The Bremen Board of Education held its regular session on May 11, 2026, with Chairman Vann Pelt calling the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Board members present included Pelt, Vice-Chair Kelley Pollard, Treasurer Brandon Barrow, Tony Armas, and Matthew McClure. The board unanimously approved the evening’s agenda and moved through a full slate of recognitions, financial updates, personnel actions, and operational recommendations.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the recognition of several retiring staff members who have served Bremen City Schools in various roles throughout the district. Honored retirees included Bert Barrow, Kim Bohannon, Amanda Cooper, Page Cornelius, Wendy Hildreth, Machelle McKibben, Katherine Murray, Julie Overton, and Kristy Robinson. The retirees represented Jones Elementary School, Bremen High School, and the Bremen Board of Education Office, and were recognized for their years of dedication and service to students and the community.
Finance Director Allen Pullen presented a summary of the district’s financial standing through April 2026. The report included local ad valorem tax collections and SPLOST revenue from Haralson and Carroll counties totaling $298,347.17. Bremen City Schools budgeted $6.39 million in local taxes for FY25, with $2.27 million collected so far, representing 35.6 percent of the budget. The district also reported collecting $407,025 in Title Ad Valorem taxes, which is 81.4 percent of the FY26 budgeted amount. Board members also received the monthly Senate Bill 68 compliance financial report before unanimously approving the April finance reports.
The board unanimously approved several items on the consent agenda, including previous meeting minutes, revisions to the district’s bullying policy for public review, participation in the Georgia Education Cooperative for FY27, and a stadium sound system upgrade at Bremen High School. Additional approvals included the removal of surplus Chromebooks, an agreement with Tanner Medical Center for outsourced athletic trainers, and facility use agreements involving Bremen Middle School baseball and Bremen Parks and Recreation.
District leaders also shared informational reports covering curriculum and instruction, student support services, school nutrition, facilities, technology, and extracurricular programs. Current district enrollment stands at 2,313 students, with Bremen High School serving 723 students, Bremen Middle School 503 students, Bremen Academy 368 students, and Jones Elementary School 719 students.
Several personnel recommendations were approved during the meeting. Terri Atkins received a transfer allotment from Jones Elementary School to Bremen Middle School, Lauren Bishop was approved as a social worker for Bremen City Schools, Cody Knight was hired as an ISS/SPED teacher at Bremen High School, and Natalie McFarland was approved as a paraprofessional at Bremen Academy. The board also approved Melinda Nappi as a literacy coach at Jones Elementary School through the Georgia Early Literacy Act 2026 initiative.
The board also approved a recommendation to increase non-resident tuition beginning in fiscal year 2027. According to Superintendent Shannon Christian, the tuition amount has remained unchanged since 2023 despite rising personnel, insurance, safety, and operational costs. The approved increase raises non-resident tuition to $2,500 for the 2026-27 school year while continuing a 25 percent tuition discount for children of Bremen City Schools staff members.
With no additional business to address, Chairman Vann Pelt adjourned the meeting.
