Bentonville Board of Education
Minutes
March 16, 2015
BOARD:
Grant Lightle (arrived 5:38 pm)
Wendi Cheatham
Lisa Clark
Matthew Burgess
Willie Cowgur
Brent Leas
Rebecca Powers
ADMINISTRATION:
Mike Poore
Sterling Ming
Judy Marquess
Andy Mayes
Tamara Gibson
Paul Stolt
Marilyn Gilchrist
Tim Sparacino
Jack Loyd
Dena Ross
Tanya Sharp
Paul Wallace
Cindy Dewey
Chad Scott
Jonathon Guthrie
Marilyn Gilchrist
Steve Hesselberg
Jack Loyd
PRESS:
Dave Perozek
Admin Con’t:
Matt Cook
Jeff Wasem
Mandie Byrd
Rose Fowler
Vic England
Cathy Hancock
Paul Wallace
GUESTS:
John Leachman, Ron Shelby, Troy Musson, Patrick Horath, Bevon Brawner,
CALL TO ORDER:
President Riggs called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. Secretary Powers called
roll, Mr. Lightle arrived at 5:38 pm.; all were present. There was a quorum.
APPROVE OR MODIFY AGENDA:
Motion by Willie Cowgur, seconded by Brent Leas, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 6-0. Grant
Lightle was absent.
Superintendent Poore explained that Mr. Lightle emailed him requesting a Legislative update. This will be
discussed under Board Member comments.
RECOGNITIONS:
Superintendent Poore began the recognitions with a letter from an ALE-Gateway parent, expressing
thanks for the success her child, on track to graduate, due to this program. Superintendent Poore
introduced Vic England, BPS Safety Director, and Ron Shelby, Hight-Jackson, who presented a tax
refund check to the District. This is the second contribution Hight-Jackson has made to the District. John
Leachman, representing Autism Involved Me (AIM), presented grants to special education teachers
and/or therapists. Bentonville Public Schools has 16 teachers receiving $16,527 out of $21,000 total
funds. Dr. Diana Peer, Arkansas Leadership Academy, recognized Cindy Dewey as a Master Principal
designee. Ms. Dewey was the only one who received this designation this year. Dr. Peer explained the
Leadership program and how rigorous this is.
CALENDAR
President Riggs went over upcoming events.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Content:
Motion by Rebecca Powers, seconded by Brent Leas, to approve the Consent Agenda:
Minutes of the March 2, 2015, special meetings
Minutes
2
March 16, 205
Enrollment Report
Energy Management Report
Transportation Report
Renew Professional Liability Insurance for Board of Education
The motion passed 7-0.
Container:
2014-15 Non-Traditional Calendar Adjustment
Motion by Willie Cowgur, seconded by Brent Leas, to approve adjustment of 2014-15 non-traditional
calendar make up snow day #4, from March 23, 2015, to April 30, 2015; any additional snow days will be
added consecutively to the April – May break. The motion passed 7-0.
Budget and Finance
Motion by Brent Leas, seconded by Rebecca Powers, to approve the February finance report. The
motion passed 7-0.
Facilities:
Mr. Wallace explained that we are progressing with purchase of the Featherstone land acquisition and will
hopefully sign it this week. Comments on the Featherstone site have been very positive. We are still
working land in the northern part of the district. RFQ for architecture and construction have sent with
many responses.
Comments from Members of the Board of Education
Ms. Cheatham volunteered as a Forensic tournament at Fayetteville over the weekend. Our students
st
placed well, with our junior highs winning over all. Ms. Powers reported one of her daughters placed 1 at
this event. She reminded everyone to save a place for upcoming school plays. Mr. Burgess thanked the
district for support of the teachers and students with the testing. Mr. Lightle thanked OHMS for presenting
information about the PARCC testing. Mr. Riggs thanked Mr. England and the teachers with the AIM
grant; he appreciates our staff for going the extra mile in creative ways to find funding. Superintendent
Poore reported that we have another student receive an appointment, making our total 6 for this year. He
also praised the boys basketball for making the state finals. He reported on the success of the choir and
band programs. Jonathon Guthrie, principal LJHS, is serving on the Governor’s task force for Common
Core. Superintendent Poore gave a brief report on current legislation. The elementary principals have
requested a meeting with the board to discuss calendar options. The suggestion is to have an initial lunch
meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The board retired to Executive Session at 6:28 pm.
The board returned to Open Session at 7:35 pm
Motion by Willie Cowgur seconded by Brent Leas to approve addition recommendation of Jody Grant as
the Head Football Coach for BHS. The motion passed 7-0.
Motion by Wendi Cheatham, seconded by Matt Burgess, to approve the personnel packet as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
ADJOURN:
Motion by Brent Leas, seconded by Willie Cowgur, to adjourn. The motion passed 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 pm.
Minutes
3
March 16, 205
Respectfully submitted by
Rebecca Powers
Board Secretary
Transcribed by:
Vicki Lunsford
Administrative Assistant
PERSONNEL PRESENTED TO BENTONVILLE SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION
PERSONNEL PRESENTED TO BENTONVILLE SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION
DATE:3/16/2015
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS
LICENSED:
NAME
LOCATION
Wohlfahrt, Sade
SCES
POSITION
SPED Res.
REASON
Personal
RESIGNATION DATE
2/18/2015
CLASSIFIED:
NAME
Brewer, Jeuckinda
Burch, Correne
Dohse, Conner
Oliver, Leigh
POSITION
SPED ABA
Bus Aide
Intern
Dist. Rec
REASON
Personal
Terminated
New Job
New Job
RESIGNATION DATE
3/17/2015
2/26/2015
3/6/2015
3/20/2015
LOCATION
DISTRICT
TRNSP
TECH
DISTRICT
REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
LICENSED
NAME LOCATION
POSITION
Ericson, Mary Claire
Cooper Teacher
DATE OF LEAVE
4-20-15/6-30-15
ATTACHMENTS
ADVENTURE CLUB/BUILDING PERSONNEL CHANGES FOR
/16/2015
THROUGH 3/16/2015
REASON
Medical