The Mena School Board met for its regular September meeting on Tuesday, September 22nd, in the administration office boardroom.
The meeting began with a presentation from Will Black of Performance Services. Black presented a district efficiency plan focusing on HVAC controls, LED lighting, and HVAC equipment improvements. The proposed improvements were estimated to save the district $130,000 per year in energy costs. No action was taken pending a future board work session to consider all proposals that have been presented to them.
Next, Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith recognized the district for earning a B on the state report card. Mena Middle School and Mena High School both improved from a C to a B. Dr. Smith noted that the district is only 11.69 points from earning an A.
Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley reported on the first interim ATLAS tests, given from late August through early September. She noted that 30 percent of students were already performing at levels 3 and 4 in English Language Arts.
Buckley explained that the early testing provides a baseline to guide instruction. Students are being assessed on standards for their new grade, so results below grade level at this point should not be interpreted as an end-of-year judgment of their learning. In the past, the district used the previous year’s summative scores to identify students needing extra support. The interim results now provide a more current picture of each student’s needs, allowing teachers to target interventions more precisely.
In new business, the proposed district budget reflected approximately $1 million less in state revenue due to declining enrollment and a reduction in per-pupil funding. Dr. Lee Smith’s budget explanation noted that lower expenses, including the district no longer paying employee health insurance costs, would offset much of that decrease. The estimated net loss was approximately $120,000. The district finished the previous year with more than $900,000 in unspent funds, and local revenue was budgeted at the previous year’s amounts.
The budget also included Title VI-B and special education funding. The vehicle allocation was increased to $170,000, approximately $50,000 above the usual amount, to support financing new buses. Other categories were reduced to balance projected revenue and expenses. The presented budget was approved by the board.
Next on the agenda was possible participation in litigation against Meta and other social-media companies over alleged harms to students and related costs to schools. The item was tabled for discussion with board attorney Meagan Davis during executive session. No action was taken on joining the litigation.
The board’s agenda also included the purchase of five buses, four regular route buses and one special education bus. Dr. Smith recommended accepting the Central States Bus Sales bid and authorizing him to seek financing. His recommendation favored purchasing the buses over a three-year lease because the district would own them at the end of the financing term.
The proposal addressed an aging fleet and rising maintenance and repair costs. Central States supplies Blue Bird buses, which make up most of the district’s fleet and are preferred by transportation staff. Selling buses no longer needed could offset part of the cost. The board approved the proposal for $769,276 to be financed over 7 years with yearly budget carryover applied to the principal amount.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton updated the board on HVAC work and system performance, along with the drainage work being done in front of Mena Middle School.
The board was reminded that upcoming board training through the Arkansas Public School Resource Center was listed for October 5th and October 12th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Members may attend online from home or participate online in the boardroom.
The August financial report showed revenues exceeding expenses by $75,454. Dr. Smith explained that the legal balance was approximately $500,000 below the previous year but remained near its usual level for this time of year. Last year’s balance was unusually high because carryover funds had not been transferred to the building fund. September typically brings expenses above revenues, with gains occurring in October and November. The financial report was approved.
No personnel items were listed on the September agenda. No action was taken after coming out of closed session for the Meta lawsuit discussion; the board adjourned.