Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Date | time 08/24/2026 | 3:00pm | Location Barnwell Admin Conference Room

SGC Members

Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Alysia Muse, CST, Appointed Staff| Ms. Katie McCourtie, Teacher | Ms. Annie Fulford, Teacher | Dr. Helen Herring, Appointed Staff | Ms. Jennifer Nyquist, Parent| Ms. Meg Kapsimalis, Parent | Ms. Katie Prellwitz, Parent| Ms. Kimberly Hall, Community Member | Vacant, 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 April 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. Muse
3:35pm	Discussion Item: Nominate Representative for Superintendent’s Parent/Community Advisory Council	Ms. Benning
3:45pm	Discussion Item: Determine Meeting Schedule for SY26-27	All Members
3:50pm	Informational Item: Principal’s Update School/Staff Updates  SY25-26 SGC Charter Funds Project Update Calendar of Upcoming School Events	Ms. Benning
3:55pm	Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda	Ms. Benning

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Meeting Summary of Action Items

August 24, 2026/ 3:00 PM

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conference Room

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Helen Herring, Katie McCourtie, Annie Fulford, Kaite Prellwitz, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall

Absent:, Jennifer Nyquist

Guest: Katie Lawson

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve April Minutes           

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 14, 2026

 

Barnwell Elementary  

School Governance Council 

Meeting Minutes 

August 24, 2026 / 3:00PM 

Admin Conference Room 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie, Annie Fulford, Helen Herring, Meg Kapsimalis,, Katie Prellwitz 

Absent: Jennifer Nyquist 

Guests: Katie Lawson 

Call to order: 3:06 pm 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda  

Motion: Kapsimalis 

Second: Fulford 

All in favor:  Approved 

Action Item:  Approve April Meeting Minutes  

Motion: McCourtie 

Second: Kapsimalis 

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, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall 

• Outreach and Communications 

• Katie McCourtie, Katie Prellwitz (Chair), Annie Fulford, Jennifer Nyquist 

• Principal Selection 

• Kimberly Hall, Katie McCourtie, Meg Kapsimalis, Helen Herring 

Action Item:  Elections 

Motion: Kapsimalis 

Second: Hall 

All in favor: Approved 

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

• Kaite Prellwitz volunteered 

Discussion Item: Determine Meeting Schedule for SY 26-27 

• September 14th   

• November 2nd  

• January 11th   

• February 22nd (Tentative) 

• March 29th  

• May 3rd (if needed) 

Informational Item:  Principal’s Update 

1. School/Staff Update 

• We just finished SEAT 10-day count; enrollment is currently approximately 670   

• We are fully staffed; not losing any teachers 

• Attendance: 95 to Thrive 

• 8 absences or less for the entire year 

• Remote participation and pre-approved absences are still options 

• Vacant Community Member  

• Reach out to Ms. Benning if you know of someone who may be interested 

2. SY 25-26 Charter Funds Project Update 

• Netting to prevent balls from going over the fence at recess is working out great at recess, PBIS, Refining of PLCs with Thomas Van Solen 

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

3. Calendar of Upcoming School Events 

• SOTM Breakfast Wednesday, August 26th at 7:00 am 

• Curriculum Night-August 27th  

• 3rd-5th 5:15-6:00 

• PreK-2nd  6:15-7:00 

• Family Picnic/40 years of success: Friday, August 28th at 5:30 

• Mystery Readers will begin on Sept. 14th  

• Luch with parent will begin on Sept. 14th  

• Monday through Thursday only) 

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda 

• Strategic Plan SY 26-27 

• SGC Funds 

• Attendance Celebrations, PBIS Store, High Tech/High Touch, Recess Equipment, High Dosage Small Group 

Action Item:  Meeting Adjourned 

• Meeting adjourned at 3:49 pm 

 

 

 

Date | time 09/14/2026 | 3:00pm | Location Barnwell Admin Conference Room  

SGC Members  

Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Alysia Muse, CST, Appointed Staff| Ms. Katie McCourtie, Teacher | Ms. Annie Fulford,  

Teacher | Dr. Helen Herring, Appointed Staff | Ms. Jennifer Nyquist, Parent| Ms. Meg Kapsimalis, Parent | Ms. Katie Prellwitz, Parent| Ms. Kimberly Hall, Community Member | Vacant, Community Member    

Time	Item	Owner
3:00pm	Call to Order	Hall
3:01pm	Action Item: Approve Agenda	Hall
3:03pm	Action Item: Approve August Meeting Minutes	Hall
3:06pm	Discussion Item: Determine SY27 Council Norms	All Members
3:10pm	Discussion Item: SGC Council Development Opportunities    (Canvas new member training, officer training, and cross council)	All Members
3:15pm	Discussion Item: Review of SGC Website for Compliance	All Members
3:20pm	Discussion Item: Review 2026 Council Self-Assessment and Create Initiatives	All Members
3:27pm      3:37 pm	Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure       Action Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure	All Members      Hall   All Members
3:40pm	Discussion Item: Review VAF/TAG	All Members
3:45pm	Informational Item: Principal's Update    Upcoming Events    Strategic Plan Overview   Capitalization & Utilization Planning	Benning
3:55pm	Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda	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 

September 14, 2026/ 3:00 PM 

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conference Room 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Alysia Muse, Helen Herring, Katie McCourtie, Annie Fulford, Kaite Prellwitz, Meg Kapsimalis, Kimberly Hall, Jennifer Nyquist 

Absent: 

Guest: Katie Lawson 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda 

Action Item:  Approve August Minutes  

Discussion Item: Determine SY27 Council Norms 

Discussion Item: SGC Council Development Opportunities   

Discussion Item: Review 2026 Council Self-Assessment and Create Initiatives 

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure   

Action Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure   

Discussion Item: Review VAF/TAG 

Informational Item: Principals Update 

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda 

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: November 2, 2026 

 
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  

 

No Scheduled Meeting

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No Scheduled Meeting

 

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  

Barnwell Elementary 

School Governance Council 

Meeting Minutes 

January 6, 2026 / 3:00PM 

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, Katie Lawson  

Call to order: 3:00 pm  

Action Item:  Approve Agenda 

Motion: Reffitt 

Second: Kapsimalis 

All in favor:  Approved  

  Action Item:  Approve December Meeting Minutes   

Motion: McCourtie 

Second: Moll 

All in favor:  Approved  

Discussion Item: Follow-up Fall Cross Council Meeting   

• Kapsimalis provided a follow-up of the following key points 

• Drastic budget cuts  

• Attendance/Tardies  

• District Goals 

• 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  

• What is SGC? (and how is it different from PTO) 

• FCS SGC Video Idea 

• Charter System of the Year Video (available as of Nov. 2025) 

• SGC table for open house 

• SGC has resources/one pager 

•  

• Charter Renewal 

• Ideas of what other schools in the district are doing 

• 5th-MS: Pen pals 

• Shared Document of Barnwell “Need to Knows” 

Board President Kristen McCabe 

• The following items were discussed 

• Budget & Enrollment 

• Consolidation 

• Barnwell CCRPI Board Recognition 

Discussion Item: Planning for SY27 Teacher and Parent Elections   

• Outreach & Communications-Jan: Meeting Next Tuesday (Jan. 13th) 

• Budget-Feb  

• TBD-Waiting on the budget from the district 

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Update  

• $10,800+$1,800 (Van Soelen) 

• Reflex-Approximately $5,000 

• Admin Conference Room Facelift 

• Social Media/PR 

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals  

• Cell booster: The district will address; no cost to the school 

• Reflex-$5,000 

• Special Education-$500 

• Specials-$800 ($200 per specials teacher; Benning will touch base with the teachers and follow up) 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals  

Motion: Kapsimalis 

Second: Nyquist 

All in favor:  Approved  

Informational Item: Principals Update   

1. 2nd Semester Update 

• All staff members are now badging into the building 

• Revisited the CCRPI and discussed our plan for G.R.O.W.T2.H. 

2. Climate Survey (need 15 families to complete) 

• We currently only have 4 families 

3. EduMark Project Update    

• Photos of the completed projects on the back field were shared with the council 

• Council toured the sensory path in the courtyard 

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda   

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: February 3, 2026  or  February 10, 2026   

Action Item:  Meeting Adjourned   

Meeting adjourned at 4:35 pm  

Date | time 2/10/2026 | 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 January Meeting Minutes	Hall
3:05pm	Informational Item: Superintendent’s Advisory Council Update (Moll)	Hall
3:10pm	Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections (Lohnes)	Hall
3:15pm	Informational Item: Budget Presentation	Benning
3:35pm   3:36pm	Action Item: Approve SY27 Budget   Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals	Hall   All Members
3:40pm	Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals	Hall
3:41pm	Informational Item: Principal's Update A.     SY27 Enrollment/COSA B.      Upcoming Events C.     TOTY/POTY	Benning
3:51pm	Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda	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 

February 10, 2026/ 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: N/A 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda  

Action Item: Approve January Meeting Minutes 

Informational Item: Superintendent’s Advisory Council Update 

Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Techer SGC Elections 

Informational Item: Budget Presentation 

Action Item: Approve SY27 Budget 

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: March 3, 2026 

Barnwell Elementary 

School Governance Council 

Meeting Minutes 

February 10, 2026/ 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: NA 

Call to order: 3:01pm 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda  

Motion: Lohnes 

Second: McCourtie 

All in favor:  Approved 

 Action Item:  Approve January Meeting Minutes  

Motion: Reffitt 

Second: Lohnes 

All in favor: Approved 

Informational Item: Superintendent’s Advisory Council Update 

• The advisory council put together a service project for families experiencing housing insecurity.  The council put together goodie bags that contained positive notes, toiletries and resources of services available through the district. 

Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections 

• The committee met with Kaite Lawson to; signage is up at school, flyers and newsletters have gone home.  An email blast will go out to parents and teachers.  Mrs. Lohnes will follow up with an email to the teachers. 

Informational Item: Budget Presentation 

• Mrs. Benning shared the SY 26-27 budget with the council. 

Action Item:  Approve SY27 Budget 

Motion: Reffitt 

Second: Moll 

All in favor: Approved 

 Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

• The following items were discussed:  

• two ipads for PE, Books and paint dabbers for art 

• Repairing/replacing the kiln in the art room 

• replacing the stones in the courtyard; follow up after getting a quote 

• Wrap for the courtyard fence 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Motion: N/A-no approvals  

Second: N/A-no approvals 

All in favor: N/A-no approvals 

 Informational Item: Principal’s Update  

1. SY27 Enrollment/COSA  

• 25 students were selected via COSA; thus far only 8 have registered 

• Council proposed suing social media to recruit students 

• SY26-27 projected enrollment is 681 

2. Upcoming Events  

• Artome Art Show: March 18th 

• Chorus Performance:  March 10th  

• March 11th Performance for students (School only) 

3. TOTY/POTY 

• We have begun our TOTY/POTY process; interviews and observations will take place on February 19th 

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda (Mar. 3) 

• Courtyard Quote 

• Barnwell Social Media  

• Kiln update/quote 

• Elections/Declarations 

Action Item:  Meeting Adjourned  

Meeting adjourned at 4:17 pm 

  

  

Date | time 3/3/2026 | 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 February Meeting Minutes	Hall
3:05pm	Informational Item: Superintendent’s Advisory Council Update (Moll)	Hall
3:08pm	Discussion Item: Parent/Teacher SGC Elections Update (Outreach Committee)	Hall
3:15pm	Discussion Item: Choose Representatives (2) for Spring Cross Council SGC Mtg	All Members
3:20pm   3:30pm	Discission Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposal Update   Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals	Hall   All Members
3:31pm	Informational Item: Principal's Update A.     TOTY/POTY Update B.      Upcoming Events	Benning
3:40pm	Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda	Hall
3:50pm	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   

March 3, 2026/ 3:00 PM   

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conference Room   

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

Absent: NA 

Guest: NA   

Action Item:  Approve Agenda    

Action Item:  Approve February Meeting Minutes   

Informational Item:  Debrief Superintendent’s Advisory Council Update   

Discussion Item: Parent/Teacher SGC Elections Update  

Discussion Item: Choose Representatives (2) for Spring Cross Council SGC Meeting  

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposal Update 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Informational Item: Principals Update   

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda   

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: Final Meeting Today-TBD, if needed  

Barnwell Elementary 

School Governance Council 

Meeting Minutes 

March 3, 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, Kimberly Hall   

 Absent: NA 

 Guests: NA  

Call to order: 2:59 pm 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda   

Motion: Kapsimalis 

Second:  Reffitt 

All in favor:  Approved

Action Item:  Approve February Meeting Minutes   

Motion: Lohnes 

Second: Kapsimalis 

All in favor:  Approved 

Informational Item: Superintendent’s Advisory Council Update (Moll)  

• School AI- Mrs. Moll provided updates from the meeting 

• The district is working to incorporate more AI into schools while teaching integrity and ethical use.   

• Open to feedback-safe and ethical way to use SchoolAi and Co-pilot 

• Concerns were raised out the cognitive decrease and learning disadvantages 

• Budget 

• GLIDE-as a result of senior tax, health care costs and declining enrollment 

• Governor approved a $2,000 payment for full time employees 

• One day furlough would save $4.5 million dollars; it was suggested that it not be the last day of school (for SY 26-27) 

• No pay raises; but there will be a mid-year step increase for those eligible 

• Additional considerations:  improve FTE coding, reduce staffing, reduce senior schedule, eliminate subs on a retainer, increase FCS rental rates, textbook contracts will be based on actual enrollment, summer school hubs, and school allotment guidelines, possibly going cashless next year. 

• Additional Updates 

• FCS is number 2 behind Forsyth- test scores are higher than they have ever been. 

• House Bill 1308-60% building usage. 

Discussion Item: Parent/Teacher SGC Elections Update (Outreach Committee) 

• Mrs. Fulford declared her candidacy 

• Currently no parents 

 Discussion Item: Choose Representatives (2) for Spring Cross Council SGC Mtg 

• Wednesday, March 18th (8:00am-2:00pm) 

• Nyquist will attend 

 Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposal Update  

• Fence Cover w/ Barnwell logo(courtyard): $3,490 

• Bricks (courtyard): $8,000 

• Replace Stones: $1,300 

• Pressure wash: $950 

• Kapsimalis will contact Craig regarding the courtyard project 

• Front Door Wrap Replacement:  $1,956.86 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure   

• Courtyard Improvement up to $1,300 (vendor pending) 

Motion: Moll 

Second: Carey 

All in favor: Approved 

• Front Door Wrap Refresh: $1,956.86 

Motion: Nyquist 

Second: Lohnes 

All in favor: Approved 

• Barnwell Uniforms: $2,000 

Motion: Nyquist 

Second: Lohnes 

All in favor: Approved 

Informational Item: Principal’s Update   

1. TOTY/POTY Update 

• Teacher of the Year: Katie McCourtie 

• Professional of the Year:  Kathryn Wilkerson 

2. Upcoming Events 

• Exceptional Children’s Week kicked off 

• 5th Grade Celebration 

• Barnwell now has a social media page 

• Senior Walk is on May 11th at 2:45 (students arrive at 1:45) for students that attended Barnwell (must sign up) 

• Spring Chorus Concert “Suessical”:  March 10h at 6pm 

• Artome: March 18th (Gallery will go live online on March 11th ) 

• Ms. Pate is looking for volunteers 

• Kindergarten Round-Up: April 14th 8:00-9:30 

• Include a School Governance Blurb  

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda  

• This is our final meeting for the year; Council will call a virtual meeting, if needed 

Action Item:  Meeting Adjourned   

Meeting adjourned at   3:56  pm  

   

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council  

Date | time 4/21/2026 | 3:00pm | Location Teams  

Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24784197963965?p=yN8wRto2SxgIYtGqyM   

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 March Meeting Minutes	Hall
3:08pm	Discussion Item: Parent/Teacher SGC Elections Update (Outreach   Committee)      April 22nd- April 29th	Hall
3:15pm	Discussion Item: Spring 2026 Cross Council Meeting SGC Debrief	All Members
3:20pm      3:30pm      3:40pm	Discission Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposal Update       Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals      **Complete Council Surveys--Please complete individual surveys prior to meeting   Council Self-Assessment    (completed individually)   Principal Feedback Survey (completed individually)   SY25-26 SGC Reflection Form   (completed as a group)	Hall       All Members
3:51pm	Informational Item: Principal's Update    Upcoming Events   GMAS Testing Dates	Benning
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  

April 21, 2026/ 3:00 PM  

Barnwell Elementary Teams Meeting 

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

Absent:  Katie McCourtie, Amber Lohnes 

Guest: NA 

Action Item:  Approve Agenda (amended)   

Action Item:  Approve March Meeting Minutes  

Discussion Item: Parent/Teacher SGC Elections Update  

Discussion Item: Spring 2026 Cross Council Meeting SGC Debrief 

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposal Update 

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals 

Informational Item: Principals Update  

Next Barnwell SGC Meeting: Final Meeting of SY 2026 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

April 21^st , 2026 / 3:00PM

Admin Conference Room

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

Absent:  Amber Lohnes, Katie McCourtie  

Guests: NA  

Call to order: 3:03 pm 

 Action Item:  Approve Agenda   

Motion: Kapsimalis 

Second:  Nyquist 

All in favor: Approved 

Action Item:  Approve March Meeting Minutes   

Motion: Kapsimalis

Second: Lohnes

All in favor:  Approved 

  Discussion Item: Parent/Teacher SGC Elections Update (Outreach Committee) 

• April 22^nd-April 29^th
  • Links will go out to families on April 22^nd

 Discussion Item: Spring Cross Council SGC Debrief

• Representatives from throughout FCS
• A common theme was integration amongst schools, family community events
• The council will explore opportunities to meet with other councils within our radius (zone).

 Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposal Update  

• Second set of exterior door warps-$2,033.60
• Courtyard HVAC Windscreens-$1,137.73
• Student of the Month Yard Signs-$2,496
• Staff Lanyards-$555
• End of the Year Attendance Celebration-$1,526.47

Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure   

·       All expenditure proposals

Motion: Kapsimalis

Second:  Moll

All in favor: Approved 

Action Item: Complete Council Surveys

·       The council completed the SY25-26 Reflection Form

Informational Item: Principal’s Update   

1. Upcoming Events

• Student of the Month Breakfast
• Market Day-April 23^rd
• Barnival-May 8^th
• Senior Walk-May 11^th
• Field Day-May 15^th
• Class Parties

2. GMAs Testing Dates

• GMAS begins Wednesday, April 29^th
• Test talks with students were conducted last week

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda  

• This is our final meeting for the year; Council will call a virtual meeting, if needed. 

Action Item: Meeting Adjourned   

Meeting adjourned at   3:40 pm  

   

No Scheduled Meeting

No Scheduled Meeting

No Scheduled Meeting

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Meeting Summary of Action Items

July 30, 2024 / 3:00PM

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conf. Room

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Wells, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Mike Carey, Holli Freeman, Reed Moll, Saudy Fahm, and Amber Banks

Absent: N/A

Guests: Katie Kinsey

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve May Meeting Minutes

Action Item:  Elect New Officers

Action Item:  Staff Standing Committees

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

Discussion Item:  Determine Meeting Schedule for SY 24-25

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Informational Item: Principal’s Update

Next Barnwell SGC meeting:  September 10, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

July 30, 2024 / 3:00PM

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conf. Room

 Attendance:  Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Wells Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Amber Banks, Holli Freeman, Reed Moll, Saudhy Fahm, Mike Carey

Absent:

Guests:  Katie Kinsey

Call to order:  3:03pm

Action Item - Approve Agenda

Motion:  Amber Wells Lohnes

Second: Renee Morris

All in favor:  Approved

Action Item - Approve May Meeting Minutes

Motion:  Joanna Thomas

Second:  Holli Freeman

All in favor:  Approved

Discussion Item:  Member Introductions

●     We went around the room and everyone introduced themselves

Action Item:  Elect New Officers

●     Chair will be Amber Wells Lohnes

○     Motion to Approve: Saudy Fahm

○     Second: Holli Freeman

○     All in favor - Approved

●     Vice Chair will be Joanna Thomas

○     Motion to Approve: Takisha Benning

○     Second: Joanna Thomas

○     All in favor - Approved

●     Parlimentarian will be Holli Freeman

○     Motion to Approve: Amber Banks

○     Second: Joanna Thomas

○     All in favor - Approved  

Action Item:  Standing Staff Committees

●     Budget and Finance will be Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Amber Banks, and Amber Wells Lohnes

●     Outreach and Communication will be Mike Carey, Saudy Fahm, Joanna Thomas, and Renee Morris

●     Principal Selection will be Holli Freeman, Amber Wells Lohnes, Amber Banks, and Renee Morris

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

●     Reed Moll agreed to represent our SGC

Inforamation Item: Principal’s Update

●     School/Staff Updates

○     Teachers returned this week for a fun, inspiring week

○     6 new hires and a literacy coach

○     626 projected and we are 50 kids over that

○     3rd grade definitely will have a class added; 4th and 5th grade are very close to doing so as well

●     SY 23-24 Charter Funds Project Update

○     Let’s start thinking NOW how to spend these funds

○     We purchased the recess equipment, new rugs, school signage near cafeteria, added the banner on the fence, branded the elevator with a Barnwell Bear, Bears for Kindergarten, shirts for staff, PBIS inventory, gift for staff on Friday this week will 23-24 expenditures

○     Strategic Plan Action Plan Metrics were passed out for review

●     Calendar of Upcoming School Events

○     Popsicles on the Playground and New Family Play Date on Wednesday, July 31st

○     Sneak Peek on Thursday, August 1st

Discussion Item: Determine Meeting Schedule for SY 24-25

●     Tuesdays at 3pm

●     Sept 10th, Oct 8th, Jan 7th, March 4th, and May 6th are the proposed dates

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

●     SGC Strategic Action plan

●     Charter funds expenditures - amount TBD

●     Update on Staff

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned:  3:52pm

Date | time 09/10/2024 | 3:00pm | Location Barnwell Admin Conference Room

SGC Members

Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Renee Morris, Asst. Principal, Appointed Staff| Ms. Joanna Thomas, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Amber Banks, Parent| Ms. Holli Freeman, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Saudhy Sanjuanelo, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member

Time	Item	Owner
3:00pm	Call to Order	Lohnes
3:01pm	Action Item: Approve Agenda	Lohnes
3:05pm	Action Item: Approve August Meeting Minutes	Lohnes
3:10pm	Discussion Item: Determine SY24-25 Council Norms	All Members
3:15pm	Discussion Item: Review SGC Website for Compliance	Thomas
3:20pm	Discussion Item: Review 2024 Council Self-Assessment and Create Initiatives	All Members
3:23pm   3:40 pm	Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals   Discussion Item: Opportunity for Public Comment	Thomas   All Members
3:45pm	Informational Item: Principal's Update A.    Enrollment Update B.     Strategic Planning	Benning
3:55pm	Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda	Lohnes
4:00pm	Action Item: Meeting Adjournment	Lohnes

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

September 10, 2024 / 3:00PM

Barnwell Elementary TAG Room

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm

Absent: Amber Banks, Reed Moll, Mike Carey

Guests: None

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve August Meeting Minutes

Discussion Item:  Determine SY24-25 Council Norms

Discussion Item:  Review SGC Website for Compliance

Discussion Item:  Review 2024 Council Self-Assessment and Create Initiatives

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Discussion Item:  Opportunity for Public Comment

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Informational Item: Principal’s Update

Next Barnwell SGC meeting: October 10, 2024

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

September 10, 2024 / 3:00PM

Barnwell Elementary Admin TAG Room

 

Attendance:  Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm

Absent: Amber Banks, Reed Moll, and Mike Carey

Guests: None

Call to order: 3:01pm

Action Item - Approve Agenda

●     Motion: Holli Freeman

●     Second: Saudy Fahm

●     All in favor: Approved

Action Item - Approve August Meeting Minutes

●     Motion: Renee Morris

●     Second: Saudy Fahm

●     All in favor: Approved

Discussion Item: Determine SY24-25 Council Norms 

●     All agreed on the norms set

Discussion Item: SGC Website for Compliance

●     Joanna reviewed the website, and thanks to Susan Agerton, we are up to date

Discussion Item: 2024 Council Self-Assessment and Create Initiatives

●     Only two people completed the survey

●     We’ll get some clarification for this year’s survey and make it a priority to have all members complete it

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●     We have $46K to spend for SY24-25

●     We should survey the teachers to see if they have input/proposals

●     Takesha suggests we spend it early (by January)

●     Council members are encouraged to brainstorm ideas

●     Cafeteria improvements could be an idea. The PTO is currently looking to fund that with money raised from the Fun Run in October.

Information Item: Principal’s Update

●     Enrollment Update

○     A sixth 3rd grade class has been added - Ms. Nephew is the new teacher. The kids’ first day was yesterday (Sept. 9th)

●     Strategic Planning

○     Plan is for the whole district, but we come up with a plan specific to our school

■     Increase academic achievement

■     Decrease office referrals

■     Increase percentage of students with disabilities meeting GMAS Reading indicator

■     Increase employee retention rate

■     Increase percentage of charter dollar expenditures

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

○     This plan will be placed on the SGC website once Downey approves so absent SGC members can review

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda

●     Members to come up with two ideas each for charter money expenditure

●     Vote on strategic action plan

●     Next meeting is Oct. 8th

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned: 3:34pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

October Agenda  

School: Barnwell Elementary School 

Date: 10/08/2024  

Time: 3:00 PM 

Location: Admin Conference Room  

SGC Members: Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Renee Morris, Asst. Principal, Appointed Staff| Ms. Joanna Thomas, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Amber Banks, Parent| Ms. Holli Freeman, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Saudhy Sanjuanelo, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member  

3:00PM Call to Order (Lohnes) 

3:02PM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Lohnes) 

3:05PM Action Item: Approve September Minutes (Lohnes) 

3:07PM Discussion Item:  SY24-25 Council Initiatives* (All Members) 

3:20PM Discussion Item: Strategic Planning (Benning)  

3:25PM Action Item: Approve Strategic Plan (Lohnes) 

3:30PM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members) 

3:45PM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (Lohnes)  

3:50PM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Benning)  

4:00PM Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting’s Agenda (All Members) 

4:05PM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Lohnes) 

 

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

October 8, 2024 / 3:00PM

Barnwell Elementary TAG Room

 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm, Amber Banks, Mike Carey, Reed Moll

Absent: None

Guests: Katie Kinsey

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve September Meeting Minutes

Discussion Item:  SY24-25 Council Initiatives

Discussion Item:  Strategic Planning and Approval

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals and Approval

Discussion Item:

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Informational Item: Principal’s Update

Next Barnwell SGC meeting: January 7, 2025

 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

October 8, 2024 / 3:00PM

Barnwell Elementary Admin Conf. Room

 

Attendance:  Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm, Mike Carey, Reed Moll, Amber Banks

Absent:  None

Guests:  Katie Kinsey

Call to order:  3:01pm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Motion:  Holli Freeman

Second: Saudhy Fahm

All in favor:  Approved

Action Item:  Approve September Meeting Minutes

Motion:  Renee Morris

Second:  Holli Freeman

All in favor:  Approved

Discussion Item:  SY24-25 Council Initiatives

●      Begin discussions to determine the focus of our SGC

●      Council initiatives will fall in line with school’s strategic plan

Discussion Item:  Strategic Planning

●      Increase academic achievement

●      Decrease office referrals

●      Increase percentage of students with disabilities meeting GMAS Reading indicator

●      Increase employee retention rate

●      Increase percentage of charter dollar expenditures

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

Action Item:  Approve Strategic Plan

Motion:  Reed Moll

Second: Joanna Thomas

All in favor:  Approved

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals ($46,391)

●      Screen Beam - $18K (Breanna Rounds’s research from previous year)

●      Greg Tang Math Subscriptions - $299 per teacher

●      Gaga Ball pit improvements $1500-$1800

●      STEAM Week High Touch High Tech - $6K

●      Freckle subscriptions - $250 per teacher

●      Reflex Math subscriptions - $3300 school wide

●      Subs for planning days

●      Tutor paraprofessional

●      Color printer for K workroom

●      Blade replacement for die cutter

●      PBIS Funds - $5K

●      Principal’s List/Honor Roll celebrations

●      Pre-K Graduation

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditures

●      PBIS $5K

Motion:  Mike Carey

Second: Holli Freeman

All in favor:  Approved

●      Gaga Ball Pit Improvements - $2K

            Motion:  Saudhy Fahm

            Second:  Amber Banks

            All in favor:  Approved

Information Item: Principal’s Update

●      Fall break next week

●      International Night this Thursday

●      Successful Fun Run - school raised $33K

●      Lunch with parents started this week

●      Report cards going out soon

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

●      Specific pricing for expenditure ideas

●      Next meeting is January 7, 2025

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned:  3:46pm

 

December Agenda  

School: Barnwell Elementary School 

Date: 12/03/2024  

Time: 3:00 PM 

Location: TEAMS 

SGC Members: 

Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Renee Morris, Asst. Principal, Appointed Staff| Ms. Joanna Thomas, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Amber Banks, Parent| Ms. Holli Freeman, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Saudhy Sanjuanelo, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member   

3:00PM Call to Order (Lohnes)  

3:02PM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Lohnes)  

3:05PM Action Item: Approve October Minutes (Lohnes) 

3:07PM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (Lohnes)   

3:30PM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Lohnes)  

Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students 

 

***Charter Dollars 

  

This year, schools have received $46,391 in Charter Dollars to help meet their strategic goals through local innovative solutions. These funds should be used for non-personnel purchases such as supplies, registrations, communications, etc. When purchasing personnel, schools are advised to use other funding sources allowable for positions. If Charter Dollars are requested for personnel, the expenditure will require approval from the Zone Superintendent, SGC, and Executive Director of Governance and Strategy. Additionally, any materials purchased to support literacy instruction must align with GaDOE literacy requirements. 

  

Each Charter Dollar expenditure requires an SGC vote for approval, the completion of the Charter Dollar Expenditure Form, and is subject to the same district guidelines that govern school cost center budgets. All Charter Dollars must be spent in the year they are received to support our current student population. We encourage SGCs to schedule discussions early in the year to plan for these expenditures, ensuring all purchases are made before end-of-year spending deadlines. See our Charter Dollar Matrix for examples of FCS-supported expenditures. 

 

Items for Approval:  

 

Screen Beams ~18,000.00 

STEAM Week High Touch High Tech ~$7,610.25  

Reflex Math Subscription ~$3295.00 Schoolwide Subscription 

Barnwell Elementary School Governance Council 

Meeting Summary of Action Items

October 8, 2024 / 3:00PM

Virtual Teams Meeting 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm, Amber Banks, Mike Carey, Reed Moll

Absent: Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm, Reed Moll

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve October Meeting Minutes

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals and Approval

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Next Barnwell SGC meeting: January 7, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2024 / 3:00PM

Virtual Teams Meeting 

Attendance:  Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Mike Carey, Amber Banks, Jill Reffitt

Absent:  Saudhy Fahm, Reed Moll, Holli Freeman

Guests:  None

Call to order:  3:06pm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

●      Motion:  Joanna Thomas

●      Second: Renee Morris

●      All in favor:  Approved

Action Item:  Approve October Meeting Minutes

●      Motion:  Mike Carey

●      Second: Amber Banks

●      All in favor:  Approved

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditures

●      Benning proposed ordering a set amount (maybe 5 to 6) of Screen Beams instead of schoolwide to allow teachers to checkout from the media center.  Team voted for $3000 for set amount of screen beams

○      Motion: Amber Banks

○      Second: Jill Reffitt

●      Morris discussed purchasing a courtyard/backfield Sensory Path from Edumarking.  Proposed amount was an estimate as we are planning to partner with PTO to offset travel and initial setup fee of $6000.  Total for this project to include additional Edumarking on the backfield as well was $15,000.

○      Motion: Joanna Thomas

○      Second: Amber Banks

●      Lohnes discussed supporting Ms. Stiers with STEAM week activities to purchase Hi Tech/High Touch for grade levels.  The amount proposed was $7610.25.

○      Motion: Jill Reffitt

○      Second: Joanna Thomas

●      Benning introduced a Big Brother/Big Sister partnership with Northview High School.  To support the initiatives, we need games, coloring books, carts, cards for student engagement.  Social Worker, Ronda June, created a cart of proposed items in the amount of $350.

○      Motion: Amber Banks

○      Second: Mike Carey

●      Benning advised that the company that installed the gaga pit was contacted to order a floor for the existing pit.  We approved an expenditure of $2000 at the October meeting. An additional $889 was needed to fund the project. 

○      Motion: Amber Banks

○      Second: Mike Carey

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

●      Team discussed that we are in a good place with spending funds. We will move forward with spending additional funds at our next meeting, January 7, 2025

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned:  3:28pm

 

 

 

 

January Agenda  

School: Barnwell Elementary School 

Date: 1/7/2025 

Time: 3:00PM 

Location: Admin Conference Room  

SGC Members: Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Renee Morris, Asst. Principal, Appointed Staff| Ms. Joanna Thomas, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Amber Banks, Parent| Ms. Holli Freeman, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Saudhy Sanjuanelo, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member    

3:00PM Call to Order (Lohnes) 

3:02PM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Lohnes) 

3:05PM Action Item: Approve December Minutes (Lohnes) 

3:06PM Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections*  

3:15PM Discussion Item: Planning for Annual Budget Approval** 

3:25PM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members) 

3:35PM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals*** (Lohnes)  

3:45PM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Benning)  

3:55PM Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting’s Agenda (All Members) 

4:00PM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Lohnes) 

 

Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students 

 

 

Notes and Reminders 

*SGC Elections 

 

The declaration period for parents and teachers interested in serving on their local SGCs will run from February 3rd to March 28th.  Click here to check how many council seats your school has open for these positions in this year’s election cycle. 

 

**Annual Budget Approval 

 

FY26 Budget development begins on February 10th and will conclude on February 28th (Elementary Schools) and March 7th (Middle & High Schools).  SGCs should schedule their February and March meetings prior to their budget closure date to ensure the council has time to discuss and approve FY26 fiscal allocations. 

 

All Dates are Subject to Change 

 

 

***Charter Dollars 

  

This year, schools have received $46,391 in Charter Dollars to help meet their strategic goals through local innovative solutions. These funds should be used for non-personnel purchases such as supplies, registrations, communications, etc. When purchasing personnel, schools are advised to use other funding sources allowable for positions. If Charter Dollars are requested for personnel, the expenditure will require approval from the Zone Superintendent, SGC, and Executive Director of Governance and Strategy. Additionally, any materials purchased to support literacy instruction must align with GaDOE literacy requirements. 

  

Each Charter Dollar expenditure requires an SGC vote for approval, the completion of the Charter Dollar Expenditure Form, and is subject to the same district guidelines that govern school cost center budgets. All Charter Dollars must be spent in the year they are received to support our current student population. We encourage SGCs to schedule discussions early in the year to plan for these expenditures, ensuring all purchases are made before end-of-year spending deadlines. See our Charter Dollar Matrix for examples of FCS-supported expenditures. 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council 

Meeting Summary of Action Items

January 7, 2025 / 3:00PM

Virtual Teams Meeting 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Joanna Thomas, Amber Lohnes, Jill Reffitt, Amber Banks, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm

Guest: None

Absent: Reed Moll, Mike Carey

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve December Meeting Minutes

Discussion Item:  Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections

Discussion Item:  Planning for Annual Budget Approval

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Information Item:  Principal’s Update

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Next Barnwell SGC meeting: February 11, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

January 7, 2025 / 3:00 PM

Admin Conference Room

 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Holli Freeman, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Saudhy Fahm, Amber Banks

Absent: Mike Carey, Reed Moll

Guests: N/A

Call to order: 3:02pm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

●     Motion: Holli Freeman

●     Second: Jill Reffitt

●     All in favor: Approved

Action Item:  Approve December Meeting Minutes

●     Motion: Joanna Thomas

●     Second: Renee Morris

●     All in favor: Approved

Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections

●     Candidacy submissions are Feb 3-March 28

●     Two parent seats and one teacher seat available

●     Takisha will include in Principal’s newsletter this week

●     Outreach and Communication committee could meet this month

Discussion Item: Planning for Annual Budget Approval

●     Budget development is taking place Feb 10 - Feb 28

●     Reschedule March 4th meeting for February 11th

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●     We approved quite a few proposals in December

●     We have $12,540.75 left to spend

●     High Tech High Touch amount is last year’s number; Ms. Stiers will update

●     Mentorship Partnership will be up and running soon and take place the third Friday of each month

●     EduMark - Renee got feedback from the teachers on what needs to be put on the black top and in the courtyard; Renee to have a call this week with the vendor to get the ball rolling. It might be next school year before everything is complete.

●     Gaga Ball pit flooring has been ordered; awaiting delivery

●     ScreenBeams have been delivered and will reside in the Media Center for checkout

●     PBIS supply is stocked

●     Karla Lazzari would like new paint in the gym for a refresh

●     Milestones pep rally - maybe reach out to Boosterthon or get Freddie the Falcon or Blooper mascots

●     Reflex/Fracks - how much use are those accounts getting and do we want to continue?

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●     No voting took place at this meeting

Informational Item: Principal’s Update

●     Happy New Year!

●     Six new kids enrolled for this semester

●     Strategic Action Plan - one goal was to increase reading levels and we are well above our goal

●     Office referrals have seen much improvement; 41 this time last year and this year we have just 8

●     GMAS indicators for students with disabilities - we have work to do, but will continue supporting these students; 78% is the goal and we are at 75%

●     Strengthen workplace engagement - only two teachers not returning next year and one is a retirement

●     Absentee rate is low, which is great

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting’s Agenda

●     Budgeting ideas

●     Move March 4th meeting to Feb 11th

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned: 3:25pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

February Agenda  

School: Barnwell Elementary School 

Date: 2/11/2025  (Meeting moved to 2/25/2025)

Time: 3:00PM 

Location: Admin Conference Room 

SGC Members: 

Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Renee Morris, Asst. Principal, Appointed Staff| Ms. Joanna Thomas, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Amber Banks, Parent| Ms. Holli Freeman, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Saudhy Sanjuanelo, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member  

3:00PM Call to Order (Lohnes) 

3:02PM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Lohnes) 

3:04PM Action Item: Approve January Minutes (Lohnes)  

3:05PM Informational Item: Superintendent Advisory Councils Updates (Council Representative) 

3:15PM Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections* 

3:25PM Action Item: Annual Budget Approval** (Lohnes) 

3:35PM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members) 

3:45PM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals*** (Lohnes)  

3:47PM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Benning)  

4:00PM Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting’s Agenda (All Members) 

4:00PM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Lohnes) 

Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students 

Notes and Reminders 

*SGC Elections 

The declaration period for parents and teachers interested in serving on their local SGCs will run from February 3rd to March 28th.  Click here to check how many council seats your school has open for these positions in this year’s election cycle. 

 

**Annual Budget Approval 

 

FY26 Budget development begins on February 10th and will conclude on February 28th (Elementary Schools) and March 7th (Middle & High Schools).  SGCs should schedule their February and March meetings prior to their budget closure date to ensure the council has time to discuss and approve FY26 fiscal allocations. 

Following the council’s approval, each school should complete and submit the FY26 Annual Budget Approval Form. 

 

All Dates are Subject to Change 

 

 

***Charter Dollars 

  

This year, schools have received $46,391 in Charter Dollars to help meet their strategic goals through local innovative solutions. These funds should be used for non-personnel purchases such as supplies, registrations, communications, etc. When purchasing personnel, schools are advised to use other funding sources allowable for positions. If Charter Dollars are requested for personnel, the expenditure will require approval from the Zone Superintendent, SGC, and Executive Director of Governance and Strategy. Additionally, any materials purchased to support literacy instruction must align with GaDOE literacy requirements. 

  

Each Charter Dollar expenditure requires an SGC vote for approval, the completion of the Charter Dollar Expenditure Form, and is subject to the same district guidelines that govern school cost center budgets. All Charter Dollars must be spent in the year they are received to support our current student population. We encourage SGCs to schedule discussions early in the year to plan for these expenditures, ensuring all purchases are made before end-of-year spending deadlines. See our Charter Dollar Matrix for examples of FCS-supported expenditures. 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council 

Meeting Summary of Action Items

February 25, 2025 / 3:00 PM

Admin. Conf. Room

 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Jill Reffitt, Amber Banks, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm, and Reed Moll

Guest: None

Absent: Mike Carey and Joanna Thomas

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve January Meeting Minutes

Informational Item: Superintendent Advisory Council Update

Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Election

Action Item: Annual Budget Approval

Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Information Item: Principal’s Update

Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Next Barnwell SGC meeting: April 22, 2025

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

February 25, 2025 / 3:00PM

Admin Conference Room

 

Attendance:  Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Holli Freeman, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Saudhy Fahm, Reed Moll, Amber Banks

Absent:  Mike Carey, Joanna Thomas

Guests:  N/A

Call to order:  3:04pm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

●     Motion:  Holli Freeman

●     Second: Reed Moll

●     All in favor:  Approved

Action Item:  Approve January Meeting Minutes

●     Motion:  Saudhy Fahm

●     Second: Amber Banks

●     All in favor:  Approved

Informational Item:  Superintendent Advisory Council Update from Reed Moll

●     No update since there hasn’t been a recent meeting, but one is scheduled soon

Discussion Item: Planning for Parent/Teacher SGC Elections

●     Takisha received a call this week from a parent who is interested

●     Meg Kapsimalis has declared

●     Saudhy, Amber, and Reed all have parents in mind and said they’ll speak with them

●     Declaration period is still open

Discussion Item: Annual Budget Approval

●     Discussed the SY25-26 Budget

●     Motion to approve budget

○     Motion:  Amber Banks

○     Second: Saudhy Fahm

○     All in favor:  Approved     

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●     Ms. Beckles asked about Book Creator - $3K. Renee to investigate usage of this program

●     Quotes on color printers/copiers

●     Edumarking update - Renee showed photos of the sensory path. Total will be about $23K - SGC and PTO to split the cost with SGC spending $15K and PTO closer to $10K

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●     No voting took place today

Informational Item: Principal’s Update

●     Board voted to close Parklane and Spalding elementary schools

●     We received 52 applications for COSA

●     Climate surveys - we need more participation

●     GMAS review on Tues/Thurs

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting’s Agenda

●     Next meeting will be April 22nd - location TBD

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned:  3:54pm

April Agenda

School: Barnwell Elementary School

Date: 4/22/2025

Time: 3:00PM

Location: Admin Conference Room

TEAMS Link (if applicable):

SGC Members: Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Renee Morris, Asst. Principal, Appointed Staff| Ms. Joanna Thomas, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Amber Banks, Parent| Ms. Holli Freeman, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Saudhy Sanjuanelo, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member   

3:00PM Call to Order (Lohnes)

3:02PM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Lohnes)

3:04PM Action Item: Approve March Minutes (Lohnes)                               

3:05PM Informational Item: Superintendent Advisory Councils Updates (Moll)

3:15PM Discussion Item: SGC Parent/Teacher Elections Update* (Outreach and Communications Committee)

3:20PM Discussion Item: Spring 2025 Strategic Plan Retreat Debrief (All Members)

3:30PM Public Comment

3:35PM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members)

3:40PM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals**** (Lohnes)

3:42PM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Benning)

3:45PM Complete Council Surveys (All Members)

                SY24-25 SGC Reflection Form (Completed as a group)

SGC Council Self-Assessment – 2025 (Completed individually)

Principal Feedback Survey – 2025 (Completed individually)

4:00PM Discussion Item: Draft Next Meeting’s Agenda (All Members)

4:00PM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Lohnes)

Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students 

Notes and Reminders

* SGC Elections will take place between April 16^th- April 23^rd. Voters will receive ballots with candidate information for their schools through their email accounts that are registered in Infinite Campus.  Results will be shared with councils shortly following the close of the voting window and newly elected members will be contacted by the Governance Team to participate in New Member Onboarding.

** All councils must spend the entirety of their Charter Dollars prior to the end of the school year (Charter Dollar expenditures should align with all FCS Contracting requirements and purchase deadlines).  See the Charter Dollar Matrix for expenditure suggestions from each FCS district department.

*** SGC EOY Surveys (SGC Reflection Form, Council Self-Assessment, Principal Feedback Survey). Please find time to complete all three surveys with your council before the end of the school year.

 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council 

Meeting Summary of Action Items

April 22, 2025 / 3:00PM

Admin. Conf. Room 

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Jill Reffitt, Joanna Thomas, Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm, Reed Moll, Mike Carey

Guest: None

Absent: Amber Banks

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve February Meeting Minutes

Informational Item:  Superintendent Advisory Council Update

Discussion Item:  SGC Parent/Teacher SGC Election Update

Discussion Item:  Spring 2025 Strategic Plan Retreat Debrief

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Discussion Item: Complete Council Surveys

Information Item:  Principal’s Update

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting Agenda

Next Barnwell SGC meeting: May 13, 2025

 

 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

April 22, 2025 / 3:00PM

Admin Conference Room

Attendance:  Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Holli Freeman, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Saudhy Fahm, Reed Moll, Mike Carey

Absent:  Amber Banks

Guests:  N/A

Call to order: 3:03pm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

●     Motion:  Holli Freeman

●     Second: Renee Morris

●     All in favor:  Approved

Action Item:  Approve February Meeting Minutes

●     Motion:  Saudhy Fahm

●     Second: Mike Carey

●     All in favor:  Approved

Informational Item:  Superintendent Advisory Council Update from Reed Moll

●     Big focus was the SY25-26 Budget

●     Factors affecting the budget are:  Inflation, tax exemptions/cuts, property values, low enrollment, benefit costs, and special program expenditures

●     Overall, a $117M cut to district

●     iReady might be a budget cut, but there is a free state program available to take its place

●     District purchased three Labrador Retrievers for safety and security measures

●     Limewise, a device monitoring software, has been effective

●     Cell phone policy went into effect which restistrics high school students from using them during instructional time

Discussion Item: SGC Parent/Teacher Election Update

●     One teacher and four parents are running

●     Voting ends tomorrow

●     Takisha sending a reminder email this evening

Discussion Item: Spring 2025 Strategic Plan Retreat Debrief

●     Takisha attended and said that every school was well represented

●     Most of the discussions were about how schools spent their charter dollars and collaborating on expenditure ideas

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●     Balance is about $12K

●     Edumarking is good to go

●     Staff wants Reflex renewed which is $4795

●     Reed Moll made a few great suggestions, but there are restrictions on how the money can be spent

●     Vending machine that is stocked with parent donations of snacks

●     Purchase extra school supply kits

●     Headphones for students

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●     Reflex renewal $4795

○     Motion:  Saudhy Fham

○     Second:  Joanna Thomas

○     All in favor: Approved

Informational Item: Principal’s Update

●     Takisha expressed her gratitude for all SGC members

●     Milestone Testing next week

●     Possible pep rally with JCHS

●     Barnival May 9th

●     Field Day May 20th

●     Class parties May 21st

Discussion Item: Council Surveys

●     We completed the SY24-25 SGC Reflection Form

●     Members were encouraged to complete the SGC Self Assessment and Principal Feedback Survey

Discussion Item:  Draft Next Meeting’s Agenda

●     Virtual meeting May 13th to vote on final charter dollar ideas/suggestions

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned: 3:45pm

May Agenda  

School: Barnwell Elementary School 

Date: 5/13/2025 

Time: 3:00PM 

Location: TEAMS  

TEAMS Link (if applicable): https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzI0MWNjNDQtZWUzMS00M2ZkLTlhNTItZjBmZWJlZjE3MDk2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%220cdcb198-8169-4b70-ba9f-da7e3ba700c2%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22f2d7bb8b-81fd-44dd-9670-44283e33e0ef%22%7d 

SGC Members: Ms. Takisha Benning, Principal | Ms. Renee Morris, Asst. Principal, Appointed Staff| Ms. Joanna Thomas, Teacher | Ms. Amber Lohnes, Teacher | Ms. Katie McCourtie, Teacher | Ms. Jill Reffitt, Appointed Staff | Ms. Amber Banks, Parent| Ms. Holli Freeman, Parent | Ms. Reed Moll, Parent| Ms. Saudhy Sanjuanelo, Community Member | Mr. Mike Carey, Community Member | Ms. Meg Kapsimalis, Parent | Ms. Jennifer Nyquist, Parent 

3:00PM Call to Order (Lohnes) 

3:02PM Action Item: Approve Agenda (Lohnes) 

3:04PM Action Item: Approve April Minutes (Lohnes)  

3:05PM Informational Item: Superintendent Advisory Councils Updates (Moll) 

3:10PM Discussion Item: New Member Transition (All Members) 

1. Celebrate Members Rolling off Council (Banks, Fahm, Morris, Thomas, Freeman)  

2. Welcome New Members (McCourtie, Kapsimalis, Nyquist)  

3:20PM Discussion Item: Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals (All Members) 

3:30PM Action Item: Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals* (Lohnes)  

3:35PM Informational Item: Principal’s Update (Benning)  

3:45PM Complete Council Surveys** (All Members) 

Council Self-Assessment– 2025 (Completed individually) 

Principal Feedback Survey– 2025 (Completed individually) 

4:00PM Action Item: Meeting Adjournment (Lohnes) 

Meeting Norms: Silence Phones, Be Respectful of Others’ Opinions, Work for the good of all Students 

Notes and Reminders 

*All councils must spend the entirety of their Charter Dollars prior to the end of the school year (Charter Dollar expenditures should align with all FCS Contracting requirements and purchase deadlines).  See the Charter Dollar Matrix for expenditure suggestions from each FCS district department. 

** SGC EOY Surveys (SGC Reflection Form, Council Self-Assessment, Principal Feedback Survey). Please find time to complete all three surveys with your council before the end of the school year. 

 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council 

Meeting Summary of Action Items

May 13, 2025 / 3:00PM

Admin. Conf. Room

Attendance: Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Amber Lohnes, Jill Reffitt, Joanna Thomas, Holli Freeman, Amber Banks, Reed Moll, Mike Carey, Meg Kapsimalis, Jen Nyquist, Katie McCourtie

Guest: None

Absent: Saudhy Fahm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

Action Item:  Approve April Meeting Minutes

Discussion Item:  New Member Transition

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

Information Item:  Principal’s Update

Discussion Item: Complete Council Surveys

Next Barnwell SGC meeting: TBD - Summer 2025

 

 

Barnwell Elementary

School Governance Council

Meeting Minutes

May 13, 2025 / 3:00PM

Virtual Meeting

Attendance:  Takisha Benning, Renee Morris, Holli Freeman, Amber Lohnes, Joanna Thomas, Jill Reffitt, Reed Moll, Mike Carey, Amber Banks, Meg Kapsimalis, Jennifer Nyquist, Katie McCourtie

Absent:  Saudhy Fahm

Guests:  N/A

Call to order: 3:01pm

Action Item:  Approve Agenda

●       Motion:  Renee Morris

●       Second: Holli Freeman

●       All in favor:  Approved

 Action Item:  Approve April Meeting Minutes

●       Motion:  Mike Carey

●       Second: Holli Freeman

●       All in favor:  Approved

Discussion Item: New Member Transition

●       Welcome new members: Meg Kapsimalis, Jennifer Nyquist, and Katie McCourtie

●       Thank you to the members who are rolling off for their time and service to the SGC:  Holli Freeman, Saudhy Fahm, Amber Banks, Renee Morris, Joanna Thomas

Discussion Item:  Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●       Balance is $7,745.45

●       Proposals for the balance

○       PBIS Branding

○       Teacher apparel

○       Remainder of balance towards unpaid school lunch fund

Action Item:  Approve Charter Dollar Expenditure Proposals

●       Motion:  Mike Carey

●       Second:  Holli Freeman

●       All in favor:  Approved

Informational Item: Principal’s Update

●       Thank you to the parents for another great year!

●       Senior Walk taking place tomorrow afternoon so dismissal traffic will be affected

●       Student of the Month celebration tomorrow morning

●       Kindergarten Water Day May 19th

●       Field Day May 20th

●       Class parties May 21st

●       School is out May 22nd

●       Barnwell will be closed for the summer, but staff will be working out of Autry Mill Middle School

Discussion Item: Council Surveys

●       We completed the SY24-25 SGC Reflection Form at the April meeting

●       Members are encouraged to complete the SGC Self Assessment and Principal Feedback Survey if they haven’t done so already

Public Comments: None

Meeting Adjourned: 3:16pm