First on the agenda was the Superintendent’s Report. Dr. Lee Smith quickly recognized Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley who shared an academic update. Buckley stated that K-3 screener results are expected in mid-October and will give an assessment of literacy and math skills. Early assessments done by the district show that the grade levels of greatest need are K,3,6,8, and 10. Buckley also stated that the renewed efforts for interaction between students and teachers through the #MenaReads initiative are showing positive results. Compared to this time last year, the Mena Middle School Library doubled its book circulation and the Mena High School Library book circulation increased three times. In addition, district leadership is currently assessing the 6-12 reading curriculum and will be making adjustments in the near future. In closing Buckley informed the board that ATLAS scores from last spring are expected in mid-October
Dr. Smith concluded the Superintendent’s Report telling the board that the district had applied for safety grants to help fund security improvements and a Go RED Grant
from the Division of Environmental Quality for reducing emissions from diesels. The Go Red Grant has been used for the purchase of new buses in the past.
Next on the agenda was a safety update. Dr. Smith said that the district is continuously upgrading safety measures. Most recently the security team has been using a new walk through evaluation tool to note safety needs on each campus. Improvements still need to be made in fencing, video surveilance, and additional personnel. With that, Dr. Smith requested the board approve the hiring of a fourth resource officer that would ensure an officer presence at all times on all four campuses. The board unanimously approved.
The board then approved the financial report for 2023-2024 and also approved the budget for 2024-2025. With Dr. Smith stating that this year's budget was very comparable to last years.
The board was then asked to revise the 2024-2025 licensed salary schedule. Dr. Smith requested that a $1000.00 stipend be added to the salary of the quiz bowl sponsor with a CDL. The board approved.
The addition of another community service partner was next on the agenda. The board approved the addition of the Hot Springs Thoroughbreds Composite Team-Arkansas NICA to the list. This is a cycling group with an interest in the new bicycle trail system.
The board quickly approved the purchase of new I-beam and end pads for the Hensley Activity Center from Arkansas Correctional Industries at a cost of $10,800.00.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton then gave the board an update on projects underway across the district. The parking lot at Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium is currently being resurfaced with road base. Minton has asked SWEPCO to install three LED direction pole lights
to help with school security. Plus preparations are underway for the turf installation in the Hensley Activity Center. The turf is expected to arrive on September 25th.
The board was then informed of upcoming training dates for school board members. The dates being September 26th, October 10th, and October 21st.
The board then approved the most recent financial report. With Dr. Smith once again stating that revenues outpaced expenses for the month.
In personnel the board accepted the resignation of Jori Abernathy a Paraprofessional at Louise Durham Elementary. The board also approved the restructuring of Randy Peters from a PM On Call Bus Driver to an AM and PM On Call Bus Driver.
Before adjourning the board requested an update on the new cell phone policy as well as the new vape detectors.
Dr. Smith said that Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer recently commended the district on the new cell phone policy and related that it had a direct bearing on how smoothly a recent investigation into threats made on social media went. District Administrators added that approximately 20 cell phones had been confiscated at MHS and around 10 at MMS. Overall implementation of the cell phone policy has gone smoothly with few problems and no complaints have been made at the district administration building. As far as the vape detectors are concerned few incidents have been reported at MMS and MHS.