Mena tech team members Lorrie Henry & Chuck Cox are inspecting & doing inventory on the new Go Bundles that recently arrived.. These feature the latest technology that will allow teachers to apply online & traditional teaching formats..
The Mena School Board gathered for their regular July meeting on Tuesday evening at Mena Middle School.
The meeting began with the Superintendent’s Report. Mr Benny Weston informed the board that they may be seeing some large purchases in the financial report & that the district will be reimbursed with CARES Act Funding on those purchases at a later date.
Weston then asked the board for input on whether or not exchange students should be accepted in 20/21. This is normally an administrative decision. After a brief discussion all board members agreed that the district would accept exchange students as usual.
A quick mention was made of the state & local bus training which was held at the MHS Performing Arts Center on Tuesday.
Also a part of the Superintendent’s Report was the Bearcats Ready for Learning Plan which was presented by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith. That led to discussion on the use of mask by students in the coming school year. The board agreed that the district will adhere to the Governors order & adjust as guidance is given.
In new business Mena Middle School Principal Mr. Clif Sherrer presented the adjusted School Calendar for 20/21. It was approved unanimously & the new calendar will be posted on social media & the Mena Schools Website soon.
Mena Mayor Seth Smith has requested a partnership with the district on a project to extend the overlay on Geyer Drive next to Holly Harshman Elementary. The board gave Weston permission to negotiate an agreement with the City of Mena.
A bid was accepted & approved from Polk County Farm Bureau in the amount of $22,698 on insurance for all the district buses & vehicles.
The board approved the annual $200 petty cash allotment for each campus in the district & the annual Statement of Assurances passed with no discussion.
District Maintenance Supervisor Danny Minton gave an update on numerous projects. He also approached the board with two bids to paint the red portions of MHS. The low bid of $22,000 by a Mena company was approved. Minton also stated that sneeze guards for each office & some other locations have been ordered & a needs assessment is underway for classrooms. A total of 20 bottle filling stations have been ordered & 20 hand sanitizing stations have been built.
The financial reports were approved, the amended adjusted salary schedule proposed at the June meeting was approved & the board voted to allow principals to make changes to student policies as guidance from the state is delivered.
Finally in personnel matters the resignation of Josh Bradford was accepted & the hiring of Tyler Huntington as MMS Band Director was approved. Sam Varner was also put on contract as a bus driver…
URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS
Mena Public Schools will provide many hand sanitizing stations in classrooms and hallways. Signage in bathrooms will emphasize the importance of hand washing and instruct students on proper procedures. The district has purchased state-of-the-art antimicrobial electrostatic systems to disinfect classrooms, hallways, commons areas, and buses. These systems will be used on a routine basis and in the event of outbreaks. Furthermore, general cleaning agents will be
used along with further disinfection training of administrative,
teaching, clerical, and custodial staff.
Schedule adjustment for next week:There will be no 7th and JH workouts on Tuesday. Senior High work outs will be at 1:00. The rest of the week will be normal.
We just finished a great work week for all age groups! Bearcats got better!
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has issued a mandate requiring masks to be worn in public statewide. The district will wait on guidance & may make changes to the district's Ready for Learning Plan. Click the link to watch the press conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk3NOo84PDQ&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0MEaCvKNLQZKh41brknB9Z5jSKNMDV6LAgQGW92FA0xygr2oozU6W2q8o
The Mena Public Schools Bearcats Ready for Learning Plan!
Learning options, safety & frequently asked questions are included. Follow the link to the Mena School District website to read the entire document.
https://5il.co/icgo
Mena FFA Lamb Day Camp is happening today at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Students are learning showmanship skills for the upcoming livestock shows.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lee Smith is leading a meeting of the Health & Wellness Committee this morning. The committee consist of local health professionals, school nurses, students, administrators & teachers. Student Support, Facilities and Transportation, Human Capital, District Operations and Fiscal Governance and Community Engagement Committees will all be meeting this week to develop the Mena Public School’s “Ready For Learning Plan”. The state announced that the 20/21 school year will begin the week of August 24th.
Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, each athlete will be responsible for scheduling their own physical with a physician. Sports physicals need to be completed by August 7th, 2020. The physical form is available here or can be obtained from your coach.
Attention Parents of Athletes and students who participate in Extracurricular Activities Grades 7-12. *This includes sports, band, choir, cheer.* Please follow steps 1-6 on the left hand side of the flier. You will create an account for the Parent and the Student. DragonFly Max is the new portal used by AAA that makes sports and activities more organized with easy-to-use digital forms, health records and team communication tools. Any questions, please contact Shane Torix (479)394-1144.
Mena Schools Leadership are meeting this morning in the Mena High School Performing Arts Center. Many of the questions that our patrons have concerning the 20/21 school year are on the agenda. Options will be available & answers can be expected soon. Your patience is appreciated.
Jr. High Bearcats being tested this morning when arriving on campus & before beginning their workout...
Preparations continue for the new school year at all Mena campuses. The first day of school is scheduled for Thursday, August 13th.
Bearcat Football Schedule for July!
A reminder that Mena Public Schools will implement an athletic dead week 6/29-7/3... The Arkansas Activities Association waved the traditional athletic dead weeks this year. Mena elected to recognize the 2nd week. Athletes and coaches will be off June 29th-July 3rd. Patrons are reminded that all workouts are voluntary. If you have any questions please contact your coach.
https://www.menaschools.org/o/athletics/staff
Here is some info on our workout times coming up! Very proud of our kids and coaches at working hard both on the field and at keeping safety our #1 priority! Go Bearcats!
The Mena School Board met on Tuesday in the Mena Middle School Library & faced a lengthy agenda.
Follow the link for the full story.
https://www.menaschools.org/article/261150?org=mena-school-district
The AAA has decided to waive the required 2020 summer dead weeks. The Mena AAC has decided that workouts would continue June 21st-27th & athletes and coaches would be off the second week June 28th-July 4th. Patrons are reminded that all workouts are voluntary.
Mr. Benny Weston awarded Mrs. Paulete Sherrer with a plaque honoring her for her service to the Mena School District at Tuesday's school board meeting. Those attending applauded & wished her well in retirement.
