Bearden School District

The board addressed a public complaint regarding a long-term property ban. Personnel actions included hiring a high school counselor, renewing contracts for certified staff, and approving new assignments for the upcoming school year. Financial and facility items included the approval of an ESSA & IDEA statement of assurance, the demolition and replacement of field facilities, and authorization to explore bus procurement options. Additionally, the board approved compensation bonuses for computer science and AP student performance, adopted salary schedules for classified and certified personnel, processed student transfers, and approved the sale of a district vehicle.

The board conducted several organizational activities, including the recognition of a new board member, the election of board officers, and the extension of terms for certain members. Personnel actions involved the acceptance of several resignations, the hiring of a new K-12 Art Teacher, and the rehiring of a head cook. Academic and administrative actions included authorizing staff record access for a doctoral program, approving a Special Education service MOU, and renewing cyber liability insurance. Facility and operational improvements were authorized for elementary classroom maintenance, new lighting for the football and softball fields, and a construction payment for batting cages. Financial actions covered federal budget updates and a fund transfer for sports facility expenses. Additionally, the superintendent provided updates on testing, a sidewalk grant initiative, and nutrition procedures, and the board conducted an executive session to evaluate the superintendent's performance.

The Board approved the financial statement and current bills. Several student transfers were discussed and authorized, including board-to-board and school choice requests. The Board accepted a resignation of a member and initiated the process to replace them. Administrative actions included adding Title II mentoring pay to the salary schedule, authorizing the payment of a penalty related to unsubmitted reports, and hiring an occupational therapy service. Furthermore, the Board approved advertising for the upcoming school year, updated two positions from part-time to full-time, contracted cleaning services for classrooms, scheduled professional development sessions, adopted a six-year Master Facilities Plan, and authorized the purchase of a batting cage for the girls' softball field.

The board meeting covered a variety of administrative, financial, and operational topics. Key discussions included a presentation on the Ouachita County Youth program, hiring of maintenance staff, and the appointment of a new board member. The board approved financial statements, a stipend for teachers based on AP exam scores, and district calendars for the current and upcoming school years. Policies regarding electronic device usage for course testing were established. The board also authorized expenditures for a new softball batting cage, school-related travel, liability insurance, and association memberships. Additionally, the superintendent provided updates on facility needs, counselor recruitment, a safety workshop, and a review of the Child Nutrition Program.

The meeting addressed the approval of financial statements and current bills. Key actions included accepting several staff resignations, followed by the hiring of new personnel for secretarial, paraprofessional, and teaching positions, contingent upon background check approvals. The board approved continuing the contract with K & M Cleaning for janitorial services and authorized expenditures for sidewalk repairs at the superintendent's house and physical therapy services via Allen's Therapy. Updates to the District Budget and Federal Budgets were approved, alongside an increase in meal reimbursement rates for travel. Discussion points included upcoming training, a proposal to feed the football team, the possibility of increasing ballgame prices, the Master Principal program update, and the use of debit cards at ballgames.