001Uh, at this time I'm going to call the May 12th, 2026 Springdale School Board meeting to order. Uh, thank you all for being here. Uh, May is always an exciting board meeting with graduations and end of school activities and celebrations. So, we're excited about tonight. Thank you for being here. Um, at this time I'd like to call Dara Cua. That's probably not right, but I tried my best. I'm sorry. Okay, close enough. She's going to lead us in the pledge. If you please stand with me. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Welcome. >> Thank you for being here. >> Thank you for having me. Um, I was talking to
002you earlier and for those that don't know, we get a resume for our student representatives and um, when it comes to impressive resumes, this one is at the top. So, tell us a little bit about yourself and then we can ask you a couple questions. >> Okay. Yeah. Uh, my name is Dora Winka. I've been in Springdale schools since I started. I went to Parson Hills for kindergarten and first grade and then I went to George Elementary from second, third, fourth to fifth and I've been at Don Tyson School of Innovation since sixth grade so 2019 making this my seventh year at SLI. So a true one for Don Tyson School of Innovation. Um I'm will be going to University of Arkansas this um upcoming semester. I will be studying international business with a concentration
003in management as well as career technical education with a concentration in technology and then minoring in nonprofit and minoring in Spanish. Um my hope is to do something with education when it comes to nonprofits kind of more the corporate side of education. Um my education changed a lot of things for me. If it wasn't for the teachers I had like literally this school system I wouldn't be the person I am today. So, I want to give back in some way and that's what I want my future career to be about. That's a little bit about me. Yeah. >> Well, we will get you Dr. Cleveland's phone number. >> Okay, perfect. >> We'll have a job for you at some point, even if we're not on the board anymore. >> Sounds good. Sounds good. >> Well,
004it sounds like you've had a good experience. Do you have some teachers or some classes that just really had a big impact on you? >> Uh, yeah. uh starting off like so SOI specifically. Uh Miss Strickland, she was my first math teacher in sixth grade and I still talk to her till this day. I think that's what's so great about being at SOI, being talk being able to talk to these teachers I've had for so so long. My eighth grade English teacher, um Miss Clifford, she's my best friend. I finally got a photo with her for the first time ever at prom this year, which is crazy for the fact that I've known her for 5 years now, but I love her so so dearly. Um, our principles, Miss Harrison, I've known her since I
005was also in 8th grade, which is quite amazing. Just being able to see how much our school has grown. And of course, my teachers I've had senior year, from Miss Meyers, who's our CCR teacher, kind of the one who helps us with all this college things, to her husband, Mr. Myers, who I had last year, who was just amazing. Yeah. >> Anybody else? Seven. Seven AP classes. >> Yes, [snorts] I've taken seven AP courses. >> Plus seven college courses. >> Plus you've worked two jobs. >> Two jobs. Yes. A little bit of everything. [laughter] I like to stay busy. Uh yeah. I work at Seven Brew. So if y'all want coffee one day, come to mine. Now >> we're talking. >> If I'm texting or lane, just let me know. [laughter] >> Well, what what
006do you do for fun? What kind of hobbies do you have? I mean, you do this other stuff. That's awesome. >> Yeah, I I do speech and debate. That's kind of my hobby. I like to go debate in the weekends. I like to go to tournaments. I love arguing like really really much. And my mom was finally to get rid of me out of the house, so I didn't argue with her. So, tournaments have been pretty good. I just got featured in the New York Times for debating. Um, it was really cool. So, if y'all want to search up the latest article, I'm on there. Uh, I'm the girl who looks like she's yelling at the audience. So, that's me. But yeah, that's kind of what I do for fun. >> Wow, that's awesome. Great.
007>> You have any family with you tonight? >> No, no family with me tonight. Um, my brother has a karate tournament tonight. Taekwondo, but they're all out there today. So, yeah. >> Very good. >> You can make them watch the YouTube later. >> I'm sorry. >> You can make them watch the YouTube later. >> Yeah, I will. I'll be like, "Come on, guys." [laughter] >> I'm just amazed. >> Yeah. >> Just makes you smile, doesn't >> Yeah, I need to go back and watch it again, too, because you said a whole lot. >> [laughter] >> I know if you didn't if you didn't cover it so thoroughly. I was going to say I think you're the first person that's ever talked to us who knows exactly what you want to do down to the double
008minor. >> Down to the double double minor. Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. That was awesome. >> Okay. Well, thank you so much for being here. >> Thank you for having me. >> [applause] >> Okay, that brings us to our agenda for the evening. Dr. Cleven, do we have any changes to that agenda? >> Yes, sir. On page two or at the bottom on action agenda F, we're going to strike letter C. >> We're not prepared for that one actually. So, we're going to go ahead and pull that. Okay. >> Going directions. >> Okay. >> That should do. I make a motion to approve the agenda as amended. >> So have a motion by Mrs. Creek and a second by Mr. Bell to approve the agenda as amended. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Turn
009it over to Dr. Cleveland for celebrations and reports. >> We we sure have plenty. The May is a is a time of year that really teachers administrators and all should be thankful for their work because if we kind of get to the end, testing's over, all those kinds of things, but prepared just a little bit of remarks so I can do a decent job of helping everyone understand just how important teachers, administrators are, teachers, principal candidates, as we get going through this uh business meeting want to pause and offer a formal expression of gratitude to professionals that actually their district success. So last week from May 4th through the 8th we serve teacher appreciation week. May 5th was National Teacher Appreciation Day. To our teachers, your hands in the hearts of the district. Every day
010you step into your classroom since it's even advocates often seeing the potential in a child long before they see it themselves. The impact you have isn't measured in a single school year. It's measured in the lives that you change. Great example here today. Those lives that you change create an alternative future for most of the children. We recognize the energy, the late hours of profound care which is going into your students and it should go in our schools. Also want to look back at May 1st which was National School Principal Day. Our principles serve as our anchors to our teachers and they create leadership environments where all of our students and staff can excel, feel safe and be inspired. But leading a school is a heavy responsibility that requires both vision and a service heart
011and we are incredibly fortunate to have the leaders. To our teachers and our principles, please know that your work is not just noticed. It's deeply cherished and appreciated beyond behalf of leadership team and I'd like to say the school board. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to the children and the families of our community. You are greatly greatly appreciated. Cheers to you. >> Okay. Uh Miss Tisher and Miss Pinker, there you are. >> Good evening board and Dr. Cleveland. It is my pleasure to provide a brief overview of the retiree recognition and celebration event that we held uh last week at the new professional development center. It was the first inaugural uh reception and recognition of its kind. Um I want to give a huge thanks to Miss Smalling and the other ladies who helped
012put all of that together and also to Mr. White and the maintenance team for overhauling um the gifts, the retiree gifts that we present. Now, um I'll just kind of scroll through the teachers uh different certified employees that were recognized as retirees. They had a combined uh service total of 825 years of service to public education. Um, and so this year, always before, uh, for those of you who may not know, we, um, have recognized our teachers of the year here at our school board meeting, and we decided since now we have this amazing facility with the professional development center that maybe we could um, do something a little bit more personalized and a little more special and allow them to bring a few more family members. And so we had a reception there where
013we recognized each of them and presented them with their gift and thank them for their service and they were able to enjoy some time with their families and fellow retirees and it turned out to be a really special evening and so we look forward to doing that annually now in our district. I know uh board several of you were able to attend and um as always we appreciate um your service and support and I know that it was a really special night for everyone who was involved. Were there any questions or comments about the um retiree celebration? Everything good? Okay. At this time, we will conduct the recognition of the building teachers of the year, followed by the announcement of the teacher who has been selected to serve as the district teacher of the year.
014Miss Frink is going to provide some logistics and then um we will read a little about a little bit about each building teacher of the year and provide a recognition for them. Good evening, board. This is always a fun evening for us as we get to celebrate the amazing teachers we have working in our district with our students. So teachers, tonight when we call your name, if you would um we'll start the line over here. You see kind of over here in the corner. We'll line up against this wall till we hit this set of pictures and then we'll start another line over here until we hit that set of pictures. So, if you would come up and um find the board member that will be handing you your award and you can have your
015picture made and then at the end I believe that you will all go out to um the steps in the front and have your picture made as teachers of the year. So, we're going to go ahead and get started with Hannah Cornley Bay Elementary. She's a third grade teacher. Hannah says, "I teach because I believe in the future of our community sits within the classroom today. Every lesson, every conversation, every small moment of growth contributes to shaping the people who will one day lead, serve, and strengthen the world around us. Simply put, I teach because I believe that quality education is a right, not a privilege. Every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves access to meaningful learning experiences that open doors and create opportunities for their future. Congratulations, Miss Cornley. >> Next, we
016have Veronica Cantio from Westwood Elementary. She is a school counselor. Veronica says, "Each day I'm reminded how important my role is. My goal is to teach students the same skills that help me overcome barriers to provide a safe place where they can build resilience and find hope from one moment to the next. These skills do not always look like reading, writing, or math. Instead, I teach kindness and belonging. I teach students that they are a wolf and part of our pack at Westwood. Sarah Padu, Harp Elementary, fourth grade teacher. [applause] She writes, "A positive view of education is so important. It was valued in my home and I was supported and expected to be successful in school. My goal is to create a classroom where my students and families feel the same way. Education is
017power and as teachers we should be trying to open as many doors for our students as we can. Congratulations, Miss Purdue. Next, we have Miss Amber Stout from Don Tyson School of Innovation. Miss Stout is a reading interventionist and building level dyslexia interventionist. She says,"I choose to teach because public education changed the trajec trajectory of my life and my family's future. The experience shapes the way I approach her childhood experiences shape the way she approaches work every day. I know firsthand that a teacher's belief can open doors a student never imagined walking through. Whether my students will be the first in their family to attend college or the fourth, whether they pursue a technical career or enter the workforce after high school, my goal is the same. to help them build a future that improves
018not only their own lives but the lives of their families for years to come. As a reading intervention reading interventionist, I have the privilege of working with some of our most struggling learners. I chose this role intentional intentionally because literacy is the foundation for every area of learning and opportunity. When a child learns to read with confidence, it unlocks the ability to learn. I believe every student deserves that power. Sally Newton, George Elementary, fourth grade ELA. Miss Newton says, "I truly believe education can change a child's life trajectory because it changed mine. Education is an equalizer. I have firsthand knowledge that it can change my students lives and open doors opportunities for them regardless of their family history or financial situation. I want them to know that they can accomplish things no one in their
019family has before. Congratulations, Miss Newton. Jennifer Mills, first grade teacher, Jones Elementary. My philosophy of education has changed drastically over the years. I do better as I learn and I am constantly seeking ways to be my best self for the kids in my entire school community. The content can be researched. Teaching strategies can be observed and implemented. But the heart of every building in every district should be that all children can and will learn. Amy Brown, Shaw Elementary, special education teacher. I teach because I love the challenge. Every day in a self-contained classroom is different. Some challenges are familiar, others are completely unpredictable. Sometimes what works one day disappears the next. It can feel like working on a massive jigsaw puzzle only to wake up and find it has been replaced with an entirely different
020one. But that's what drives me. The need to think creatively, to adapt, to keep learning, and to keep searching for better ways to meet my students needs. Jenna Smith, Walker Elementary. Gina Smith, Walker Elementary, third grade classroom teacher. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching students discover something new. There is a special moment when a concept finally makes sense to them. The moment when their eyes light up and they realize, I can do this. Seeing that excitement and confidence grow is what makes teaching so meaningful. Those moments remind me that learning is powerful and that every student has the ability to succeed. Congratulations, Miss Smith. Valerie Hannah, kindergarten teacher, Elmell Elementary. I believe that at least half of learning begins with the simple but power powerful belief that you are able. That
021belief is what I work to build every day, especially for the students who need it the most. Next we have Brianna Powell, Lakeside Junior High 9th grade social studies and AP Human Geography. My time at Lakeside has allowed me to grow, take risks, and innovate. Whether collaborating on an in invention literacy project or facilitating classroom debates on reconstruction, I've been encouraged to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences. More importantly, I've been able to grow alongside my students. My why has always been rooted in students, but it is also rooted in the journey. Every group of students has shaped me as an educator, challenged me to try new approaches, and reminded me to meet them where they are. Teaching is not just about delivering content. It is about building relationships, fostering confidence, and creating a space
022where students feel seen and capable. Congratulations, Miss Powell. Rhonda McCracken, second grade, Tyson Elementary. I enjoy getting to know my families and becoming a small part of their child's educational journey. I love watching their spark of curiosity in a child and the excitement when they reach goals and overcome challenges. Congratulations, Miss McCracken. Cassandra Combmes, Art Young Elementary. [applause] Teaching art is more than teaching techniques. It is helping students build confidence, patience, and perseverance. It is showing them that their ideas matter and that their effort has value. I want them to leave my classroom knowing they are capable, creative, and important. Next, we have Dean Hubstetler from Sonora Middle School where he teaches seventh grade math. He says, "In my classroom, mistakes are part of the learning process, and students are encouraged to persevere, reflect, and
023build confidence in their abilities. I am committed to fostering a space where all students feel valued, heard, and supported, and where they can take ownership of their learning. Congratulations, Mr. Huffler. Next, we have Harmony West, 8th grade math teacher at Southwest Junior High. Too often students walk into my classroom convinced they are just not good at math. This is especially true in 8th grade where math gets abstract and students start shutting down. I am determined to change their mindset. I want students to feel success early and often helping them realize that their ability to learn is not fixed but grows with effort, support, and persistence. My goal is for every student that leaves my room at the end of the year to realize that their brain is a muscle that grows with effort. Congratulations, Miss
024West. Stephanie Goslin, Parson Hills Elementary resource teacher. I have a strong desire to help others, support them, grow them, nurture them into becoming the best version of themselves. Being a special education teacher allows me the opportunity to support and champion students for multiple years in a row. In most situations, I get to be the person who supports a student through a struggle and see the progress and achievements over time. Next we have Stephanie Demville, mathematics instructor at Archer Learning Center. Miss Demavville says that teaching is not her first career. Previously, she worked in the veterinary field and through that uh profession, she was motivated to return to the classroom as an educator. She said, "I recognized there was a need for individuals with my abilities in secondary education to guide future generations through schooling. I
025wanted to be a positive influence on young adults in the field of mathematics or science, just as I had teachers during my high school years who positively influenced me. Many students enter the math classroom with predetermined mindset that they are not math people. I want to dismantle this fixed mindset and build confidence to show students that they can be successful in math beyond just their grade. I want to show students that they don't have to be a math genius to learn the skills they can use throughout their entire lives. Congratulations, Miss Demville. Whitney High, first grade teacher, Turnbo Elementary. I believe this early positive impact on students mindsets can secure a rooted belief that learning is attainable and goals can be and could be set and surpassed by their own valition and vision. Placing their
026responsibility of learning in their hands while providing the environment, tools and methods to build a strong academic foundation is the perfect recipe for lifelong learning success. Next we have Elizabeth Tokco, eighth grade English, eighth grade theater, and ninth grade debate teacher at Central Junior High. [applause] As Tokco says, I teach because I was the quiet kid who struggled. I understand how my students feel when something doesn't make sense, and I don't want them to have to feel that way. I teach so that I can create activities that communicate important information or skills in a way that struggling students can understand and hopefully feel successful. Congratulations, Miss Tokco. Jesus Alberon, Sonora Elementary kindergarten. Mr. Alberon said, "My students are my motivation to get up every morning. When I arrive at school and see their faces, their
027enthusiasm and readiness to learn, it pushes me to keep going, not only as a person, but also in the art I call teaching. Next up, we have Jessica Zabillet. She is an eighth grade science and nth grade physical science teacher at George Junior High. Miss Dillet says, "I teach for the underdog, for the student who feels that success is not for them. I teach the student who has not had learning click yet because of barriers like instability, self-doubt, or lack of opportunity. Education pushes us to think critically, act intentionally, and serve others. I teach to be for my students what educators, parents, and mentors were for me, which are the people who made me feel capable even when I did not believe in myself. I teach those students can see their own potential even before
028they realize it and trust that someone will always be patient and kind enough to see it for them. Congratulations, Miss Zabillet. >> [applause] >> Next we have Carrie Simmons, JK Kelly Middle School, sixth grade English language arts. When asked why do you teach, she said, mentorship. One word to sum up a variety of reasons I teach. I teach to help my students grow academically to be successful in their educational journey. I want my students to be better than when they started with me and to know I am supporting their lifelong journey of learning. I want the students to see in me each day an example of grit, determination, hard work, persistence, and joy through it all. Congratulations, Miss Simmons. Next, we have Natalie Shakti from Smith Elementary. She's CBI special education. As a community-based in
029instruction CBI teacher, my why is rooted in the belief that children are the primary catalyst for a more empathetic society. If we want to create a world that moves beyond simple tolerance toward the acceptance, that journey must begin in the classroom. My heart has always been dedicated to students with disabilities because I have seen both the unique challenges they face and the incredible often untapped potential they possess. Congratulations Patrice Brown, music teacher from Hunt Elementary. Miss Brown says, "One of my strengths is cultivating good student relationships. I want them to know they are loved and supported. I think it's important for students to know their teacher cares about them. And for some of our students, their teachers are the most consistent adults in their lives. I cannot imagine doing any other job because investing in
030students lives and futures gives me the greatest purpose. Next we have Trina Ferguson, seventh grade English language arts teacher at Hster Middle School. My goal is that no student is ever denied an opportunity in life because he or she does not have the skills to be successful. This could be signing up for an AP class in junior high or even applying for a job sometime in the future. What I do today helps build the pathways to tomorrow. A strong academic foundation gives students options to be who they want to be. That means I am tenacious and purposeful with every day I am given with students. Students are smart. They like to think and be challenged. And it's important for them to view themselves as thinkers who are capable of challenging tasks. Congratulations, Miss Ferguson. Next
031we have Miss Tessa Bunch, high school family and consumer science teacher at Harbor High School. [applause] She says she teaches for connection. 13 years into teaching and I continue to learn what a gift it is to be in this position. I teach because I aspire to use this gift to help my students lead better lives. Family and consumer science is a content area that provides students with practical skills they can put in into practice today and for a lifetime. Every new school year, I introduce students to the standards and units we will cover. Then I tell them the most important part of the class is that they will forge new relationships all while learning things that will help them at home and in the workplace. The real reward of teaching is when I begin to
032notice these connections come to life. This is why I choose to teach. Congratulations, Miss Bunch. Mariah Santiago, Napa Elementary K5 STEM interventionist, GT facilitator. [applause] I teach because I love helping students architect their own futures. I'm continuing my own journey through the UCA GT program and my lead teacher designation from the Bailey Education Group in an everanging educational landscape. I teach because I am empowered to grow my practice within this profession. I teach specifically in Springdale because we teach them all. We champion rigor. We hold ourselves accountable and support each other to serve all students in the best way possible. I am proud to be a Springdale public schools educator. Next, we have Kelsey King, biology teacher at Springdale High School. For me, teaching goes far beyond the content. While I love the thrill when
033a student grasps a new concept or finally reaches a breakthrough, nothing compares to knowing that I've made a positive difference through a simple connection or a shared conversation. Not every student will remember what I've taught them, but every student will remember how I made them feel. I have seen quiet, reserved students blossom into classroom leaders by the end of the year. And I've watched students from different cultures and backgrounds open up to share their lives with one another. Providing a space where students know they are respected gives them the freedom to be themselves. When student feel safe being who they are, only then are they truly able to grow, whether that be academically or personally. Congratulations, Miss King. [applause] Anna Baker, early childhood center pre-K teacher. [applause] Miss Baker writes, "I teach because I value
034being a child's first experience in the classroom. My work is to ensure that every child and their family feels a sense of belonging and knows their they are an important part of our community. Young children have an innate love for learning and my goal is to nurture that curiosity while building their confidence in themselves." Congratulations. Vanessa Stewart Rollins Elementary third grade teacher. I teach because I find pure joy in what I get to do every day. Focusing on what matters, my kids. Having a powerful and dynamic influence over their growth of a myriad of kids is a gift. I am driven to be my best self because every moment matters. Building strong relationships with them is is critical. I often infor reinforce my why to my students by posing questions like who is this lesson
035for? They never doubt my motivation. My kids are my why. I dedicate myself to supporting my students to treat themselves and others with respect and kindness to achieve at the highest level and to use their energy to be productive. Monitor Elementary and Alisa Donald, fifth grade teacher. I don't think Miss Donald is able to join us this evening, but she writes, "She handles her class with with I handle my class with grace, patience, and thoughtfulness. I work hard to meet the needs of all students, even when that means extra work." She I worked tirelessly to make Monitor a place of excellence. Congratulations, Miss Donald. Next, we have Ashley Capazutoo, math 7 teacher at Helen Tyson Middle School. [applause] Miss Capazudo has been instrumental in the tremendous growth at Helen Tyson Middle School. My work with
036the guiding coalition has helped reshape our academic culture. I'm a key member of the seventh grade math team and we doubled our student achievement this year. Congratulations to Miss Capazudo. Last but not least, we have Shelley McLaclin, teacher from K8 Connect. Miss McLaclin represents the heart of what it means to serve students at K Connect. I create a classroom where students feel safe, valued, and capable of success even on their hardest days. >> [applause] >> And before uh Miss Tisher announces the district teacher of the year, we wanted to kind of outline the criteria for which this is selected. Um so building teachers of the year are nominated in their buildings and they're selected in their buildings and their names are submitted to our office and then we send them a four or five question
037um application that they have to complete and then we bring an outside committee of people to blindly score their submissions. and from their blind scores, we select our district teacher of the year. So, with that said, I'm going to turn it over to Miss Tisher. Okay, where is Mr. Donnell when I need him? I feel like we need like a drum roll. And the district teacher of the year from Lakeside Junior High is Miss Brianna Powell. [applause] Um, do you want to present the while Dr. Cleveland is presenting you your award, I would like to read a little bit more of Brianna's answer to the prompt, uh, why do you teach? Becoming a teacher was a journey for me. [clears throat] It was never part of my original plan. To be honest, I didn't have
038much of a plan. The day I graduated high school, I was elated at the idea of never having to walk into a classroom again. However, life had different plans for me. In 2005, I graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in international relations, unsure of what direction to take. Soon after, I was accepted into Literacy Americanore, where I taught English to adults in West Palm Beach, Florida. My students were taught my students taught me as much as I taught them. They showed me patience, the importance of celebrating small victories, and the power of taking the time to listen. That year opened my mind not only to education, but also to the world beyond my own. That curiosity led me abroad to Tara, Peru, where I taught English in local schools during the day
039and to adults at night. It was there that I began creating more engaging lesson plans and realized that relationships are at the heart of learning. for my students learning English and for me learning Spanish. We all had more success when we shared a bit of ourselves. My journey continued in Lima, Peru, where I worked as a teaching assistant at Markhamm College and English immersion British School. Over five years in preK, kindergarten, and first grade classrooms, I experienced the magic of early learning. Through songs, stories, movement, and hands-on activities, I watched young students begin to decode the world around them. There is something extraordinary about witnessing a child learn to read, write, solve problems, and begin to ask why. It was there that I knew education was where I belonged. And so in 2014, Miss Powell
040returned to the United States to pursue her masters in teaching. She initially planned to work with our younger students. Um she was in an internship with seventh graders at J Kelly and that shifted her perspective. uh she discovered learning alongside older students is just um as meaningful and dynamic. And so she began her career um at Lakesside Junior High as a long-term sub in 2018 and she has been there ever since. And finally, she says, "I teach to empower students to believe they can take on any challenge they choose. I teach to support them as they grow, to celebrate their successes, and to remind them that learning can be both meaningful and joyful." Congratulations, Miss Powell. And at this time, if all of you will go um out to the steps, you can follow Mr.
041Jones. We'll take a picture and then you all are welcome to come back and join us. And of course, you don't have to stay for the entire meeting unless you would like to. that I cleared the room. I can't believe my stay in Washington. Stay away from me. >> Oh, you're a good tell. >> Yeah, I almost jumped in there, too. Should I I do get the privilege of introducing Sonia Hern Hernandez as the new assistant principal at TG Smith Elementary. I'm super excited. She comes with a clear vision of teaching and learning. She understands what drives a positive school culture and she is committed to lots of excitement out there. Um committed to supporting our students and staff at high level. So we are super excited that she's joining our team. Um she's already
042been there doing some work. She's part of our um as our as a parent. So it's it's a great transition. We're super super excited. Hi um school board and thank you Dr. Cleveland for um this opportunity uh to serve Smith Elementary. I'm excited to join Miss Baron in this role and work um alongside of her um and uh get to meet the Smith community as well and get to work with them and serve them. Um I'm also you know thankful to Mr. Swope for growing me, you know, this whole time as as a leader. We've had eight years together. Um and so I'm very thankful to him as well. Um, and I'm excited to join Miss Baron and and get to know the Smith community and serve them. So, thank you all. >> Congratulations. program.
043>> Mhm. >> That one does not. >> No, it's on loan from ACF. That's Arkansas Construction Education Foundation. That's a partnership that we have that is an apprenticeship school based out of Little Rock. Um, and they have a heavy equipment training program. So, under AGC, Arkansas general contractors, that's Murray, Klein, Apac, those types of groups, Grant Garrett of Garedex, they've worked with them in Little Rock and are we partnered with them the last four years in a nighttime apprenticeship program. And so, they loaned us that extra grader because we're needing more equipment. And so um that's been really beneficial to us. We are also working with them and antique brick block and masonry to start a masonry apprenticeship program at night. There's a lot of need for that in Northwest Arkansas. So we'll host that
044over at the annex this next fall. And that'll be open to uh not only our students but all students in the region. >> So we're expanding some programs like diesel. We had so many students that were interested in the diesel program. Can you talk about that a little bit? >> Yeah. So, we've um you know, we're a satellite under NWTI and we've got a really great in instructor, Jesse Bishop, who was a Harvard graduate um 16 years ago, I believe. So, he came to us a year and a half ago and we've grown that program now. Um in the next year, we'll actually be a year two program and that'll be the only year 2 program in the state of Arkansas in high school. you will have the same concurrent credit as the NWTI diesel
045program. And we're in the process of um adding a a gentleman to that team who's got 36 years of experience in the field to assist us with that and the CDL training. And um we had a lot of interest. We've got kids coming from that program because it's a career center. So we have students not only from Springdale but uh West Fork, Prairie Grove, Bentonville, Rogers, a lot of different locations across the the area. So that continues to grow as well. >> Good stuff. >> That shop could be working on some of our buses and other things. >> That's right. So we're we're actually pushing that into a a revenue driven shop. So, we're looking at that model for our construction program. Um, partner with Garedex for that, which could really get our juniors out
046who aren't 18 to be working on projects with our instructor and and we will get paid for work done. Um, we are covered under insurance, so don't sweat that. And then also, um, on the diesel side, working with Jeremy and Kevin Conchin, we're going to and have been, we've got the software. We'll continue to work on buses and start working through them on the maintenance side. And then we're partnering with Springdale Tractor and Equipment Share. We can get the insurance finalized with Equipment Share. They're already starting to move some of their equipment to us to do repairs. So, we're working out a model which they'll pay us for those repairs and then we're hoping to pay some of our students during the summer to come through those programs and set it up as a class
047environment and they'll be paid employees through that shop. So different avenues along that line >> trying to create real environments, >> right? >> Very cool. >> Are there still a lot of issues with some of these employers or potential employers because of age? I mean the 16 17 year olds. >> Yeah, you you'll always encounter based on the employer because a lot of them are self-insured as you know. So, um, the companies are starting to look more at models. Um, Equipment Share, Hugen Hall have are looking at 17 year old placement, and they've actually hired some of those. Kent Rogers hires those from Mars. Multicraft hires them at 17 and a lot of times they'll look at a window of 90 days from 17 to 18. But I'm starting to see more movement towards younger
048ages and allowing us to be a pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship provider which we are through ABC contractors. That's a model for youth apprenticeship which is 16 to 18. So we've got several employers who are starting to hire students at those younger ages. It's slow, but it I think it's starting to grow. Any other questions? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks, R. Good evening, board. Um, as we discussed last month, um, and as you probably know because there's an empty chair there, um, you do have a vacancy on your board. It is the zone 2 position. Um, you are scheduled to appoint a person to that position at your next regular meeting, which will be June 9th. Um, I know that June is a busy time. Um, some people may be out of town. Um,
049your policies do allow for remote attendance and because we have to do everything in public session for this appointment, um, you would actually be allowed to vote on the person if you're not able to attend in person. We've also gotten questions about whether someone who wants to be considered could participate remotely. And um, although I have no idea how all the technology will work, I know that we can make it happen where we can do that. So, um, we are looking forward to that, right? I didn't ask before I came up here. I'm just that confident. Um, we have gotten some interest um from some people, some questions about the map, um, questions about process. So far, we have not gotten any petitions and resumeumés turned in. The deadline for that is May 29th. And
050as I mentioned last month, um that's a statutory deadline. So if somebody if you know someone who's considering it or if someone is listening, my encouragement would be to either turn it in early or have some extra signatures in case somebody um that's on your petition doesn't live in the zone or isn't a registered voter or something like that. Um I did include the zone map. We have gotten some questions about this because there are some old lines on it. Um it is the actual blue box 412 is that um southernmost uh border there. That's been the main question. Um but I think we've we've been able to answer most of those questions. So the person would have to live in that zone um and be a registered voter in that zone. So, this information
051um has been pushed out every way we know to push it out. Um it's been in the newspaper, it's been on social media. There is a link on our website with all the information or they can call um up to our office and we can help with anything with the process. Do you all have any questions? Okay. Well, look forward to walking you through filling filling that vacancy next month. >> I do have a question. >> Okay. So everything has to happen in a public meeting. But if we get application or >> is it an application? Is that what you're call like do we get to see those in advance or >> That is a really good question. Yes. So any that come in um and we're able to verify on the petition that they've
052got a valid petition. We'll send that to you all before the meeting so that you're able to review that so you're not coming in just um blind side. Yeah. Exactly. Um yes. So once we get any completed um information, we'll send that out to you so you can be prepared for that meeting. Absolutely. >> Yeah. Anything else? >> People that are listening may want to know where that'll be placed on the agenda. Will be first or be last? They have to be here at all time. Have we had we had any of those discussions? >> We have not. But um it would be [laughter] >> so >> it would be a business item. So, um, our typical, um, agenda, as you all know, is celebrations and reports first. Um, in the summer, those are typically,
053um, lighter because, um, students aren't here, but we usually may have some things that need to be celebrated as we're concluding the school year. Um, and so after that, um, we'd have the public comment and the consent agenda, and then it would be somewhere in the business section. We haven't talked specifically about where that would go. um we could if you have ideas on that feel free to reach out but um typically June is not a a very long meeting but obviously if there were a lot of people who wanted to be appointed at five minutes a piece for their presentation and then you asking questions it could um go a little bit longer but like I said we have none right now and so I would also like to remind you that if we
054do not have anyone one uh if you have not appointed someone to fill that vacancy by June 15th it goes to the quorum court um that would be the Washington County quorum court for appointment. So that's the process. >> All right. Thank you. >> Mr. Tisher and I are here tonight to give you some very preliminary Atlas data. Um, this year for the first time ever, we are getting immediate results for students in grades 3 through 10, algebra 1, geometry, and biology. Now, with that said, for ELA, there are about 15% of our tests that had to go back to be handscored. So, this data that we're about to present to you is very preliminary. Um, it does not exclude our highly mobile students. So the state will scrub the data and pull out students
055who have moved into our our schools after October 1st. And these numbers may not include makeup tests or um the scores that are or the tests that are being handcored. So this is very preliminary data. So at your seat, you have been given um a spreadsheet that looks like this. This is elementary and middle school. Miss Tisher will present junior high and high school in just a minute. Um I am very excited to report that we are seeing excellent results. We're seeing a lot of growth. This data represents the percent of students um who have scored a level three and four in each content area ELA math and science and it's a comparison of 2425 to 2526. So in the blue column is your 2425 scores for the three content areas. The tan column is
0562526 for the three content areas. And then the green column with the little scattering of pink, that is the percent of increases and decreases for levels threes and fours. So you can see just kind of glancing through um the two pages that I provided you that most of our content areas um showed positive growth in levels three and four. Um, I instantly started getting texts from principles celebrating the fact that we had kids moving from level ones to threes. Um, I got texts from principles. We had students that moved from one to fours. And so the fruits of our efforts um are starting to show in our test scores and we're really really proud. I wanted to to point out Bayari, Elmdale, and Parson Hills. Um, Bayari overall had an average increase of 13% of
057levels threes and fours. Elmdale had an average increase of 10.8% and Parson Hills had an increase average increase of 15.1%. So I am really proud of our elementary schools and our middle schools. I suspect that once the data is scrubbed and all the test scores are in that some of these pink boxes will turn green. Do you have any questions for me before I turn it over to Miss Tisher? Yeah, >> all the schools did great. Okay, in terms of secondary, I just want to give you a quick review of how the data actually um work. Um, one thing that I want to emphasize with a major exclamation point is that this is preliminary achievement data only. And so what that means is in secondary often times uh the growth component that we will not
058have until later in the summer can be 50% or more of the score. And so this uh data could shift and it definitely will based on the other factors that Miss Frink already covered. I do want to review a couple of things about secondary um just to avoid any confusion when you're skimming over this sheet. Just like on Miss Frhin's sheet, the 2425 achievement data is in the light blue and the 2526 is in the tan. And then over to the side, you can see a percentage of increase. Remember, only in achievement increase or decrease. Something that I want to reiterate about junior high assessments and high school assessments. And this is really important. In junior high, we have the eighth grade ELA, math, and science. In the ninth grade there is only ninth grade
059ELA for mathematics in ninth grade um students in actually eighth grade also. There are a there are some eighth graders and ninth graders who take algebra 1. There are ninth graders who take geometry and there are n the local association. Then uh at the end of July, Cali and I are going to continue our summer duet in Houston this year. Not sure why they picked Houston for a uh end of July um event, but you know, uh at the Leaders for Just Schools conference. Um and we're going to continue to learn and bring back uh and share information with Springdale to promote uh more just schools for our students and our fellow educators. And finally, we truly appreciate that Miss Hopkins once again invited SEA to be part of the conversation regarding the salary proposals
060um in an overview for tonight. And we, you know, we know that that is a a opportunity that not all schools might give to um to their education associations, but we do, you know, know that we have a special place. that I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Patron comments, which I believe we don't have any of those tonight. Uh brings us to our consent agenda. Have any questions on that? [clears throat] >> Make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Mr. Hutchinson and a second by Mrs. Cook to approve the consent agenda as presented. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. Brings us to our action items, which is Miss Hopkins. >> Good evening, board. Dr. Cleveland. Um
061the first item on my section is to seek approval of the April financial statements. Um those were provided in your packet. Uh just a few comments that I wanted to make on that is um with our tax revenues, the collections with that we've received in May um along with what I think our estimate is for uh June would put us a little bit ahead of our budget by about $2 million. So, as of um today with the receipts that we have already received um notification of for the month of May, we're just like 100 or 2,000 a 100,000 below what our budget or projected is for the entire year. So, we're in a real good shape with that. Um the only other comment I had, we're pretty close on our expenditures. Um, I think that
062we're going to hit the targets that I have internally for our year end and still be able to achieve some of the um, transition into building fund and that sort of thing. So, I think we're in good shape as we move into um, the next to the last month of the year, which is just amazing that it's gotten here so fast. That's crazy. I'll >> entertain a motion for financials if there any questions. Make a motion to approve the April financial statements as presented. >> Second. >> A motion by Mrs. Creek and a second by Mrs. Cook to approve the April 2026 financials. All those in favor? >> I opposed passes. >> Thank you. Um the second item I have is the proposal for uh salary increases for school year 2627. Um, if you would
063be agreeable, I'd like to kind of read the proposal that I submitted since, uh, the audience doesn't see that. Um, these recommendations are formulated with a focus on long-term sustainability, particularly in light of projected $125 per pupil funding reductions and shifting enrollment trends sustained in school year 2026. While our immediate fiscal outlook remains positive, we are committed to balancing competitive compensation with future budgetary discipline. Certified salary schedule. We propose a $900 base salary adjustment, bringing the entry level starting salary to $55,000. In addition to this base enhancement, all eligible returning certified staff will receive a service-based advancement of at least $685. This combined $1,585 adjustment represents a 2.92% increase for classified s salary schedules. To maintain par across the district, we propose a 1.66% base salary adjustment for all classified schedules effective July 1, 2026.
064In addition to this base adjustment, all returning employees will receive their scheduled experience-based increase. This ensures that our classified team receives a total compensation adjustment comparative to that of our certified employees, reflecting our appreciation for their essential contributions. PreK floater rates, we recommend an increase in hourly rates for prek floaters to $14 per hour. This is up from $12 to recognize their vital role in our programs. This reflects current market rates and recognizes the increased program responsibilities that have occurred in recent years. >> Are there any questions? I can say that I know that uh this was a very difficult process and I'd like to compliment you on all your efforts and trying to dig down because we need to stay competitive and we'd like that. Uh we want to have the opportunity to pay
065our staff. Although we have had a little bit of an enrollment decrease, [clears throat] we really don't expect that to continue. But we also are going to do some things here in the next few months to prepare for additional students to to either return or to come to our district. So, more on that later. But this goes to show you our conservative budgeting, our conservative mindset. At the same time, trying to honor our staff in the appropriate way. And it's hard to do. uh you know as we were growing and over time from what the late 90s and all through that it was easy to provide increases because we were also adding staff but it's become a real challenge and um you know we've shared I've shared with you we have to do our absolute
066best work ever in our entire life leading district in order to have these kinds of opportunities to continue to to uh honor our staff so they can have living wage. It is really difficult to live in Northwest Arkansas with the inflation that's happening with the the gas and the diesel prices that are continuing to rise. So our families, you know, we're mid70s free and reduced lunch. Imagine having difficulty making it anyway and then having these increases. And some of our staff would qualify for that, especially in the classified rank. Your willingness to help invest in our own people so they can have a quality living wage and remain in our district is important. And that's part of that because many of our staff members have children. And if they're forced to leave because of not
067having a living wage in our community and our region, then we lose those children, too. So there is a combined effort here to make sure our our all of our staff members feel important and they know that you invest in them. At the end of the day though, we're going to be tighter this next year than we've ever been. And so uh we've shared that with the administrative teams. They understand that and they're doing their part. I've got to commend Jeremy. Uh he's looking at his department custodial all the way through busing and and Miss Gina as well. Miss Gina has taken on some responsibilities out of her budget that typically the district has been paying, but they qualify as expenses out of the food service program. So, there's a whole lot happening. Plus, uh,
068Miss Hopkins identifying that we've been spending money on a long-term disability plan that is an option now with teacher retirement and u with American belly because our plans, then we can take the money that we were spending, roughly 450,000 or so, and distribute that among our staff, which gave the additional $400 we didn't know per person that we didn't know what we could do. We could distribute that to people, and they can make their own determination, roughly $25 a week if they want a long-term disability plan, and they would still clear about $600 additional money [clears throat] in their salary. So that made a lot of difference and a lot of sense for all of us too because we only had six people that were take a part in that disability plan. Now removing the
069disability plan doesn't mean those people are out. It means they will continue to have those services that we've been guaranteed to have. So this just gives more of our staff more money in their pocket even if they choose to have a long-term care disability plan, which is an absolute win. And so I want to thank you publicly for helping make that work. >> You didn't have to do that. You've done a good job steering that ship. So >> thank you. >> Well said muddy any waters. Okay. >> I'll entertain a motion. I'll move to approve the 2627 sc salary schedule adjustments. >> Second. >> A motion by Mr. Bell and a second by Mr. Hutchinson to approve the 2026 2027 salary proposal. All those in favor? >> All right. Opposed? >> Motion passes. >> Thank
070you. >> Have anything further? Dr. No, just accept we'll be proud we'll try to make our budget >> this next year and >> decided for the new year. Strangely enough, how quickly it's gone. >> Oh, sorry. >> I don't have the updated agenda. >> Attend. >> Yes. >> Good evening again. I am here tonight seeking approval for the new Bayari and NAP attendance zones. If you will recall in April, Miss Jackson stood before you and proposed the attendance zones. This is the current Jones and NAP zones. Jones is in the yellow. NAP is in the green. That's how it is today. Bayis is to the north of Jones and it's that tan area to the north of Jones. That's their current zone. We pulled together a committee of Miss Jackson, Miss Mr. White, Mr. Conan
071to look at the Jones boundary to see what would make most sense to reszone our students. And so this is the prop proposed zone as of today. Um the Jones to Bayari would be in the orange and the Jones to NAP would be in the green. Now that kind of random in the middle um orange box is very close to Highway 265. That typically had been a walking area for Jones. And I know the whole time I was the principal at Jones and Miss Jackson probably would echo this that we got a lot of requests for there to be a bus that would go from the apartment complex to Jones. And so I know that the families that live in that area will be very happy to finally have a bus to transport their children.
072This would um move 152 students to Bayari Elementary School, giving them an approximate total of 623 students, capacity of 640. Um, one of the reasons we wanted to try to get Bayari to maximum capacity is there is not any um opportunity in that area for there to be any growth. um they are landlocked and so there are duplexes and houses and apartments in in their zone and so there's not any room for any future development. Oops. Um we are proposing to move 187 students to Nap Elementary bringing them to 692. They are our largest elementary school with a capacity of,035. there is still a lot of um undeveloped land in their attendance zone and so um as future building projects happen we suspect that that um enrollment number will increase. We did have a parent
073meeting on 428. Dr. Cleveland, myself, Dr. Smith, Jeremy White attended the parent meeting um as well as the receiving principles at Bayari and Nap Elementary. Uh, Miss Jackson did a great job of communicating to the families that their students would be loved, they will be educated, and um, we will be able to transport them to their new schools. Um, the parents got to meet the new administrators, and then each parent left with a postcard that showed their proposed um, school that they would be attending next year. And for those parents that weren't able to come, um, those note cards went out with parent communication. And I know Miss Jackson's been building questions. I've checked in with Miss Jackson a couple of times to see how parents are doing with the news. And although some are
074a little bit sad to see Jones um being repurposed, they have been very understanding and very hospitable. They've they've um welcomed this. They're just happy that their kids are going to get a great education regardless of where they attend school. Um Dr. Smith and I have been meeting with teachers along the way and having conversations with them and they've been very gracious and kind and so we've been super proud of the staff of as we've been kind of navigating um changes to where teachers will be teaching. >> I know Miss Jackson is here. Um, if you guys have any questions. >> Okay, >> that that um map was the same as there were no changes from last time, right? >> Correct. This is the exact same map that was presented to you in April. >>
075I don't think you can take over any request by parents have any. >> Okay, I'll entertain a motion and if we have nothing further, >> I'll make a motion to approve the two new attendance zones as presented. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Mr. Hutchinson and a second by Mrs. Cook to approve the Bari and Matt attendance zones after the restructuring of Jones Elementary. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. >> Thank you, board. >> I can tell you a little bit about before we wrap up. Um, there have been parents calling asking about the new Jones Rep. So, there is there is momentum out there. And I can't tell you from inside our district, outside our district, but parents have been having those notifications. Um, we had a team and I
076went to uh visit with the secretary of education and some members of the governor's office and uh so we have some pretty good plans on how to roll this out and I think we're going to be able to secure some grants to help us and the governor 1033 office. So we're working through that. I'll have a full report for you in June. So just give you a little progress. It's it's moving forward. and I've had two superintendent. They're going to be part of this program in Solomon Springs. I was just wait and see out. So, at least we have partners. So, that's kind of on that. >> Did I misspeak or anything at all? Just want to make sure I communicated correctly. >> Okay. Other than that, >> anything else? Anybody? >> No committee reports.
077>> That meeting is adjourned. >> Thank you.