February, 2025

Hello, Titans Family and Friends!

As we embrace the fresh start of spring, we celebrate the achievements and progress of our LOA community. This season of growth is the perfect time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our students, parents, teachers, and staff. With new opportunities ahead, we look forward to continued learning, success, and community engagement in the months to come.

Thank you for your continued support! Please take a moment to review the highlights from the February 13, 2025 Board of Governors meeting below:

Student and Staff Recognitions

• The following teachers were recognized as Cornerstone Teachers for the month of February: Jill Brown, Jennifer Lewis, Stacy Gothard, Conner Domaleski, Danna Seigle, Stephen Pritchett and Eric Harper.
• The following students were recognized for their outstanding performance at the Junior Beta Club Convention: Levi Plew, Meaghan Sauer, Hallie Wilcher, and Ann Campbell Vinson. Jordan Loh was recognized as the 2024-2025 3rd-5th grade School Spelling Bee Champion and Ann Campbell Vinson was also recognized as the District Spelling Bee Champion. This is Ann Campbell’s 3rd time representing the district at the Regional Spelling Bee later this month.

Committee Reports

• Finance - The December Financials were presented and approved.
• Communications - Mrs. Jennifer Vaughan recapped her meetings with the LOA Foundation and a middle school parent night. She and Dr. Bowling encouraged parents to attend grade-level parent nights held throughout the year. They also reminded everyone that Denim & Diamonds is on March 29, 2025. For more information, click here or email Kendra Van Mol here.
• Governance - Mrs. Kelly Brolly shared updates from the Board of Governors' Governance Training on February 3, 2025. Lisa McDonald of the Georgia Charter School Association (GCSA) will provide template policies for review before finalizing drafted policies. Mrs. Brolly also presented a Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lake Oconee Academy, adding two non-voting members to the Board of Governors.

Executive Director’s Report

• Academic Report - Dr. Bowling reported that 22% of high school students are enrolled in dual enrollment for quarter 3. College application rates rose from 91.3% to 94.2% in February, with senior acceptances increasing from 48% to 50%. Currently, 88% of LOA seniors are HOPE eligible. He also shared that six LOA seniors earned Elks Lodge Scholarships, including five Most Valuable Student awards and one Student of the Year award.
• Dr. Bowling and principals Dr. Beverly Montgomery, Mr. Jerante Smith, and Mrs. Katelyn Mellow presented LOA’s mid-year progress on the Strategic Plan and School Operational Plans. They reported that LOA is on track to meet 23 of 30 Scholarship goals and highlighted successful initiatives and planned January 2025 improvements for unmet goals. Administrators also shared achievements in Community and Citizenship.

Applications

• Dr. Bowling shared that as of the February BOG meeting, there are 265 students on the 25/26 waiting list, with 67 of those being priority students.The 25/26 lottery will be in mid-April.

Other

• Dr. Bowling shared that the Chairman of the GCSB would like to have a joint meeting of the two boards to collaborate and shared that he would gather more information on specifics.
• Dr. Bowling shared that currently 37% of LOA’s student population are currently in modular buildings. He discussed the need for a new middle school, as well as a need for renderings of the new building, and shared that he will be working with BOG member, Mr. Matt Waterfield as a liaison in this process.
• Dr. Bowling reminded the Board of the upcoming three-day GCSA conference on March 10th, and of the resulting scheduling conflicts. The Board voted unanimously to cancel the March 3rd, 2025 meeting.

LOA’s Board of Governors will hold its next meeting on Monday, March 31, 2025. In the meantime, you can email the LOA Board of Governors at LOABOG@lakeoconeeacademy.org if you have any questions or concerns.  

We are ONE TITAN!

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