The Mena School Board held their October meeting on Tuesday in the District Administration Building.
The meeting began with Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith recognizing Meghan Thompson. Ms. Thompson is the parent of a student at Louise Durham Elementary and she wished to speak to the board about child nutrition. She expressed her concerns about the 12:55 pm lunch and the content of the sugary breakfast and small portion snack menu. Her comments led to much debate amongst the board and prompted Dr. Smith to say that he had addressed the situation with Aramark, the district’s food service provider, about the lack of protein at breakfast and that funds had already been allocated for a more substantial snack. Dr. Smith will update the board in November.
Dr. Smith added that there are currently $5,542.00 in unpaid meal charges across the district.
Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley then gave the board an update on academics. All beginning of year assessments have been completed and efforts are now focused on growth and getting students on grade level. Several teachers have began training from “Writing Revolution” which aims to enable students to become proficient writers,readers and critical thinkers. Middle school math teachers are implementing Illustrative Mathematics which is built on the principle that all students are capable learners of grade-level mathematics. K-5 teachers have completed their DIBELS. The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills. Buckley also reported the results of a recent thought exchange with teachers who reported an increase in community service by students and improved reading engagement.
The board then approved the annual equity compliance report. Which states that the district is not practicing any discriminatory policies in regard to federal funds.
Next the board adopted a proposed budget of expenditures for 2025-2026 and approved a sample ballot for the next election. Smith stated two board members would be up for reelection. Those being Zone 2 representative Edd Puckett and at-large representative Phillip Wilson. The filing deadline is March 5th, 2024.
The board then passed a resolution waiving the background check for the hiring of Chelsea Waters by Aramark.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton then gave the board an update on projects. He stated that a new chain link security fence would be erected around the construction site of the new Hensley Activity Center. The installation of LED lights in the Performing Arts Center has been completed and they are in the process of changing the bulbs in the Union Bank Center. New drive wheels have been ordered and are being installed on the bleachers at Jim Rackley Gymnasium. Gym Masters will be in Mena in the coming week to do their annual recoat on both gym floors and Field Turf will be doing turf maintenance at Randall Whorton Field as well.
Next on the agenda was the appointment of representatives to the ASBA Delegate Assembly and the 2024 Board Legislative Advocate. The board voted that representatives remain the same for another year.
Dr. Smith then approached the board with the idea of moving the November board meeting since the scheduled day would fall during the Thanksgiving break. The next meeting will be on Monday, November 13th in the Mena Middle School Library. That meeting will begin with board financial training with Ray Beardsley at 5:00pm. Followed by executive session and the open meeting at 7:00pm.
Dr. Smith then spoke to the board about adding additional bus drivers for field trips to the district classified salary schedule at $12.00 per hour. The board approved.
The board then approved the financial reports. Smith stated that revenue outpaced expenditures by $11,000.00 this past month.
Finally in personnel the board accepted the resignation of Cheyenne Owens from her position as bus driver. They also approved the hiring of Rachel Dover as MHS cheer coach.