Hope School Board

By Submitted, 09/18/18 7:04 PM

The Hope School Board met Monday September at the school administration building. Under the superintendent’s report, Bobby Hart noted enrollment is up over August with 2,251 compared to 2,236 in August. Hart thanked everyone who attended the inaugural Hope Educators Hall of Fame program. He also talked about the “Honorary Team Captain” program started by the HHS ROTC to honor veterans. Hart said the first veterans recognized were James Jones and Leon Prince. Mr. Hart also noted the district has initiated the “Manufacturer of the Month” program with New Millennium honored. Mr Hart said the company employs 260 people locally and is a big supporter of the Hope Schools. Deena Gilbert was recognized for coordinating the summer feeding program. She noted the district fed 4,621 meals
The board heard from two representatives from Aramark, the company that is running all the districts’ cafeterias. The representatives detailed the new menus and choices available to the students and brought several food items for the board to sample.
Transportation Director Maurice Henry and Technology Director Jeff Madlock gave a report on a program called “Here Comes the Bus”. This program allows parents to view the real-time location of their child’s school bus via their smartphone, tablet, or computer. This will allow parents to send their students to their bus stop at the right time. The program allows parents to see the location of their child’s bus before and after school and confirm the location of the bus. Anyone with questions can contact Mr. Henry at 722-2700, extension 36.
Maurice Henry gave a report on facilities improvements. He noted the high school roof has been completed and gave an update on the Clinton Primary parking lot. Henry also showed the plans for the school based health clinic.
The board heard from Portia Jones on the statement of assurances on federal funds and the minority recruitment plan. Both were approved and accepted. She talked about how to better retain minority teachers by upping the minority teacher bonuses and also paying them out over several years. Jones alza talked of recruiting paraprofessionals. Jones noted, in answer to a question by board member Bubba Powers, that the African American percentage of teachers is 27% while the percentage of Hispanic instructors is under 1%.
The board looked at proposed updates of Arkansas School Board Proposals. The proposals were accepted.
The board approved the contract of the district with the Arkansas School Board Association model policies.
The board approved a facilities rental request from the class.of 1998.
Personnel matters closed.out the meeting.