GENTRY -- A new board member was appointed and the superintendent was evaluated at the school board meeting in Gentry on Jan. 23.
Chad Amos was appointed to fill the unexpired term of John Holt, the Zone 2 board member, following Holt's resignation when a family member accepted a staff position in the school district. Amos will serve as an appointed board member until the May 9 school election.
Board member Rebecca Burkhalter was appointed as an alternate disbursement officer for the board to replace Holt in that role.
The Zone 2 post, as well as the Zone 4 post currently filled by Stacy Nations, will be on the May school election ballot. The filing period for school board posts is from noon on Feb. 22 until noon on March 1. Candidates must file a political practices pledge, affidavit of eligibility, and petition during that one-week period. Petition forms are available at any of the County Clerk's office locations and on the Benton County Clerk's website at vote.bentoncountyar.gov.
After a lengthy executive session, the school board unanimously approved adding another year to the contract of district superintendent Terrie DePaola. David Williamson, chairman of the board, said DePaola had met or exceeded goals set for her.
"Everything is proficient or exemplary," Williamson said of DePaola's evaluation.
The board also accepted the retirement of Renee Bradshaw as an administrative assistant and the in-district transfer of Jo Young from being a custodial supervisor to being a custodian. Bradshaw's retirement is effective on March 6.
Gentry School Board members David Williamson and Melissa Holland were awarded a Master Board Member plaque from Superintendent Terrie DePaola for having completed 50 hours of training for service on the school board.
Gentry School District's report card was discussed during the meeting, with the primary and intermediate schools receiving a grade of D and the middle and high schools a grade of C based on last year's test results.
Assistant Superintendent Christie Toland attributed the poor grades to attendance issues related to the covid pandemic and absenteeism resulting from the required quarantining of students and teachers exposed to covid-19 during part of the last school year. Toland shared test scores indicating the district is making improvements to address the issues reflected in the poor test scores.
DePaola reported bank funds in both Arvest and Grand Savings banks of $4.3 million.
The board approved a required biennium budget for the 2024-2025 school year of $21,560,564, which includes $1 million for building fund expenditures related to planned repairs and improvements to Pioneer Stadium.
Approved on its second reading was a new vaping policy for the school district that includes the following provisions:
"Use or possession of tobacco in any form will not be permitted. This includes e-cigarettes/vapes and similar type products. This rule applies to school grounds, school buses, or at school-sponsored activities.
1st offense -- three (3) days ISS [in-school suspension], complete student/parent intervention plan #1, parent meeting with principal.
2nd offense -- five (5) days ISS, complete student/parent intervention plan #2, parent meeting with principal.
3rd offense -- five (5) days OSS [out-of-school suspension], parent meeting with principal.
4th offense -- ten (10) days OSS with a recommendation for expulsion being made to the superintendent."
Board member Melissa Holland suggested omitting the first step and moving straight to a 5-day suspension, but DePaola said she feared doing so and expelling students sooner would only result in fewer students completing their high school education and would not help those addicted to e-cigarettes or vaping.
The board approved the four-step policy but may re-evaluate the policy at a later time if changes are viewed as beneficial for students.
Information was shared with the board on the success of Julie Kelly, the new career coach hired by the district, as well as the Helping Individuals Reach Employment Dreams program.
HIRED is a partnership of Gentry, Decatur, Gravette, Lincoln, Huntsville and Greenland school districts, business and industry leaders, and post-secondary educators to provide opportunities for high school students to find their careers and employers to hire high-quality, skilled employees.
Student internships and apprenticeships, as well as job shadowing, are being planned as a part of the program. Kelly was hired last summer as a career coach.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry School Board member Melissa Holland received a Master Board Member plaque from Superintendent Terrie DePaola on Jan. 23 for completing 50 hours of training for service on a school board.