The meeting began with the Superintendent’s Report. Dr. Lee Smith immediately recognized Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley who presented the board with details on a new social studies curriculum for Mena Middle and Mena High School. Teachers investigated several options before deciding on the option presented to the board. The upgrade will come at a cost of $52,000.00 and includes a six-year subscription, books and other materials. The board approved.
Next on the agenda was a resolution to comply with ACT 1015 of the 2017 legislative session, which states that the district must appropriate any amount over 20% of total revenue to the building fund. Dr. Smith recommended that any amount above $2,300,000 in the legal balance be transferred at the end of the fiscal year and it was approved.
The board then approved the renewal of the 2024-2025 building and property insurance through ASBA at $40,000.00 less than last year. The board also approved the renewal of the 2024-2025 vehicle and bus insurance.
Dr. Smith next suggested the renewal of the All in One Smartdata Dashboard License from Hughes Technology. This is software for tracking and identifying at-risk students and includes other school management tools. The renewal comes at a cost of $19,838.00 and was approved.
Dr. Smith then addressed the board on the capabilities of vape detectors as a way to combat the use of vape pens at Mena High School and Mena Middle School. The board approved the purchase and the detectors will be installed in the MHS and MMS restrooms and other locations before the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton then updated the board on projects and facilities. Construction of the Hensley Activity Center continues though crews are about five weeks behind schedule due to weather. Petree Construction has three crews working six days a week on the project to get back on track. Summer projects continue including painting at Louise Durham and Holly Harshman as well as baseboard replacement and painting at Mena High School. Minton also asked the board to approve the purchase of a food warmer cabinet for the Mena Middle School Cafeteria. Of the three bids received Minton suggested the approval of the one received from Markham Restaurant Supply of Fort Smith at $16,496.18 and the board agreed.
The board then quickly approved the most recent financial reports. Dr. Smith stated that the district was in the black for May and remains on track to end the year on budget.
In Personnel the board approved the following:
*Resignations
Trey Plummer - MHS English 10
*Restructuring
Justin Goodnight-Lead/Department Chair for Agriculture Sciences
Chase McCormick- From MMS Career Development to MHS Agri
Science.
Dusty Gardner- Head Sr. High and Jr. High Girls Basketball.
Assistant Track.
Logan McCourtney-Head Jr. Boys Basketball, Assistant Sr. Boys
Basketball, Assistant Boys Soccer.
Heather Goss-Head Sr. Volleyball, Assistant Jr. Volleyball,
Assistant Track.
Madyson Birtcher- LDE Special Education Self-Contained Para to
LDE General Para.
Jori Abernathy - MHS Para to LDE Special Education Self
Contained Para.
Josh Starr- From Grounds/Bus Driver to Maintenance Specialist
II/Bus Driver.
Alicia Moody- From Support /Transportation Secretary to
Maintenance Specialist II.
*Hires
Cheyenne Bell-MMS Career Development/Agriculture Teacher
Jessica Buckley-MMS Teacher, Assistant Jr., and Sr. Girls
Basketball, Girls Soccer.
Phyllis Millard-MHS Special Education Para.
Landrie Tadlock-MMS Special Education Para
Erica Snider- MHS Special Education Para
Jamie Grogan-LDE Teacher
Stacy Green-LDE Teacher
Chelsie Eacho-HHE Teacher
Lydia Razo- MHS Special Education Para
Zoe Hastey-LDE Special Education Para contingent on
completion of the Paraprofessional Exam.
*Volunteer
Bradley Watson- Head Boys Soccer
Next on the agenda was the appointment of board members to committees. Committee members will remain the same with the exception of replacing the departed Edd Puckett with new member Ty Plunkett on the Adhoc BFI Committee.
Finally was the reorganization of Board Officers. Clint Montgomery was nominated as President, Phillip Wilson as Vice President, and Ty Plunkett as Secretary. All three were approved.