BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wayne Guiltner, Superintendent	HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

JASON MILLER, PRESIDENT
JOEY HALL, VICE PRESIDENT

313 HWY 62 E – SUITE 1
SALEM, ARKANSAS 72576

CODY CURTIS
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

BURTON YARNELL, 
DR. GUY SMITH

 OFFICE: (870) 895-2516                                                                     LINDSEY WISEMAN
FAX: (870) 895-4062

KAREN COFFMAN	www.salemschools.net

SALEM SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES
SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT
August 21, 2023

The Board of Education of the Salem School District #30, State of Arkansas, met in regular session Monday, August 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom on the high school campus.  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Smith, Hall, Coffman, Miller and Yarnell
Absent:  None

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

The minutes from the July 17, 2023 regular meeting were reviewed.  Coffman made the motion with a second by Hall to approve the minutes as written.  

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

The minutes from the July 27, 2023 called meeting were reviewed.  Hall made the motion with a second from Yarnell 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 reported on the first week of school.  Had a very good week with enrollment currently at 867 students.  Both principals reported good week at both campuses.

Next, Superintendent Guiltner gave an update on the Master Facilities Plan.  Stephen’s Inc. provided a timeline (attached) with information regarding the 2025-2026 construction series.  There will be more information provided at the next board meeting.

Superintendent Guiltner provided the board with a policy change.  Policy 5.7 (attached) Selection of Library/Media Center Materials had a couple of changes in the challenges portion.  Recommendation was made to approve the changes to board policy 5.7.  Motion was made by Smith with a second Yarnell to approve the changes.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

The board was given the Teacher and Administrator Recruitment and Retention Plan 2024 (attached).  The recommended plan is a three year action plan.  Motion was made by Coffman with a second from Hall to approve the plan.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried. 

The board retired into executive session at 6:14 p.m.

The board returned to open session at 6:03 p.m.

As the result of executive session, Superintendent Guiltner read a letter of resignation (attached) from Whitney Davis, paraprofessional.  Her resignation was recommended with the effective date of August 4, 2023.  Motion was made by Yarnell with a second from Smith to accept the resignation.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Recommendation was made to hire Shaylin Rains as a paraprofessional for the 2023-2024 school year.  The motion was made by Smith with a second by Hall.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Recommendation was made to hire Vikki Sutherland as a paraprofessional for the 2023-2024 school year.  The motion was made by Yarnell with a second by Coffman.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Consideration of an ACT 1599 resolution (attached) to do business with Main Street Tire & Lube.  Employee Tesa Nelson is co-owner of the company.  Approval to do business up to the maximum of $9999.99 per school year, and for two consecutive years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.  Motion was by Smith with a second by Hall.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Consideration of an ACT 1599 Resolution (attached) to do business with Salem Auto Parts.  Employee Kimberly Ragsdale is the spouse of the owner.  Approval to do business up to the maximum amount of $9999.99 per school year, and for two consecutive years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.  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.  

Consideration of an ACT 1599 Resolution (attached) to do business with Mrs. Gaye’s Goodies.  Employee Gaye Passmore is the owner of the company.  Approval to do business up to the maximum $9999.99 per school year and for two consecutive years 2023-2024.  Motion was made by Smith with a second from Yarnell.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Superintendent Guiltner made the recommendation to transfer $565,000.00 from operating to the building fund.  A motion was made by Smith with a second
by Yarnell to transfer the funds.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Superintendent Guiltner recommended moving money from the building fund to a 6 month/182 day CD with the Bank of Salem at a rate of 4.75 %/ APY 4.85 %. A motion was made by Coffman with a second by Smith to move $500,000.00 to a 6 mo/152 day CD.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Superintendent and both principals reported on the 2023 Test Data.  Salem is 1st in the co-op, public schools, 9th in state, public and charter schools, 11th in state.   Great job!

Superintendent reported on hiring and transfer options being given to the superintendent prior to board approval.  We choose to remain the same requiring board approval prior to hiring or transferring.

Recommendation was made to accept two legal transfers from the Viola School District to the Salem School District.  Motion was made by Smith with a second by Hall to accept the transfers.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Recommendation was made to accept five legal transfers from the Izard County Consolidated School District to the Salem School District.  Motion was made by Yarnell with a second by Smith to accept the transfers.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

Superintendent reported on the 2023-2024 Statement of Assurances (attached).  They have been completed and uploaded to the department.

High school principal, Cody Curtis had a few student recognitions.  Congratulations!

Superintendent Guiltner presented the Federal Programs Statement of Assurances (attached) for the 2023-2024 school year.  Motion was made by Hall with a second by Coffman to approve the Statement of Assurances.

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 by Coffman with a second from Yarnell.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.  

In miscellaneous business, board training dates are usually the 1st and 3rd Thursdays in October, definite dates and times to be announced.

Annual Report to the Public will be Monday, September 18, 2023.

Coffman made the motion to adjourn with a second by Hall.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.

								_____________________________________
								        Secretary  

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