Sto-Rox School District

The meeting included a review of December's monthly financial reports, covering bills to be paid, the balance sheet, bank activity, revenue summary, and expense account reports. Financial discussions noted sufficient general fund cash flow for the remainder of the school year, updates on the status of local and state revenues post-budget passage, and plans for budget reconciliation transfers, including a $5.8 million transfer to the capital reserve fund. Capital improvement discussions involved waiting for a closing date for the Steven Foster building and applying for DC grants. The superintendent's report highlighted academic progress through MAP assessments, noting growth from fall to winter, especially in upper elementary, and the positive impact of math (Alex) and reading (Lexia) interventions. Staff highlights included the high school moving out of CSI status due to improvements from an algebra summer institute, efforts to mitigate decreased attendance in December, and successful execution of flexible instruction days due to plumbing issues. Further operational updates covered progress on high school fence installation and phased plumbing repairs. New business included updates on pending grant applications for safety/security and public facilities improvement, and upcoming Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for lighting, doors, auditorium, windows, HVAC, and roofing repairs, primarily focused on the junior senior high school.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Prior to the public session, the Board met in executive session to discuss safety, personnel, and legal items. Information items included a review of the October monthly financial reports, encompassing bills listing, balance sheet reports, budget-to-actual comparisons, and expense account summaries. Financial discussions noted sufficient cash flow due to the state budget passage, and a planned transfer of $5.8 million to the capital reserve fund being moved to January. Updates were provided on the Steven Foster building and forthcoming bond payments. The Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment provided an extensive report detailing focus areas: curriculum (articulation of a written K-12 curriculum), instruction (learning tours and classroom visits), and assessment (focus on formative assessments and NWA MAP testing). These efforts are aligned with the Instructional Framework and the amended recovery plan. The Student Representative provided an update on recent high school activities, including Student of the Month recognition, Veterans Day video production, a Thanksgiving bingo event, and career exploration opportunities. Upcoming events included winter sports scrimmages and a unique opportunity for educators to participate in a tandem skydive.

The meeting included proceedings such as the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, followed by public comment related to the agenda. A significant portion of the meeting involved the ceremonial passing of the mantle from the outgoing student school board representative, Jay Ellerby, to the new representatives, Garen Cone and Darnell White. A preliminary budget presentation for the 2026-2027 school year was provided, covering expenditure considerations, enrollment trends, capital projects, and fund balance implications. Key actions included approving personnel matters, awarding funds for classroom needs and projects, and reviewing/ratifying several board policies without changes. The board also approved a facility usage request for a Stop the Violence basketball game and ratified the future matrix.

The meeting covered the implementation of the Financial Recovery Advisory Committee's activities as directed by Act 141 of 2012. Key discussion points included updates on capital needs for the junior senior high school, specifically addressing over $8 million in required repairs, and the status of setting aside targeted capital reserve funds. The committee also discussed the impact of the recently passed budget, including potential savings due to a cap on cyber charter tuition rates. Furthermore, a presentation was given regarding instructional programs and operational initiatives within Special Education, focusing on developing a continuum of supports to provide least restrictive learning environments and increasing in-district services for life skills and emotional support students at the primary center and junior/senior high school levels. Future meeting scheduling and presentations from various district directors were also reviewed.

The meeting agenda focused on safety and technology transformation goals for Sto-Rox, emphasizing building safety, trust, a culture of learning, and coherent educational experiences. Key discussion points included addressing critical shortages of Chromebooks and chargers, preparations for standardized testing (Keystone, NWEA MAP, Firefly), and planning for 1-1 device implementation in the 26-27 school year, including potential iPad needs for K-1 testing. Security topics covered scheduling fire inspections, updating dashboards and data recording for officer logs, scheduling introductions with local police chiefs, and arranging meetings with AmGard management. Progress on purchasing radios was reported, and the completion of the Jr./Sr. High School fire inspection report was noted, with timelines for corrections pending.