Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council 
 
Date | time 08/05/2025 | 3:00pm | Location Barnwell Admin Conference Room 
 
SGC Members  
Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Alysia Muse, CST, Appointed Staff| Ms. Katie McCourtie, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Jennifer Nyquist, Parent| Ms. Meg Kapsimalis, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Kimberly Hall, Community Member | Ms. Mike Carey, Community Member   

Time          Item                                                                                                                      Owner 
3:00pm     Call to Order                                                                                                         Ms. Benning 
3:01pm     Action Item: Approve Agenda                                                                           Ms. Benning 
3:03pm     Action Item: Approve May Meeting Minutes                                                  Ms. Benning 
3:10pm     Discussion Item: Member Introductions                                                        All Members 
3:15pm     Action Items: Elect New Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Parliamentarian)      Ms. Benning 
3:25pm     Action Items: Staff Standing Committees (Budget and Finance, Outreach and Communication, Principal Selection)                                                                                                                               Ms. Morris 
3:35pm     Discussion Item: Nominate Representative for Superintendent’s 
Parent/Community Advisory Council                                                                                Ms. Morris 
3:45pm     Discussion Item: Determine Meeting Schedule for SY25-26                      All Members 
3:50pm     Informational Item: Principal’s Update 
                   A.    School/Staff Updates  
                   B.    SY25-26 SGC Charter Funds Project Update 
                   C.    Calendar of Upcoming School Events                                                     Ms. Benning  
3:55pm     Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda                                                Ms. Benning 
4:00pm     Action Item: Meeting Adjournment                                                                  Ms. Benning 

Meeting Norms

                          Silences Phones | Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions | Work for the Good of All Students

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Meeting Summary of Action Items

August 5, 2025/ 3:00 PM

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conference Room

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall

Absent: Mike Carey, Jennifer Nyquist

Guest: Katie Kinsey

Action Item:  Approve Agenda    

Action Item:  Elect New Officers

Action Item: Staff Standing Committees

Discussion Item: Member Introductions

Discussion Item: Nominate Representative for Superintendent’s Parent/Community Advisory Council

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Informational Item: Principals Update

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: September 2, 2025

 

 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

August 2025 / 3:00PM

Admin Conference Room 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall

Absent: Mike Carey, Jennifer Nyquist

Guests: Katie Kinsey

Call to order: 3:09 pm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

●      Motion: Amber Lohnes

●      Second: Jill Reffitt

●      All in favor: Approved

Action Item:  Approve May Meeting Minutes

●      Motion: Jill Reffitt

●      Second: Kimberly Hall

●      All in favor: Approved

Discussion Item: Member Introductions

●      Introductions

Action Item:  Elect New Officers

●      Chair: Kimberly Hall

●      Vice Chair: Meg Kapsimalis

●      Parliamentarian: Alysia Muse

Action Item: Staff Standing Committees

●      Budget and Finance

○      Alysia Muse, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall

●      Outreach and Communications

○      Jill Reffitt, Katie McCourtie, Amber Lohnes, Mike Carey, Jennifer Nyquist

●      Principal Selection

○      Kimberly Hall, Katie McCourtie, Meg Kapsimalis

Discussion Item: Nominate Representative for Superintendent’s Parent/Community Advisory Council 

●      Reed Moll volunteered

Discussion Item: Determine Meeting Schedule for SY 25-26

●      September 2^nd

●      December 2^nd

●      January 6^th

●      February 3^rd

●      March 3^rd

Informational Item:  Principal’s Update

1. School/Staff Update

○      We are above projection.  Enrollment is currently at 668 with  only 2 students to “no show”.

○      After the 10 day count, we will add a kindergarten and fourth grade class.

○      Students will be placed in the new classes

■      First, by volunteers, then placement will be based on continuous achievement levels

○      This year we have approximately 30 new families

2. SY 25-26 Charter Funds Project Update

○      $30,000; last year $46,000

○      Begin thinking of ways to spend the funds based on the school’s strategic plan; (which will be forthcoming).

■      Netting to prevent balls from going over the fence at recess, PBIS, Refining of PLCs with Thomas Van Solen

○      Projects that were funded last year: Edumarking, BES step and repeat, door mats

3. Calendar of Upcoming School Events

○      Curriculum Night-August 28^th ; virtual option to be considered

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda

●      Strategic Plan SY 25-26

●      SGC Funds

Action Item:  Meeting Adjourned

○      Meeting adjourned at 3:49 pm

 

                       

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Meeting Summary of Action Items

September 2, 2025/ 3:00 PM

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conference Room

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall, Mike Carey, Jennifer Nyquist

Absent: NA

Guest: NA

Action Item: Approve Agenda

Action Item: Approve August Meeting Minutes

Action Item: Finalize Council Staffing (Budget & OR Chair)

Discussion Item: Determine SY25-26 Council Norms

Discussion Item: SGC Council Development Opportunities

Discussion Item: Review of SGC Website for Compliance

Action Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure

Discussion Item: FY26 Strategic Plan

Informational Item: Principals Update

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: December 2, 2025

Barnwell Elementary 

School Governance Council 

Meeting Minutes 

September 2, 2025 / 3:00PM 

Admin Conference Room 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall, Mike Carey, Jennifer Nyquist  

Absent: NA 

Guests: NA 

Call to order: 3:02 pm  

Action Item:  Approve Agenda  

• Motion: Lohnes 

• Second: Moll 

• All in favor: Approved  

Action Item:  Approve August Meeting Minutes  

• Motion: Reffitt 

• Second: McCourtie 

• All in favor: Approved 

Action Item:  Finalize Council Staffing (Budget &OR Chair)  

Budget Chair: Reed Moll 

• Motion: Lohnes 

• Second: Carey 

• All in favor: Approved  

OR Chair:  Amber Lohnes (Teachers) & Jennifer Nyquist (Community) 

• Motion: Moll 

• Second: Carey 

• All in favor: Approved  

Discussion Item: Determine SY 25-26 Council Norms  

• Meeting norms were reviewed and remained the same. 

Discussion Item: SGC Council Development Opportunities 

      (In person officer training and cross council)  

• Katie Kinsey sent an email about the required trainings to new officers. 

• Meg Kapsimalis will serve as Barnwell’s Cross Council representative on October 3rdat NLC. 

Discussion Item: Review of SGC Website for Compliance  

• The Barnwell Website is in compliance. 

• We need to have the committee chairs added 

 Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure  

•  The following ideas were discussed, removing dead trees along the carpool lane, purchasing resources to support/enhance GMAS performance, supporting extended learning with resources/incentives, enhancing PLC work with Thomas Van Solen and Associates, purchasing items for PBIS, High Tech/High Touch for Steam Week and attendance celebrations/incentives. 

Action Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure 

Thomas Van Solen $4,200 

• Motion: McCourtie 

• Second: Nyquist 

• All in favor: Approved  

PBIS $5,000 

• Motion: Lohnes 

• Second: Moll/Carey 

• All in favor: Approved 

Steam Week: High Touch High Tech $5,000 

• Motion: Nyquist 

• Second: Carey 

• All in favor: Approved  

Attendance: Celebrations & Incentives $1,500 

• Motion: Reffitt 

• Second: McCourtie 

• All in favor: Approved  

Discussion Item: FY26 Strategic Plan  

• Ms. Benning provided an overview the Barnwell and District goals for SY26. 

• 80% GMAS proficiency in all content areas 

• Continue to decrease office referrals 

• Increase percentage of students with disabilities meeting GMAS Reading indicator 

• Increase employee retention rate 

• Increase percentage of charter dollar expenditures to 100% 

• Decrease percentage of students absent 10% or more days enrolled (8 days per year) 

Action Item: Approve Strategic Plan  

• Motion: Lohnes 

• Second: Reffitt 

• All in favor: Approved  

 Informational Item: Principal’s Update  

1. School/Staff Update  

• Barnwell earned a kindergarten teacher and para, as well as a 4th grade teacher after the 10-day seat count. 

• FCS hiring freeze was lifted today 

2. Strategic Planning 

• See Discussion Item: FY26 Strategic Plan  

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda  

Action Item:  Meeting Adjourned  

• Meeting adjourned at 4:06pm  

 

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council  

Meeting Summary of Action Items  

December 2, 2025/ 3:00 PM  

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conference Room  

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis, Mike Carey, Jennifer Nyquist  

Absent: Kimberly Hall  

Guest: NA  

Action Item:  Approve Agenda   

Action Item:  Approve September Meeting Minutes  

Discussion Item: Debrief Fall Cross Council Meeting  

Discussion Item: Debrief Superintendent’s Advisory Council Meeting  

Discussion Item: SGC Spring Committee Meetings  

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Review 

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Informational Item: Principals Update  

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda  

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: January 6, 2025  

Barnwell Elementary 

School Governance Council 

Meeting Minutes 

December 2, 2025 / 3:00PM 

Admin Conference Room 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis, Mike Carey, Jennifer Nyquist  

Absent: Kimberly Hall 

Guests: NA 

Call to order: 3:03 pm 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda  

Motion: Lohnes 

Second: McCourtie 

All in favor:  Approved 

Action Item:  Approve September Meeting Minutes  

Motion: Reffitt 

Second: Carey 

All in favor: Approved 

Discussion Item: Debrief Fall Cross Council Meeting (Kapsimalis) 

• Kapsimalis would like to revisit this item at the January 6th meeting 

• Key points discussed 

• Drastic budget cuts 

• Attendance/Tardies 

• Weekly Newsletters 

• FAQs for New Parents 

• Families First (last weekend) 

• Chief Technology Officer 

• FCS offers a free laptop monitoring that can be added to home devices that will allow parents to monitor/lockdown student devices 

• Benning will include this in the “Did You Know” of the next Principal’s Newsletter. 

• SGC is up for rechartering 

• FCS ranked the #1 Charter District 

Discussion Item: Discussion Item: Debrief Superintendent’s Advisory Council (Moll) 

• No meeting notification/invite was received. 

• Benning will reach out to Erin Nusnbaum and Katie Kinsey Lawson regarding email notifications. 

 Discussion Item: SGC Spring Committee Meetings 

• Outreach & Communications-Jan 

• With upcoming elections, SGC will meet on January 13th  

• Budget-Feb 

• There is currently no budget release date, SGC will meet February 10th  

 Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Review 

• The following items have been approved for a total of $15,700, with a remaining balance of $14,300. 

• Thomas Van Solen $4,200 

• PBIS $5,000 

• Steam Week: High Touch High Tech $5,000 

• Attendance: Celebrations & Incentives $1,500 

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

• The following ideas were discussed, Revved Up Kids: Children Safer from Predators/Partnering with Johns Creek Police Department, renewing the subscription to Reflex, purchasing headphones (more research to be done) for students, CCRPI Teacher Celebration ideas, grade level resources. 

• The following items have been approved for a total of $3,500. 

• K-5 Grade Level Resource Funds $3,000 ($500 per grade level) 

• Headphones (more research to be done) $500 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Motion: Reffitt 

Second: Nyquist 

All in favor: Approved 

 Informational Item: Principal’s Update  

1. SY25 CCRPI Update  

• Barnwell maintained our Content Mastery score of 100%, increased our Progress score from 91.3% to 100%, increased our Closing Gaps score from 80% to 100% and increased our Readiness score from 94.5% to 96.6% 

• Barnwell reduced our Subgroups from three red flags to zero red flags 

• Barnwell’s overall CCRPI score increased from 92.90% to 99.30%. 

• The Council would like to celebrate the school’s success and will think about celebrations and discuss them at the next meeting. 

2. District SAG Proposals/Update  

• Cuts to the budget due to a decrease in enrollment by 10,000 students, decrease in property taxes & discounted taxes for seniors, and rising healthcare costs. 

• As it relates to elementary schools, currently only the Flex position has been impacted 

• It was suggested that budget deficits be shared with parents as a “Did You Know” 

3. EduMark Project Update   

• Although slated to begin today, due to the weather, the installation will begin on Wednesday, Dec.3rd and should be completed by the end of the week. 

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda (Jan.6) 

• Re-visit Fall Cross Council 

• CCRPI Celebration  

• Reflex 

• Charter Dollars 

Action Item:  Meeting Adjourned  

Meeting adjourned at 4:17 pm 

  

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council  

Date | time 01/06/2026 | 3:00pm | Location Barnwell Admin Conference Room  

SGC Members  

Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Alysia Muse, CST, Appointed Staff| Ms. Katie McCourtie, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes,  

Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Jennifer Nyquist, Parent| Ms. Meg Kapsimalis, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Kimberly Hall, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member    

	Time	Item	Owner
	3:00pm	Call to Order	Hall
	3:01pm	Action Item: Approve Agenda	Hall
	3:03pm	Action Item: Approve December Meeting Minutes	Hall
	3:05pm	Discussion Item: Follow-Up Fall Cross Council Meeting (Kapsimalis)	Hall
	3:10pm	Board President Kristen McCabe	Benning
	3:20pm	Discussion Item: Planning for SY27 Teacher and Parent Elections     (Outreach & Communications-Jan); (Budget-Feb)	All Members
	3:25pm      3:25pm	Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Update      Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals	Muse       All Members
	3:30pm	Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals	Hall
	3:35pm	Informational Item: Principal's Update    2nd  Semester Update   Climate Survey (need 15 families to complete)   EduMark Project Update	Benning
	3:45pm	Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda (Feb. 3rd)—Budget Meeting (Feb 10th) Hall
4:00pm  Action Item: Meeting Adjournment				Hall
Meeting Norms

Silence Phones | Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions | Work for the Good of All Students  

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council  

Meeting Summary of Action Items  

January 6, 2026/ 3:00 PM  

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conference Room  

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Kimberly Hall, Katie McCourtie, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Meg Kapsimalis,  Jennifer Nyquist  

Absent: Mike Carey, Amber Lohnes  

Guest: Kristen McCabe 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda   

Action Item:  Approve December Meeting Minutes  

Discussion Item: Follow-up Fall Cross Council Meeting  

Discussion Item: Planning for SY27 Teacher and Parent Elections  

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Update 

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Informational Item: Principals Update  

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda  

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: February 3, 2026