Waldron School Board Approves Calendar, Facility Plan, Personnel Moves at February Meeting
The Waldron School District Board of Education met for its regular monthly session Monday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m. inside the district’s Central Office Building, conducting routine business, approving planning measures, and recognizing staff achievements.
Board members in attendance included Clay Woodall, Mac Davis, Angela Hunsucker, Toni VanDeWiele and Konnor McKay. Also present were Superintendent Daniel Fielding, district administrators, principals and staff.
Board President Clay Woodall called the meeting to order. McKay opened with prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Hunsucker.
Agenda Actions
The board voted 5–0 to table an invoice to the Arkansas School Boards Association for workers’ compensation insurance from the consent agenda.
Members then unanimously approved:
- January meeting minutes
- Financial reports and expenditures
Additional unanimous votes included:
- Adoption of the 2026–27 Alternative School Calendar
- Approval of the district’s Facility Master Plan resolution
- Approval of student transfer petitions
Campus & Program Updates
Building leaders shared updates on activities and enrollment across the district:
- Progress reports will be distributed in the coming weeks
- The ABC Program is completing assessments and preparing Valentine’s activities
- Read Across America Week is scheduled for March 2
- Middle School enrollment increased by seven students
- FBLA students posted strong competition results
- The Middle School Book Fair runs through Feb. 11
- A parent involvement paint party is set for Feb. 12
- February is Career and Technical Education Month, with staff member Misty Waddle placed on the CTE board
- Beta Club students competed at the Beta Convention with several placements
- Basketball Homecoming coronation is scheduled for Feb. 10
Assistant Superintendent Chris Lipham reported that the district’s transportation audit found no deficiencies. Junior High District competitions are underway, and the summer “Dog Days” event is planned for June 12–13.
Recognitions & Audit Results
Superintendent Fielding reported the district-wide audit had been completed with positive feedback and no major concerns noted.
Lipham was recognized as the 4A-4 Conference Athletic Director of the Year. Board member Mac Davis received a Lifetime Sports Pass for his service to the district.
Executive Session & Personnel
The board entered executive session at 7 p.m. and returned at 7:27 p.m.
Following the session, members unanimously approved:
- The transfer of Erica Stuart from ABC paraprofessional to a 238-day secretary position, with salary funding split between ABC and AOA budgets
- Rehiring administrators for the 2026–27 school year
The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
A Mayor, A Servant, A Friend: David Millard’s Final Year Leading Waldron
When David Millard first took office seven years ago, few could have predicted just how deeply his leadership would shape Waldron.
As a general rule, I frown upon stories written in the first person. This time, however, in order to tell the story — the whole story — I must bend my own rule and tell you about the man, the mayor, David Millard.
We met when he was first running for election. Neil Cherry introduced us in a small, quaint office at the end of a long hallway inside the municipal building. We were planning our first Meet the Candidates forum that year, and both he and his opponent attended.
His message was soft, kind, and rooted in humility.
I still remember what he said would be his first order of business if elected: learn the jobs and understand the difficulties city service workers face. That spirit of commonality and sincerity won him the election.
And true to his word, one of the very first things he did was ride on the back of a city trash truck.
Not for show.
Not for a photo op.
Just to understand.
That’s who David Millard is.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Millard’s deep Christian roots. I can’t count the number of times we sat in his office and prayed together — sometimes through tears, sometimes in gratitude — thankful for the many ways God had shown Himself real in his life and in the lives of his family.
Long before becoming mayor, Millard had already committed his life to public service.
He began his career with the Waldron Police Department in March 1992. In October 2015, he was promoted to Chief of Police. A year later, he graduated from the Arkansas Leader Program, hosted by the FBI and the Criminal Justice Institute.
The year 2008 alone reads like a résumé most people build over a lifetime. He was elected president of the Arkansas Municipal Police Association, appointed Police Commissioner on the Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board, and served on the Advisory Board of the Criminal Justice Institute.
“I was able to get the officers of Waldron Police Department some of the best training in the nation through the Criminal Justice Institute,” he once told me.
In 2009, the certified law enforcement instructor received two awards from the Arkansas Prevention Network for his work helping pass the nation’s first Social Host State Law.
He retired from the police department in 2018 — but retirement didn’t really suit him. He continued serving with the Fire Department and was recently honored for 25 years of service.
Service, after all, isn’t something Dave does.
It’s who he is.
As mayor, he continued the work of those before him while adding his own vision. Under his leadership, the city park became the crown jewel of the community — beach volleyball, exercise equipment, bankshot basketball, pickleball courts, the Dinosaur Dig, a pavilion, water fountains, and bathrooms.
He honored his father’s legacy with what would become “Mayor Dave’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt.” At Christmas, he helped lead toy drives for area children.
During his two terms, he secured multiple and sizeable grants benefiting the Fire Department, City Park, airport, storm sirens, sidewalks, and more. He saw monthly trade days flourish. Main Street began filling with boutiques and small businesses. Scott County Hardware and Casey’s General Store opened its doors.
The city grew.
But the man never changed.
Over many visits — and more than a few lunch dates at Charbroiler, where his favorites were the nachos or the loaded potato — I came to know not just the mayor, but the man.
He made it a point to begin each day at City Hall with employees in prayer. Those quiet moments of faith and fellowship carried through both of his terms and will continue until his last day in office.
His time as mayor wasn’t simply public service.
It felt like a calling.
In this line of work, I meet a lot of elected officials. Some impress you. Some disappoint you. Very few leave exactly as they arrived — steady, genuine, and true to who they are.
David Millard is one of the rare ones.
Seven years later, he is still the same kind, gentle, humble man I met in that little office at the end of the hallway.
And somewhere along the way, without fanfare or announcement, I realized something else.
I came to know not just the mayor, but the man — and forever, my friend.
Timepiece: Truck-stop Cafe
By Dr. Curtis Varnell
In 1957, Interstate 40 was built through Arkansas and became a thoroughfare connecting the east and west coast of the U.S. with one continuous highway. Until that time, a number of state highways served as the main transportation loops for commerce and truckers by the hundreds traveled up and down local highway 10 and 22 in their journeys across the state. In a much more picturesque period, small truck-stops and cafes dotted the highways; places where the truckers could stop for rest, coffee, and a warm meal.
Needing a large pull-in and parking area, most of these existed outside of the primary towns and usually included service stations and mechanic shops as well as the café. Travel down these local roads today, one can still see remnants of what once was. Washburn, Central City, Caulksville, and other small communities that once had thriving all-night café’s and businesses.
One of the busiest was found at Hill Top, six miles east of Subiaco on Hwy 22. Not even a community, all that was located on top of the ridge was a large pull-in area, a service station, and a café. During the heyday of the 40’s and 50’s, Hill Top was the happening place. Truckers from across the nation would pull in for a hot meal served by a crew of waitresses rushing from one formica table to another serving blue plate specials to the hungry truckers. Local teenagers would hang out at the counter, listening to music on the juke box, and playing pinball games.
Owned and operated over the years by various people including Gerald Baumgartner, J.W. Trusty, Ruel White, and the Dedmon family, the café and station attracted a varied clientele and served as the starting point for tales still circulating today. Various people that worked or visited there reported seeing late night visits by Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, and the King himself, Elvis Presley. Many of the country and western stars traveled the local roads on their hayride circuit as they traveled from town to town to perform. Johnny Cash probably visited more than once; his guitar playing friend and brother in law Bob Wooton was a frequent visitor at the café and at the home of the nearby Huber family who were his close friends.
Today, the traffic has moved north to the interstate, the truckers stop at chain stores and hurry in and out carrying fast food they eat on the way and America has lost a lot of its small town charm.
“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor
Hello everyone!!
Today in the River Valley it’s going to be 70 degrees and sunshine, and I am so excited!
Y’all know I have three grandchildren who live with me — I call them the Three E’s. I love them dearly. The oldest graduated college in December with a computer science degree. He is sooo smart — and yes, I’m bragging — but… he lacks a little in the common sense department. Bless him.
He’s sweet and always trying to take care of his Nana. A while back, his brother had a bad cough that just wouldn’t go away, so I took him to the clinic and they sent us for an X-ray. Ethan, serious as can be, asked, “Nana, does Evan have tuberculosis?”
Now how in the world does Ethan even know what tuberculosis is?!
I told him, “No, your brother does not have tuberculosis!”
Another time, back when he was still in college, he was always flying by the seat of his pants trying to get to class on time. He grabbed a jacket out of the hall closet and headed out the door. When he got home, I looked at him and said, “Did you wear that to school today?”
He said, “Yep.”
Well… it was my jacket. A lady’s jacket. No buttons. Almost knee-length. Very obviously not his.
Grandkids will either keep you young or make you crazy!
One day Evan told me chess players burn calories just by using their brains. Then he said, “If you burned calories by talking, Nana, you’d be a twig.”
I had to admit… he wasn’t wrong.
My son is always getting on me about how I drive. Now, I don’t claim to be Mario Andretti, but I do like to drive a little fast. Before he got married, we were headed somewhere and I heard him mumbling in the passenger seat. I finally realized he was praying:
“Lord, please don’t let there be roads in Heaven.”
Apparently he thinks his mom would run somebody over!
Y’all also know about my little dog, Jr. I told my granddaughter Ella that since Jr. is my son, that makes him her uncle. She said, “Nana, that’s just weird. I’m just going to tell people he’s my cousin.”
So uncle is weird… but cousin isn’t? Kids are something else.
We have a good time at my house. If you’re ever bored, come on over and join the chaos.
Y’all have a great week and hug those loved ones and grands!
Easy Baked Spasagna
Ingredients
1 lb spaghetti noodles
1 lb ground beef
26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
16 oz jar Alfredo sauce
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions and drain very well.
Brown the ground beef, then add the spaghetti sauce and stir to combine.
Return the drained noodles to the pot. Stir in the Alfredo sauce and Italian seasoning until all noodles are coated.
Place noodles in the prepared dish, top with the meat sauce mixture, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Serve with French bread and a salad and enjoy this easy meal!
Have a blessed week!
Boyd Farmer Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Mansfield
Boyd Farmer has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Mansfield. A retired police chief and current city council member, Farmer says he is seeking the office to continue serving the community and to be a strong voice for the people.
“I feel led to run, and I want to continue to serve the citizens of this great city,” Farmer said. “Together, we can address issues that are vital in seeing Mansfield thrive. I look forward to having open and honest conversations with the citizens of Mansfield to hear their concerns. I may not always have the answers, but I will work to find them. I promise you honesty and integrity. I look forward to earning your vote in the November 2026 general election.”
Farmer has dedicated his life to public service. In addition to his career in law enforcement, he has remained a certified EMT since 1991 and has answered thousands of first responder calls, serving citizens in their most critical moments. His decades of experience give him a deep understanding of public safety, emergency response, and the everyday needs of the Mansfield community.
Boyd and his wife, Cyndy, are longtime Mansfield residents and are proud to be deeply rooted in the community they call home. Together, they have three sons and three daughters-in-law, one daughter and one son-in-law, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Family is at the heart of who they are, and their commitment to Mansfield reflects the values they’ve passed down through generations.
Farmer says his campaign will focus on listening to citizens, strengthening public safety, and working together to ensure a strong future for Mansfield. He invites all residents to engage in dialogue as he begins his campaign, emphasizing that a thriving Mansfield starts with open communication, trust, and unity.
