Bentonville Schools public meetings in 2021
17 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on December 21, 2021, and approved several action items, including a revised 2022-2023 school calendar, the financial report, a facilities master plan resolution, and four capital project contracts totaling over $4.1 million. The board also recognized Chris Weeks with the Extra Mile Award and approved the consent agenda, which included student expulsions and district-to-district transfers.
- Approved $615,964 contract with Harness Roofing Inc. for Child Enrichment Center roof replacement
- Approved $2,589,400 contract with Stearman Roofing for Lincoln Junior High and Technology Center roof replacement
- Approved $487,700 contract with GEO-Surfaces, LLC for BWHS baseball turf
- Approved $435,050 contract with GEO-Surfaces, LLC for BWHS softball turf
- Approved 2022-2023 school calendar revision to comply with Act 688
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education voted to adopt a new zone plan and map for the 2022 school election, based on 2020 Census data, and approved a one-time 1.2% bonus for full-year employees, capped at $1,000, costing $1.6M. Both actions passed unanimously.
- Approved resolution establishing 5 single-member and 2 at-large zones for 2022 election
- Approved one-time 1.2% bonus for full-year employees, capped at $1,000, total cost $1.6M
- Bonus to be paid with December 20, 2021 paycheck
- Revenues up $7.4M, expenses up $3.6M over prior year
- Bond sale interest rate 2.21% vs projected 4.50%, saving $8.3M
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Board of Education approved a resolution for a new board election structure consisting of five single-member zones and two at-large positions. The Board also authorized the issuance of $20,480,000 in construction bonds for school projects and reviewed the district's annual performance report.
- Approved $20,480,000 Series G construction bonds to be issued by December 1, 2021
- Adopted new board election plan with 5 single-member zones and 2 at-large positions
- Rejected a land purchase counteroffer of $65,000 per acre for 80.05 acres
- Rejected an offer from Skylight Homes to purchase 20 acres on SW Windmill Road for $1.6M
- Reported a total fund balance of $75.5 million as of Period 4
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Board Work Session included an information update on the 10 Year Facilities Master Plan. The board also reviewed proposed school board zone changes based on 2020 Census data.
- Update on the 10 Year Facilities Master Plan
- Presentation of proposed school board zones using 2020 census numbers
- Review of legal requirements for rezoning by District Attorney Marshall Ney
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on October 19, 2021, to approve several action items and discuss the naming of Elementary #13. The board approved the financial report, a $227,227 awning project at Thomas Jefferson Elementary, designating demography as a professional service, and annual course approvals/deletions. They also discussed narrowing community suggestions for the new elementary school's name to two finalists.
- Approved $227,227 GMP contract with Flintco LLC for Thomas Jefferson Elementary awning additions
- Approved financial report noting $65.6 million fund balance and $20 million bond sale for Elementary #13 on November 4
- Approved designating demography as a professional service for school zoning line work
- Approved annual course additions (10) and deletions (2), including renaming 13 'Pre-AP' courses to 'Advanced' due to College Board rules
- Discussed narrowing Elementary #13 name suggestions to two finalists; top suggestions were Barron, Sam Walton, and Steve Gunter
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on September 21, 2021, to approve the agenda, consent agenda, financial report, and the 2021-22 school budget. The budget includes a 2.5% raise for staff, an increase in the district's health insurance contribution, and projects operating revenues exceeding expenditures by $1.1 million.
- Approved 2021-22 school budget with operating revenues of $199.6M and expenditures of $198.5M
- Approved 2.5% staff raise for 2021-22, costing $3.6M
- Approved increase in district health insurance contribution from $174.78 to $203.64 per month starting January 2022
- Approved consent agenda including 5% salary differentiation and Child and Adult Care Food Program participation
- Approved August 2021 financial report showing all funds balance of $69.7M
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met to update the Safe Schools Plan for the 2021-2022 school year. The board voted to require masks for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and approved a new COVID-19 leave policy for staff.
- Motion passed to require masks for students ages 3 through 12th grades
- Approved recommendation for a staff mask mandate, pending a majority vote from staff
- Approved a COVID-19 Leave policy for Licensed and Classified Personnel funded by ESSER Funds
- COVID-19 Leave policy allows ten days of leave for quarantine, isolation, or caring for others
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education met on August 3, 2021, to discuss and act on personnel and COVID-19 related items. The board approved adding 10 elementary teaching positions due to higher-than-expected enrollment growth, and discussed the district's Safe Schools Plan and a proposed COVID-19 emergency leave policy for staff. The meeting also included an executive session and approval of a personnel packet.
- Approved 10 new elementary teacher positions (licensed FTE) for 2021-22, estimated cost $725,680 in salary and benefits
- Discussed Safe Schools Continuation Plan for 2021-22, based on state COVID-19 guidance released July 27, 2021
- Discussed proposed COVID-19 Emergency Leave policy for staff (10 days) pending staff vote by August 11, 2021
- Approved additional personnel requests as presented
- Approved personnel packet after executive session
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Board of Education approved a $12 million transfer from the operating fund to the building fund to support future construction. The board also accepted a property and cyber insurance renewal for $785,220 and approved rate increases for long-term substitutes.
- $12 million transfer from operating fund to building fund
- $785,220 property and cyber insurance renewal
- Long-term substitute rate increase effective August 1, 2021
- Approval of June 2021 financial report
- Extra Mile Award recognition for Faith Guidry and Wendy Broughton
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met June 29, 2021, and approved a consent agenda, a $2.2 million purchase of 20 buses using federal COVID funds, a technology director reclassification, and policy additions. The board also entered executive session and approved a personnel packet.
- Approved purchase of 19 77-passenger buses at $109,990 each and 1 33-passenger bus at $114,166, totaling $2,203,976 from federal funds
- Reclassified Director of Technology to Executive Director of Technology, raising salary schedule range to $101,382-$138,379
- Added policies 3.19.1 and 6.14.1 on non-contracted days to the policy manual
- Approved consent agenda including salary schedules for licensed, classified, administrative, and stipend positions
- Approved personnel packet and adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville School Board approved a $26.8 million refunding bond issue expected to save $3.4 million, renewed the custodial contract with SSC Service Solutions for $5,755,284, and renewed the food services contract with Aramark. The board also received a DEI strategic update and approved the consent agenda and financial report.
- Approved $26,800,000 Refunding Bonds, Series F, saving $3.4 million
- Renewed SSC custodial contract for 2021-22 at $5,755,284
- Renewed Aramark food services contract at $0.1245/meal admin and $0.0499/meal management
- Approved financial report showing $87.2M fund balance, $58.7M operating balance
- DEI strategic update presented for informational purposes
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education approved a $683,900 lawn care contract with Envy Lawn Care, a $500 sale of a non-buildable lot on Sunset Drive, a $19,520 student accident insurance renewal, and personnel recommendations for the 2021-2022 school year. The board also approved the consent agenda and financial report, and discussed a bond refunding expected to save $2.4 million.
- Approved $683,900 lawn care contract with Envy Lawn Care, renewable up to 4 additional years
- Approved sale of 0.19-acre non-buildable lot on Sunset Drive, Bella Vista, for $500
- Approved $19,520 student accident insurance renewal with Health Special Risk, Inc.
- Approved personnel recommendations for 2021-2022, adding 42 licensed FTE and 18 classified FTE, estimated $3.5 million
- Discussed bond refunding expected to save $2.4 million over life of bonds
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on April 20, 2021, and approved a $1,365,635 contract for the Thomas Jefferson Elementary roof replacement, along with the consent agenda and financial report. The board also discussed a proposed elementary zoning plan for a new school opening in 2022-2023, and received updates on COVID-19 and commencement plans.
- Approved $1,365,635 GMP for Thomas Jefferson Elementary roof replacement with M2 Roofing
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities, enrollment, transportation reports, and School Choice Resolution
- Approved financial report showing $70.3M fund balance, $10.4M less than last year
- Discussed elementary zoning proposal for new Elementary #13 opening 2022-2023
- Recognized Jon Penn with Extra Mile Award
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education approved a 2.5% salary increase for the 2021-22 school year, costing an additional $2.18 million beyond the budgeted 1% raise. The board also authorized two major facility projects: replacing bleachers at Bentonville High School for $226,859.16 and installing a digital LED video board at Bentonville West High School for $314,722.48. Additionally, the board accepted the 2022-2023 academic calendar and reviewed the district's financial status, noting a fund balance of $76.6 million.
- Approved 2.5% salary increase for 2021-22, adding $2.18 million to the budget
- Approved $226,859.16 contract with Innerplan Corporation for BHS bleacher replacement
- Approved $314,722.48 contract with VCRNOW for BWHS digital LED video board
- Accepted Draft B as the 2022-2023 academic calendar
- Approved February 2021 financial report showing $76.6 million total fund balance
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a work session to review 2020 academic performance data amid pandemic-related learning disruptions, discuss the 2021-22 virtual learning program, and hear commencement safety plans for the Class of 2021. The board also discussed real estate procedures and entered executive session. No formal decisions were made on these informational items.
- 2020 academic performance review using NWEA MAP assessments for grades 3-10
- 2021-22 K-12 virtual learning program plan
- Commencement plans for May 15, 2021 at Bud Walton Arena with safety precautions
- Discussion of real estate offer and transaction procedures
- Executive session
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on February 16, 2021, and approved several action items, including a $1,559,258 contract for the WJHS Phase II remodel, the consent agenda, the financial report, and personnel recommendations. The board also received information on COVID-19 vaccine distribution to staff, a status briefing, and an initial analysis for elementary school zoning changes. The meeting included recognitions, public comments, and an executive session.
- Approved $1,559,258 GMP for WJHS Phase II remodel with Flintco
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities, enrollment, and transportation reports
- Approved financial report showing $85.4M fund balance
- Discussed elementary zoning for new Elementary #13, impacting Centerton Gamble, Evening Star, Osage Creek, Willowbrook
- COVID-19 vaccine update: 1,076 staff vaccinated to date
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education met on January 26, 2021, to approve routine items and several significant actions. They accepted the Fiscal Year 2020 audit, renewed professional liability insurance at a higher premium, approved a $44,737 boom lift purchase, and adopted new COVID-19 leave policies funded by federal ESSER II dollars. The board also received a COVID-19 status report and approved the consent agenda and financial report.
- Approved Fiscal Year 2020 Audit Report with unmodified opinion from Landmark PLC
- Renewed professional liability insurance for $25,990 (20% higher than prior year) with increased deductibles
- Authorized purchase of TZ50 Trailer-Mounted Boom Lift from Riggs CAT for $44,737
- Approved COVID-19 leave policies (EP 1.7 and EP 1.8) providing 10 additional leave days funded by ESSER II
- Received $3,611,590.86 in ESSER II federal funds for COVID-19 relief