The Bremen Board of Education held its September meeting on Monday night to discuss school district affairs and updates from its directors.
The consent agenda was unanimously approved, and the board moved on to review the district’s financial status. August was a strong month, with local tax collections exceeding expectations, as Haralson County SPLOST collections increased by over 10% and Carroll County SPLOST by over 9% compared to the previous year. The district closed fiscal year 2025 with more than $5.9 million in taxes collected, and the start of fiscal year 2026 was positive. The board was informed that the final FY25 report had been submitted to the Department of Education, and preparations for the annual audit are in progress.
Following the financial update, the board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from previous meetings and a facilities request for the use of Blue Devil Family Park. The long-discussed Internet Safety policy, previously tabled for thirty days, was also approved, aligning the district’s acceptable use policy with new state requirements. As part of this update, Bremen revised its Technology Acceptable Use Policy to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), requiring students and parents to sign an agreement before accessing school technology. The policy details cybersafety rules such as protecting personal information, avoiding inappropriate content, and respecting others online, while also emphasizing digital citizenship, cyberbullying prevention, and active parental involvement in monitoring online activity.
Directors then shared updates on district operations and student programs. Preparations for the upcoming testing season are ongoing, with staff participating in training and reviewing technology needs. Efforts to evaluate and streamline software licensing have already led to significant cost savings. The special education department has secured a contract for psychological testing, ensuring that students’ needs will be met efficiently this year. Transportation and safety systems are being upgraded, and the district’s strategic platform was recently tested during an incident, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Athletics and extracurricular activities are flourishing, with the volleyball team currently ranked first in the state and the football team celebrating a recent victory. The nutrition department received its seventh consecutive “Tray of the Week” award and reported strong participation in the free and reduced lunch program, with efforts in progress to sustain these numbers throughout the year.
Facilities updates included successfully finalizing an insurance claim for recent flood damage and continuing work with a neighbor on tree removal at the high school softball field. Plans for a new turf project are progressing, with staff meetings scheduled to explore options. The district is also updating its local facilities plan to qualify for future upgrades and renovations, and the transition to Infinite Campus for data management is nearly finished, resolving earlier software integration issues. The board discussed several personnel matters, approving a retirement, resignation, and multiple new hires. As the meeting ended, board members expressed thanks for staff dedication and student achievements across the district.
