Arkadelphia school board talks old campuses

By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com

The Arkadelphia Board of Education conducted a light meeting Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Dawson Building #3. Ida Tramble presided over the meeting in president Blake Bell’s absence.

The board approved the transfer of $3.5 million of excess legal balance funds to the building fund. The district has a legal balance of $3,827,902 to start the 2024-25 fiscal year. Building funds may be used for future and current projects, including paying invoices due for the recent purchase of classroom furniture at Peake Elementary School.

Board members gave approval of the $23,909 purchase of nine new smart boards for Goza Middle School and Arkadelphia High School. The purchase will be made using federal funds. Board member Matt Johnson inquired about the lifespan of smartboards, and was informed that they typically last about 10 years. Once they’re outdated they are dropped off as electronic waste as no other district has any use for them, Johnson was told.

Board member Kenneth Harris inquired about the district’s plans for the old Perritt Primary School and Goza Middle School, particularly the John Outlaw Gym. The Perritt building, boarded up to prevent vandalism, is being used as storage. Goza has since been renamed Arkadelphia Public Schools Support Services Center and is currently housing the technology department, food service director, special services department and custodial services. Sections of the gym are storing the district’s computer servers.

The district will have to abide by state requirements in order to begin the process of listing the properties for sale, a process that both Harris and Superintendent Nikki Thomas said they’re ready to finish.

A sale is currently pending for the old Central Primary School building. A realtor’s sign on the perimeter fence indicates that the property has sold; however, no deed has been recorded at the Clark County Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Thomas said in her report that the school year is off to a great start, and provided preliminary enrollment figures of 1,805 pupils. That headcount will not be official until the 10th day of classes.

Personnel

The board met for 20 minutes in executive session. Upon reconvening in public, the following recommendations were approved:

Resignation (classified)

Kristy Rutherford, paraprofessional, Peake

Temporary MOU’s

Michael Hale, bus monitor

Tanner McClure, bus monitor

Julie Bradshaw, AHS morning metal detector, special education designee duties above contract

Jonathan Klein, AHS morning metal detector

Amanda Klein, special education designee duties above contract

Phyllis Deloach, required personal care training

Angela Whitworth, required personal care training

Karen Turner, required personal care training

Beverly Meeks, required personal care training

Lasandra Beard, required personal care training

Paula McNeal, required personal care training

LaQuasha Willis, required personal care training

Tia Jackson, required personal care training