In a meeting lasting just over two hours Thursday evening, the Mountain Home Public School Board approved it’s next step in the remodel of the high school ‘Big Top’ as well as reporting an increased student proficiency in the district.
The board approved to submit architectural plans for a remodel of the high school to the Arkansas Department of Education-Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation. In a recent meeting the board had come to a conclusion on an option they felt would serve the district best.
The architectural plan for the high school remodel by Modus Studio Architecture and Prototyping of Fayetteville can be viewed at the attached link.
All public school building projects must be reviewed and approved by the Arkansas Department of Education-Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation. With the board submitting the project before the deadline for approval, time will be available for meetings and reconfiguration of the plan if necessary.
The Academic Report and Atlas testing data was also presented to the board showing improvement across the district. The high school grew 15 percent in student proficiency over all subjects and the junior high also outperformed the state averages. Hackler was outpacing state percentages in most categories and grades. Pinkston outperformed the state in all grades and categories. The school is outpacing state averages and Atlas Testing was touted as a superior data set to past methods of data collection. Board members plan to use the testing data to create actionable steps to continue to improve student proficiency.
Director of Operations Chris Knight presented an update on the Guy Berry roof replacement project. Additional decking is needed to shore up gaps in older tongue and groove style roof decking before new shingles are added with an additional project cost of $19,990.39. The updated cost for the school for the project is $371,495.20 with the other half funded through the Arkansas Facilities Division.
A time of public comment was implemented for the first time since the passing of Arkansas Senate Bill 90 which states members of the public need to be afforded the opportunity to present public comment at each meeting of a school district board of directors. Hap Meyers was the sole public comment and simply stated he was pleased that the board was ahead of the August deadline in implementing this change.
Before the meeting began Ashley Looney, Kindergarten school nurse, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Looney was recognized by the board as a newly Nationally Certified School Nurse. Looney stated that her love of the students and staff and the importance of her role at the kindergarten is what motivated her to complete the work needed. A round of applause was given by those in attendance for her dedication and hard work.
Gerald Gaige with the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation spoke on the Stem Aviation classes implemented at MHPS with the first cohort of graduates planned to complete the 3 year program this coming year. Gaige opened a discussion on finding an alternate class location to improve attendance and completion of the aviation programs. The board discussed how a lack of space due to the large student population is what is prohibiting moving these classes into the high school from the junior high. Superintendent Dewey spoke on how the ultimate goal is to make the move possible in the future.
In other business the board approved the following action items:
– yearly copy paper bid for a low bid of $27,602.
– yearly janitorial paper/ plastics for a low bid of $93,053.96.
– yearly Food Service Bids for 2025-26 school year approved
– purchases over $20,000 for 2025-26.
– behavioral support contract.
– policy section 7 update – a revision in language to clarify bidding procedures.
Superintendent Dewey stated that the next board meeting will be held August 7 at which time the budget for the upcoming school year will need to be passed. First day with students returning for classes will be August 12.
Before adjourning the board went into executive session to discuss personnel employment, retirements and transfers.
Follow this link to view Thursday’s personnel report.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI