Bentonville Schools public meetings in 2025
17 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education will meet December 16 at 5:30 p.m. at 500 Tiger Blvd. to discuss routine operations, recognize staff, and vote on a $948,950 project to replace the Bentonville High School football/soccer turf and refurbish the track. The board will also review financial reports, policy updates, and receive updates on state accountability measures and a Mid-States Consortium conference.
- Motion to approve $948,950 for BWHS football/soccer turf replacement and track refurbishment
- Motion to approve November 2025 Financial Report showing $109.4M fund balance
- Policy revisions for Extracurricular Activity Eligibility for Private School Students and Student Religious Expression
- Recognition of Holly Treat and Tony Cherico for Outdoor Pursuits program achievements
- Mid-States Consortium update with five key takeaways from the annual conference
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education will consider several new policies regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence for students and staff. Members will also review the October 2025 financial report and receive updates on third-grade reading promotion standards.
- Approval of October 2025 Financial Report showing a total fund balance of $80.3 million
- New policies for Student, Licensed Personnel, and Classified Personnel use of Artificial Intelligence
- Policy updates for School Choice, Personnel Evaluations, and Personal Electronic Devices
- Informational update on the Thomas Jefferson Leadership Academy parent choice program
- Report on motorists illegally passing stopped school buses through October 2025
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education will vote on several action items, including eliminating class rank on transcripts, approving the Facilities Master Plan, and accepting or rejecting a $1.2 million offer from Skylight Homes for 20 acres on Bright Road. The board will also hear the annual district performance report and approve financial statements and course changes.
- Vote to eliminate class rank on transcripts and discontinue naming valedictorian/salutatorian
- Vote on $1.2 million land sale offer from Skylight Homes for 20 acres on Bright Road
- Vote to approve the 6-year Facilities Master Plan and submit for state funding
- Annual report on district performance including ATLAS data and school letter grades
- Approval of September 2025 financials showing $71.8 million total fund balance
Board Work Session
The Board will receive an informational update on student enrollment projections and the 10-year facilities master plan. The discussion will cover new construction timing, operating revenues, and capital projects budgeted at $150,000 or more.
- Enrollment Report and 10 Year Facilities Master Plan Update
- Review of capital projects with budgets of $150,000 or more
- Discussion of district transfers
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education will consider a proposal to eliminate class rank on transcripts. The meeting also includes discussions on a redesign for RE Baker Elementary and Old High Middle School, as well as a request for additional security personnel.
- Proposal to eliminate class rank on transcripts effective immediately
- Request to add 14 full-time Commissioned School Security Officers at an estimated cost of $651,980
- Redesign plan for RE Baker Elementary and Old High Middle School by Marble Fairbanks Architects
- August 2025 Financial Report showing a total fund balance of $92.8 million
- Annual bullying incident report for Fall 2025
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education will vote on adopting six-year terms for board members, as permitted by Arkansas Act 503. The board will also consider approving the 2025-26 proposed budget, which includes a $6.6 million increase for employee raises and projects operating revenues exceeding expenditures by $9.3 million. Other action items include approving the July financial report and surplusing two vehicles.
- Vote on adopting six-year terms for board members under Act 503
- Approval of 2025-26 proposed budget with $265.2M in operating revenues and $255.9M in expenditures
- Approval of July 2025 financial report showing $83.5M total fund balance
- Surplus of two 2011 Chevrolet vehicles and a 2016 trailer for sale on govdeals.org
- Informational report on concurrent credit changes under Arkansas Act 340
Board of Education Meeting
The board will consider approving personnel changes and school improvement plans for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting also includes public comments and a consent agenda with district transfers. No major policy decisions or budget items are listed.
- Personnel recommendations (action item, packet attached)
- School improvement plans for 24 schools (consent agenda)
- District-to-district transfers (consent agenda)
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville School Board voted to authorize a $630,000 contract to buy 412 Tiger Boulevard, a 0.47-acre parcel surrounded by district-owned land. The board also approved the June financial report, surplus of five buses, and student handbooks. New board members Bill Akins and Rachel Nutt were sworn in, and Jennifer Faddis was elected board president.
- Purchase of 412 Tiger Boulevard for $630,000 to protect long-term access and flexibility for future development
- Approval of financial report showing $82.9 million total fund balance and surplus of five school buses
- Election of Jennifer Faddis as board president and Tatum Aicklen as vice president
- Oath of office administered to new board members Bill Akins and Rachel Nutt
- Discussion of Act 503 requiring transition to 4- or 6-year staggered board terms with March 2026 election
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville School Board appointed Bill Aikens to the At Large position and Rachel Nutt to the Zone 1 position, filling vacancies created by members moving out of the district. The board also approved a consent agenda item for operating funds investment and accepted a personnel packet. The meeting included an executive session and adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
- Appointment of Bill Aikens to the At Large School Board position
- Appointment of Rachel Nutt to the Zone 1 School Board position
- Approval of Operating Funds Investment as part of consent agenda
- Acceptance of personnel packet as presented
- Board entered executive session under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act
Board of Education Meeting
The board accepted resignations from Kelly Carlson (At Large) and Joel Dunning (Zone 1), effective July 1, due to out-of-state relocations. Applications for their seats open June 17 with a June 25 deadline; the board will appoint successors at a special meeting on June 26 to serve until March 2026. The board also approved a slate of policy updates for 2025-2026, a financial report showing an $80.3 million operating fund balance, and a consent agenda including minutes, reports, and transfers.
- Board accepted resignations of Kelly Carlson and Joel Dunning effective July 1, 2025
- Approved 20+ policy revisions covering attendance, discipline, cell phones, antisemitism, and more
- Financial report shows $80.3 million operating fund balance (32.1%) with projected year-end at 20.9%
- Recognized Soma Majumdar with Extra Mile Award for performing Heimlich maneuver on choking student
- Discussed plan to consolidate multiple communication tools into a single universal platform
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville School Board held a special meeting to consider a student expulsion. After a hearing and closed executive session, the board voted unanimously to modify the expulsion to end at the conclusion of the 2024/2025 school year.
- Student expulsion hearing conducted by Vice President Jennifer Faddis.
- Board entered executive session to deliberate on the expulsion under Arkansas FOIA.
- Motion carried to modify the expulsion to end at the end of the 24/25 school year.
- Motion by Jeremy Farmer, second by Joel Dunning; vote was 5-0 in favor.
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville School Board approved a $7,773,117 renewal of the custodial contract with SSC Service Solutions for 2025-26 and authorized a contract with Cenergistics for energy management, projecting $4.5 million in net savings over five years. The board also approved the April 2025 financial report, accepted department handbooks for 2025-26, and received an informational update on Success Ready Graduates. The consent agenda included routine items such as minutes, reports, and a formal expulsion.
- Renewed custodial contract with SSC Service Solutions for $7,773,117 for 2025-26
- Authorized energy management contract with Cenergistics, projecting $4.5 million net savings over five years
- Approved April 2025 financial report showing $61.4 million fund balance across all funds
- Accepted department handbooks for 2025-26 school year
- Consent agenda included expulsion of a 9th-grade female at BWHS through March 15, 2026
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education voted to approve Calendar Draft B for the 2026-2027 school year, following a staff vote where 54% of licensed and 55% of classified staff preferred it. The board also renewed student accident insurance at $19,520 and approved the consent agenda and financial report. Informational updates were given on dyslexia intervention, school choice programs, and a new state cybersecurity policy.
- Approved 2026-2027 academic calendar (Draft B) after staff vote and prior board feedback
- Renewed student accident insurance policy through Health Special Risk, Inc. at $19,520
- Approved consent agenda including March 18 meeting minutes, facilities, enrollment, and transportation reports
- Heard update on Parent Choice Schools (205 accepted) and Public-School Choice (81 applications)
- Presented ADE K-12 Cybersecurity Policy adoption, with Phase 1 effective July 1, 2025
Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education voted to approve a 3.5% salary increase across all salary schedules for the 2025-26 school year, funded by an expected $8.9 million revenue increase. The board also approved the February financial report and surplus of three buses, and discussed eliminating NWEA MAP testing in favor of the new ATLAS system. A proposal to align junior high grading policy with the high school policy was presented for information only.
- Approved 3.5% salary increase for all licensed and classified staff for 2025-26, plus annual step increase of ~1.3%
- Approved February financial report showing $78.3 million fund balance and surplus of three school buses
- Discussed eliminating NWEA MAP testing after 15+ years, replacing with ATLAS interim assessments
- Proposed aligning 7-8 grading policy with 9-12 policy (100% evidence of learning, 0% practice weight)
- Heard offer from Skylight Homes to purchase 40 acres on Bright Road for $4.8 million or all 80 acres for $8.0 million
Board of Education Meeting
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education approved a consent agenda covering bus purchases, professional liability insurance renewal, instructional materials adoption, and formal expulsions of four students. The board also received information on a new doula training pilot program through the Ignite Health Sciences strand, heard an annual security report, and tabled a vote on the 2026-2027 academic calendar.
- Approved consent agenda including request to purchase buses and Professional Liability Insurance Renewal
- Approved formal expulsions: 8th grade female at GJHS through spring 2025, 10th and 11th grade males at COMPASS for one calendar year, 4th grade male at Sugar Creek Elementary for one semester
- Received information on Ignite Health Services Doula Training pilot program with 11 students
- Tabled vote on 2026-2027 academic calendar pending further review
- Approved January 2025 financial report showing $87.1 million fund balance across all funds
Board of Education Meeting
The Board will hear a presentation from Hight Jackson Associates on two expansion options for Bentonville West High School, driven by projected enrollment growth in the western part of the district. The recommended timeline calls for a Board decision in August 2025, with completion by August 2029. No action is required at this meeting.
- Bentonville West High School expansion preview: two options to be presented by Hight Jackson Associates
- Current enrollment (3,257) exceeds the Program of Requirements (2,780) for the current design
- Projected future enrollment of 3,857 would exceed the future POR of 3,380
- Recommended timeline: Board decision August 2025, groundbreaking August 2026, completion August 2029
- Agenda approved and meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Board of Education is discussing the first reading of the 2026-2027 academic calendar and reviewing the Fiscal Year 2024 audit report. The body is also considering budget reports and requests for new personnel positions.
- Proposed 2026-2027 Academic Calendar with 178 student contact days
- Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2024 Audit Report from Landmark CPA
- Request to add two full-time positions (Arts Integration Coach and IB Coordinator) at an estimated cost of $163,787
- Proposal to surplus three buses from the fleet (1993 INT Amtran, 2006 F-Liner Thomas, and 2008 IC CE Max)
- Formal expulsion of a 9th grade male student at Compass through Spring 2025