Hope School Board Meeting

HOPE- The Hope School Board met Monday August 21st in the school administration building at 2nd and Walnut. Under the Superintendent’s Report, Bobby Hart noted enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year so far is 2,326 compared to 2,415 last year. He said they are getting a few more coming in but they are a little down from last year. He said he hopes they get closer to 2.400. Mr. Hart noted TMG, the company working on Beryl Henry submitted a bid for the proposed greenhouse on the Hope High campus. He noted that bid was $192,000 so they will hold off on the greenhouse and look into some USDA grants. Mr. Hart had new band director Julie Gladden give a report on the Hope bands. She noted enrollment for the Hope High band has gone from 22 to 36 and the beginner band has over 150. She noted last year total band enrollment did not exceed 60 and this year is over 200. She also detailed some activities band students have done and have planned.
The board approved a personnel policy change. It was noted teachers who commute between campuses receive $180 extra. The board voted to increase that to $300.
The board voted to purchase a science curriculum for grades k through 4. The cost will be $28,800.
The board approved an agreement with the South Arkansas Migrant Education Cooperative.
The board approved moving school elections from September to May.
The board approved milk and bread bids and also approved an internet safety policy for the district submitted by Jeff Madlock.
The board voted to nominate Board President Willie Buck for an Arkansas School Board Association regional position.
Facilities rental requests were approved. The requests were from the Women of Hope/Men of Valor and from the CME Church.
The board voted to change a job within food services. The Assistant Director of Food Services has resigned and the board voted to change that position, at the Food Service Director’s request, to a secretary to the Director of Food Services at the request of the Director.
Personnel matters closed out the meeting.