The Mena School Board met on Tuesday in the Mena Middle School Library & faced a lengthy agenda.
* Mr. Ray Beardsley spoke to the board about refinancing over $5.5 million in bonds. The winning bid was by FHN with a rate of 1.48%. That will save the district $492,480.00, a reduction of 7.185% over the life of the bond.
* A resolution was passed authorizing the superintendent & treasurer to transfer assets over $2.5 million to the building fund.
*A number of administrators spoke to the board during the superintendents report.
MMS was one of only 15 schools in the state selected to participate in an adequacy study. Principal Clifton Sherrer gave an overview of the process which has already begun.
Each school district in the state is required to survey it's patrons to help guarantee a viable learning platform when school resumes this fall. Assistant Superintendent Paulette Sherrer stated that she is appreciative of the 349 households that have participated so far & the survey remains open. The district continues to seek stakeholder input on Fall 2020 re-entry.
At a recent board meeting of the Arkansas Activities Association the decision was made to waive the required 2020 summer dead weeks this year. Leaving it up to each district to decide if they want to follow suit. Mena Athletic Director Shane Torix told the board that the district AAC decided that coaches would be available & workouts would continue June 22nd-26th. Athletes and coaches would be off the second week June 29th-July 3th. Patrons are reminded that all workouts are voluntary.
MHS Principal David Maxwell spoke to the board in detail about plans for the 2020 Commencement scheduled for July 18th. More guidance from the state is expected on June 30th. Maxwell also stated that no guidance has been given by the state concerning any guidance for approval of a prom.
Finally Mr. Benny Weston awarded Mrs. Paulette Sherrer with a plaque honoring her for her 30 years of service to the Mena School District. Those attending applauded & wished her well in retirement.
* Next on the agenda were bids for a new intercom & phone system for the board to consider. Nathan Stone made a presentation & after much discussion the matter was tabled.
*A bid of $88,875.00 was accepted for the purchase of a new handicap accessible bus.
*Mr. Danny Minton told the board about facility updates. Including the replacement of four air conditioning units at HHE. New lights replacing those damaged at the baseball field should be installed later this week. He also presented the board with options on a cooler/freezer at HHE & a walk in cooler at MMS. The board approved the bid of Fort Smith Restaurant Supply on both projects.
*The board voted to renew the building & property insurance as well as the supplemental student accident insurance for 2020-2021.
*Approval was given for adoption of a board resolution to provide suspension of any portion of present school board policies that may come in conflict with updated waivers or temporary emergency Covid-19 legislation.
*Board member Susan Rowell was appointed to the wellness committee. Replacing Clint Montgomery. All other committee assignments remained the same.
*Personnel- Accepted the resignation of Kristy Hall & Sarah Billings. Approved the hiring of Rachel Dover & Claire Williamson. Extended contracts to para pros Rhanda Vaughn & Karen Herpich. Increased the superintendents salary to $132,000.00 per year & the assistant superintendents salary to $95,000.00 per year.
* The meeting adjourned.