Cotter School District

The Board reviewed and approved financial reports and the revised school calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. Key actions included accepting a grounds care and snow removal bid from G3 Lawn Care & Land Services, approving the purchase of teacher and staff MacBooks, and authorizing a buyback of older MacBook Air units through Diamond Assets. Additionally, the Board approved the Legislative Audit Report, the Special Education Assurance and GEPA Statement, staff personnel recommendations, school choice transfers, and classified contract renewals. The meeting also included an executive session and a report on current district enrollment figures.

The Amanda Gist Elementary School Improvement Plan outlines a continuous cycle of data analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation to provide holistic opportunities for each student to reach their full potential. Key strategic areas include monitoring student learning to improve instruction, providing resources for family engagement, fostering collective responsibility for student success, and modeling positive behaviors. Implementation involves utilizing paraprofessionals, offering after-school tutoring and summer enrichment, employing interventionists, and integrating specific reading and math programs alongside existing educational software. The plan emphasizes continuous data-driven checking for success and modification of strategies to ensure student improvement in literacy and math.

The board conducted a reorganization, electing new officers. Key agenda items included the approval of monthly financial reports, the Cotter Virtual Academy curriculum, and the 2026-2027 school calendar. The board also reviewed the certified personnel salary schedule for the upcoming school year, authorized a bid process for grounds care and snow removal, and approved various therapy contracts. Furthermore, the board addressed an MOU for janitorial services, certified contract renewals, student transfer petitions, and various school choice transfers. Reports were provided regarding graduation, student body mass index, and current student enrollment numbers.

The Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Plan for Cotter Jr. Sr. High School emphasizes a shared responsibility among the school, families, and the community for student education. The plan outlines nine key approaches to foster active engagement, including involving parents in various roles, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated efforts, promoting regular and meaningful two-way communication, supporting responsible parenting, recognizing parents' role in assisting student learning, welcoming parents, acknowledging parents as full partners in decision-making, utilizing community resources, and regularly evaluating the engagement program. The plan details specific programs and practices such as annual open houses, various engagement meetings, information packs, a parent center, school communications via website and social media, and a welcoming environment for volunteers, all designed to enhance student achievement.

The Board discussed and approved the financial reports and the renewal of Workers' Compensation Insurance with the ASBA Workers' Compensation Trust. An executive session was conducted by the Board. Contract renewals were authorized for the Elementary Principal, Federal Programs Coordinator, and the High School Principal. Additionally, the Board approved personnel recommendations and processed several petitions for student transfers both into and out of the district. The meeting concluded with a report on current student enrollment figures.