Mena School District

MENA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BOARD ROOM TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Susan Rowell, Clint Montgomery, Edd Puckett, Kyle Cannon and Todd Aynes. Members absent: Phillip Wilson and Robert Hines Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. In the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Weston presented a Mitigation Report to the Board per guidance and direction of the Governor, DESE, and CDC. Mr. Weston presented the Arkansas School Boards Association Model Policy Service Contract renewal effective the first day of February, 2020 and terminating on the last day of January, 2022, in the amount of $2,850.00. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the ASBA renewal in the amount of $2,850.00. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Kyle Cannon read: School Choice Capacity Resolution for school choice applicants for the 2020-2021 school-year under the provisions of policy 4.5 - School Choice and applicable Arkansas Law. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve the School Choice Capacity Resolution. Clint Montgomery seconded the motion and motion passed unanimously. Mr. Weston asked Ray Beardsley of First Security Beardsley, a Division of Crews & Associates, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to inform the board of refunding bond bids. Mr. Beardsley presented information to the Board regarding the 3 quarters bond interest. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To submit an “Application for a Permit to Issue Bonds”, with related documents, for $14,830,000 in Refunding Boards to the State Department of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as Fiscal Agent, and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept or reject the best bid submitted in connection with the publics sale of the proposed bonds in consultation with the fiscal agent. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To submit an “Application for a Permit to Issue Bonds”, with related documents, for $5,650,000 in Refunding Bonds to the State Department of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as Fiscal Agent, and to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to accept or reject the best bid submitted in connection with the public sale of the proposed bonds in consultation with the fiscal agent. Edd Puckett seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. The previous two items would only occur as the market improves and an agreement is reached between the Superintendent and the fiscal agent. Kyle Cannon read and made the following motion: To employ First Security Beardsley as Financial Advisor for a period of three (3) years effecitve as of the date of adoption. Clint Montgomery seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Edd Puckett made a motion to approve financial reports. Kyle Cannon seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. Mr. Weston recommended the resignation of Geraldine Krudwig - Secondary English, Mena High School. Kyle Cannon made a motion to approve Mr. Weston’s retirement recommendation. Susan Rowell seconded the motion and motion carried unanimously. With no further business, Edd Puckett moved for adjournment, Kyle Cannon seconded and meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m..

In light of everything that we are dealing with, here is some good news for some special students!! Congratulations to these young people! 2020-2021 SR High Cheerleaders Competition and Sideline Blake Castor Competition only Leilani Day Sam Efird Competition only Kyleigh Johnson Ciara Lance Allie Martin Marissa Ortiz Cassidy Ashcraft Abri Evangelista Bethany Godwin Christina Gragg Jaiden Milam Kyra Stephens Addi Dollar Cloey Massey Eisayah Day Competition only Briley Dean Competition only Hailey Emerson Competition only Abby Felix Competition only Amy Gragg Competition only Brooklyn Hilderbrand Competition only Kiylee Hughes Competition only Kaelyn Nichols Competition only Jeffrey Richmond Competition only Shantal Tecson Competition only Makayla Vega Competition only 2020-2021 JR High Cheerleaders Competition and Sideline Eisayah Day Briley Dean Hailey Emerson Abby Felix Amy Gragg Brooklyn Hilderbrand Kiylee Hughes Kaelyn Nichols Jeffrey Richmond Shantal Tecson Makayla Vega Lainee Garrett Bailey Heald Elizabeth (Izzy) Henry Kayleigh Noble Myranda Richmond Stay well and enjoy your break!

Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that all schools in Arkansas will be closed until April 17 and further action will be evaluated at the time. Continued education will continue through alternative methods. Keep checking the Mena Public School social media & website for more information as it becomes available.

Hey Bearcats (of all ages) Coach Arnold has put together a great "In Home" workout for you on this extended break!

Congratulations to David Grenier on bring selected as the 2019-2020 Polk County Basketball Player of the Year by the Mena Star! Grenier is a senior at Mena High School and earned All-Conference honors in his final season as a Bearcat.

Mena Public Schools served a total of 233 students Grab & Go lunches today!

the Mena-Oden Ranger District will be hiring a 4-person Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew. The crew will work for 8 weeks from June 8th to July 31st, and their hours of work will be from 8 AM until 4:30 PM for 5 days per week. Applicants must commit to the full, 8-week program. The pay rate will be $10.00 per hour. And, the youth must provide their own boots. However, all other safety gear (e.g. hard hats, safety glasses, gloves) will be provided. The deadline to submit an application to the Mena Ranger Station (1603 Highway 71 North; Mena, AR 71953) will be April 1, 2020. Our days and hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 4:30 PM. We also have hard copies of the application at our office if you need it.

After classes conclude & school dismisses today, Monday March 16th, all Mena Public School facilities will be closed to the public. This includes all buildings as well as Bearcat Stadium, Union Bank Park, playgrounds, etc. Deep cleaning will be taking place over the next few days & all will remain closed till at least March 30th, 2020. All buildings will be off limits. If a Student or district patron has a need, March 17th-20th, they should call ahead. For MHS & MMS call 479-394-1144. For HHE & LDE call 479-394-2943. You may also contact the central office at 479-394-1710... Spring Break will be March 23rd-27th !

Announcements for Monday, March 16th Spring Break is next week, March 23 – 27. Report cards for the 3rd grading quarter are on hold for the moment and may be available after Spring Break. EAST students will go to the Middle School EAST room today instead of the High School. Students, if you normally get a food bag on Fridays from Mrs. Rose, you can get one today at the end of the day. Lunchtime Weather: We will be inside for lunch today. There will be only one lunch period. All students and staff will follow the 6th grade bell schedule and go to Lunch “A.” Lunch Menu: Line 1 – Hamburgers Line 2 – Pizza Concession – CLOSED Club / Group Meetings: ** Unless further guidance is received from the Governor’s Office, school will resume on Monday, March 30th. Over the next two weeks, please look for updates on the Middle School Facebook Page and other social media outlets.

Mena Public Schools will be offering “Grab & Go” lunches for our students for the remainder of this week Tuesday, March 17th - Friday, March 20th. The Louise Durham Elementary Car Rider Line will be open from 10:00-11:30. The Mena High School student parking lot porch area drive up will be open from 11:45-1:15. Parents may choose either location and receive meals for all of your students in one stop. All of our students are able to eat at no charge for this week. Due to the Child Nutrition Unit guidelines, this is only for students and not adult meals. We appreciate your support and understanding as we strive to continue to meet the needs of our learners.

The Mena Basscats competed in the AYFA Tournament on Lake Ouachita on Saturday 3/14. Austin Johnston and Cason Cannon came in 4th and Austin Rose and Evan Graves came in 7th. On Sunday 3/15 the Basscats were on Lake DeGray for the Trader Bills High school tournament Trail. Austin Johnston and Cason Cannon took 1st place with 11.66lbs. Austin Rose and Evan Graves took 2nd place with 11.62lbs. We would like to say thank you to our sponsors. Go Basscats!

An important message from LDE Principal Jimma Holder!

Attention Spring Sport Athletes!

MHS Students that require a device and have internet access , may pick up their device and check it out using the procedures that their Enrichment teacher has for them on Monday, March 16, 2020 only. Students without internet service will take a four day paper packet home.

Important information from MMS Principal Clifton Sherrer!

Parent Teacher Conferences scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th @ Louise Durham Elementary & Thursday, March 19th @ Holly Harshman Elementary have been postponed until further notice.

The Governor just updated In reference to Arkansas School Closings. It will be optional to attend school tomorrow on Monday, March 16th. Students may need to pick up learning packets or check out a chrome book for online learning at home. Mena Public Schools will be continuing with online learning Tuesday, March 17th through Friday, March 20th. The following week is spring break. We will keep you posted with continual communication. We appreciate your support in our efforts to keep the safety of our students first.

The Mena FFA Workday Auction scheduled for Monday 16th has been postponed.

Mena High School Theatre has postponed both performances scheduled for this weekend.

Here are the results from the Mena High Senior Relays held Thursday at Bearcat Stadium. GIRLS High Jump - Emily Wagner 2nd Long Jump - Emily Wagner 7th Discus - Madyson Birtcher 8th Shot - Madyson Birtcher 8th BOYS High Jump - Beau Tomblin 2nd Austin Kirkendoll 8th Long Jump - Caleb Holmes 4th Zane Stephens 5th Triple Jump - Caleb Holmes 4th Iaza Ingoglia 5th Shot - Logan Yang 2nd Pole Vaullt - Jacob Flemens 1st Tre McMellon 4th 4x800 Relay - Mena 1st (Nance, McMellon,Myers, Adams) 110 Hurdles - Iaza Ingoglia 3rd 100 Dash - Zane Stephens 5th Caleb Holmes 6th 1600 Run - Logan Myers 2nd Tre McMellon 5th The Bearcats finished 2nd in the meet as a team! GO BEARCATS!