The Mansfield Middle School has been tremendously blessed with outstanding leaders of tomorrow. Instead of presenting a group of students of the month, we will attempt to select two students each week from different grades to highlight their abilities and educational success.
8th Grade students of the month for January are Ethan Pettus and Allysa Frasher. Both students were nominated by their teachers for outstanding qualities they display by being positive leaders and helpful students and peers. Ethan and Alyssa are both known by their peers as hardworking and dedicated students.
Allysa is known for her quiet demeanor, smiling face, and positive attitude and work ethic she exhibits all day. Ethan emulates those same qualities and continues to thrive as 8th grade student at Mansfield Middle School. Both students are continuing to work hard at their academics and we hope will continue to grow as positive students at Mansfield Middle School.
Here are some key facts that Ethan and Alyssa would like to share:
Ethan Pettus: Favorite Subject Math Alyssa Frasher: Favorite Subject Math
Hobby: Basketball Hobby: Art, Cheer, and Volleyball
Funniest School Memory: Chosen as student Funniest School Memory: Chosen as student of the
Of the month month
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption Favorite Movie: The Conjuring
Embarrassing Moment: Called a woman my Embarrassing Moment: Running into a tree
My mom on accident
Happiest Moment: Making a buzzer beater Happiest Moment: Making all A’s
Three point shot
Favorite Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Favorite Book: So B. It
Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Food: Chinese
Future Aspirations: Be Happy Future Aspirations: Happiness
Favorite Color: Purple Favorite Color: Blue
Congratulations to Ethan and Alyssa and their parents for having such great young students. Thanks for such great students from Mansfield Middle School.
MMS 8th Grade Students of the Month – February
MMS 5th Grade Students of the Month – February
The Mansfield Middle School has been tremendously blessed with outstanding leaders of tomorrow. Instead of presenting a group of students of the month, we will attempt to select two students each week from different grades to highlight their abilities and educational success.
5th Grade students of the month for February are Winston Allison and Laney Wood. Both students were nominated by their teachers for outstanding qualities they display by being positive leaders and helpful students and peers. Winston and Laney are in their first year at the Middle School like all other 5th grade students and seem to be transitioning well. Winston was nominated for his hard work and dedication in the classroom as well as his leadership projected throughout the day.
Laney has been a persistent worker that is tireless with her dedication. Winston and Laney continue working hard in each and every class and are working at impacting others that are around them. We hope that both students continue to grow and work on being positive students and leaders at Mansfield Middle School.
Here are some key facts that Winston and Laney would like to share:
Winston Allison: Favorite Subject Science Laney Wood: Favorite Subject Math
Hobby: Sports Hobby: Softball
Funniest School Memory: When Boston Funniest School Memory: When Maylie squirted milk
Tried Dunk. Out of her nose
Favorite Movie: Avengers Favorite Movie: Pretty Little Liars
Embarrassing Moment: When I tripped in the Embarrassing Moment: When I fell playing tag
hallway
Happiest Moment: My birthday Happiest Moment: When I go camping
Favorite Book: Series of Unfortunate Events Favorite Book: The Graveyard Book
Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Food: Pizza
Future Aspirations: Being in the NBA Future Aspirations: To be good in School
Favorite Color: Red Favorite Color: Blue
Congratulations to Winston and Laney and their parents for having such great young students. Thanks for such great students from Mansfield Middle School.
Thompson Celebrates 103rd Birthday
Article by Christine Lees LSW/ADC from the Waldron Nursing Center
Gladys Thompson recently celebrated her 103rd birthday with family and friends at the Waldron Nursing Center with a party in her honor. Gladys received lots of gifts, cards, flowers and well wishes from everyone. She remains sharp as a tack and has lots of interesting stories and information to share from her years of experience.
Happy Birthday, Gladys!
MHS Men Bring Home Nine State Medals
Pictured above, Devon Pyles, Garrett Wilson, Joris Felius, and Randall Claude pose with their a 4x800m relay medal.
Over the last decade, Mansfield High School has entered exactly one male athlete to compete at the ATCA Indoor State Track and Field Championships. That lone runner was 2015 MHS graduate Alex Van Herpen who currently contends as a marquee runner for Williams Baptist College out of Walnut Ridge.
This past Friday, the Tigers took what seemed like a legion of male athletes to the 1A-4A state title meet held on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Thanks to a growing confidence among the Tiger players that have been practicing since early January, an inexperienced Mansfield crew came home with a noticeable nine medals.
“It was a huge step in the right direction,” announced long time Mansfield women’s track coach John Mackey who recently added the men’s program to his duties this season. “No, our results weren’t in the conversation as compared today’s state champions. But, the progress our players have made does make for an interesting chat about the possibilities of outdoor conference.”
“Like all good things, it will take time and effort,” continued the coach. “The ones that we have practicing now are soaking up coaching like a sponge. The real key will be if those athletes walking the halls see this early success and take a chance to join the fun.”
Senior Briar Hattabaugh had a good day for the Tigers as one of six Mansfield men to bring home hardware. The first time indoor track athlete was a double award winner by placing in the triple jump and 4x400m relay.
Hattabaugh’s 39’ 0.5” triple jump was the second longest measure of his abbreviated career. The mark was eighth place among such a long list of jumpers that it took until nearly 11:00 PM to complete the rotation.
Hattabaugh’s long jump of 19’ 0.5” for tenth place was also a milestone for the lanky athlete. According to Mackey, that’s the longest horizontal hop he could remember by a Mansfield boy since Bob Hattabaugh coached a player in the early 1990’s that went over 20 feet.
Senior Garrett Wilson joined Hattabaugh, Will Meadows, and Joris Felius to win their heat of the concluding 4x400m relay. Collectively, Mansfield’s per leg average was 58.32 seconds. That total time of 3:53.26 was the seventh fastest mark among a three heat lineup.
Wilson and Felius earlier joined freshman Randall Claude and Devon Pyles on the 4x800m relay. After a controversial finish, the Tiger grouping was eventually declared seventh place winners.
Pyles, despite being a three time River Valley All-Star in cross country, was competing in his first indoor state finals as a senior. Wilson, a baseball wizard who hadn’t picked up a baton or ran in a track meet since his middle school days, was the third scoring senior on the Tiger’s 2018 track roster.
“The three seniors made the most of their first and last trip to the Tyson Track Complex,” issued Mackey. “I’m happy they got to experience the atmosphere of such a big event before they graduate.”
Sophomore Blayne Bryant made a memorable moment by wining his heat among 12 such races for the men’s 400m dash. Turning the final two curves of the condensed 200m indoor track, Bryant rallied behind a strong kick and cheering teammates to take the tape. His time was 1:02.23.
Bryant also competed in the shot put as part of a three man core from Assistant Coach Dustin Payne’s throwing team. Sophomore Jacob Brown and freshman newcomer Blake Wilkins joined the trio.
Freshman Renden Emery moved up to the senior high 39” hurdles and held his own in the 60m high hurdles race. His 10.89 clocking was ninth best among just the freshmen hurdlers.
Emery also ran a solid 2:37.07 time in the 800m run, and joined in his first high jump competition.
Meadows, just a sophomore, looked the part of a versatile track athlete with the longest event schedule of any of the Tigers.
The compact speedster did both horizontal jumps with marks near 18’ in the long jump and over 38’ in the triple. He ran 8.10 in the 60m dash and 26.23 in the 200m dash.
Alpha & Omega Ladies Bookend Indoor Results
Pictured above, Mansfield track medalists Danielle Lillie and Megan Rose pose after the 1A-4A state indoor finals.
The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, of the Mansfield Lady Tiger track fortunes were on display at this year’s 2018 ATCA Indoor Track and Field State Championships on February 23 in Fayetteville.
The Alpha, Mansfield freshman Danielle Lillie, began her senior high track career with an award winning moment inside the Randal Tyson Track Complex at the University of Arkansas. The wildly athletic ninth grader was the first individual member of the Mansfield women’s team to compete on the day.
Arguably the fastest Lady Tiger on the MHS campus, Lillie delivered.
The Omega, Mansfield senior Megan Rose, finished the indoor portion of her illustrious track career with an award winning moment at those same indoor finals. The quietly athletic twelfth grader was the last individual member of the Lady Tigers to close the night.
Elected the most athletic member of her class, Rose delivered.
Lillie and Rose were among the brightest spots amidst a day of learning experiences for a Lady Tiger track team that’s used to winning on a high level. Holding together a very inexperienced roster, the dynamic duo reshaped the group and raised hope for an upcoming outdoor season.
For the first time since 2007, Mansfield’s women went into a track meet without a decorated state champion on the roster. With last season’s graduating class, the remaining pieces of Mansfield’s 2014 Indoor and Outdoor State Championship teams were gone.
“We were certainly inexperienced,” stated veteran track Coach John Mackey as he reflected on the indoor finals. “Some really versatile athletes just graduated. What should have been some similarly gifted returnees are no longer with the team. That put us into restructure mode with little time for mastery. It will take some time for new faces to learn to new things.”
Lillie walked into the U. of A. track complex Friday night only to immediately see her name shining in the scoreboard lights. On display was the first heat of the women’s 60 m hurdles in which her name was listed under lane seven.
The already somewhat nervous freshman would be running in the very first event of the night with the fastest flight of girls. The young hurdler responded with a terrific 10.83 clocking to but her into medal position. After the other five heats concluded, Lillie came away with the seventh fastest time of the opening event.
“Danielle juggled basketball practice and other interests to make time for hurdle practice,” announced Mackey. “She earned the medal. She did what we thought she was capable of doing. I’m happy for her. It’s a big deal for a freshman to score.”
Rose walked into the building knowing it was her last time to shine on this stage. Once a bit nervous herself as an award winning freshman and again on every year since, the grizzled veteran had to feel some emotions moving as well.
Showing little signs of butterflies, Rose responded like a veteran should. Her 800m time on the 4x800m relay was among her best. A few hours later, a personal record in the 1600m run was reached.
Near the end of the nearly 8 hour track meet, Rose toed the line in the final individual race of the night for women. It was the 3200m race. It was a 16 lap monotonous series of circles and the last chance for Rose to garner individual honors.
After a workmanlike effort, Rose held off the final contenders and placed eighth with a time of 13:41.21.
“Megan is a keeper,” commented Mackey. “She’s had pressure since cross country season. College coaches hound her for a commitment. It’s added weight to an already stressful schedule. She’s been tough though it all. I’m so proud she went out with a medal.”
Between the beginning and the end, Mansfield’s inexperience showed. There was solid performances. It just wasn’t medal stand worthy in most cases.
All-District returnees Corrina Wesley, Alyssa Berry, Delilah McKusker, and Lennon Woods did their part. Moving forward it, they will form the core with their scoring counterparts.
Wesley handle the horizontal jumps and 4x400m relay. She is the only other senior on the roster and has four indoor and two outdoor state finals under her belt.
Berry took a schedule that included the 4x800m relay, 1600m and 3200m runs. She is one of four juniors on the team.
McKusker contributed in two relay events despite missing the first semester of training. Classmate Woods managed a sore hip to contribute in the 4x800m relay and 400m dash. Both are sophomores from a class of seven.
Janna Coplin threw the shot since her primary event, the discus, isn’t an indoor event. Freshmen teammates Haylie Burns and Brooke Wright joined at the shot put ring.
Addison Goetz long jumped and handle sprint duties while Jesse George, Madison Nelson, and Kara Sweeten tackled the middle distances races.
Haylee Buckner cleared two bars at the high jump venue. Hailey Byers ran the 60m dash and Miracle Pettigrew covered the 400m race.
Mansfield School Board Agenda – February 26, 2018
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
February 26, 2018
Administration Building
6:00 P.M.
AGENDA. Call to Order
Prayer: Michael Gibson
II. Approval of Consent Agenda
A. Agenda
B. Financial Reports
C. Minutes of Board Meetings: January, 16, January 29, and February 5, 2018
II. Superintendent’s Report
A. Beta Club Recognition
B. Dewayne Foote
III. Board Action Required
A. Student Transfer
B. Mowing Bids
C. DHS Summer Feeding Program
D. Steven’s Inc. – Municipal Advisor Agreement
E. Contract Resolution A.C.A. 6-24-107 – Sparks Floor Covering
F. Part-Time Dishwasher – High School
G. Resignation
H. March Board Meeting Date
I. PPC – School Calendar for 2018 – 2019
J. Contract Renewal – Principals, Federal Coordinator/Curriculum, Spec Ed Supv.
K. Salary Schedules Changes for 2018 – 2019IV. Other Board Communications
Other Board Communications
Adjourn
Bright Future for Friends of the Library
Article by Tammy Moore-Teague
Brenda Yancey Chamness began serving as President of the organization We Are Friends of the Sebastian County Public Library last summer. “The purpose of this organization,” Chamness stated, “shall be to maintain an organization of citizens who are interested in libraries; to focus attention on library services, facilities, and needs; to assist in promoting knowledge of and participation in library programs; to aid in providing funds to meet special library needs; to stimulate gifts, endowments, and bequests.”
This organization supports the library system within four branches. These branches are located in Greenwood, Lavaca, Mansfield and Hartford.
“We had an active 2017,” she stated. “The Friends helped support the annual Summer Reading Program and volunteered for the end of program party in July.” Other activities included the city-wide garage sale and family story nights. They also provided holiday door prizes and decorations for all four branches, volunteered for the Taste of Fort Smith, honored staff members on their birthday as well as providing treats and fundraisers for local school staff. Lastly, a used book sale section is held at The Warehouse on Main Street in Greenwood as a fundraiser to support our local libraries.
The Library Board is working to try and provide the community with a new library as well as improvements to other branches. The organization also serves in support to the library board as well as providing a connection to the community. “The budget is tight on day to day operations,” Chamness stated, so the Friends try and help with special projects and needs.”
There is a preschool story time scheduled for March 2 at 10:30 am in Greenwood in order to celebrate Dr.Seuss Day. The library will be open from 5-9 pm as part of Tour Greenwood Tuesdays, which is sponsored by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. The Friends will be selling used books, “Supporter of the Library” tshirts, serving light refreshments and giving away door prizes. “We are also planning activities for our week-long celebration of National Library Week April 8-14,” she added. “We will have activities at Greenwood, Hartford, Lavaca, and Mansfield.”
Anyone, including individuals, families or businesses, who would like to support the library and join the organization can contact their local branch or President Brenda Yancey Chamness at [email protected] or (479) 461-5198. Also, you can join them on Facebook at Friends of the Library. Individual memberships begin at $10 per year. The group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Greenwood Library. Join them on March 13th – everyone is welcome.
Can’t attend meetings? You can still join to show your support for your local libraries! Get in contact with them today!
Questions Answered Regarding Mansfield Mayor
Amidst the turbulence within Mansfield’s City government, questions have been asked regarding the Mayor’s history as Mansfield School District Superintendent, and the reason for his dismissal.
Questions, statements, and misunderstandings centered on opinions, and second-hand information have ran rampant since Mayor Austin denied the unified request to resign from his current office. The questions have swayed to be of great value to the voting public whose voice has been silent at recent city council meetings.
So, was Larry Austin fired from the MSD Superintendents role, or was he escorted from the premises by law enforcement. The truth is neither.
In researching the topic we secured the minutes of the meeting dated May 14, 2002. In the matter of “Superintendents Position,” (page 5) the unified school board asked Austin to take off the remainder of the year, and be able to pursue his future interests. Pay and benefits were to continue until his contract expired. In other words, Austin resigned from his position.
“All i remember was that Austin threw his keys on the table, and walked out” stated an eyewitness.
After a short recess, the board unanimously hired Jim Hattabaugh as Superintendent, effective immediately.
Furthermore, it is understood that events leading up to this meeting, and Austin’s resignation favored the future of the school, and the current employees well being.
Hattabaugh would later leave his position after Mansfield School District went into fiscal distress.
Laying Waste to the Chain of Command
by Tammy Moore-Teague
The Mansfield City Council meeting was all but ordinary as they met in session on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 7 p.m. Present at the meeting were the Mayor, Dr. Larry Austin, and all Aldermen including Rick McDaniel, Sheri Hopkins, Buddy Black, Dave Johnson, Georganna Mabry, Buddy Black and Beverly Lyons.
On this week’s agenda were the reports from the fire and police departments as well as reports from the city attorney, recorder/treasurer and public works director. It was the latter of those reports that dominated the meeting in a heated discussion. Public works director Ken Swilling began to give his report to the council, claiming the pump at the water treatment plant failed without warning because of an electrical breaker issue. However, plant manager, Braden Purcell had the part, a contactor, that he and consultant Arnold Elmore had deemed necessary to replace. Because Swilling, the supervisor, did not agree the connector was not purchased and ultimately the pump failed. “This isn’t right,” Purcell exclaimed. “I am tired of being second guessed…I’m outta here.” Purcell holds a class III wastewater license, which is vital to the plant operations and requirements with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, ADEQ. Purcell added that his hands were tied because of the chain of command, and that he demanded the council hear the facts. “You get to go home,” Purcell pointed to the citizens and council. “I have to come in here on Friday and face a hostile work environment and repercussions (from Swilling) because I report the truth to council…it’s what the city needs.”
After a brief recess the council agreed to hear an uninterrupted report from Purcell. He expressed his aggravation in wanting to get the plant up to the standards of the ADEQ. Furthermore, he felt his hands were tied because of his inability to make purchases and operational decisions. Council member, Hopkins responded and spoke openly about feeling mislead about the business at the waste water plant. “I just want to hear the truth,” Hopkins said. When asked by the council what it would take for these problems to be addressed, Purcell directed their attention to a proposal he had submitted. The proposal, which included a request for a raise in pay to $55k, also offered additional services utilizing him as a department head that would allow the city to cut ties with the engineering and consulting firm, Landmark. “I’ll write the SSO’s (sanitary overflow reports), the non compliance forms and sign the DMR’s (discharge monitoring report)…I want to do the job and will take great pride in it,” he added.
The council, after hearing and reading the proposal, offered to oblige some of his requests. Lyons defended the city’s inability to pay his desired salary. “If you take a look at our budget,” she stated, “there is not any way we are going to be able to pay you $55,000.” The council did propose, however, an hourly wage increase of $18 and included purchase order powers as approved by the mayor. Purcell responded that he was willing to take less of a pay raise in order for the city to send employee Clay Davis to school for him to receive his class I waste water licensure and to increase his pay to $12.50 per hour. “I’d rather Clay have a raise,” Purcell said. “I don’t want to lose him. Give him a raise.”
Mansfield city attorney Matt Ketcham interjected and recommended that Purcell not get caught up in the glitter of the title of department head. Instead, he suggested him being plant manager and reporting to the mayor and to the council, bypassing the strained relationship between him and Swilling.
The motion made to pay Purcell $18 per hour, for him to report to the mayor and council and to give him purchasing power was made and it was passed unanimously.
Additionally, the council also passed the motion to compensate Purcell for his time and travel if he was needed at the city council meetings. Councilman Black concluded by saying “Please let Clay Davis know we will revisit his raise once he gets his license.”
Another motion was made to end the agreement with Landmark Engineering on consulting work with the waste water plant and to keep Arnold Elmore on as needed. That motion passed unanimously.
The city’s attorney, Ketcham, gave a reading of the new ordinance which will increase water hook ups for new water customers. Additionally, he updated the council on the advancement of the city’s annexation of River Valley Feed and Metal. He stated he had invited the interested parties to attend the next meeting and recommended looking at a feasibility study.
That order of business was slated for next week’s agenda along with further discussion on the issues with the waste water plant. With no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
Weekly City Council Meeting Explodes with Accusations
The statement “hostile work environment” has become common among current, and past City of Mansfield employees.
Initially, Mansfield Recorder Treasurer, Becky Walker made a public statement to the City Council addressing her personal issues with Mayor Larry Austin, and claimed to work in a hostile environment. Austin denied these accusations when questioned by the council. No action was taken that night.
Walker was then asked at a meeting several weeks later if this issue was better or worse. Walker stated, “It’s still the same, and nothing has changed.”
Then, at last Thursday nights weekly City Council meeting, Braden Purcell plainly stated he was working in a hostile environment, and was unable to make the needed repairs to the already violation ridden waste water plant. Purcell, who was hired just over a month ago, pointed his frustrations of working in a hostile environment towards Mayor Larry Austin, and City Works Director, Ken Swilling.. You can watch the LIVE feed recording from 02/22/2018 at this link .
Purcell was interviewed by both Mayor Austin, and Mansfield Public Works Director, Ken Swilling and hired as the Waste Water Operator.
Both Walker, and Purcell work within the reigns of Mansfield city government, having differing duties, and roles. Walker, who is an elected official and does not answer to the Mayor, was given Mayoral duties in a recent vote to remove powers from the Mayor himself in order to conduct business more effectively. The City Council removed the powers that were not associated with Arkansas State law, leaving the Mayor the ability to hire, fire, and to conduct meetings.
Before Thursday’s meeting, Purcell reported to Swilling directly. After the motions and votes were finished, Purcell was moved to report to the Mayor and/or the City Council.