The Mena School Board met for their regular April meeting on Tuesday at the district administration building.
The meeting began with a vote on the addition of accelerated computer science to the 8th-grade curriculum at Mena Middle School. The measure passed unanimously and it will be available beginning in the 24-25 school year.
Next was the routine renewal of the food service contract with Aramark. Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith stated that Aramark has been quick to respond when issues arise and has been a very good partner. The renewal was approved with no discussion.
The board then approved changes to the 24-25 certified, classified, and transportation salary schedule. Changes included
adding tennis at the same rate as golf. Increasing bus driver pay to $23.00 per hour and adding security stipends to the stipend schedule.
The board also approved the renewal of the district’s participation in the Perkins Consortium at the DeQueen Mena Education Service Cooperative. The Perkins program applies for grant funding to purchase equipment and supplies for the Career and Technical Education programs.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton then updated the board on the many projects that are underway. Including the repair of leaks at Mena Middle School, a renovation of the shot put area, and the changing of AC filters. Minton also stated that the district recently underwent inspections by the Mena Fire Department as well as the Department of Environmental Services and repairs to their findings are underway. Minton concluded by previewing a number of projects they hope to complete over the summer months. Including adding more electronic gates, repairs at the administration building, and resurfacing the MMS parking lot as well as the visitor parking lot at Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium. Plus the addition of speed bumps between MMS and BCBS.
Next on the agenda was the financial report. Dr. Smith stated that expenses outpaced revenue for the month of March but that the district remains on target for the year. The board approved.
The final item on the agenda was personnel and the board approved the following:
RETIREMENT
James Graham - Bus Driver
RESIGNATIONS
Timothy Walston - MHS Counselor
James Davis - Transportation Director
Mona Davis - Bus Driver
Vincent Coleman - Bus Driver
RESTRUCTURE
Shane Torix - Interim Transportation Director
Ryan Luttmer - From AE Math to Algebra II
Rachel Dover - To AE Math
Aaron O'Brien - From AE English/History to AE Science/JAG
Jerusha Neufeld - From MHS English 10 to AE English/History
HIRES
Lauren Barret - HHE Elementary Teacher
Eric Carson Nichols - MMS Literacy
Michael Millard - MHS History
Trey Plummer - MHS English 10
Ashlynn Watts - MHS Freshman Counselor/Career Coach
TERMINATION
Esther Chung - MMS 6th Grade Literacy
The board also approved another round of 24-25 contracts.