The Learning Foundation of Georgia
Minutes of the Board of Directors’ Meeting
September 15, 2026
Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia
Members present: Mr. John Minor V, Chairman; Mr. David Elrod, Dr. John Fuchko III, Ms. Cindy Howalt, Ms. Tangela Johnson, Ms. Michelle Koneman, Mr. Scott Smith, and Mr. Larry Winter
Members absent: Dr. Sharon Hixon, Ms. Julie Patterson, and Ms. Jessica Triviño
Quorum Established
The Board of Directors of the LEARNING Foundation of Georgia convened for a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia – Carl Rollins Unit. Chairman Minor noted the presence of a quorum. The August 11 meeting minutes were unanimously accepted as presented.
Agenda item change
Chairman Minor noted the need to move the Head of School search update from an Information Item to an Executive Session item. On a motion duly made and seconded (Winter/Elrod), and with no discussion, the Board voted 7-0 to effect this change.
Information / Discussion Items:
- Update on Boys & Girls Club expansion/renovations. Boys & Girls Club (BGC) CEO Robbie Slocumb said plans continue apace on the Club’s capital project that will house the Learning Academy, and he shared renderings of the new spaces. BGC continues to work closely with LFG Board members and staff from the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Facility Resource Center (FRC) to meet state Department of Education and local requirements for the physical school space.
- Update on lease of Boys & Girls Club facility. Chairman Minor reported that negotiations with BGC officials on the facility lease were nearly complete, and he expected it to be ready soon for the Board’s review. He will forward the draft to Dalton Public Schools and FRC for comment.
- Treasurer’s report. Mr. Winter reported total liabilities and net assets of $65,433 as of August 31, including $20,206 in accounts payable. Mr. Elrod said the accounts payable would be resolved by the next Board meeting.
Action Item:
Line of credit from Builtwell Bank. Mr. Winter stated the need for a line of credit to support the Learning Academy’s start-up operations before receipt of the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) grant later in the calendar year, and he proposed the Board seek a $400,000 line of credit from Builtwell Bank based on the current budget and timing of the grant. On a motion duly made and seconded (Winter/Smith), and following discussion, the Board voted 7-0 to approve the Winter recommendation.
Executive Session:
Chairman Minor recommended the Board to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters related to the Head of School search. He thanked the one community member present for attending the meeting. On a motion duly made and seconded (Smith/Fuchko), and with no discussion, the Board voted 7-0 to go into Executive Session.
Next meeting:
The next meeting of the LEARNING Foundation of Georgia’s Board of Directors is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 6:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia – Carl Rollins Unit.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board, and on a motion duly made and seconded (Smith/Koneman), Chairman Minor adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ David J. Elrod
Executive Director