The April meeting of the Mena School Board began with the Superintendent’s Report. Dr. Lee Smith recognized Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley who gave an update on the district’s reading goals. Buckley stated that 73% of the student body is on target. Highlighted by 97% in kindergarten being ready for 1st grade, 89% in ninth grade and 77% of seniors. Instituting the Lexia Core 5 Literacy Program in kindergarten-8th appears to be improving reading skills. Lexia® Core 5 is an adaptive blended learning program that accelerates the development of literacy skills for students of all abilities, helping them make that critical shift from learning to read to reading to learn.
Dr. Smith added that there has been a small increase in attendance but the district is still short of the goal. He also stated that discipline referrals remain 15% below this time last year.
Smith then recognized Mena High School Principal David Maxwell who approached the board for approval of three volunteer organizations into the community service partnership. This allows students to earn hours and graduate with a community service credit. Those include the Christian Motorcyclist Association, the Polk County Senior Center and The Mena Polk County Chamber of Commerce. The Board approved.
In new business the board approved the renewal of the food service management contract with Aramark.
The board also approved the new salary schedule for 2023-2024 as presented by the superintendent. It included a minimum salary of $50,000.00 per year for all licensed employees and a minimum $2000.00 per year increase for all employees. The change in the salary schedule was made necessary due to the implementation of the LEARNS Act, a broad bill that makes changes to multiple aspects of the state’s education system, including teacher pay, per-student funding, graduation requirements and annual student testing.
Next Dr. Smith approached the board about adjusting the district’s investments to take advantage of the rise in interest rates recently. Smith said that he would investigate options and report back to the board at their meeting in May.
The topic of sports passes was next on the agenda but was tabled until the May meeting. Several models have been proposed and a recommendation will be made at the next board meeting.
The district has several construction projects that they would like to begin in the near future that have been cost prohibitive recently. Dr. Smith recommended that the services of Architecture Plus be retained as the district architect and begin the search for a new construction manager. The board approved.
Next the board approved the financial report with Smith stating that the district remains on target to finish the year in the black.
Finally in personnel the board accepted the resignation of:
Kristen Manasco- Para at LDE
Rhanda Vaughn - Para at HHE
Jamie Grasman - 1st Grade Teacher at LDE
Charmaine Martin - 2nd Grade Teacher at LDE
Leanna Harper - Teacher at LDE
Georgia Weil - 3rd Grade Teacher at HHE
Shane Torix - From his Athletic Administrator position
Curtis Black - Principal at LDE
Kyle Smithers - Coach
The board also approved the restructuring of the contract to reflect additional duties for:
Scott Wright - Bus Driver - D Route
Craig Bentley - Athletic Director
New hires include:
Tanner Womack - Assistant senior and junior high basketball coach, teacher and another sport to be determined.
Samantha Sellers - Principal LDE