Hope School Board September meeting

HOPE – The Hope School Board met in the Garland (Old HAPS) Building on September 16th. The meeting started with the board members introducing themselves to the audience. Alvin Hamilton, (Zone 7) Board president started the introduction. He was followed by Bubba Powers for Zone 2, Margaret Moss for Zone 3, Lakeisha Jones for Zone 1, Nathaniel Holyfield for Zone 6 and Bill Hoagland for Zone 5.

After the approval of the Consent Agenda which had a couple of modifications, the Superintendent’s Awards were given for the Pre K and Kindergarten. These have been shortened with teachers only allowed to recognize one student per year. The room was full as community members accepted their recognitions. Warren Otis was the first student recognized. He was recognized for being helpful and kind. Also included were two girls who make sure that all the kindergartners find their way to class everyday and the Emma museum for donating backpacks.

After this a presentation was given on Bridging the Gap, based out of Texarkana. This was about substance use and abuse with the Reginald Mitchell thanking the Board for having him. He mentioned forming youth coalitions as youth listen better to other youth than adults. He talked about the results of an anonymous survey of 6-10th graders saying the use amongst those as young as 6th graders was disturbing. Mitchell also talked about mock teenager’s bedroom display they have which shows where drugs and alcohol are stored. He does presentations at schools and offered to do one in Hope. Mitchell thanked the district letting them do a program last summer in which Hope was one of four locations chosen. He also said his program deals with Mental Health and its relationship to substance abuse. Bubba Powers asked for clarification as to what they did, and Mitchell talked about helping form youth groups by providing resources.

Academic upgrades included when letter grades would come out, and third grade retentions were expected out the week of the Board meeting. Atlas testing results and improvements of schools in the bottom 25% were mentioned and the expectation that there would be a year’s growth in student’s performance over the year.

The district has applied for the T-Mobile grant for facilities renovations including the High School. Superintendent Crossley stated he wasn’t sure if any money would be gotten out of the grant.

Superintendent Jonathon Crossley talked about a second COPS grant. The district received one for $500,000 two years ago. All of the money has been spent – much of it on one Master Key for all the budlings. It also included numbering and phone upgrades. This is to improve safety on the campuses. Another $500,000 could be used by the district.

Dr. Crossley talked about a new sports scoreboard and clock for the High School /Soccer football field. He believed it would be twice the size of the current one and talked about having one with four permanent advertisements on it and rolling advertisements. It would cost $400,000. Dr. Crossley said he didn’t feel the district could spend the money, but Tyson has already supplied $100,000 and talked about applying to UAHT foundation for another $100,000.

With the digital literacy, students are able to run the clock including ads and names of people being recognized.

After time for public comments of which there were none, Dr. Crossley talked about the acquisition of two acres of land from the city next to the 13 the city has already acquired and the meeting with the city discuss what would be received in return for it. Dr. Crossley mentioned three options, one of which was a payment of $16,000, another the city simply receiving the benefit in kind from student volunteering and the third being a combination of the two. The Board gave permission for Dr. Crossley to meet with the city to discuss which the city preferred.

Also covered were cable upgrades for Yerger in which the cables would be moved either underground or back, allowing for a circular drive for student drop-off and parking. The decision was made to accept the cheaper of the bids – that by Nance.

A PD and Technology furniture quote was approved as listed.

A curriculum materials sheet listing the required classes was discussed. This a requirement of the LEARNS ACT. The literacy section is being worked on.

Money collected by the band was raised as an issue since alternative transportation was used saving money. Dr. Crossley clarified that money would be reserved for the band. Dr. Crossley also talked about making sure there aren’t conflicts between competitions the band participates in and playing at district games.

The Saturday program was mentioned as was the possibility of hiring a librarian for the middle school. While it isn’t required in terms of the numbers Dr. Crossley agree with the need for one and efforts will be made to find one.

The Board voted to move $675,000 into the building fund to allow the district to do more projects on its list. These projects included the second phase of renovation of the Yerger Gym and the renovation of the Main building at the High School.

The meeting adjourned.