Jonesboro Public Schools public meetings in 2024
17 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
December Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Directors will decide on policy updates regarding school choice and a purchase for an access control system at the JHS Performing Arts Center. The meeting also includes a review of the monthly financial report and updates on the superintendent search.
- Policy updates for School Choice
- Purchase of access control system for the PAC at JHS
- Recommendation to deny the legal transfer for D. Little
- Review of December 2024 personnel items including employment, transfers, resignations, and retirement
November Special Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will accept the resignation of Tim Stewart, effective December 2, 2024, and appoint a replacement for Zone 3 from five candidates. The board will also elect Brock Ferguson as disbursing officer, appoint a point person for the superintendent search, and approve a contract with Education Partners for that search. All items are consent agenda actions and are expected to be voted on at this special meeting.
- Accept resignation of Tim Stewart from the Board (Zone 3), effective Dec 2, 2024
- Elect Brock Ferguson as Disbursing Officer to replace Tim Stewart
- Appoint a board member for Zone 3 from candidates: Callie Kellums, Jamie Couch, Adam Watkins, Hannah McGinnis, Jessica Nadzam
- Appoint a board member as point person for the superintendent search
- Approve contract with Education Partners for superintendent search
November Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School District Board will vote on several action items, including a one-time bonus for staff, purchase of an APEX Officer Virtual Reality Police Training Simulator for the criminal justice program, and virtual tutoring services from Amplify for the 2024-2025 school year. The board will also hear presentations on Atlas data and JPS Spotlights, review financial reports, and consider an expulsion hearing and personnel changes in executive session.
- One-time bonus for staff (dollar amount not specified in agenda)
- Purchase of APEX Officer-Virtual Reality Police Training Simulator for JHS Criminal Justice program, funded by Arkansas Division of Career and Technical Education innovation grant
- Purchase of virtual tutoring services from Amplify Tutoring for 2024-2025
- Proposal for Business Trip Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage for employees and board members
- Expulsion hearing for Student #20929
October Special Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will review and adopt a set of Core Values and Strategic Priorities developed by Ed Partners. The meeting is a special session held on October 28, 2024.
- Review and adopt Core Values and Strategic Priorities
- Review summary of Core Values and Strategic Priorities
- Review Additional Operational Recommendations from Ed Partners
October Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will hold expulsion hearings for two students, receive the annual Report to the Public, and vote on several consent items. These include a copier contract, denial of two legal transfers, a fresh fruit and vegetable purchase from Ben E Keith, and the 2025 school unemployment compensation agreement. The board will also elect officers and recognize board member Chris Harrell's service.
- Recognition of Chris Harrell's service on the board
- Approve copier contract (dollar amount not specified)
- Deny legal transfers for Johnedmond Brown and for Nivea & Kyrese Williams
- Approve Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program purchase from Ben E Keith (USDA program, no dollar amount given)
- Expulsion hearings for Student #33203 and Student #31926
September Special Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will vote to approve the 2023-2024 Annual Financial Report and the proposed 2024-2025 budget. The board will also consider a request to diversify the district's financial portfolio using money market accounts and certificates of deposit.
- Approve 2024-2025 Budget
- Approve Annual Financial Report 2023-2024
- Diversify financial portfolio with money market accounts and CDs
September Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School District Board will hold a regular meeting on September 10, 2024. Actions include approving minutes, denying two legal transfers (Shayvon Jowers and Jessie Matthews), and conducting an executive session on personnel matters. The board will also recognize Misty Doyle as the 2024 AACIA Administrator of the Year and review financial and attendance reports.
- Approval of minutes from the August 13, 2024 regular meeting
- Recommended denial of transfer for Shayvon Jowers
- Recommended denial of legal transfer for Jessie Matthews
- Recognition of Misty Doyle as 2024 AACIA Administrator of the Year
- Executive session for employment, transfers, resignations, and retirement
August Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will vote on a $496,451.88 transfer from the operating fund to the building fund for future construction, renovation, or maintenance. Other action items include approving a policy change on student possession and use of electronic devices, purchasing the Lexia Core 5 reading program, and denying a legal transfer for student Declan Neal. The board will also hear financial and discipline reports and discuss electronic device procedures.
- Approve change to Policy 4.47 on possession and use of electronic devices
- Approve purchase of Lexia Core 5 reading program
- Elect Ex-Officio Financial Secretary for 2024-25
- Transfer $496,451.88 from Operating Fund 2001 to Building Fund 3200
- Deny legal transfer for Declan Neal
July Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will approve the 2025-2026 proposed budget, personnel policy changes, and student handbook updates. The meeting also includes consent items for school improvement plans and a renovation at the Leadership Magnet School.
- Approve 2025-2026 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy
- Approve Student Handbook 2024-2025
- Approve Front Office Renovation at Leadership Magnet
- Approve Personnel Policy Changes
- Approve School Improvement Plans for 9 district schools
June Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting to discuss and act on several operational items. Key decisions include appointing a new Food Service Director with additional compensation, approving banking services with Encore Bank, purchasing Apple computers for schools, and adopting policy changes on purchases and travel reimbursement. The board will also review financial reports, merit pay, and renew contracts for mental health services, property insurance, and custodial services.
- Approve Kris Williams as Food Service Director with $5,000 additional pay for 2024-2025 contract
- Approve policy changes to Policy 7.5 Purchases and Procurement and 7.12 Travel Expense Reimbursement, effective July 1, 2024
- Approve purchase of Apple MacBook Air laptops for students at the Jr. Highs
- Approve additional cost for JHS parking lot soft soil mitigation
- Approve custodial services contracts for 2024-2027
May 14 Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will hold a regular meeting to consider several action items, including a bonus resolution for all contracted employees, multiple facility projects, and curriculum purchases. Items include approving access controls at Annie Camp, renovations at Leadership and Jonesboro High School, a new cafeteria serving line at HWES, and purchase of 9th grade history materials. Consent items cover continuation of the Community Eligibility Provision, classified salary schedules, and a policy change on sick leave.
- Approve bonus resolution for all contracted employees
- Approve electronic access control system for Annie Camp
- Approve Leadership Front Entrance Renovation
- Approve JHS outdoor classroom and interior renovations
- Change additional responsibilities pay for CASBO and ASPMA certifications to $3,000
May 2 Special Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School District Board of Directors will convene for a special meeting to consider a procedural agenda. The primary item is a motion to approve the purchase of a new serving line for the Jonesboro Kindergarten Center cafeteria.
- Approve new serving line for Jonesboro Kindergarten Center cafeteria
- Meeting opening and roll call
- Adjournment
April Special Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will convene for an April special meeting to vote on purchasing new band uniforms and approving changes to the 2024-2025 licensed salary schedule and Policy 3.1. The meeting will also include an executive session for personnel matters.
- Approve purchase of new band uniforms
- Approve change to 2024-2025 Licensed Salary Schedule
- Approve change to Policy 3.1 Licensed Personnel Salary Schedule
- Executive session for employment, transfers, resignations, and retirement
April Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will vote on several action items at its April regular meeting, including a contract with Aramark for food services for the 2024-25 school year, purchase of a school bus, and approval of salary schedules and personnel policy changes. The board will also receive updates on ATLAS testing and recognize robotics teams that qualified for world championships.
- Approve contract with Aramark as District FSMC for 2024-25
- Purchase a 2022 Blue Bird Vision bus
- Approve 2024-25 salary schedules for licensed staff
- Approve Early Release Dates for 2024-25 alternate calendar
- Approve district carpet installation by E.C. Barton & Co.
March Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will vote to move a non-student day to April 8, 2024, to avoid traffic congestion during the eclipse. The board will also consider purchasing tablet computers for Food Services and Apple iPads and MacBook Air laptops.
- Approve Calendar Change for April 8, 2024
- Approve Purchase of 44 Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme tablets for Food Services
- Approve Purchase of Apple iPads and MacBook Air laptops
- Review Legal Transfer for Z. Lancaster
- Review Personnel for March 2024
February Regular Board Meeting
The Jonesboro School Board will vote on the 2024-2025 school calendar, approve bids for the JHS Softball Field Phase 2 and the Ewart Fieldhouse projects, and consider personnel policy changes. The meeting also includes an expulsion hearing for student #23249 and an executive session on personnel actions. Recognitions for student achievements in e-sports and art will be presented.
- Approve 2024-2025 school calendar
- Approve bid for JHS Softball Field Phase 2 project
- Approve bid for JPS Ewart Fieldhouse project
- Authorize sale of surplus commodities from NEA Career & Technical Center
- Approve personnel policy changes
January Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Directors will review financial reports, high impact tutoring updates, and facilities information. Action items include approving teacher compensation for those teaching more than 150 students per day and purchasing consulting services from Unbound Ed Inc.
- Purchase of consulting services from Unbound Ed Inc.
- Additional compensation for teachers teaching more than 150 students per day
- School Choice Capacity Resolution
- Renewal of Educators Liability and Outside of Arkansas General Liability Insurance
- Election of Board Officers