The regular monthly meeting of the Waldron School Board was held in the Central Office Building Monday, August 14, 2023; at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were Clay Woodall, Angela Hunsucker, Mac Davis, Konnor McKay and Stan Cottrell. Others present were Superintendent Daniel Fielding, Misty Owens, Ryan Walker, Kristi Sigman, Darla Jeffery, Josh Atchley, Tonya Cluck, Kim Solomon, Toni Dozier, Cheyenne Smith, Randi Hickman, Zack Taylor and Chris Lipham.
President Woodall called the meeting to order at 6:31p.m.
Mr. Woodall welcomed everyone.
Mr. Konnor McKay began the meeting with a word of prayer.
Mrs. Hunsucker led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to add Item D) Discuss the Rewording of the Deed with The City of Waldron on the Sawyer Wright Field, to New Business. Motion carried 5:0.
A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to approve
the Consent Agenda items: A) Approval of the July 10th Minutes; B) Approve Financial Reports and Expenditures; C) Approve Purchase Order to O’Reilly Auto Parts; D) Approve Purchase Order for MHC Kenworth; E) Approve Purchase Orders for BSN Sports; F) Approve Purchase Order for Pearson Virtual Schools; G) Approve Milk Bid for Food Service; H) Approve Bread Bid for Food Service. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Angela Hunsucker and seconded by Stan Cottrell to approve the Petitions for Transfer of Student (3). Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Stan Cottrell and seconded by Konnor McKay to approve the Request for Proposal received by Community National Bank and move the operating account. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to approve the Elementary, Middle and High School Handbook changes. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to approve for Mr. Fielding to explore the rewording of the Deed with The City of Waldron on the Sawyer Wright Field. Motion carried 5:0.
Each of the principals reported that the first day of school went great! Meet the Teacher Night was a success. Mr. Walker also commented that there are 87 students enrolled for Pre-K, and he is still enrolling students in the on-line virtual academy at this time. Mrs. Jeffery informed the board that there are 104 Kindergarteners enrolled as of now. She also reported that
the 3rd and 4th graders last year improved in all areas except for 2 on their testing last year. Mr. Taylor announced that Middle School improved in 9 of the 16 areas of the testing, his building grew by 9% in Exceeding and Ready categories. Mrs. Solomon also commented on the growth in testing scores, with an increase in scores in all 8 areas, 22% overall increase in Science, 16% in Math, 14% in English and 15% in Reading! Great things are happening all around!
Assistant Superintendent Mr. Lipham reminded the board about the AAA Volleyball Benefit Game at Pottsville on Thursday and Scrimmage Football Game on Friday against Dequeen. He reported that the Transportation Department is still in need of substitute bus drivers. Superintendent Daniel Fielding expressed how proud he is of the teachers and students over the improvement on the test scores.
A motion was made by Angela Hunsucker and seconded by Mac Davis to accept the resignation of Jessica Neely as Middle School Special Education Teacher as of July 27, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Stan Cottrell to accept the resignation of Tammy Forrest as Elementary Paraprofessional as of July 31, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to transfer Elizabeth Gonzalez to Middle School Special Education Teacher, pending the receiving of a provisional license, effective July 27, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Stan Cottrell to hire Kevin Hillier as Elementary Paraprofessional and Leticia Smith as Middle School Special Education Paraprofessional effective August 7, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Angela Hunsucker and seconded by Konnor McKay to hire Tracie Adams as a Level 2 Bus Driver with 2 years’ experience effective August 10, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to hire Kyra Taylor as High School Special Education Paraprofessional, pending she receives necessary credentials, effective August 15, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Stan Cottrell and seconded by Konnor McKay to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
