The Waldron School Board met Monday, May 11, for its regular monthly meeting at the Central Office Building, with board members hearing positive academic updates from campuses across the district and approving several personnel changes.
Board President Clay Woodall called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Konnor McKay opened with prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Angela Hunsucker.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the April 13 and April 27 meetings, along with financial reports and expenditures.
Campus principals provided updates on end-of-year activities and reported that preliminary Atlas testing results showed student growth in math, science, and reading across the district.
ABC Preschool Principal Kim Solomon reported that approximately 80 people attended the preschool’s end-of-school picnic and announced that graduation would take place May 12. Elementary Principal Cheyenne Smith updated the board on recent activities, including fourth-grade students touring the middle school and upcoming awards ceremonies.
Middle School Principal Zack Taylor highlighted recent choir and band performances, noting that choir students performed throughout the community, including appearances at Dalton’s Place, ABC Preschool, the Waldron Nursing Home, and the Senior Citizens Center. He also discussed recent field trips and eighth-grade tours of the high school.
High School Principal Josh Atchley praised staff members Tasha Self and Kristi Sigman for coordinating Atlas testing and recognized students who earned state FFA degrees during the recent State FFA Convention. He also thanked several businesses and individuals for supporting teacher appreciation activities.
Assistant Superintendent and Athletic Director Chris Lipham reported that both the junior and senior high boys and girls track teams won district championships and competed at the state level. He also recognized Jon Boggess for winning the 4A State Shot Put title with a throw of 54 feet, 7 inches, earning an invitation to compete at the Meet of Champs.
Superintendent Daniel Fielding commended principals, teachers, and students for their efforts during Atlas testing and provided an update on roofing projects at the middle school and ALA campus.
The board entered executive session at 6:47 p.m. and returned at 7:57 p.m.
Following executive session, board members unanimously approved several personnel actions, including the retirements of Regina Le Ann Atchley, Kandis Hunsucker, and Ronald Metcalf at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The board also accepted Ronald Metcalf’s retirement as a bus driver.
The board accepted resignations from Soribel Baza, Beau Sikes, Dillon Ward from coaching duties only, and Hawkins Hutson.
New hires approved by the board included John Batchelor as Level 2 Maintenance, Steve Angel and Kadance Dees as high school special education paraprofessionals, and Brooke Batchelor and Macey Holloway as high school special education teachers. The board also approved the transfer of Jessica Brown to High School Assistant Principal for the 2026-27 school year.
The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
