SALEM SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES
SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT
February 20, 2023

The Board of Education of the Salem School District #30, State of Arkansas, met in regular session Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom on the high school campus.  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Coffman.  

ROLL CALL:
Present: Smith, Hall, Coffman, Yarnell and Miller
Absent:  

The Chairman declared a quorum present and opened the meeting for business.

The minutes from the January 9, 2023 regular meeting were reviewed.  Smith made the motion with a second by Miller to approve the minutes as written.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

High School Principal Cody Curtis shared a link with student recognitions.  Many student successes.  Congratulations to all.

The board retired into executive session at 6:07 p.m.

The board returned to open session at 6:21 p.m.

As the result of executive session, recommendation was made to extend the contracts of high school Principal Cody Curtis, elementary Principal Lindsey Wiseman and Federal Programs Coordinator David Turnbough for the 2023/2024 school year. The motion was made by Yarnell with a second by Hall to extend contracts.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

DESE has awarded the district $121,250.00 for a school safety grant.  Superintendent Guiltner presented the board with ideas how to spend the money.  Some of the suggestions were laminate windows in elementary school.  Replace locking devices on some of exterior doors to prevent doors from propping open. Replace exterior glass doors with metal doors.  Close in walkway at high school (Rooms 1 and 2).  Superintendent will get quotes and bids and apply for grant.  More information when submitted.

Superintendent discussed some of the bills regarding education that are in legislation currently.

Recommendation was made to accept two transfers, one student from Melbourne School District and one student from Izard County Consolidated School District to the Salem School District.  Motion was made by Hall with a second from Miller to accept the transfers.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner presented the board with some ASBA board policy updates. (Attached)

Motion was made by Smith with a second by Yarnell to approve ASBA policy updates.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Consideration of licensed and classified salary schedules for 2023-2024 has been tabled until legislative session is closed.

Title I budget update and school plans for 2022-2023 were presented. (Attached)  Motion was made by Miller with a second by Hall to approve.  

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner updated the board on the baseball/softball building.  Everything is coming along good except we cannot get turf.  We have purchased turf mats that can be used until turf comes in.  Anticipating a March 1st opening date.

Lindsey Wiseman, elementary principal updated board on grade level reading program.  All elementary grades are participating and have shown an average reading growth of .89 (grade equivalency) in the six months of monitoring.  The building percentage at and above average is 68.12%

Request was made to order chrome books for the elementary and the high school with Title I funds.  Bids were taken and the bid for high school chrome books from White River Services and Solutions in the amount of $21,608.00 was accepted on a motion made by Hall with a second from Yarnell.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

The bid for elementary school chrome books from White River Services and Solutions in the amount of $23,236.20 was accepted on a motion made by Smith with a second by Miller.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Request was made to consider ordering a school bus.  If we order now most likely will be January 2024 before we would receive. The purchase price would be close to $135,000.00.  Motion was made by Miller with a second by Smith to proceed with ordering bus with the amount up to $135,000.00. 

 The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Request was made to have concrete grinding and refinishing of all hallways in the high school.  Dennis Neal Resurfacing submitted a quote of $30,252.69.  This project would be paid out of student growth fund.  Motion was made by Yarnell with a second by Hall.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner reported on the Arkansas Game and Fish Grant.  The funds are used to purchase ammo and clay targets for the shooting sports.  We received $3,881.09.

Superintendent Guiltner reported Salem High School was presented Award of Excellence for an ejection-free season in football 2022-2023.

The financial reports were reviewed and accepted on a motion made by Miller with a second from Hall.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Smith made the motion with a second by Yarnell to adjourn.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

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								      Secretary