.
The meeting began with the Superintendent’s Report. Dr. Lee Smith recognized Mena High School Yearbook Advisor Kristine Albin, who presented each board member with a 2026 Yearbook. Albin also presented information on the yearbook program's financial status, fundraising, equipment needs, and program growth. The advisor reported increased fundraising—citing ad sales growth from around $17,000 to $19,000—allowing purchase of a new camera and some surplus funds. She described earlier declines in student participation that are now reversing, discussed coordination with Nathan and CTE Coordinator Beaux McCastlain to start a digital media pathway, and noted plans to add classroom computers and offer Adobe certification opportunities. The advisor asked the board and community to continue supporting the journalism program through business ads, yearbook purchases, football program advertising, and livestream advertising.
Dr. Smith then recognized Assistant Superintendent Bridget Buckley, who presented ATLAS results showing substantial year-over-year gains across ELA, math, and science, with district-wide ELA rising from 40% to 50%, math from 46% to 54%, and science from 44% to 52%. Middle school math performance was emphasized: 8th-grade proficiency is 68% (32 percentage points above the state average of 36%), and the cohort from sixth to eighth grade gained 30 percentage points. Specific grade-level gains were highlighted, including first-grade ELA improving from 46% to 75% and eighth-grade ELA from 28% to 49%. District leaders credited instructional changes, science-of-reading efforts, lesson plan consistency, and staff implementation for the improvements. They noted remaining targeted weaknesses that are now easier to identify and address.
The board approved the 2026-2027 Assurances and GEPA Statement Programs under ESSA & IDEA.
The board approved the purchase of 29 new computers and monitors for the Mena Middle School business lab.
Next on the agenda was the approval of the 2026-2027 food management company. Dr. Smith reviewed the five-year procurement process for the district's full-service food management contract. Proposals from four management companies were evaluated using a State Department scoring system that considered menus, prices, and management fees; Smith recommended remaining with Aramark, citing a healthy food service balance that allows equipment purchases, menu improvements, including more breakfast protein and less sugary/starchy items, and generally positive student survey results from middle and high schools as reasons to retain Aramark.
Dr. Smith then updated the board on the progress made toward the formation of the Hall of Honor and forming a committee to implement the bylaws already approved in April. An 11-person committee will decide in their first meeting whether membership should be made public, noting that practices vary across schools.
Next on the agenda was a report from District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton on facilities. Minton focused on kitchen equipment replacements, roofing repair options for the high school, classroom baseboard replacement, asphalt repairs for the back parking lot at the football stadium, and outstanding insurance-related items. Vendors have been contacted for prices: dishwasher quotes from Marcum Restaurant Supply and another vendor were discussed; a vendor for membrane spray roofing; flooring and asphalt vendors were being scheduled for estimates. The goals are to upgrade unreliable daily-use equipment to reduce staff hardship, complete remaining baseboard work at Holly Harshman, obtain asphalt prices for the damaged lot, and resolve outstanding insurance claims. The Board approved the purchase of a new dishwasher, as well as a new light control system and two new projectors in the Performing Arts Center.
Next was the replacement of the superintendent's vehicle, which was previously approved by the board in January. Dr. Smith reported that Mena Ford submitted the lowest bid, and the board approved the purchase.
The board next approved the dates of June 16th & July 21st for board meetings this summer.
The board then approved the financial reports for April and heard brief projections for upcoming months. Dr. Smith reported April performance was strong—about twice as good as the same period last year—and expressed confidence about May. They noted June will be costly due to two payrolls to cover July teacher checks, which makes exact carryover projections difficult.
Finally, in personnel:
RETIREMENT:
David Maxwell - Principal - Mena High School - effective June 30, 2026.
Kristi Wilson - Secondary Teacher - Mena High School - effective June 30, 2026.
RESIGNATION:
Aaron O’Brien - Mena High School Alternative Education Teacher and Bus Driver - effective June 30, 2026.
Tamara Fields - Mena High School, Ninth Grade English Teacher - effective June 30, 2026.
Cody Koch - Assistant Football Coach, Head Junior High Track Coach, and Mena Middle School Social Studies - effective June 30, 2026.
Liberty Jacot - Holly Harshman - Teacher - effective June 30, 2026.
RESTRUCTURE:
Eric Carson Nichols from Assistant Track to Head Junior High Boys and Girls Track.
Zen Valencia from Head Junior High Football to Assistant Junior High Football.
Logan McCourtney from Assistant Boys Soccer to Assistant Junior Boys and Girls Track.
Anna Schauble from Holly Harshman Elementary Teacher to Mena High School Ninth Grade English Teacher.
Tiana Chantel Barrett from Holly Harshman Elementary Alternative Education Teacher to Holly Harshman Third grade Math and Science Teacher.
Kristina Johnston from Mena Middle School Alternative Education ELA/Social Studies teacher to the Mena High School Alternative Education ELA/JAG Teacher.
Jerusha Neufeld from Mena High School Alternative Education ELA/Social Studies teacher to Elementary Alternative Education K-5.
HIRE:
Jonathan Gunn - Coach - Head Junior High Football, Assistant Senior High Football, Assistant Boys Soccer, and Mena Middle School Teacher.
Bradly Watson - Coach - Head Boys Soccer and Assistant Junior High Football.
Kyra Taylor - Mena Middle School Special Education Self-Contained Teacher.
Madyson Birtcher - Louise Durham Elementary Special Education Self-Contained Teacher.
Barbara Tena - Louise Durham Elementary Special Education Paraprofessional.
Hannah Owens - Holly Harshman Elementary Teacher.
Cora Morgan - Mena Middle School Alternative Education Literacy/History Teacher.