The Brighten Academy Board is pleased to announce the 2012 Governing Board elections.
- Education
- Finance
- Marketing
- Development (grants/fundraising)
- General Business/Non-Profit
Notification period 1/30 – 2/17Due date for application 2/17 close of business- Interviews for invited candidates 3/12 – 3/16
- Committee slate recommendations to Board 3/21
- Board approves slate of candidates 3/26
- Election (PTO voting meeting and following day) Dates TBD in April
- Elected candidates shadow, training April - May
- Candidates take office 7/1
- Candidate s shadowed by prior members Month of July
- Review the short slideshow regarding Board member responsibilities on our website
- Review Brighten’s charter
- If interested, submit VIA EMAIL an application to kcadman@brightenacademy.com. The application should include:
- Letter of interest addressed to the Brighten Academy Elections Subcommittee
- Resume/Vita
- Board Commitment Form
- 3 references (2 professional 1 personal: name, email, phone, role/relationship)
- 2-3 minute video introduction, reason for interest, qualifications, and other helpful information for parent voters to get to know you. (This will be placed on Brighten’s website for voters to review if selected for the slate)
Board members are elected by the Brighten Academy PTO. Voters must be registered PTO members to obtain a ballot. Questions may be submitted to the PTO President, Angel Cross at: stephenjcross@bellsouth.net
Brighten Academy's Board values the input of its students, both current and former. The Board also would like to continue to support the development of student talents, interests, and community involvement. The Board Intern Role will provide an opportunity to gain a student perspective on issues impacting the school and its students, as well as to build competencies in the intern which will be a valuable for their high school experience, college, and beyond.
The Board Intern's duties will include the following:
- Student perspective on issues
- Assist in the creation of Quarterly Board Communique
- Ambassador for the school in the community
- Lead the pledge at meetings
- Lead Student/Parent Spotlight
- Assistant in developing marketing materials
- Assistant in planning and implementing fundraising initiatives (1 grant, 1 fundraiser minimum)
- Work with GPAN, the Georgia Parent Advocacy Network, to encourage Brighten parents to get involved in education
- Attend board meetings, work sessions, and strategic planning meetings at least 75% of the time
- Attend other events in support of the school or other charter schools
The estimated time commitment per month is 8-10 hours.
Expectations of the Board Intern include:
- Comport himself/herself in a dignified manner at all times, and particularly when representing Brighten Academy
- Demonstrate characteristics of the 7 C's (character, commitment, curiosity, culture, creativity, critical thinking, and community)
- Dutifully fulfill duties as described above
Again, thank you for your ongoing commitment to Brighten!
Brighten Alum Board Intern Application.pdf BRIGHTEN ACADEMY BOARD MEETINGS
Brighten Academy Board meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Brighten Academy cafe or Library. Work and executive sessions are the 4th Monday of each month. A copy of the agenda for each meeting will be posted in the school 2 days prior to the meeting and also on this website in the link below. Two business days after the meeting will be a summary of the meeting that will remain on the website until the official minutes are accepted and placed on the website.
Please Note: previous meeting minutes are filed and available at office at Brighten Academy.
Updated Brighten Financial Status
Brighten Academy Policy Drafts
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes April 11 2011.pdf
Meeting Minutes June 27 2011.pdf
Meeting Minutes July 14 2011.pdf
Meeting Minutes August 22 2011.pdf
Meeting Minutes Sept 12 2011.pdf
Meeting Minutes October 24 2011.pdf
Meeting Minutes Nov 28 2011.pdf
Meeting Minutes Dec 12 2011.pdf
Meeting Summaries
Governing Board Work Session Agendas
Committee Agenda April 25 2011.pdf
Committee Agendas May 9 2011.pdf
Committee Agenda June 13 2011.pdf
Committee Meeting Agenda July 11 2011.pdf
Committee Meeting Agenda August 8 2011.pdf
Committee Meeting Agenda November 14, 2011
Committee Meeting Agenda December 12th 2011
As a charter school, we rely on our committees to assist our school in its many functions. Our Governing Board also has committees that are in need of participants. We welcome parents and staff to join one of these committees that fits your area of interest or expertise. If you are interested and able to join one of our committees please email the committee chair at the email address below so that you may obtain further details.
Current Governing Board
Doug Bailey / Board President
Doug Bailey is a local business owner and native of Douglas County. Soon after graduating from Douglas County High School, Doug started his own residential construction company which specializes in remodeling and restoration of kitchens and baths. Doug's passion for people and commitment to community service led him to serve on Brighten's Board. Doug is married to a school teacher and is the proud father of two girls, Laina and Aubrey.
Brian Fortner / Board Vice President
Brian Fortner was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from North Georgia College in 1996 with a B.S. in Political Science / Criminal Justice. He attended the Georgia State University College of Law where he graduated in 2000. He immediately went to work for the Douglas County District Attorney's Office prosecuting felony offenses. Brian remained there until May of 2007 when Governor Sonny Purdue appointed him to the office of Solicitor-General of Douglas County. Brian was elected in 2008 and he continues to run that office which prosecutes all of the misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses occurring in Douglas County. He was the 2009 Solicitor General of the Year and 2009 President of the Solicitor's Association of Georgia.
In 2008, he founded Project A.B.L.E. (Adult Based Legal Education). It is a program designed to educate high school students about the law to enable them to make better decisions. Brian lives in Douglas County with his wife and twin sons who are enrolled in kindergarten at Brighten.
Carmin Takeuchi /Board Treasurer
Owner of CT Accounting Solutions, LLC with more than 10 years of experience in Accounting - both private and public fields. Carmin holds her Bachelors in Accounting and Master Degree in Science of Taxation from Florida International University. Currently Carmin's duties at Brighten include to help with the financial records, help the audit process, prepare the budget and be hands on to assist Brighten Academy with their Accounting system.
Jeff Grogan/Board Secertary
Jeff Grogan has been employed with an International Law Firm as a trial support specialist for over ten years. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Psychology. Prior to entering the law profession he served as a Preschool Director and worked for the Department of Family and Children Services. He is married to an educator at Brighten Academy and is the father of a Brighten student.
Scott Powers / Marketing & Fundraising
Scott and his better half, Tammy, have two boys, aged 5 years and 8 months.
Jeff Helms / Technology
Technology Committee (Chair) Jeff Helms currently works for Verint Systems Inc. as an Project Manager/Partner Training Specialist. He has been with Verint for 10 years and has held several positions within Professional Services and OEM Global Implementation Support Departments. Jeff spent 4 years in the Navy with Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40(VRC-40) in Norfolk, VA. performing duties as a Aviation Electronics Technician. He is currently a member of the Technology Committee at Brighten Academy. Jeff is also active at his church, Douglasville First United Methodist, where he is a member of the Church council. Jeff is the husband of Suzanne Helms, Kindergarten Teacher at Brighten Academy. He is also the father of Duncan Helms (5th grade Brighten Academy).
Kelly Cadman / Grant Committee
Grant Committee (Chair)
Kelly is employed with The Georgia Charter Schools Association as Vice President of School Services, where she has developed and implemented several key programs related to quality charter schools. She was original founder of Brighten Academy, and as Founding Board President, she was responsible for leading the planning, development, and beginning operations of the school. She also worked in an administrative capacity and was responsible for developing and implementing the curriculum, staff development, and school improvement plan, as well as supporting many of the business functions of the school. Kelly recently returned to as a Governing Board member. Prior to Brighten, Kelly worked as a public school teacher in Douglas County where she was a team leader elementary educator for eight years. Kelly started her career with the Coca-Cola Company where she was a member of the Impact Team in the Compensation Delivery Organization in Human Resources. Kelly holds a Master's degree in education from Mercer University, Atlanta, Ga. and a Bachelor's degree in mass communications from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, In. She resides in Villa Rica with her husband, Kyle, and two sons, Chandler and Sutton, both Brighten students.
Leigh DeNucci / Curriculum Committee
Leigh DeNucci is a Founding Staff member and has been an educator for 20 years. She graduated from Auburn University and earned her Master's Degree from Piedmont College. She enjoys teaching third grade at Brighten Academy. Leigh, who is a long time resident of Douglas County, also enjoys spending time with her 4 children and husband.
Deanna Proeller / Marketing & Fundraising
Brighten Academy Founding Board:
Kelly Cadman - founding board president, educator, parent
Lisa McDonald - founding board vice president, gifted educator, parent
Tonya Pittman - founding board secretary, pathologist
Dana Pace - founding board treasurer, gifted educator
Kali Boatright - founding board member, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce, parent
Wynette Dato - founding board member, fundraising, parent
Teresa Myers - founding board member, marketing chair, parent
Polly Wallace - founding board member, fundraising chair, parent
John King - founding board member, C&M Bank
Alison Frutoz - founding board member, attorney, parent
