The Paris Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting for June last Tuesday (June 7) with a full agenda that contained a variety of administrative recommendations that ranged from facilities repair and improvements to policies approval and both student and employee personnel recommendations. The meeting was the first conducted by the board who was forced to run for re-election under the new election zoning requirements for members of school boards across Arkansas. As part of the Paris board’s agenda of business, the five members also voted to appoint board officers for the 2022-23 school and fiscal years.
At the forefront of the board’s agenda was the topic of mental health support for its students. The board considered recommendations for both online and in-person mental health support, as well as technological additions for both referrals and billing for the services. The Paris district is taking significant steps to take a leading position among school districts who are reacting to a movement and increased pressure to address mental health and school safety that has become a priority nationwide in light of the events in Uvalde, Texas, most recently. The board discussed how to improve mental health services for its students, as well as the long-term effects on safety within its schools. The district is already providing school resource officers for its schools; the actions under consideration by the board will address the mental health of students and protect student and staff safety, as well. Mental health issues have been a concern of school districts nationwide following the COVID pandemic and the subsequent quarantining of students that has taken place over the past two years.
(RNN Photo / Jim Best)
In another highlighted action taken by the Paris Board of Education, the board approved a recommendation and bid to replace the roof at Paris Elementary School. Depending on the arrival of materials, the project to replace the PES roof could be completed this summer prior to the start of the new school year in August.
From minutes taken at the meeting, the five board members emerged from executive session and announced the election of board member Cory Wells as its President. Tracy Richey, who had served the board for several years as its President, was announced as the new Vice-President of the board. Beth Ulrich remains as the board secretary, and board member Dustin Schluterman was announced as the liaison for the board. The motion on the officers was approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote. The 5:30 p.m. meeting officially adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
The Paris Board of Education’s regular monthly meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of each month at the Paris Schools Administration Building.
