SALEM SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES
SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT
April 12, 2023

The Board of Education of the Salem School District #30, State of Arkansas, met in regular session Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 5:00 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 and Miller 
Absent:  Yarnell

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

The minutes from the March 13, 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.

First on the agenda, Superintendent Guiltner read a resolution (attached) to recognize the 2023 Salem Lady Greyhound basketball team for their dedication to excellence and their winning season, and their many accomplishments for the year.  Season record 30 wins – 4 losses.  3A-2 Conference Champions and 3A State Champions and was coached by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette Girls Coach of the Year Josh Bateman, assisted by Shane Smith and Athletic Director J.W. Blevins.  Hall made the motion to accept the resolution recognizing the Sr. Lady Greyhounds with a second from Smith.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Next, Superintendent Guiltner read a resolution (attached) to recognize Coach Josh Bateman as Coach of the Year.  Coach Bateman has coached Sr. Girls Basketball at Salem for three years; he has accumulated 74 wins, 3 State Tournament appearances and many other accomplishments. The best being 2023 3A State Champions and being recognized by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette as Coach of the Year.  Motion was made by Miller with a second from Hall to accept the resolution recognizing Josh Bateman as Coach of the Year.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner introduced the Sr. Lady Greyhounds and coaches and let Coach Bateman speak.  He talked about his team and the hard work they had put in.  He thanked the administration, faculty, board and community for all their support.  Mr. Guiltner took a picture of the team with the board and the team excused themselves from the meeting.

Superintendent Guiltner presented the 2021-2022 audit report (attached) to the board.  Another finding free audit.  There were no findings, therefore no corrective action plan needed.  Smith made the motion with a second from Hall to accept the 2021-2022 audit report.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner presented the 2023-2024 proposed Alternate School Calendar (attached) to the board.  The personnel policy committee has approved the calendar.  Hall made the motion with a second from Smith to approve the Alternate School Calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

We recently had an ALE onsite review.  Review went well, no major problems.  We were given a few suggestions to work on, and those issues will be addressed.  Great job ALE.

The school safety grant awarded our district $121,250. to use for safety improvements.  All of our requested projects were approved and we will start with those projects soon.  We will be replacing doors with electronic locking devices, enclosing outside classroom doors at the high school, more security cameras.
Grant funds have to be spent by 12/31/2023.  Miller made the motion with a second from Hall to approve the expenditure for the School Safety Grant.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner presented the 2023-2024 VIB application and budget.  The application was not attached, will come back to after executive session.

Yarnell joined the session at 5:37 p.m.

We had a transportation audit from Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.  The district was not found deficient in any area at this time.  Great job.

High School principal had a lengthy list of student recognitions (link online) Congratulations to all.

We recently had a food service review.  There was an issue with OPAA! billing that has been addressed and is being resolved.  Very good review.

Recommendation to approve two legal transfers was requested.  One student transfer form Izard County Consolidated District to Salem School District and one student from Salem School District to the Izard County Consoidated School District.  The motion was made by Yarnell with a second from Miller to approve the transfers.

 The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

The board retired into executive session at 5:48 p.m.

The board returned into open session at 6:20 p.m.

As the result of executive session, recommendation was made to employ Brandon Parmer as an elementary teacher.  Motion was made by Smith with a second by Miller to employ Mr. Parmer.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to employ Kimber York as an elementary teacher.  Motion was made by Yarnell with a second by Hall to employ Mrs. York.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner read a resignation letter (attached) from Tyler Casey as the assistant band director, and recommendation was made to hire Mr. Casey as the band director.  Motion was made by Miller with a second from Yarnell.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to add Choir Director (stipend) to Tyler Casey’s contract.  Motion was made by Hall with a second form Smith to make the addition to his contract.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to add Assistant Band Director (stipend) to Logan Welch’s contract.  The motion was made by Hall with a second from Smith to make the addition to his contract.  

A letter of resignation from Rhonda Huddleston, FACS- teacher (attached) was read by Mr. Guiltner.  Her resignation is effective at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.  Motion was made by Yarnell with a second from Miller to approve the resignation.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to employ Jessica Batterton as the high school Family and Consumer Science (FACS) teacher.  The motion was made by Hall with a second from Yarnell to employ Mrs. Batterton.  

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

A resignation letter from Amanda Smith, high school teacher (attached) was read by Mr. Guiltner.  Resignation effective at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Motion was made by Miller with a second from Hall to accept the resignation.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to employ Alisha Worsham as a high school teacher.  Motion was made by Smith with a second from Yarnell to employ Mrs. Worsham.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to add a half bus route to Melvyn Wagner’s contract.  Mr. Wagner will drive our ASUMH route and pick up a half route in the afternoon.  Motion was made by Hall with a second from Miller to approve the addition to his contract.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner presented the 2023-2024 Special Education Title VI-B application and budget (attached).  Miller made the motion with a second from Hall to approve the budget.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to accept the 2023-2024 licensed salary schedule (attached).  Motion was made by Smith with a second from Miller.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation was made to accept the 2023-2024 classified salary schedule (attached).  Motion was made by Hall with a second from Yarnell.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

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

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

In miscellaneous business:
May 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the high school gym we will have our annual athletic recognition program.  This year we will have some special acknowledgments and recognitions for the State Championship.

Greyhound Catfish Cookout – May 3 and 4	

Attached is a list of the end of year activities.

Smith made the motion to adjourn with a second from Miller.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

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

				
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							    Secretary