Thursday night, the Mountain Home Public Schools Board of Education met for their regular scheduled meeting.
Although the runoff vote between candidates Scott Booth and Scott Bryant was decided last week, the vote has yet to be certified as there is still one ballot out covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, not yet returned. The deadline for the ballot to be received is Friday and until then, Booth is unable to be sworn in or vote in meetings. He was able to participate and ask questions during the meeting but was unable to vote.
During reports, Auxiliary Services Director Chris Knight shared with the Board the next steps for the high school since the failing of the millage in May. In discussions with the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), an on-campus meeting with a structural engineer, representative from ADE and a state fire marshal will be held. Following the on-campus assessment, which is anticipated to occur in July, timelines and requirements to implement recommended improvements will be discussed.
In addition, there are new obligations mandated by ACT 987 to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The act states by February 1, 2024, all public school districts are obligated to incorporate an assessment of all buildings constructed before 2004 and have a transition plan to ensure ADA compliance.
During regular business, the Board heard several presentations regarding handbooks, policies and procedures for the 2023-24 school year.
During a lengthy discussion, one of the main concerns was student cell phone use on campuses and how polices varied. Questions were asked on how policies could be better unified across the district, so they were not a distraction to instruction. Board member Barbara Horton stated she did not cell phones should be allowed at school and was concerned students were taking photos in bathrooms and during class instruction. Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Allyson Dewey responded by stating the main concern she hears from parents is student safety and monitoring. Handbook committee members stated they were discussions moving towards no cell phones during the school day.
Additional policy changes from the Personnel Policy Committee (PPC) and the Classified Personnel Policy Committee. (CPPC) were presented and adopted to reflect model policy changes from the state and the LEARNS Act.
In addition, Superintendent Dr. Jake Long presented a salary compliance update required by the LEARNS Act, which he stated was an oversight on his part. The LEARNS Act requires each teacher be paid a salary which is at least $2,000 greater than their current salary as of September 2022. The LEARNS Act defines a “teacher” as someone with a valid Arkansas teaching license and is teaching. When salary schedules were approved in a special meeting last month, no additional funds were added to those in schedule 24B, C or D. The recommendation was approved.
In other business, the Board approved annual payments over $20,000, which includes service and supply costs accumulated over the fiscal year.
The Board also approved the purchase of English Language Art instructional resources for grades 6 through 9.
The Board approved to reserve six spots with the Arkansas River Education Cooperative for the Bomber Virtual Academy. Currently four students K-5 would be using utilizing the program with a cost of $2,000 per student.
The Board approved contracted services for homebound student services and extended school year services for a special education student.
The Board approved the purchase of 650 Chromebooks for grades 3 and 5. They also approved the renewal of the Canvas Learning Management System for the 2023-24 school year. The Board discussed if Canvas was the best option for the district, and decided to allow for another year until another option is available. The system is being scaled back in 2023-24 and will only be used for grades 3 through 12 for a renewal cost of $40,548.
The Board also approved funding for two projects at the Kindergarten. First, the original bathrooms will be remodeled due to age totaling $83,777. Along with the replacement of the dishwasher which is no longer working for a total of $23,474.
The Board will hold a special meeting on June 27 to discuss fiscal year end budget transfers.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI