2025-3-20 MHPS Board Meeting Livestream

001Ask us in city. Good evening, full house. I'd like to call this meeting to order. >> Hang on. Claire, can you hear me now? >> Everybody's >> appropriate notice has been given. Everybody on. Um, I would like to ask the art students to lead us in the pledge because I was going to ask the vandals that vandalled our school to do it, but they are being punished right now. So, we're not going to have that. So, if you would please stand, remove your hats, and we'll say pledge with our art students if they want to come up or do we leave them? >> Either way. >> Okay. >> Ready? and start to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty

002and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> We'll see them in a little bit. Correct. >> Yes, ma'am. I need an approval of the agenda and minutes of February 20 25, March 3rd 25, and March 6th 25 meetings, please. >> I make a motion we approve the agenda and minutes. >> Motion from Scott, >> Second from Jason. Any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. Reports and presentations. Mrs. Lawrence, I would love to hear your academic report. actually let our visitors >> I love it. >> Good evening everybody. My name is Gracie Sephora. Um I'm a senior at Mountain Home High School and the current president of the art club. So um I've also served as the Young Arkansas Artist Association state officer for the past three or so years I think. So, first of

003all, I'd like to thank you very much for letting me come and speak and share some of the exciting things that have been happening in the visual arts world across our school district. So, of course, in celebration of you, Earth Month, we're going to present everybody with a gift from the district art students tonight. So, you will be receiving a set of gift cards and or greeting cards that display images of the artworks that are done by our students. Is that microphone on? >> I don't know. >> Tap it. Would you give it a little >> Oh, it is. Okay. Very. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. >> If we could go to slide two, please. >> So, our first student that we're going to be introducing is Cash Dunn from Nelson Wols and his piece

004is called Optimus Primes and it was done with graphite. So, if you want to stand up and give a little wave. >> That's pretty awesome. Um slide three please. Um from Hackler we have Harlem Bo Brown with puppy portrait and that was done with watercolor and oil pastels. >> Stand away. >> Oh yeah, of course. >> Uh oh. Harlon, was that your own dog or was that just something you >> liked? Okay. >> Oh, and I must say that was the first uh female board member is Bonnie. >> Oh, that's right. Bonnie Brown. Very nice. >> Just a piece of history. So, next we have Harley Dawson from the fifth grade. Her piece is titled Where the Red Fern Grows. And that was a chalk pastel. [Applause] >> Oh, yeah. You want to come up

005and say? >> Oh, that would be great. >> Sure. So my masterpiece where the red fern grows um it was made during a project which Miss Norcross which I would like to give special thanks to well she had set up a project for us to do since recently in literacy class we had read the book where the red grows and in my opinion it was just heartwarming. I loved it and so that book inspired me to make this art piece where the red grows. This picture shows Billy, one of the main characters, petting his beloved dog, Old Dan. >> Good job. What do you What do you want to do when you grow up? >> Cuz man, I think you need I'm going to vote for you for president and you need to be on

006the school board. Take over the world. >> I think I might want to become an animator. >> Yeah. Well, there you go. You're on your way. Beautiful. And it's a masterpiece. I love how you >> Well done. Well done. >> Affirmed that. Thank you. >> Good job, Harley. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> On slide five, we have from Kingston Middle School, June Templar. Her piece is titled Brutus and it's done with colored pencil. >> Wow. [Applause] Come on. >> No. >> Let the art speak for >> Is that your favorite animal or >> Yeah, it's beautiful. >> So, slide six, we have Riley Blazelle from the junior high. Her piece is titled My Jelly Cats and Enough. That was done in color pencil and [Applause] so put my paper over. So from the high school

007we have Owen Morris. The his piece is made out of ceramic. It's called the turtle. >> He's a baseball. >> Well, he's a baseball, but we appreciate his contribution. [Applause] Next we have Maggie Maine. She's also from the high school. Her piece is untitled, but I think it speaks for itself. It's done with oil pastel. So >> beautiful. >> So she's here. We can still give her [Applause] >> She doesn't want to get up and speak. >> Oh, she's not here. Okay. No, never mind. >> So after that, we'll get on to the fine arts fest at the Hackler. So, from what I understand, it went off really, really well. And um let's see. We had a successful fine arts fest March 4th. They were a visitors were able to admire over 10,000 art pieces

008from our students and participate in some fun activities and some food from what I understand. It's always exciting. Kingston Middle School drain project. So, um, Kingston art students in their efforts to attain the school of conservation distinction paired with the city of mountain home and friends of the river to, um, do a storm drain art awareness. So, that brings awareness to some of our storm drains to keep them clean. And these particular empty out into Dodd Creek or Hicks Creek. So, just a little movement to keep everything nice and tidy. >> Were they afraid of seeing the clown? >> You know what? That might have been a that might >> especially that age >> side 11 we have the Pinkston art teacher Miss Posie has some links on this slide to a website of hers

009with some incredible artwork that's being produced by our stu or her students. So if anybody wants to click on that later they can feel free to look on it. So, it's okay. So, at the high school, we do or we try to do a lot of community projects. And one of those is um volunteering at the food bank of North Central Arkansas. And this was in 2024. Um some pictures of students boxing meals that we do. Slide 13. One of my favorite events that we have is the annual empty bowls to feed the hungry dinner. This was our 11th 11th annual one. So over the course of those 11 years, we raised $250,000. So that's quite a bit. >> And this last year we raised 53,000. >> Is that the most ever? >> Yeah. Well,

010slowly we've been building up. So thankfully we have >> quite a quite a good group. And this year was the first year that our little balmer art students, as pictured in the one to the far right, the um they were able to contribute their own bulls, which were very adorable. I love them. >> That's pretty. >> Is that the one that we had the problem with the she had to work overtime and >> Yeah. Yeah. You Yeah, that's her. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Oh my gosh, that was a lot of work. Thank you for making it happen because I'm sure they were just crushed. >> It was a great little project. Such a great time. >> Oh, good. When's that going to be? >> April 30th. >> Okay. >> So, July 14th. Um, this was

011for American Graffiti Day. Um, the high school art students uh partnered up with the Pin students to um create a Jackson inspired artwork for our American graffiti um American graffiti event that was at the Kingston Kingston Middle School there. And then slide 15. So about two weeks ago, several of Mountain Home's very own art students placed in the Northeast Region Art Contest in Cherokee Village. And we also got some best of show. So there's some pictures of them there, which we're very proud of them. So, our first place winners, they will have their artwork sent to state level. So, they will be competing um they'll go on and be competing at a higher tier. Slide 60, please. So, this is a little bit about our young artist association, AYAA. So, next month there will be

012several high school art students. They're going to be attending a competition in Hot Springs, AYAA. So, on our way up there, we're going to stop at the UCA art department to get a little tour for anybody who might be interested in pursuing that line of education. And then we will also have approximately 14,000 or 14,000 1400, my bad, art high school art students from across Arkansas that are going to come and participate. It's a very fun event that, you know, it's very good for the art community. >> $5 to the art department. >> To the art department to the art department, >> whoever you interrupt. >> Got it. >> So that's 17, please. >> These are some of our dates to remember. So the Nelson Wils Heron Art Walk is going to be April 30th

013from 4 to 6:00 p.m. The fine arts festival will be April 27th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. And that's going to be at the high school. Um the fine arts concentration >> reception. I can't read, >> but you can draw. >> That will be April 24th, 6:30 p.m. And that's going to be in the Dunar Auditorium. And that um event is going to recognize seniors who have earned a minimum of four credits in at least one fine arts area. So, it's a little bit of what's been going on. And again, a big thank you to supporting the visual arts and also for letting me come speak. So, >> you are fantastic. [Applause] Will that be on our website the links to those dates? >> Those yes. Okay. It's >> already Lawrence. Thank you. >> We

014got some art teachers there. >> I think I got this one. While we're passing this out, could we have the art teachers please stand up so we could recognize all of our fantastic art folks, [Applause] >> Miss Posey, >> Miss Norcross, >> and Miss Harris. >> Mr. Har >> and Miss Lawrence boss. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. >> Foreign language teachers. National Foreign Language Month. >> Yay. All right. [Laughter] [Music] >> Thank you for having us. We're celebrating World Culture Month and Youth Art Month. So, this is a really big deal for us. Um I think you know these people behind me but just in case we have Senor Rodriguez hair Francis and Senora West Coat and I'm Madame Leon. So we are representing the foreign language programs at Mountain Home

015High School and you can see we now offer all three levels of French, German, and Spanish. >> Wow. >> Yes. So very excited and they're growing. Our our third levels are growing every year. >> That's fantastic. >> Clicker. >> Oh no clicker. Okay. So we have started a program of study for those students who decide to pursue three years of the same language which is quite a feat. Uh we have some top students and they have to really carve that out of their schedule. So uh we excited about these numbers. I mean we started off with maybe nine total and now we are looking at six French students 17 German and 10 Spanish students that are going to be completing the program of study and they'll be wearing a special cord to represent the native

016language of that country. So really great job to those kids. So, a really big thing that we are preparing for like all day at this moment. We have been um focusing on this a lot the last few weeks. We will be p we're participating in this competition really soon. So, we're going to be doing a lot of things after spring break. Um but we are taking students back to the student competition and this year it's going to be held at Harding University. Um, Harding has been so um, great. I'm so grateful to them because they have been providing us a special tour that's going to give us a tour of their language department buildings and some other departments while we're there. But our students are able to compete in those events that you see listed

017up there. And this the theme is this is actually our 50th year of this organization is celebrating the past, competing for the future. Um, so Chris Francis and I, we are members of the board of Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association. We just finished a board meeting on Zoom right now. Mr. Chris is the presidentele, so he is very important in the organization. I'm just a member at large. So, uh, we're really excited for this competition. It gets our kids some recognition in an area that they probably don't get very much recognition in. >> All right. So, we are really excited about this next thing or just >> Yes. >> So, in this meeting, I just wanted to throw this in because this was news for both of us. Um, Yeah, exactly. Uh we had one

018of our members was recently at the it was the central states meeting. So it's about 14 states. Uh it's a a foreign language uh organization that encompasses 14 states. And apparently Arkansas is the only state out of the 14 that has a uh state level student competition which really shocked me. So go Arkansas. >> Go Arkansas. >> Thank you. >> All right. So the Arkansas syllabi literacy. Um this may be something you've heard of. Have you heard of this? Have you? Okay. So, this is a a a huge deal for us. The seal of biiteracy is something that has been going on for several years at the national level, but in 2018, this is when it became something official in Arkansas. And you can see there that this was really presented by the organization that

019we're part of, plus the Arkansas Teachers of English to speakers of other languages. Um, so this is an endorsement that our students can get. Um so if you go to the next slide you can see a little bit more. So three big things that the seal will bring us and it should show the next two also. It's the state's highest recognition for high school arts students in the languages in world languages. It shows that they attain n language proficiency in two or more languages. So, um, us as foreign language teachers, we have to first make sure our students are proficient in English. And so, these students have to have a certain score on their ACT or their SAT or if they're a student of another language, they have to take other tests like the ELPA

020exam to show proficiency. So, that's first and foremost. So, you're already talking about top English students. Well, they also have to take a a language test. And we are giving this test. I think it's on the next slide. Um, we're giving this test very soon. So, what does this mean for our students? They will receive a seal on their diploma showing that they are proficient in at least two languages. We have two students that are testing in more than one language. Um, they will also receive a special certificate and then a special stole that you see in the third picture that they can wear at graduation. This is our statistics as of last fall. Um, we have already been doing this in Arkansas and so you can see there's over 6,000 students that have earned

021this seal. This is our first year. Um, we have had 464 students just in this last semester in Arkansas. Four new languages. I know Turkish was one of them. Uh, four new languages have been added. And so we're seeing this increase across the board. In the next slide, you will see how this applies to Mountain Home. So, we have 20 students who are testing. >> Wow. >> March 31st. Please say a prayer for them. >> Say a prayer for us because this is our first time. Um, we have students testing in our languages, French, German, and Spanish. We have a young man that's also that's going to be testing in Italian. >> Yes. >> So, there you go. His house. Um, really excited. Uh, there are four sections to this test. They have to do

022listening comprehension. So these are microphones and headphones while they're taking the test. They have to have a speaking proficiency. So they're being recorded. >> Writing and reading. So we are really talking about a serious exam that these students have to take. >> Babble >> is more. Yes. This is a more than Yeah, that that'll get them a good foundation probably. But yeah, it it's it's uh it's pretty incredible. But we've been we we're we're working with our kids and we're we're giving them some practice test and giving them some opportunities to um find some places online where they can practice. So really big deal for us. Um you can see here this this is the list of things that will also benefit our students. Um this is going to really enhance their resume. This will

023enhance them for not only scholarships for but for future employment opportunities. as we all well know, we are more of a global community than we've ever been before, even in Little Mountain, Arkansas. And so, uh, we are looking at some great, great things that we are doing for our kids. But this also helps our school district. So, just so you know, so we really want these kids to do well. We really want to cheer them on. >> March 31st. And so, it's we've allotted three days because it it can take a long time. Um hopefully we'll get them finished by April 1st. >> So they're spending their spring break uh studying >> in theory. In theory, we'll see. But you know, I tell them no matter what, no matter what, just that they have show

024shown the courage to take on this challenge. That says something about these kids because this is not easy. especially if you're just taking language in a classroom setting where you're not immersed 247. Um, this is a just a really great opportunity for our kids just to experience it. Plus, if they're not a senior, they can take the exam again in the fall. >> So, and we have a sophomore too taking it. So, they have more opportunities. They have every semester they can take it and they can take it multiple times. So, yes. >> Yes. uh and we are looking at level three that being a requirement almost like the AP exam for our AP courses that they have to take the syllabi literacy. So that's something that we're working on. So moving on to our

025individual Oh, did you have any more questions about the seal before I go on? Um we have our French students that Thank you. >> Thank you, Kelly. Just in case you have questions. >> You're good. >> Yes, she is. >> She was reading my mind. Um, we have completed our fifth tour of Quebec last summer. Um, we had a great bunch of kids. Had a great time. It was interesting because out of all places they were having a heat wave, so the people up there didn't know what to do about all the the heat, but it was it was a great tour. Um, as you see on the map there, we spend most of our time in the star, the capital city of Quebec, Quebec City, and then in the red dot, Montreal, which we

026know as Montreal. And we do have a June 2026 trip already scheduled. We already have students signed up for that. Hopefully signing up some more. So in the next slide you'll see um this is a beautiful um scene of Quebec City where you see Fhatronac and St. Lawrence Rivers in the in the distance. Um we are using EF Explore America. We've used their agency. I've used them since 1999. So I've been around for a while and have been always happy with them. um they do everything they can to make us safe and provide us great opportunities. And then the last slide you see for French um this was our group that went this last summer. Um this was the first time that I was able to cross the ferry. So we crossed the ferry the

027St. Lance Lawrence River um in Quebec City which is a huge historic area. Um and so this was a great experience for those kids. It reminded me of the old ladies days of crossing the ferry when I lived in Galia. So, but it it was a little bit bigger. Um, so I'm going to turn it over to our I think it's German that's next. Our German teacher hair Chris Francis. [Music] So, um, uh, we'll be going on our trip. We're we're a little bit, uh, I guess, uh, what do you want? How do you want what's that? >> Yeah, we're on an off year. Co kind of threw us off. We used to be on our even year, so we all used to go at the same time, but so German is on for this

028year and then uh Spanish and French will be going next year. This is uh GAP's 26th uh trip. Um so GAP has been around for a little while and that is uh mostly due to my predecessor whom I'm sure you all know, Nancy Reed. She set this up. It's been going on since the 80s and so it's just a tremendous program that she's built and uh I get the privilege of being able to continue it. Um we have this year we encouraged our German uh compatriots to uh take as large of a group as they were willing. So they agreed to take 25 students of theirs to bring over here who will be arriving in two weeks. And so um so I'm staying with Miss Dwey and uh and then in the summer we'll be

029taking 25 students over there. Um so uh I kind of put together a little map there. You can see uh so down in the bottom left at the beginning of the of the dotted line there down in Bavaria. That's where we're going to be spending the first two weeks. Uh this is kind of the most exciting part. Well, it's all exciting, but the the cool thing about that is while we're in Reagansburg for two weeks, the students actually get to see kind of a behind-the-scenes look of Germany. They they they're embedded with a German family. They get to see what Germans do. They get to hear what Germans think. And so it's it's it's not just like hotel hopping. they get to really get a get a behind thes scenes look. So we we we

030think that's a really special part of this trip. But then the second part is equally cool and that is we get to uh kind of design our own trip around Europe. And as you can see we go so far we go completely off the known map uh off to the side there. I probably should have picked a better map, but anyway. So we're going to we're going to kind of cruise through Austria uh the Czech Republic. Um we have an exchange student in Poland right now who just happens to be from the city we wanted to go to. Serendipity. So, she's going to help us set up some stuff there and then we're going to b uh bounce back into Germany and then on up to Berlin. But, it's a it's an extremely exciting trip.

031I'm really excited for the students. I think they're going to see a lot and just get a tremendous overview of uh of Europe while we're there. So, and that's just a picture of probably the most well-known thing in Berlin, and that's the the Reikes talk. So, they're kind of their Capitol Hill, if you will. Um has a long and glorious history. So, uh just one one of the many things they'll be seeing while they're there. So, be thinking about us. We'll be you'll probably be hearing uh us doing some fundraising in the coming months, so consider joining in on that. All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. That's an awesome trip, man. >> And now we have Senor Rodriguez with the Puerto Rico trip. >> Yes. Um hola. >> Hola. >> Um Puerto

032Rico is dear to my heart. It's where I'm from. So I tell the families and the kids, you know, I'm going home. Who wants to go with me? It gives us the opportunity to leave the country but still be in the country. You know, we still have the same, you know, same the dollar. The cell phones will work, but we still immersed in a Spanish country uh setting. Um I would love to take you guys if you guys want to join us. Uh we we are going uh next summer in June as well. And we currently have six students who have signed up. Miss Bergentock and I are the chaperones going on the trip and u if you see the next picture you will see the students who went this last year. We had a

033very group >> very interesting. We had a great time. >> Um >> and and some of my teenager boys reminded me that they they are toddlers, you know. So >> it was just amazing. I do have I do have um some flyers that has a code if you want to see more detailed informations about the trip. I'll leave these here for you to you. But it is an amazing opportunity for them to explore. We all know what's important about traveling. Um now safety EF provides one of the most secure um trip possible. You know, from the moment we get there, we have a 247 tour guide. This is the same in Quebec. We all our trips are together as a group probably with another group. Our hotels we have a security details just for our

034rooms. So if that door opens at night, I don't know about it. And uh so and we we do some amazing trip. We go to rainforest, we go to fluorescent bay, we have a cooking lesson, dancing lesson, uh we go to the beach. Uh we keep him from burning. That's my goal. Uh but it is it is an amazing trip. This is our sixth trip with students and very excited. I have hundreds of pictures. You'd like to see them and uh for our trip and and thank you so much. We are very excited in our district because of what we can offer and seeing the kids in an amazing way. They'll get a backpack for both of our trips. They'll get a t-shirt just like this one. They find me. Um, and it's just an

035amazing opportunity for our students. Much gracias. >> He's making me look bad. I didn't bring any flyers. So, well, thank you guys for supporting us. Um, it just makes a difference when we have kids in person in our classroom, the interaction, and I hope that that's always supported, and I just want to know that means the world to us. So, thank you on behalf of our students. >> Thank you. [Applause] All right, Miss Lawrence, >> draft day review and draft day stats. >> I wanted to just take a minute tonight and give you an update on draft day because we talked about it. >> Happy spring break. >> Um, I thought y'all would enjoy seeing um some pictures from the event and an update on we have some numbers to share with you. I do

036want to say that uh Coach Bill Goodwin is at track meet tonight or I would have him up here with me because he was our our key organizer from our district in this. Um and then also Miss Danny Pudsley from the chamber um where they were key in in getting this up and running for us. But I wanted you to see um a little bit about what the event was like. They had a room set up for uh seniors to interview with uh local employees um from all around our community. um they could choose who they wanted to sit with. Um the great thing about this is they first of all they got to experience a real interview um but they also got some information from these employers about what they would expect um you

037know what what that job would entail for them and they could see if that was a match for them moving forward. So um I thought y'all would enjoy seeing the setup of that. So they had that in but that's the trout room I think but they had that that room was full um and then the students could go to the career expo and that was in that main room at the shed and it was wallto-wall um you could say vendors but they're just um anyone that wanted to participate that that is going to be an employee an employer of these students was was able to set up a booth and showcase their company their programs um tell them more about what would be involved in a job What I did really like as I visited

038the the tables is they they tried to bring multiple employees from their um companies so they could talk about different opportunities within the company. So there might be an aspect of that place of employment the student might not apply to before. So they got a very robust experience meeting the um the community partners um throughout the the and they could just take their time. They had a lot of merchandise available for our kids to see. Um, and then I just put several pictures on here that I look through. Um, >> how many kids? >> Well, I have some numbers I'll share with you in just a second. Um, they're just some of our you'll recognize some of our Leah from Kidspation. And we have lots of people you'll recognize in these photos. Very creative tables.

039I will say they had some fun >> um things there and so lots of just a really great variety of of places where students could go and they also had information about postsecary support. Um so I did want to share oh they also have the B prob proud truck that students could visit. We had this on our campus um previously but they had that and students could go through that um if they wanted to. I didn't want to let you see our training providers. Just give some of these companies um some recognition. All of these listed here were our our companies that were part of of draft day. This was our first time to do it in Mount Home. We learned a lot. Um overall, our feedback was that it was a very successful day.

040Um but obviously we can learn and maybe make some changes if we need to for include more people in it if they would like to. Um and then So, we did pull some numbers together so you could kind of see um where we ended. So, there were to 25 total interviewees. They did not have to interview to participate in the expo, but we did have 25 that did the full interview experience. Of those, 22 received feedback offering conditional job offers requesting either an online application, offering an internship, an apprenticeship application, or a full-time job offer. So 88% of those that went through that process came out with um an opportunity um of some sort. Uh 20 were invited to apply online for potential openings. That was 80%. Nine were encouraged to apply for internship or

041apprenticeship. That was 36%. Three conditional job offers based on meeting pre-employment requirements. So basically if they could go through the remaining steps they there was a conditional job offer there. Um, two were actually offered full-time jobs and then one independently set up a job interview outside of the interview process. Um, another great aspect of this was they um they realized there's some steps they've got to take. So, they are going to have to be proactive in their next steps and this kind of gave them some um really good information about how to how to get that underway. So, it was >> and these were just this is just our students. Yes, we had an addition. >> These are our mountain home. Thank you for saying that. These are our Mountain Home students. This was a

042regional event. So, there were students from other area schools that we showed you on that map before that were invited to attend. Um, so this uh this is what we compiled from our students. >> That's great. >> Not bad for a first time. Yeah, >> I know. And our campus was beautiful. Y'all know ASU is >> 30 plus and it was raining um heavily that day, but >> it was really I happened to walk in. And I was just curious what this is like. I've never seen anything so well organized and students were very focused. The vendors were lighthearted, which I thought, you know, it was good. They had a good, but it was extremely impressive >> and they really were able to answer, you know, they had time to answer any question that they

043had about the company. So, um, it was a great opportunity for students. >> Any other questions? >> No. Thank you, M. >> That's all I have. >> Thank you. All right, Miss Carter, financial reports. >> Good evening. >> We'll start with the statement of changes in the ballots for the end of February 28th of 2025. and we ended the month of February with 16,881,891.73. If you recall last month, I talked about fund 3000 and some of those insurance reimbursements that we would be receiving. And so we received $84,91.91 of those five refunds. So just Wanted to point that out since I brought it up last week. Any questions? There's really nothing out of the ordinary. This is the statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in the fund balance for the month ending February 28th. We

044had total revenues of 1,79,58.38 with total expenditures of $3,74,29.31. our meth. Looking at our monthly fund balance tracking, we ended the month of February with 10,328,25526. And that's up a little bit from last year. And then moving on to our statement of changes in activity funds. We ended the month of February with 625,475.13. >> Any questions for Miss Carter on that part? >> The following pages are system reports for the reports that we just went over and then also the check register for February. Thank you, ma'am. >> Thanks. >> Hope you feel better. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. Byebye. >> Byebye. >> Take your toys and go. >> She's done. >> All right. Oh, sorry. Hello, Miss Dwey. Yes. >> Enrollment report, please. >> Total enrollment, 3,764 students. So, that's up two from last month. >>

045We'll take them two at a time. We sure will. We'll be watching um April 4th, Mr. Roach, is that right? Is kindergarten registration. So, we're really going to be keeping our eye on that. Um don't expect a huge crowd, but you never know, right? You never know. >> Show up. >> That would be wonderful. And a student transfer update, Miss Dewey, >> we have two out and one in. So this is negative, but um one of the ones that left or did the child had never attended school. So they moved to Mountain Home and wanted to go to another school for a smaller school setting. So really they weren't >> they were never ours to begin with. >> No, they were never ours to begin with. So not that that's great, but um it's not

046like we lost a student there. So maybe we can win them over. >> We might be able to. >> Okay, Mr. Tonight facilities update. >> Hello. So, I just want to start real quick. I don't know if you noticed, we kind of have a full house tonight. We don't normally have one. And um I've noticed that a large number of our food service teams here and I think they're here to support you guys on item. It's come up in a couple. But um anyway, from our last uh work session we had um we kind of messed up and I apologize that the live stream reviewers could not see the slides the architect was working on. So I've attached them here. Jennifer has also attached them and put them on the website. >> Great. Thank you.

047>> There and we've ordered the necessary equipment. So long as it comes in by next time um they'll be able to see those but they can't make it in person. >> Great. I think this is really good. Really well. Thank you. >> Anybody that didn't see it on last time, they can go to the website and see everything we were talking about discussing >> On the facilities page. Wow. Yeah, you have everything. >> Got all the scribbles. It's a little bit better than we did because um the architect did go and annotate some stuff, too. So nice. Might clean them up a little bit. >> Thank you. >> No problem. Um and then um just wanted to give you an update on the guy roof and where we're at. Um uh architects going to have

048those submitted by April 18th. Um we're going to get the that bid posted as soon as we can. get the facilities division just a few days to a week to try to um approve those in case there's any changes and then um get that uh get those open and selected midmay and then bring that to you at the May board meeting um for approval or nonapproval and um hopefully I mean I can't guarantee you when the construction can begin because I don't know who we're picking at um start that this summer try to get as much of the noisy stuff as we can get done done if that's the way we're going to And then uh last I know uh in June we had the problem with the roof uh from the high winds at

049the blew that off and I just wanted to show you and attach there for the public that we received those um that insurance payment and how that all broke down and that project is complete. Any people have any questions? >> So that funding will be in Guyberry in May. >> Will it will it be funded? We will should know in May. >> In May. Okay. >> I'm hoping we'll know. So you'll know when I >> Okay. Thank you. >> Good question. >> Any questions for Mr. Knight? >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> Safety and security update. Mr. Helmer. >> I like it. >> All right. Well, good evening. >> Good evening. and uh thanks for having me up here for a safety and security update. Uh I did a uh two columns for

050you. Uh if you look at 2024 and also did a 2025 on some things that we're looking at and uh in the future. Uh but to start off with, uh you know, when I first got hired, this is the first year. Uh I looked at uh some we did some yellow vests for all our duty teachers. I don't know if y'all noticed that, but every duty teacher that's out uh should have a yellow vest. And also uh if you work in bus or caring you should. Okay. So that's something we initiated. Uh the next thing is I want to mention is we did a district-wide lockdown drill. Uh went really really well. Uh we did every campus. Uh even after that I did a survey to see how the teachers felt and uh it they

051it went really well. They felt like they were prepared and uh knew what they needed to be that needed to be done. Uh I'm also working, this has been a process, but also working on our new uh badge system. Uh something that when I came in that kind of took over uh we worked out the kinks and it's going really well now, you know. So if you want access to our schools, you got to come through me to get permission to to get that. So it's going well. Another thing is I started updating our EOP. Uh I've got a template from the state and it's a huge undertaking. So it's about 112 page document. I'm really trying to see what works for us, use and don't use. So I'm in still in the process of

052updating our EOP. So let's go to uh 2025. Uh so uh implementing and train the high school and junior high on our new weapons detection system that will be installed next week. Uh so we're rolling that out. Uh come when the kids get back to school uh on Monday, we'll have them set and ready to go. Uh so also we're placing missing items out of our crisis bag. U and the way I want to do this and I think it's a great idea is uh next football season and our first responders night is bring an item for that. And I think it'll go >> That's a good idea. >> Really well. >> Y So >> you'll have more than you >> Yes. >> will have storage for. >> Yeah. Uh and also what I'm doing

053in the future, I'm looking for a vape detection system for our high school and junior high. Uh it's becoming a bigger and bigger problem. And I've talked to several districts that have these detection systems, these bait detections, and it really works. They say they see a big difference in it. So we're looking at doing something like that. >> How does that work? So most of the most kids go into a bathroom. So they're mounted like a not a camera, but it's mounted up the ceiling >> and it just detects the vape. >> Really? So like a like a >> smoke detector. >> Like a smoke detector on a different level. >> Yes. And what it does is it immediately sends up uh to your phone that says, "Hey, a vape detected in whatever bathroom." >>

054And uh if you can't catch them, of course, we have cameras. they can look who's coming going at that time. >> So, it it's it's worked well. So, that's one thing that we're looking at at some of our campuses. >> I think also the fear of deterrent, >> knowing that it's there also can deter them a little bit. >> You would think, but >> I know it's creative. We were teenagers once. >> So, anyway, y'all have any questions on >> uh I just mentioned some this highlighted some things that we're working on. Do y'all have any questions? the the doorork knob process is what were you that's in process? Yes. >> When do you expect that to be complete? >> Well, we kind of ran into a little snag uh on it. So, uh really

055going to hit hard this summer. >> Okay. >> So, but it is in the process. >> It was a little loud and disturbing >> our classrooms. >> Yeah. I got some complaints on that. So, I talked to Chad and Chris and they said, "Yeah, we can we can do some things and really hammer it out this summer." >> Okay. >> Any other questions for Mr. Helmer? >> Thank you for appreciate you very much. >> So, I can stay up here. >> Yep. You sure can. >> Soon as they put me back to back. Me and my wife are going on a cruise. It's our third anniversary. So, >> congratulations. >> We're leaving after this. Oh, okay. Board action items. Uh, request to approve security laminate purchase. >> Yeah. So, the first action item, I know

056there's a lot on there, but the first one is for approval for our uh security laminate uh throughout our district. So, little background on it. Uh, we have been awarded 221,000 uh $221,300 in the second year of the state security grant. A portion of these funds will be used to enhance the school security by installing safety film across the district. Uh although this project will ultimately be costneutral to the district, it is structured as a reimbursement grant. This means the district must initially cover the expenses with uh reimbursement to follow up on project completion. Uh recommendation. I recommend that the board approve bidder one for the installation of safety film across the district at a total cost of $39,130, not including tax. >> I move the board approve the recommendation. >> Second. >> I have

057a motion by Neil, a second by Molly. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Unanimous. Thank you guys. >> Have a great time. be safe. Request to approve 2526 salary schedule. Mr. Engel, PPC, and Mr. Dailyaly CPPC. >> I don't think either of us are going on a cruise. >> I am excited to be early. >> So, you're here all night? >> Yeah. Um, so we just come tonight to propose approved next year's salary schedules. The changes are highlighted in yellow. As far as the uh certified side goes, I think the only change has not already been board approved. It's just on this page right here. Just addressing that cohort continues to move down. If you remember, that was one of our weird compromises with learns and it's working out. Um but I believe that's the

058only >> think so >> one not seen so far that's become on the classified side. Um, we've got a couple items in there. Um, one of which is a uh one for Eddie that's a clerical change just on the coding. Nothing else has changed. Just changing his code there. Um, further down there is and probably the reason that people behind us are here. Oh, I skipped that one. Sorry. I'll go in order. Uh we proposed to change three of the levels of the maintenance uh to give them a little uh leeway in how they're able to hire their folks. So I changed the title there from maintenance skill maintenance. Um the big one though was our food staff, food service staff. Um a lot of folks work real hard to work uh these salary schedules

059and get these folks some raises that they deserve. 100%. Um, you know, honestly, I always say that there's nobody in a school that isn't 100% necessary for the process, but these folks are >> definitely >> Exactly. There is no kid that >> Yeah. >> isn't going to feel bad if they don't get a meal from these people. You know, they're they're always there to make sure our students are fed and they can learn because I I didn't grow up very rich, not at all. and having those meals was very important. Um, so we hope that you all will approve those changes for them. They definitely deserve it. >> Definitely. >> Make a motion we approve the recommendation as presented. >> I'll second. >> I have a motion by Jason, a second by Scott. Any discussion?

060>> I just want to say y'all deserve it. >> Definitely. This is one of the easiest approvals >> and makes me very happy because I'm a foodie and I do not want to see any family, child, adult, elder go insecure without food and and you guys serve some good stuff uh handed to the menu that you're forced to serve, which isn't always easy. And it looks great. Thank you so much for everything you do. >> Thank you. They're some of the hardest working employees in the district, too. >> I know you maybe other I worked today in the food service over in the junior highlight and it wore me out from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I was done. >> So, that's right. >> I tell you what, you get one piece of food splashed

061in your face while you're washing dishes. >> Yeah. You appreciate it. >> Too bad we can't double it. I would love to do that. >> Thank you all. >> Thank Thank you so very much. >> Oh yeah. All in favor. >> It's unanimous. Okay. Congratulations. Thank you for everything. Thank you. Sorry. Okay. Next up. >> Are you leaving us? >> Taking the money and running. >> Take the money and run. All right. >> Breakfast starts soon. >> Happy spring break. >> Breakfast just around the corner. >> We got to get some sleep so they can be back bright. >> Yeah. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Request to approve the 2425 calendar amendment. >> Well, we had five days plus two hours of snow time that we had to make up. We had five days

062built in. Two hours had to come from somewhere. Um PPC met and we already had three early release days coming in April and May. and we just decided to turn the last day of school into a regular >> day of school. Probably the least disruptive to everyone's >> yes >> plans and routine. So that's what PBC voted. So with that, I ask you would approve the calendar adjustment to from the last day of school to a non- early. >> I make a motion that we accept your proposal. >> I have a motion by Barbara. >> Second from Jason. Any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. All right. Request to approve section three policy updates. Mr. Engel, >> following ASPA recommendations, there were numerous changes. Um, PPC actually voted to probably not change three or four or

063so that were recommended. Um, we just like that we had better. That being said, all the ones that you see in front of you are the changes that we recommend. Many of them are either just structural or um basically grammatical errors. Um only a couple would really result change is worth noting the last one. Um we are adopting ASBA's artificial intelligence recommendation. It's going to change. I mean >> yeah it really is. >> AI is being built around us right now. Um so we just decided to go with theirs. The only difference that makes an amount on policy is we identify technology as the department that will help you know be our deciding committee on course. >> So that I'd ask you to approve the section three policy changes. >> 14 of them. >> All

064right. >> I make a motion we accept that one. >> Have a motion by Barbara. >> Second from Scott. Uh, any discussion? >> Thanks for all the work. >> It was a logistical nightmare and it was a very long meeting, but >> we got through it. >> That's why you get paid the big bucks, right? >> Yeah. All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, Mr. Engel. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we'll take uh Mr. Dailyaly for a request to approve section 8 policy updates. >> Back. >> You're back. Uh so same thing as with the PPC uh the CPPC went through the ASBA recommended updates for uh this six-month period and uh found that there was 17 policies we need to look at. U voted to change quite a number of them um with uh 10

065of them being mostly ASBA's recommendations to change. Um seven of them are MHPS policies uh either partially or in full. Um there were a few of them that are just completely clerical changes in nature and uh actually three new policies including AI and 10 where some policies were changed. I do recommend that you approve the recommendations of the CPPC and be glad to answer any question they may have. I make a motion. Will you take your proposal? >> Second. >> Have a motion by Barbara, a second from Neil. Any discussion? >> These are touchy ones. >> There's a couple in there. >> All in favor? Unanimous. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Mendleski. Request to approve security camera upgrades. Um requesting approval for more security camera upgrades. Um this is falling under the security grant round

066two of that grant. Um we worked up plans to upgrade junior high and Kingston kind of the next campuses in line for an upgrade. Um this will be kind of the right in line with what we're doing at Nelson Wils and what we did at Gyberry. Same brand uh cameras. um taking P Kingston to four recorders and 64 cameras from two recorders and 26 cameras. >> That's good. >> Um and then junior high will be seven recorders and 72 cameras upgrading from four and 43. Um and uh we uh the goal is to have everything complete by June by the end of June ideally so that can be reimbursed on this year's funds for that security grant. So they will probably do an extension if needed but that's that's the goal. um vendor says they

067can start probably um second week of April or third week of April and they will be doing all of the cabling and install on this. So that's what these numbers include that the whole whole project. So um like to recommend you approve um both projects same bidder number one for both projects for those amounts listed below. >> Make a motion we approve the recommendation as presented. >> Second. I have a motion from Jason, a second from Molly. Any discussion? >> Will those include the soft the AI software for the weapons detection? >> No. >> But it are they capable? So, okay. So, that's just another layer that you put on top of it, >> right? There's actually two layers. We can go with analytics on these cameras through this camera manufacturer that will aid in

068searching. So we can put a license that's fairly affordable on certain cameras that would say look for all the red cars that drove through the parking lot today and it would just pop them all up. >> And then the other layer would be like zero eyes which would actually be like weapons detection, you know, analytical >> scanning. So >> is that like a software that you add on? >> Yeah, it's a it's a hardware add in that basically scrubs all the footage looking for >> Wow. >> things that shouldn't be there. We are in some weird times. >> We are. >> Golly, I'm glad we didn't have this in school. >> We got some more trouble. >> Would have been plastered all over the billboards. >> Okay. >> Definitely wouldn't have made it to the

069board. >> Where did we leave off? Okay. Jason, Molly, discussion. All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, Steve. >> Thank you. >> All right, Miss Cotter. Sorry, I thought she left. >> I did, too. I thought >> Dang it. >> Darn it. Okay, we can straight you out. Request to approve primary district depository. >> It's uh that time where our banking contract will expire March 31st and Miss Harper and I uh work together to uh send out a request for proposing proposals. We sent those out on February 11th and asked that they be returned by March 7. And so attached you will find the banking services RFP. So you can see the list of the things that uh we included and then there is another link for the banking services rubric. I believe nine banks were

070contacted. This group contacted them personally through email so that everybody knew that it was out there and had the opportunity. We've uh listed those on the spreadsheet and it correlates with the request for proposal. Make a motion we approve the action item as presented. >> Second. >> Have a motion from Jason, second from Neil. Any discussion? >> That's that's the most banks I've seen bid on this in a long time. >> Nine banks uh were contacted. One notified Miss Harper that they would not be submitting a bid. So, everybody else that >> Wow. >> That's what she said. There were actually 10 I'm sorry that we contacted one said they wasn't going to respond and then >> these are local banks local here >> as local as it gets. >> I think this is great.

071I mean this is as best you can multiple biders. Let's pick the best one. And I'm assuming >> bank number six we're looking at 2% cash rebate on the cards. I mean that's and I mean it looks really great. >> All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, Miss Carter. Stay there. Request to approve the fiscal year 25 budget adjustments. Each year, uh, the state department puts out final allocations and that requires us to make some budget adjustments. So what you see listed on the spreadsheet are adjustments that we will be making based on those final allocations. The 2276 is our ELLL fund and that we never get that number until November when they do an official count. So I've just held off so I could bring them all at one time. But we will have some

072more next month as well. >> Okay. So, I'm asking that the board approve these adjustments. >> I move the board approve the recommendation. >> Second. >> I have a motion from Neil, a second from Barbara. Any discussion on this recommendation? All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, Miss Carter. Now, please go. >> Request to approve contract service agreements. Miss Lawrence, >> Judy, Judy, Judy. >> Um, so our background on this uh action item is the Arkansas State Board of Education gave final approval to the Arkansas Department of Education rules governing how to meet the needs of children with dyslexia. Since the 2016 2017 school year, um, MHPS board of education has invested in many opportunities to develop further training and strategies for teachers and staff. Some of these include Apple Connection, Susan Barton, and district RTI

073guidelines. Our rationale is that for the 2425 school year, we would like to continue intervention support for grades K12 in efforts to increase student comprehension and reading skills. The interventionist will provide direct instruction for students in need of additional academic support. And with that rationale, we would like to ask you to approve the academic services agreements of Patty Bell as presented. Um she has agreed to come. We have just a handful of students that um the slots that they needed to receive intervention were not available and she's able to cover that final handful to get us through to the end of the school year. And so we are asking for you to approve our agreement. >> I'll make a motion we approve um the proposal is present. >> I'll second. >> I have a motion

074from Molly and a second from Scott. Any discussion? >> I see the hourly rate. What's the approximate number of hours? >> Um from Miss Bell. Uh she is doing I believe about 10 hours a week. I can confirm that with >> it's not a high number, but it's enough to to keep us in compliance with our Arkansas dyslexia laws. >> So, >> okay. Thank you. And we are working on a plan, I will say, for our K5 intervention piece next year that we're hoping to um just we're realizing we might need to just update our um process around that involve certified teachers in that. So, we're working on that. Miss Goodwin, Mr. Roach, MK, Mr. Iron, that was part of that green bar visit that we told you about a few months ago. So, we're

075excited about that for next year. >> All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, Miss Lawrence. >> Miss Dwey, request to approve cyber security policy. >> I'm actually going to ask Mr. Dailyy um to help with that one. >> Okay. >> He's done a lot of work on this. So, uh, Arkansas recently passed Act 504. This is the background of this, um, that requires districts have a cyber security policy that at least follows what the Department of Education in Arkansas recommends we follow. Um the specific things we can't say publicly of course because it would sort of help our enemies the people that are trying to break into our systems if we say hey we've got this and this and this to keep you out. So um just wanted to say that so that's out there. Um

076but we did provide copy of the policy and I believe a copy of our expected procedures uh to everybody here. Um so that um I recommend we approve policies that uh the state has provided for us. >> Move we approve the district's cyber security policy as presented. >> I'll second. >> I have a motion from Jason and a second from Scott. Any discussion without discussing too much? >> I mean I haven't read through them. I think most of it's common sense smart policy stuff that >> probably should have been here before now even on so >> and there's a lot of stuff that we were already following unofficially right >> um we were always at least since I've been here we've been trying to get the district at a level that um I would imagine

077most large businesses would be at I like to think hey is this how Amazon protects their servers and their data and their information >> and try to follow that kind idea and the state when they came out with these policies um I was very impressed with the things they recommended because they are in depth and they are the important things without some of the things that um distract people and people end up in a rabbit hole on >> how do how do you assuming we approve this how does this get distributed to all the staff while it's still being protected I for lack of a better word policy where it's not open. >> So mostly it'll mostly be the tech department that handles we'll say 99.9% of this stuff. Um the there's a couple things

078that require everybody's help because everybody can fall victim to cyber attack. So um some of that stuff the actual procedures won't be public but everybody will have their hand in it across the district for sure. Yeah, certainly wait so everybody's aware of of the policy and what our policies are. >> Okay. All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Miss Dwey. >> Okay. So, >> request to approve school choice resolution. >> So, um Arkansas code annotated, it's listed there, defines the process for school choice in Arkansas. Um, the code states that the board of directors needs to adopt a resolution concerning the acceptance or rejection of students applying for school choice. Um, I recommend the board accept the 2526 school choice resolution as presented. >> I move to approve the recommendation. >> Second.

079>> Have a motion from Neil and a second from Miss Molly. Any discussion? >> It really doesn't appear to differ from >> no sir >> things in the past at all. So, >> no, >> same old same old. >> We do expect a possible change after the session's over, but if so, I'll bring this back. >> The resolution >> it it has some, you know, but the dates. We just we're just watching. I mean, we all know there could be some some changes, but um the bottom line is it it's what we've been doing. We're going to continue to do, but we realize we were supposed to have a resolution for that. So, we want to make sure we have what we are supposed to have on file. >> Very good. All in favor? Unanimous.

080Thank you, Miss Dwey. Request to approve sale of Galia property. >> All right. So, I'm going back to some property we have just discussed a couple of times. Um, you did give me permission to go ahead and put that out for bid. We did have a couple of bids submitted and did a um did sealed bids. So, we did a bid opening and we had a winner. So, as you know, um we talked about when you all gave me permission to sell the land, that was really the step that needed to happen by the board, but I think it's important that folks know what's going on and so I want to bring actually the sale to you all even though it goes above and beyond our policy. >> Very transparent. Thank you. I recommend the

081approval for me to go ahead and pursue the sale of the district's property in Galia to bidder number two for $10,000, which is a fair market value and covers all expenses related to the sale of that property. >> Make a motion we approve the recommendation. >> Second. >> Have a motion from Jason, second from Barbara. Any discussion >> other than it really needs to happen? >> Yeah. Wow. >> So, does that just go in like building? >> It'll probably just go in general operating. Um, we can put it >> school board pay. >> Probably not. >> All right. >> Probably not. >> Big Cedar Lodge. >> Probably not. No. >> Conference work session? >> Okay. Y'all only got me one more meeting. So, joint >> that'll go into general operating as far as I know.

082Miss Carter, is are you good with that, Miss Harper? Yes. General operating. Yes. >> But really, it's a liability setting up there. We're not going to use it. >> Do we mow it and take care of it? >> No. Okay, good. >> Too many opportunities for it to sell. >> Very good. >> Not. >> And somebody wants it. So, >> all in favor? Unanimous. >> I will get >> Thank you. And we missed we Sorry, we have a constituent. Mr. Tony Chamberlain would like to address the board. [Music] >> Constituent. Thank you. How are you today? >> Hi everybody. Nice to see y'all again. >> Good evening. >> Very nice. >> You're getting a handout of what I'm going to present and it's a new high school. I'm going to call it a white paper.

083There's no statistics in it, but it's my it's my opinion and white papers are an opinion. So, we'll just go from there on that. If you would follow along, it'd be great. Uh I think trying to get a new school so you have to have a mission statement. So our purpose is to provide information to the stakeholders of Mountain Home School District of the need to have a new high school. This academic center will be an institution designed to develop our students mentally, morally and as well at aesthetically. The overall premise is to ensure our students are competitive and prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. You know, I I lived through two bond issues here. One misbite, one vote. Other one was was soundly defeated. And I think it's only because we didn't

084get the word out. And I want a new school. And I'm personally invested in that because at the time my daughter had a son in high school and she couldn't go to the whole school. She was in a wheelchair and it was very difficult. So, every time I saw a bond issue not pass, it hurt me personally. And so, I was sitting over Christmas break and my grandson was there and he's a senior at the high school and he was telling me all the things that were that were wrong with it and that students were laughing about and saying this is ridiculous and I thought it was too. So, I was thinking that you need to get community involvement. So, if you go to the page on community involvement, it's listed all the different places

085that I don't think people went to and there's a volunteer fire departments. There's 18 in the county. I know that's not everybody's not a stakeholder, but they'd be about 14 to 15 volunteer fire departments that people need to go to and talk because they really are the center of a local community within Baxter County. Need parent teacher organizations involved. somebody needs to talk to them. Assisted living centers very difficult to get into. But I'm a pole worker and bus loads of people from the assisted living centers come and vote. >> Yes. >> How to get to them, I don't know. But there's got to be a way. So, you don't want to overlook that. Uh city council quorum court, they need to be involved. You need they need to know what's going on. And if

086you get all JPs involved and all of the people that the councilmen from the city involved, then it just it just grows by itself. It's very important. Chamber of Commerce is basically on our side. The food bank, if you could just get a flyer to the food bank, everybody that gets food, put a flyer in and say, "Hey, vote for us." That's real important. It's pretty simple to do. There's a lot lot of votes right there. the Council on Reading and Head Start. All new parents are involved with that and they'd be more prone for a new school than anyone because they'll have a longer time to be invested in the program. Um, Baxter County Extension Office. So many people go in there for help. We just had a flyer out front so they can

087just pick it up. These are things that go through. Uh, just go on down through all of these things. But things that I think of is like car clubs. How many people see old cars here in Mountain Home? There's so many car clubs and they're all 15 or 20 people and when you've lost a bond issue by one vote, you just can't afford to overlook these people that do that. Uh Master Gardeners is another one. As you go through, there's 60 people in Master Gardeners that go to a monthly meeting and they all vote and they all have spouses or most do. So, you're talking another 120 And on a school issue, that's a lot of folks to go through on that. Uh women's groups out in Gilia, they have what they call the Gamilia

088girls. There's 40 people that meet once a month right there and he's just somebody could go talk to them and see what they have and convince them to go on through. Um the hospital, of course, the VA clinic, get them to put a little blurp in a new high school on what's going on. Uh, can't forget the Knights of Columbus, which I'm a member of, but also the Masons. They meet and talk to a lot of people and they do breakfastes. You can have a hand out there and get all this community involvement and go talk to them. And then the next page is about the media. When you hear about a new school, you're going to get a lot of complaints like, "We don't need one. It's too expensive." In the past, we have

089all these radio stations and you go in and you tell them we need a new school. Instead of going in in that avenue, you should take the positive and negative aspects and write down people's names on the questions that they had and the problems they had. And let's say you were at the American Legion and Mr. Smith said, "I didn't like this because we don't need this part of the school." that should be brought up and he should be applauded for making an input and then explain please if anybody has a way to solve the problem or to mitigate this problem then let us know. It's really important and that way you would get that person who's against the school to come forward and vote for only because that individual was listened to and that's

090important. So you have all of these things TV stations we have nothing out of Springfield. XL7 is local. How many people really look to it? But it is it's a good voice. You need to do that. But the thing that was missed totally was blogs. I was amazed of how many people listen to blogs. There's one guy named Paul that has a daily blog of about 400 people. And the these are things that you need to have somebody come to and talk to and have an open forum on these different blogs because that's where a lot of people are getting all their information. Um the library just have us have something there have people come in and talk. You could get get a a small talk for patrons that come. The historical society they do

091an expose on the school district on the high school. People come into the historical society all the time for genealogy background checks and and finding out about their families. So, this would be another avenue that could be used to get people to know about the school, what the plight of the school is, and what's needed. Newspapers, they are what they are. You know, use them to your advantage. But blogs are much more important than newspapers these days. At least I think so. I was glad to hear about security. I think our stakeholders need to know about security and what you're doing and what what's being done. Security officer should go and make talks and talk about as much as what he would feel comfortable with especially with and get Mountain Home Police Department, the sheriff's

092department. Then of course the whole litany of federal programs, federal bureaus to come in and talk. The FBI, they have things of this nature. ATF, Homeland Security, but most importantly, I think the Arkansas Department of Education, they have a very, very sound security department right there, and they need to be talked to and brought in. And our stakeholders need to be aware that we're talking about those. Those are the things that most of the people complained about. If they knew that it was being done and not just some fancy building what needed to be done, they would be for and that goes right in next use as far as community facility use with the amount of money that's invested in a new high school. It has to be more than a high school if it

093and I it may be too late to include it in any of the uh architectural drawings, but probably not. You could just have to make sure the school would be able to have a cafeteria that be used for large groups, a gymnasium that could be used for large groups, and the auditorium. I mean, Mountain Home has no state conferences. There is no venue for a state conference. Now, a perfect example of a high school that is used by the city is Russellville High School. It is amazing on what they do and it could bring in income and it could be very profitable and at the same time help promote Baxter County. So that's something that needs to be thought about emergency use of facilities. You know, I was this was before Gilia got hit by

094the tornadoes. I lost three trees. But I think the school really needs to have a tornado proof aspect of it. And I know it's included in the plans, but it really needs to be brought out. You know, a pro a tornado proof gym with emergency electrical power. And I know that people may not like the idea of electrical buses, but if you had a bus that was electric, you could plug that bus in and run that building for three or four days. And that would be an amazing asset for the community and it would help make people come vote for the new school. Emergency electrical power like we said and then vehic electrical vehicle to the grid. I just talked about it. And I think that if you had the proper dialogue, you could get

095different aspects of the federal government, state government to help fund this. There's got to be something there. Is it Miss Alice that was here a couple months ago? you would know. >> Yeah, we I think we just need to ask the question and if the question is answered properly, then I think that our stakeholders need to be aware of it and say this is what we have. You go over to Gilia right now, you get a lot of votes for that. And down in uh >> where's the other one? Down around >> Calico. >> Cal No, far farther north. >> Cape City. >> Yeah, Cape City. And also just uh the ones that that vote >> in Brier Cliff. >> Brier Cliff. for our cliff would be one to to think about. I want to

096talk about utilities. Full disclosure, I am a proponent for self-sufficiency. I believe in EVs. I believe in in solar panels. It's it's saving me a lot. Enough to where I'm going to put in more because if I get in one more system, then I will have no electrical bills and I'm going to have electric vehicles. Already have one. got to have another and I won't have any fuel usage. None whatsoever. And that could be the same thing for the school. If you had buses that ran off at solar power, think about how much money you would save. And electrical vehicles don't require the same amount of maintenance that a regular vehicle would have. But the main thing is that you need to have a panel discussion with with energy. I know you probably have a

097memorandum of understanding for net metering and what's already done, but they're in business to sell electricity and we're in business to reduce the amount of electricity that we use. So, that's something that needs to be looked into and told to our stakeholders and that would be a hard cell, I think, but it's something that's important. uh on the planning when you talk with the engineers, you should have it set up to where while you may not have places to charge cars, you need to have the infrastructure in to where it would be easy to implement because 10 years from now, everybody's going to have electric vehicles pretty much. And if you had it all set up to where you could have somebody come in and put in charging stations, you wouldn't have to maintain them.

098You would just get your commission off of it. and the students would like it. Be a good rate for them. I think it'd be a win-win. Something to think about. Now, AI in the classroom. Somebody just said AI is just a beast. It is so complicated and it's going to change the United States on what can be done. I'm amazed at what I learned. And this I'm very behind. I I don't know that much, but it's important. Okay. I want to talk about robots. Who's ever been in Lowe's or Home Depot and seen their machine that cleans the uh concrete that's made by Tenant? Tenant is just one company, but robots are going to be everywhere and it's going to be run and there's no longer it's no longer little wires that you have to

099place out. You just program it and it goes. That could be used for all your buildings. that could be used for grass cutting because I'm looking at huskavara for self >> propelled. Thank you very much for cutting my my >> I'm trying to rush you. >> Yeah, I know. I'm trying. I know. Okay. >> Usually you get three minutes, but we're going to give you >> I'll stop anytime. >> No, no, no. You've got great No, you have great ideas. You really do. But you could have that for groundskeeping and think of how much money is spent just for cutting the grass if you had a machine that was just out there doing it. Now you would probably lose some money. the local people would lose money, but the school district would save money and

100it would even be better for all the custodial people because when you talk about this, instead of just saying they're going to be replaced, no, you think you tell them what training is going to be available so you can you can run this and so it's job security for them. Uh, and a perfect example for everything I talked about is Greenbryer High School. They have so much solar power. They're buying more and they're going more and more on electric buses and everything. It's a good place to go look and see. >> Batesville, too. >> Yeah. >> Batesville's all solar. Not all, but >> not all, but they're getting it more. Yeah. Where they're just getting rid of the utilities. >> Yeah. >> Now, funding. I think in the last two bond issues, mill issues, people

101were very upset about the amount of bonds that were out. I don't think it was really understood and I'm still a little lost. I just know that I was told that bonds that were issued the first year that I came here to give out ROC scholarships in 1980, those bonds are still outstanding. That's crazy. Why would you want to give somebody a good education and then saddle them with some type of debt that's never going to end? So, our stakeholders need to be aware that every bond has a due date. It can't be changed. The only thing can be changed if it's going to be paid off sooner or for for a lesser amount of interest to do it. And that has to be brought out because otherwise people are going to complain all the

102time. But you got to get that going. Ah, next page. They need to be told, the stakeholders need to be told exactly what the cost of of a non- high school graduate is. The greater propensity for them to be in trouble with the police, medical problems brought on by extra drug abuse. That is just a captive audience that that you have. U unemployment, more importantly, underemployment. You just can't you just can't have people around that are not high school graduates. They have to be trained. They have to be able to be able to be one of those two people. They got job offers right here at the school. And we need to we need to talk to people about that. And then it's been a while since I've been involved with statewide testing, >> but

103the population has no idea how we're how we're penalized because of our our demographics, >> right? >> It's just terrible. You know, they say that we're doing very bad, but we're not. We need to sit there and let everybody know that we are doing well and that we're double stacked against us in this category and we're stacked against us, but somebody needs to go out and explain it to the to the to our stakeholders. Uh now the guidance department or somebody I think needs to promulgate the total dollar amount of scholarships received since the first bond was issued. And I don't know when that was but our product is our students and we get investors through village and they need to have a known ROI. What is their return of their investment? If you have

104$30 million and it only cost $20 million, that's how much you are to the good. That needs to be brought out in a business aspect. You do it. And then finally, I know it's been a long three minutes. P&M, you've got that. I don't care. But everybody, I want you to look at this very last page. You have to be brave enough to do this. Judging the present by using the past, you will lose the future. And you need to tell everybody that. You know what did Henry Ford say? He said that in in 1904, if you ask somebody what they wanted, they'd say, "I want a faster horse." They're not saying they want a car. But in 1904, there was only one car on on Broadway in New York City in this picture. In

1051914, there was only one horse and everything else was a car. That's how change is going to happen now. It's going to happen that fast. I'm excited for it. This is a big big task. I just don't want to lose another bond issue. Me either. >> Take that home. Think about it. >> Would you like to be the president of the new >> No, ma'am. No, ma'am. >> I do appreciate that, but I've learned to say no. >> The new >> Well, I think you Yeah, you've got great ideas, Tony. You always have. And I've always enjoyed speaking with you. >> They're just ideas. >> No, they're they're I think that's a great idea. >> Well, >> very well put together. >> I say more, but I'm okay. Well, >> thank you very much. >>

106Thanks, Tony. Have a good night. >> Anybody need another one? >> All right. Board discussion. >> Anybody have any discussion? >> No question. >> Good discussion. How's the softball game going? >> Oh, well. Okay. Superintendent's update. So, spring break is right around the corner and we have some very excited educators, >> everybody to students, educators, >> students. Um, I think it's going to be a >> cafeteria. >> I think it's going to be a beautiful um beautiful week. Um, I have need to look something up real quick. I brought the wrong paper. When you do paper, sometimes you mess up. Um, I want to make sure I say something correctly. Um, so spring break next week, I wanted to bring up some discussion about the um upcoming schoolboard election. Um, I Let me see. Oh,

107it's not going up. Okay, I just want to make sure I say this correctly. Um, we have Okay, so first shout out high school boys football team. I'm backing up. We had several members of the boys high school football team go to Bakersville today. >> They are cleaning the park and unloading a truck >> and so super proud of those boys and their dedication and the work that they did and I think they deserve a special shout out >> for coach Ary and his volunteering and then getting a group together. And I believe coach Shrabel drove the bus for them today. So, >> and also um >> I think Josh helped me get some FFA kids to go help with the food banks. >> Wonderful >> garden because they needed gardening. Um so I think

108that was done too. So we've got some great kids, great leaders that teach our kids to be good leaders >> and they're learning the um art of service, >> service above themselves and >> very important. >> Something we need to also judge what our kids are doing on and they're doing some pretty cool things. Lunch board meeting and presentation will be at the kindergarten. We have switched from Nelson Wils to the kindergarten. >> What day? >> April the 7th at 11:30. >> Okay. >> We will move we'll go to Nelson Wilks in May. >> So kindergarten April 7th >> 11:30 regular board meeting on the 17th. Okay. a date for a work session in April to continue looking at possibility placement, possible placement of a new building. Kind of getting that those decisions. >> You

109want to do this in April? >> Me in April. Would April 24th work? And anybody that's possibly joining our board, we'd love to have them there as well. Um, April 24th, >> 5:30 here. be 5:30 here. >> No, that got one. No, >> I can hear. >> I'm no Blake Shelton concert. So, >> okay, >> you're safe. >> Miss Horton, would that work for you? >> I will be out of town. >> Lucky dog. >> It's fine. >> Okay. >> April 21st is the other option. >> I'll be still be gone. >> Out of town. All right. So, we will um if April 24th works, I'm sorry, Jason, do you want us to try to find we can find a different date? >> If if I'm the only one that can't be here, it's fine.

110>> Okay. I'll check with Dan. If um he can't be here either, I'll also talk to some of our new board members and if that's all right, I'll text you all individually and see if we need to do a different day. But right now, let's let's tentatively say April 24th at 5:30 here. >> Okay. So, now let's talk about schoolboard election. So, update, I talked to Miss Cand 53:25. So, that's Tuesday, our school board elections. That Thursday, 5:15 is our schoolboard meeting. Election results cannot be certified sooner than two days following the election. That means if there's any provisional or overseas ballots, there's a chance this sitting board will need to be here for a meeting on 5:15. That also affects who's on the board for graduation possibly, which is 516. So, if you would,

111current and possible new board members, if you could be prepared either way, but I would like for all of you to be prepared for graduation because I think that it's appropriate for the city board to be there, this board, current board, because you will have made every decision for that graduating class this year at least. Um, but of course if we have new board members, we want to invite them to be there as well. Might get a little crowded. That's okay. Um, I think it's important that everyone's represented. >> Me, too. >> So, timing is going to be a little wild on this one. And we'll just see what happens. But the more the marrier. Nobody's Let's just be honest. Everybody's just watching their kids graduate. >> Yeah. >> This is just one extra step.

112>> So, we may have a new board president and we may not. Um, but >> he knows I like handing out diplomas. Anyway, >> your name is on the Miss House's name is on the diploma because at the time of technical graduation, I mean, I'm sure we have some stragglers, Miss Russell, Mr. um, Engel, but they will have graduated with that board president. So, >> any questions on that one? You see why I had to look that up? Claire's moon. >> I wanted to get that >> word for word. >> So, has it ever been like this before? >> Scott had that, but I don't remember how many days it was after the runoff. >> The the UAV of votes, the the uniform service, the overseas ballots that go out to servicemen. They have, I

113believe it's 10 days post election and they expire. if they don't have it within 10 days from the election. So what's on the 13th or the 23rd? >> If there are any outstanding ballots, right, they may have them all back and it doesn't, but if there are any that don't that they send out and don't come back, >> even if it doesn't affect the outcome, >> doesn't affect it at all, they can't certify it until 10 days prior to give that vote a chance to come in. So it's probably going to be the 23rd of May before >> the election. Probably could be. >> That was the case. That was the case for me. >> Um >> I think it was three ballots, Scott. Two ballots, something like that they were waiting on. >> It

114was it was something small. So >> And the two would not have made a difference. >> Yeah. It doesn't matter. But it didn't matter. >> And it's not just your race. It's the whole election. >> So So even the unopposed candidates, they're not certified. Is that correct? >> Yeah. It's not an individual thing. It's the whole election. The election itself is not certified. >> So they can't be sworn in. I would plan for probably board elections to be the following month. It's not it's slim chance >> for the officers >> correct to reorganize. >> Correct. The officer that won't happen two days after the I doubt >> probably not >> but everybody just be if you're good with that. Some of you Mr. Pendergrass is going oh my goodness he's he helps us a lot.

115>> He's like I'm out. Um, just plan on >> everybody just plan on both and we'll go from there. >> Okay. >> Does that sound like a plan? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank y'all. >> Thank you. >> Superintendent update unless you have any more board discussion. >> That was the superintendent update. >> Sorry. Very good. Then we will break for executive session to discuss personnel employment, retirements, and transfers. Mr.