The Mena School Board met for their regular May meeting on Tuesday in the district administration building.
The meeting began with Kristine Albin and yearbook staff members presenting each member of the school board with their own copy of the 2024 Mena High School Yearbook. Albin expressed her appreciation for their continued support and praised the hard work of the students on the yearbook staff.
That was followed by the Superintendent’s Report. Dr. Lee Smith began with the annual safety assessment report. He stated that
School Resource Officer Justin Wagner as well as the District’s Head of Safety and Security Shane Torix had completed an overview of all the district’s security measures. They found that all categories scored over 90 percent. As part of the report, Smith also noted that a total of 28 bullying incidents were reported over the school year.
Smith then recognized Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley who shared the end-of-year academic report for reading and math. Overall in reading for the district, there was a gain of 8.83% of students improving to “ready” based on grade level standards. In math for the district there has been an overall gain of 8.25%.
Contributing to areas of success is fidelity to the curriculum and intensive intervention practices as well as work with The Bailey Group and behavior practices that support the work in the classroom.
Instructional focus in the upcoming school year will include the identified areas of need and that work will begin on June 3rd with both The Bailey Group and Solution Tree supporting our elementary teachers and continue throughout June and July with focused professional development with The Bailey Group and secondary staff.
Smith then explained to the board that these numbers do not fully reflect the growth students experienced throughout the year. Many students gained significant academic ground, even if they were not counted in the percentage of those on grade level. We will not know the complete extent of this growth until we receive our ATLAS exam scores from the state, which are expected in late October or early November.
Next was the approval of the Budget of Assurance Agreement for Special Education and all other federal programs for the 24-25 school year.
Also on the agenda was the 24-25 Horizon Software Renewal. This is the software used by food services in the cafeteria. It was approved with no discussion.
The board then approved the renewal of the 24-25 Student Accident Insurance.
The board also approved an increase in student and adult meal prices for 24-25. Student meal prices will increase by .10 to $3.05. Adult meal prices will increase from $4.00 to $5.00. Breakfast prices will remain the same.
Next on the agenda was the renewal of the district’s maturing Certificates of Deposit. The board approved.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton then updated the board on his department’s schedule of summer projects. When asked about progress on the Hensley Activity Center Minton stated that the project continues on schedule and they were anticipating the roof to be complete in mid-July.
The board then approved the addition of two individuals to the student body as a result of school choice.
The board then approved the latest financial report. With Dr. Smith stating it had been another good month with revenue outpacing expenses. Since the district is on pace for an end-of-year revenue surplus Dr. Smith recommended a $1200.00 bonus for all employees and the board approved it.
Finally, in personnel, the board accepted the resignation of:
Debra Gagnon-Bus Driver
David Chaney-MMS Band Director
Sandra Spence- MMS Para
Samantha Breedlove-MHS Special Ed Teacher
Linda Willard-MMS Language Arts
Brad Lyle-MHS Coach
Tanner Womack-MMS Coach
Amanda Beck-LDE Teacher
Holly Welser-MHS Teacher
Andrea Hughes-MHS Teacher
Audra Cummings-HHE Para
Robert Sweere-MMS Coach
Jessica Bradley- LDE Preschool Teacher
Restructure:
Rebeca Sprague- From MMS Special Ed/LDE Teacher to MHS Special Ed Literacy Teacher
Susan Tyler-From MMS Special Ed Literacy to MHS Special Ed Math Teacher
Tiffany Luttmer-From MMS Science Teacher to MMS Special Education Teacher
Debbie Hankins- From LDE Special Ed Resource Teacher to LDE Self-Contained Classroom Teacher and Behavior Interventionist
Hires:
James Graham-Bus Driver Route #14
Braxton Arceneaux-Bus Driver Route #10
Amber Labertew-Special Programs Director(PCVA, AE and District Testing Coordinator)
Rachel Carter-HHE Assistant Principal
Rachel Holland-MMS English, Language Arts
Lisa Roberts-LDE Special Ed Teacher
Soren Hankins-LDE Special Ed Self-Contained Para
Contract Change:
Bryon Preston Klutts-Maintenance Specialist II-From 250 day to 245 days- effective July 1st, 2024.
As the meeting concluded a conversation began on how the high school could recognize the overall top academic performers at graduation. After a detailed discussion, the board asked Dr. Smith and the principals that were present to come up with a formula for the student's selection and a plan for them to receive recognition in the future.