Hazen School District raises classified employee salaries, security discussed

The Hazen School Board met in the elementary school library on Monday, July 17, for its regular July meeting. Present were new superintendent Andy Barrett and new elementary principal Laura Saranie, high school principal Amy Marek, CFO Sarah Snider, and the superintendent’s assistant Cindy Ciganek. All board members were present with the exception of Kay Penn.

The classified salary schedule for the new school year was approved, giving employees a $2.00 an hour raise. The district expects additional foundation funding of $128,000 which can be used for staff member raises. “We needed to do something for classified staff,” Barrett said. “We fully believe we can afford it.” The cost to the district is expected to be around $70,000.

FCCLA member

Kaycie Seely and the FCCLA sponsor Summer Greenwalt were recognized for attending the FCCLA national convention in Colorado this summer. They gave a report about the national conference.

The board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to allow the DeValls Bluff Alumni Association to collect the DeValls

Bluff sports trophies to put on display at the DVB gym.

The board approved the Federal Assurances for Programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the use of Sysco and Hiland Dairy Foods as a service supplier for the coming school year, and agreed to use C&S Cleaning Supply Co. for cleaning supplies for the cafeteria.

The district will have to pay the Arkansas School Board Association $79,419.32 to renew the property insurance for the 202324 school year and $6510.01 for vehicle insurance renewal and mobile equipment. There will only be one district-wide student handbook this year.

“We aligned this so it will flow better,” Marek said. New this year is the permission for students to wear hats in the school buildings. Hoodies will still not be allowed. “In other schools it's a non-issue,” Marek said. There were no other major changes to the handbooks, according to Marek. The handbook will be posted online with links to specific areas of interest. “We’re trying to make it more userfriendly,” she said.

The board had another discussion of stipends for the athlet- ic staff took place, but it was tabled with no action taken. A spreadsheet comparing schools surrounding the district was handed out to members.

Athletic Director Joe Besancon wants to double the athletic stipends across the board. “Those stipends have been the same since I’ve been here,” Besancon said. “We need to stay competitive,” Barrett added.

When Board Member Debbie Carlyle asked “What are you going to do with other people who are on stipends?” Barrett said that increases for them would be determined on a case by case basis. “We can’t shy away from this conversation,” Barrett said, but he added that the district needs to make sure it knows where money is being spent.

Susan Booth gave the PPC report. Marek told the board that she and Donna Felty will oversee the Essential Standards, and make sure that there is alignment between grades. She said that the high school open house will occur on August 10 and school will start on August 16. Saranie introduced herself and said that she is looking forward to working for the district.

The board then went into executive session to consider personnel and get a security report from School Resource Office Teddy Walker. Upon re-opening the meeting, the board hired Laura Smith for a certified teaching position at the elementary school pending her completion of all Arkansas educational licensure requirements. The board also voted to transfer Marisa Murphy to a para-professional position in the pre-K from employment in the cafeteria.

Carol Smith was hired as a full-time cafeteria worker, and Lynn Mack was hired as a substitute cafeteria worker.

The resignation of the school nurse, Kim Anderson, was accepted. Anderson has worked for the district for 18 years.

Barrett told the board that new locks and door knobs, with key card access, will be installed in all buildings. He also said that the roof on the old gym had been peeled back during the recent storm. Barrett plans to have a meeting to draw up a one to five year plan for the district. In the plan will be the old cafeteria and the pre-K playground. Barrett said that other things are planned if the money allows.

PC farmer directs donation to 4- H

Local farmer George Marion Mack recently directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Prairie County 4-H. Prairie County 4- H will use the funds to spread agricultural awareness with programs for the youth in our county.

“We sincerely thank Marion Mack for selecting Prairie County 4-H to receive this donation. These funds will support in-school programs, day camps, and various other youth activities to strengthen their knowledge of agriculture”, said, Amy Tallent, University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture Research and Extension, Prairie County Staff Chair.

Since 2010, the America’s Farmers programs have awarded nearly $65 million to nonprofits, aspiring ag students and public schools across rural America. Farmers are leaders in their communities, which is why America’s Farmers programs rely on them to help identify the worthiest causes.

Dedicated to making a difference in rural farming communities, the Grow Communities program asks farmers across the country to participate by nominating nonprofit organizations with resources to strengthen their local communities. Last August, farmers entered for the chance to direct a $5,000 Grow Communities donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice. Farmers have directed donations to food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others that reflect the spirit and support the vibrancy of rural America.