Hope School Board Meeting

By Staff, 10/17/17 8:41 PM

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The Hope School Board met Monday October 16th for their regular monthly meeting. Officers were elected for the coming year. Willie Buck was elected President, Jesus Coronado as Vice-president, Linda Haynes as Secretary and Viney Johnson as Financial Ex-officio of the board.
Under the Superintendents Report, Mr. Bobby Hart distributed thank-you notes from staff. Hope High Principal Bill Hoglund talked about some programs at the high school including a program to deal with tardies, gap assessment, and professional learning communities. Dr. Roy Turner addressed the board on Beryl Henry. He noted access points of the school and a program called “kickboard”. He also noted the teacher collaboration in professional learning communities. Jocelyn Wiley of Yerger addressed the board as did Dr. Carol Ann Duke of HAPS and Ashley Stewart of Clinton Primary. Mr. Hart noted most of the principal’s referred to “kickboard”, a program he said helps track positive behavior and helps staff discuss expectations of behavior. Mr. Hart was complimentary of the principals and led the board in a round of applause for the principals.
The board heard from school improvement specialist Carla Narlesky. She talked about professional growth plans and school improvement. She notes the department of education meets with her weekly.
Mr. Hart noted he has worked in both high performing and under performing districts and noted the staff at Hope works smarter than the staffs at high performing districts he’s worked with.
Mr. Hart explained the Super 1 “Cash 4 my class” a program on which Super 1 will give the district 1℅ cash back on the purchase of store-brand items.
Mr. Hart noted the Hope Band has been to two band contests and scored “2’s”, a big improvement over last year.
Mr. Hart noted enrollment numbers are up. They started at 2,266 in August, were at 2,326 last month and have risen to 2,380.
Mr. Hart noted he and Ken McLemore will take a truck of items for the school at Refugio, Texas which was hard-hit by a hurricane. Board member Bubba Powers complimented McLemore on the newsletter “Bobcat View”.
The board looked at custodial request for proposals with companies possibly looking at contracting for custodial work. In answer to a question by Viney Johnson, Mr. Hart said he thinks they would want to look at a proposal in which a bidding company would hire existing personnel. Mr. Hart noted a couple years ago the district looked at a contractor and stood to save $70,000 and he thinks such outsourcing would save more now. Mr. Willie Buck says he’s had more comments on the issue than any other issue. He noted people involved directly are against such outsourcing. Mr.Hart noted the district spent over $840,000 on custodial work last year and personnel was $620,000. The department includes Supervisor Maurice Henry and 24 employees. The board voted to solicit RFP’s from custodial companies.
The board looked at proposals for access controls of district buildings. Board member Bubba Powers asked how many districts had access controls and Mr. Hart noted not many. The board voted to accept Mr. Hart’s recommendation on access controls.
The board looked at a “Dean of Students” position for Yerger. Mr. Hart wants to use an existing person in the rôle. The board approved the position and it will go to the personnel policies committee for consideration.
The board signed off on personnel who received a more than 5% increase in salary in the past year. A resolution was passed approving the issue.
Porchia Jones shared the equity compliance report dealing with diversity of personnel and committees.
The board accepted a bid from Cummins Sales and Service for a new bus engine for just over $19,500.
The board changed the November board meeting to November 14th.
The board chose an Arkansas School Board Association delegate. Mr. Willie Buck will serve on that position.
The board looked at a draft mission and vision statement for the Hope Collegiate and Professions Academy. No action was taken.
The board hired Marquita Butler as a long-term sub at Hope High in English. Allyson Cox and MaryAnn Peters were hired as “save the children” tutors. Two bus drivers were hired.
The board looked at four interested persons in filling the unexpired term of Denny Dickinson for Zone 6. The board appointed Kathryn Dickinson, Denny’s wife, to fill the vacancy. The vote was 4 to 2 in favor of Kathryn Dickinson.

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