Fort Smith School District

The board meeting featured recognitions for excellence in teaching, athletics administration, academic achievements, and heroic responses to crisis situations. The superintendent provided updates on listening tour themes, which highlighted strengths in communication, staff support, and student focus, while identifying challenges in student attendance, learning gaps, and workforce capacity. Administrative actions included the approval of a 2026-2027 meeting schedule, updates on cybersecurity, authorization of a 15 million dollar bond for facility maintenance, and approval of the long-range planning committee's recommendations for school facility utilization. Additionally, the board discussed improvement in achievement scores, the charter school application for the Global Innovation Academy, and approved the renaming of the service center to the Dr. Benny El Gooden Service Center, contingent upon the use of private funds for signage updates.

The meeting included the swearing-in of new and existing board members, the election of board officers, and the designation of board disbursing officers. Personnel recommendations were approved. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation on the Peak third-party report regarding roof drainage investigations, which identified multiple code violations and construction defects. The board discussed potential recovery actions and plans to contact the involved professional firms for further documentation regarding these findings. Board members also discussed future project updates.

The board meeting focused on the approval of the 2025-2026 certified and classified salary schedules, both incorporating a $1,325 base salary increase. Additionally, the Board conducted an executive session to negotiate the superintendent contract, subsequently approving the contract for Mr. Martin Mahan, authorizing a separation agreement with the outgoing superintendent, Dr. Terry Morawski, and appointing Mr. Martin Mahan as acting superintendent.

The Board discussed a proposed noise mitigation grant in partnership with the City of Fort Smith, aimed at reducing aviation noise impact at specific learning academies. A review of ethics disclosure requirements was conducted, noting that the district maintains standards beyond state mandates. Additionally, a detailed analysis of the district's budget structure and functions was presented, along with a preview of the proposed budget for the upcoming school year. The board also received updates regarding cyber attack recovery efforts, ongoing personnel searches, and upcoming school election procedures.

The board convened for the annual evaluation of the superintendent, which took place in executive session. Following the evaluation, the board moved to approve a one-year extension of the superintendent's contract, maintaining the current base salary and authorizing the finalizing and execution of the agreement.