kristen Mullins - Rookie of the Year

Sophia Gamache and Jamie Conley will put together portfolios to compete against other teachers in the state for Teacher of the year.

 

Also, recognizing Dr. Abe Pallas and his wife for their help with the AIG program and volunteering their time.

 

Also, Jamie Atkinson as being our Board Chair this year and volunteering her time. 

D.

Opportunity for Public Comment

N/A

III. Committee Reports

A.

Finance

School Budget and Treasurer's Monthly Report were discussed

  • Monthly Budget
  • Cash Board
  • Encumbered Funds Snapshot
  • The State still has not passed a budget. Hopefully there will be an increase in the state revenue this coming school year.
  • FY27 Budget discussed 

B.

Finance Action Items

Paul Cooper made a motion to Approval of FY27 School Budget as presented.
Mark Franklin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Governance

  • Reviewed Title 1 Family Engagement Policy

Strategic Planning

  • Rhodes Branding Review
  • Ongoing discussion with BRCC about Early College
  • Review Goals

D.

Governance Action Items

Abe Pallas made a motion to add Cara Varney as a new Board Member.
Jennifer Silva seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Abe Pallas made a motion to Cancel Regular June Board Meeting - Review necessary topics at June Strategic Retreat.
Hannah Camenzind seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Trish Andrews made a motion to Approve the Facilities Use Policy for this school year.
Jennifer Silva seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Abe Pallas made a motion to Reapprove the Title 1 Family Engagement Policy.
Hannah Camenzind seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Facilities

Completed the faucet replacements. 

 

USDA Ad-Hoc Committee Updates

  • Aggregate Pier Work is underway

F.

Facilities Action Items

Mark Franklin made a motion to approve the requests for - Safety Fencing - Shade for K-2 Playground -Brush clearing and Land Management Project.
Paul Cooper seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

CEO Support and Evaluation

Director Goals for 2026-27 briefly discussed. This will be gone over more in depth at the retreat this summer.

 

Executive Summary of the Teacher Working Conditions and Parent Survey was discussed.

IV. Director Report

A.

Director Report

Discussed the following

  • Application Snapshot
  • School Benchmark Data
  • Student and Staff Climate Data
  • Teacher Working Conditions Snapshot
  • Spring Parent Survey
  • Performance Framework Snapshot

 

B.

School Director Action Items

Jennifer Silva made a motion to Hire: -Stacey Lewis - EC Teacher 2026-27 School Year -Ty Willette - 4th Grade Instructional Assistant 2026-27 School Year.
Hannah Camenzind seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Other Business

A.

Announcement of Next Meeting

June 26 Strategic Retreat

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Paul Cooper