Bentonville Schools public meetings in 2023
14 substantive meetings from 2023, 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 19, 2023, and approved several action items, including a $375,939 purchase of weight room equipment from Sorinex Exercise Equipment, Inc. for the Tiger Athletic Complex. The board also approved the Facilities Master Plan, the November financial report, and authorized signers for district documents. Informational updates were given on the International Baccalaureate model at The International School at Mary Mae Jones and the Visible Learning model at Apple Glen Elementary.
- Approved $375,939 purchase of weight room equipment and flooring from Sorinex Exercise Equipment, Inc. for the Tiger Athletic Complex
- Approved the Facilities Master Plan for submission to the state by February 1, 2024
- Approved November 2023 financial report showing $89.6 million fund balance across all funds
- Approved Kelly Carlson, Debbie Jones, and Janet Schwanhausser as authorized signers
- Recognized Vaughn Elementary activity team with Extra Mile Award
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Board of Education authorized the donation of approximately 9 acres of district property to the Excellerate Foundation to develop attainable housing for staff. The Board also reviewed the annual report and approved the monthly financial report, which noted $1,315,450 in state recognition awards.
- Donation of ~9 acres of district property to Excellerate Foundation for staff housing
- Approval of financial report showing a $65.4 million total fund balance
- Receipt of $1,315,450 in Arkansas School Recognition Program awards
- Election of Kelly Carlson as Board President and Willie Cowgur as Vice President
- Approval of consent agenda items including a request to purchase buses
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on October 10, 2023, and approved two major facility projects: a $732,897 synthetic turf replacement at BHS Tiger Stadium and $892,953 in bleacher additions at BHS and BWHS. The board also approved the consent agenda, financial report, and recognized two staff members with the Extra Mile Award. Information items included a security update and graduation requirements.
- Approved $732,897 GMP for BHS Tiger Stadium turf replacement by Hellas Construction
- Approved $892,953 GMP for bleacher additions at BHS and BWHS by Southern Bleacher Company, Flintco, and Hight Jackson Architects
- Approved consent agenda including expulsion of a 9th grade male at BWHS through April 5, 2024
- Approved September 2023 financial report showing $65.5M fund balance
- Recognized Cheryl Bowen and Brynne Love with Extra Mile Award
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a work session to discuss three informational items: attainable housing for staff on district property, the annual 10-year facilities plan update, and progress on a parent choice school model for downtown elementary schools. No formal action was taken on these items. The board also entered executive session to evaluate the superintendent.
- Attainable housing: 6 of 9 acres behind BHS gym considered for workforce housing; property valued $1.3-$1.5 million
- 10-year facilities plan: Bentonville West High School two-wing addition opening January 2024; next new school projected for 2030-31
- Parent choice schools: community input gathered; models to be announced by December 1, 2023 for 2024-25 school year
- Executive session for superintendent evaluation
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on September 19, 2023, to approve the consent agenda, the August 2023 financial report, a $9.0 million transfer from the operating fund to the building fund, and the Fiscal Year 2024 proposed budget. The board also received informational updates on attainable housing for staff, the Parent Choice Model at Mary Mae Jones Elementary, and Apple Glen Elementary's Visible Learning award. Public comments and recognitions were also on the agenda.
- Approved $9.0 million transfer from operating fund to building fund for future construction
- Approved Fiscal Year 2024 proposed budget with 6.5% staff raise
- Consent agenda included expulsion of 9th grade female at BHS through fall 2023
- Discussed attainable housing on 6 acres behind BHS gym parking lot
- Update on Parent Choice Model at Mary Mae Jones Elementary
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on August 21, 2023, and took several actions. They approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, reports, and three student expulsions. They also voted to change the monthly board meeting date to the third Tuesday. The board received informational updates on the Master Principal program, a new community service graduation requirement, the ATLAS assessment system, and the July financial report.
- Approved consent agenda including three student expulsions (9th grade female at BWHS/Virtual, 9th grade male at BHS/Virtual, 11th grade male at BWHS/Virtual) through fall 2023
- Voted to move monthly board meetings to the third Tuesday of the month
- Approved July 2023 financial report; fund balance $80.5M, down $6.6M from last year
- Discussed new Arkansas Act 237 community service requirement (75 hours for Class of 2027)
- Heard update on ATLAS assessment replacing ACT Aspire for grades 3-10
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education held a personnel meeting on July 31, 2023, where it approved the agenda, a consent agenda for district transfers, and a personnel packet. The board also entered executive session before voting on personnel recommendations. All motions passed unanimously.
- Approved district transfers (consent agenda)
- Approved personnel packet (Arkansas Code 6-13-620)
- Held executive session under Arkansas FOIA
- Meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on July 17, 2023, and approved several actions, including attendance zone adjustments for the 2024-25 school year, the financial report, and policy updates. The board also received information on staff affordable housing and recognized two teachers with the Extra Mile Award.
- Approved attendance zone adjustments for 2024-25 to alleviate overcrowding in western district schools
- Approved financial report: operating revenues $219.3M, expenses $212.7M, fund balance $41.2M (19.4%)
- Approved policy updates from 2023 legislative session, including new policies on student pronouns and religious expression
- Discussed potential affordable housing on 9 acres near BHS gym, awaiting Arkansas AG opinion
- Recognized Natalie Marts and Ashley Semingson with Extra Mile Award
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on June 20, 2023, to approve routine items and hear reports. The board approved a $1,211,082 property insurance renewal for 2023-24, a 48.3% increase from the prior year, and adopted numerous policy revisions required by new state laws. They also approved the financial report, consent agenda, and recognized staff with Extra Mile Awards.
- Approved property insurance renewal for 2023-24 at $1,211,082, a 48.3% increase from $816,625
- Approved financial report showing $101.1 million fund balance, $22.8 million operating surplus year-to-date
- Approved policy revisions including new personnel committee policies (Act 781) and salary schedules for 2023-24
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities, enrollment, transportation, school choice, and instructional materials
- Recognized Jack Loyd, Jonathon Guthrie, and Jennifer Morrow with Extra Mile Award
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education held a personnel meeting on May 30, 2023, where they approved the agenda, entered executive session, and voted to accept the personnel packet as presented. The meeting was procedural, with no other substantive items discussed.
- Approved agenda as presented
- Entered executive session under Arkansas FOIA
- Approved personnel packet (motion carried unanimously)
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville School Board is meeting to approve several action items, including a $1,378,400 construction contract for Washington Jr. High interior updates and a new food service management contract with Aramark. The board also received information on a parent choice model for downtown elementary schools and approved routine consent items and the financial report.
- Approved $1,378,400 GMP to Nabholz Construction for WJHS interior updates
- Approved one-year renewable (up to 5 years) Aramark food service contract
- Heard presentation on parent choice model for downtown elementary schools
- Approved consent agenda including expulsions and routine reports
- Approved financial report showing $70.5M fund balance
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a special meeting to hear an employee appeal regarding contract non-renewal. After an executive session, the board voted unanimously to uphold the superintendent's recommendation for non-renewal and to uphold items 1 and 2 in the superintendent's letter to the employee. The meeting was then adjourned.
- Employee appeal hearing held
- Motion to uphold non-renewal of contract carried unanimously
- Motion to uphold items 1 and 2 in superintendent's letter carried unanimously
- Executive session for deliberation
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on March 14, 2023, and took action on several items, including approving Phase I of consolidated bus routes for the 2023-2024 school year, renewing the custodial services contract with SSC Service Solutions for $6,265,833, and approving the financial report. The board also approved the consent agenda, which included three student expulsions, and accepted the personnel packet.
- Approved Phase I of consolidated bus routes for 2023-2024, moving to neighborhood stops
- Renewed custodial contract with SSC Service Solutions, $6,265,833 for June 1, 2023-May 30, 2024
- Approved financial report: $86.0M fund balance, $38.3M operating fund balance (18.0%)
- Consent agenda included expulsions of three students (10th grade male, 11th grade female, 9th grade male) through spring 2023
- Recognized Jeri Schulz, Benefits Coordinator, with Extra Mile Award
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education met on February 21, 2023, and approved several construction contracts for secure vestibules and window replacements, along with bus purchases and the financial report. The board also recognized facilities staff with the Extra Mile Award and discussed transportation route consolidation.
- Approved $1,889,682 GMP for Apple Glen Elementary secure vestibule (Crossland Construction)
- Approved $1,315,754 GMP for Ardis Ann Middle & Elm Tree Elementary secure vestibules (Flintco)
- Approved $290,740 GMP for Lincoln Jr. High window replacement (Flintco)
- Authorized purchase of eight 77-passenger buses ($155,750 each) and four 33-passenger buses ($159,500 each) from Rush Truck
- Approved financial report showing $96.8M fund balance; operating revenues exceeded expenditures by $12.2M