[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6701772,"mediaKeyId","2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c","parentId",2264676,"title","Dyslexia interventionists and classified staff press PCSSD for pay‑range adjustments and district recognition","audioSeconds",1014,"startMs",2320000,"endMs",3334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c&start=2320&end=3334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c/thumbnail_2320000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6701772/Arkansas/Dyslexia-interventionists-and-classified-staff-press-PCSSD-for-payrange-adjustments-and-district-recognition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701772-61bec8486b98fa03e7be76e8340607b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187770&Signature=iVyH7FAXjEVE8Qf~mx6t4U-7SoHcnAu5BNargm8~Mzc5ZGk4PdI5cu0t0QIxrOmqHb2DLTkWRX3G4wJtjU7MD5ZNsojogv4SHhCD4OCEtofLep048uHE9h9L8Al~QakPSmKBIFDouK0eDnynBnXr0cvOP-NKutamZAaE3zKLINHp66qSxrB1X-spK6mdxAFz718GS4~cweL2NrIWIPJNi-eGc~v8OThsRKjokWnOhe6RnBegngPBuI-Lma19WLeJEfkVKLTeIRTL1oDjwmkCIOjIsc04qANtd4PWb-yznvXs4EfN4WtSEh9DPEGoANmcUYjUVx8tiG4p0-CztdoSpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-02-12T03:18:01.587Z","article","At the Feb. 11 Pulaski County Special School District board meeting, dyslexia interventionists and the newly appointed classified PPC chair urged the board to revisit salary ranges and recognize the scope of classified specialist work.

Several classified dyslexia interventionists said they were excluded from recent range increases that moved other classified positions up one pay slot. Elizabeth Foster told the board that more than 40 classified dyslexia staff were “looked over for raises” and said the work is intensive and often requires additional hours and second jobs to make ends meet. Shauna Hall, who identified herself as a dyslexia interventionist at Robinson Elementary, described daily responsibilities including screenings, individualized instruction, family partnerships, and multiple duties beyond direct instruction.

Mendiola (first name given as in public comment) said she worked two jobs to make ends meet and asked the board to consider adjusting the dyslexia interventionist pay range from range 8 to range 10; speakers said paraprofessionals recently advanced to range 9. The group asked the board to study classification and compensation changes in a future budget cycle if immediate changes are not feasible.

Angela Nichols, newly appointed chair of the Classified Personnel Policy Committee (PPC), reported that the committee launched a districtwide survey of classified staff and urged the board to honor prior promises on compensation and support. Nichols said the committee would share survey results with the board and called classified staff “indispensable” to district operations.

Board members acknowledged the comments. No formal pay‑range change was voted at the meeting; speakers requested a reexamination of classifications and budget priorities.

The presenters framed their request as aimed at retention and program quality, noting that dyslexia interventionists provide specialized evidence‑based instruction that affects reading outcomes and overall student success.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pulaski County Special School District PCSSD Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","District dyslexia interventionists and the classified personnel committee urged Pulaski County Special School District leaders to adjust pay ranges and recognize specialist duties, citing retention and workload concerns.","taxTitle","PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",13595,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6701777,"Students, parents and advocates press PCSSD over board member social‑media post and immigrant family safety",1401,2517000,3918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c&start=2517&end=3918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c/thumbnail_2517000.jpg","/articles/6701777/Arkansas/Students-parents-and-advocates-press-PCSSD-over-board-member-socialmedia-post-and-immigrant-family-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701777-d58242a0bda8ead195edfc83b5f05496/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187770&Signature=CtsInqR2mV45FrtmYcPMZV3In8QFbmUeCDokBB9qblo~vYK7Q6JSQ6a6b-PK5mmuDZcjOKzan8NP3pREe68q3A7Fix0YZT9jxSWR0APkPuykuwVl3wK21YTgrTKcfwrJduto2HhelKblvF7QZsMteNB-18Z-CPM9ry-o33krkX0LZ8LFfYav~Fwbcy0996dVdXh59dfTW0oLKiMvQ~WogvIDooWGaqjypMDIOUyMw39Bgrbs67ZcJv7qV5JrzX4E-Aag5sA~wgunu3dKRBkPa0pHbkpsbth9XxulXVzxJJ6QU4Y44L8530XyM21hsSiHrLQqfdTL2aJu~G7oF97U0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at the Pulaski County Special School District board meeting on Feb. 11 urged the board to address a board member’s social‑media post that several speakers called insensitive and harmful to immigrant students and families.

The meeting’s public‑comment period included a written statement from a student who said a Jan. 26 social post about buses near I‑30, Exit 111 in Benton drew racially charged responses and that “one of our board members … commented with a meme” featuring the words “Ice Ice Baby.” The student said the post made them feel “unheard and unprotected.”

Community organizer Courtney Stone Jackson said the post and related conduct by two board members constituted “ethical violations” and urged the board to report those violations to the appropriate state entities. Shay Rafferty of Friends of Public Education asked the board to request the resignations of the two members who posted or shared the content. Julia Taylor, an organizer with Public School Strong, described the comments as “cruel, completely inappropriate, and unethical.”

Several speakers connected the social‑media posts to broader harms. Taylor and others said fear among immigrant families can reduce school attendance, which in turn can affect district funding. Gabby Mendiola, a district dyslexia interventionist who identified herself as Mexican, said she feared for immigrant students and asked the board to hold people accountable. Courtney Stone Jackson said the posts showed a lack of allegiance to students’ educational welfare and referenced the district’s code of ethics.

Senator Linda Chesterfield, a former district employee who identified herself as a district resident and taxpayer, urged prudence in board communication and warned against actions that could expose the district to legal or fiscal risk. Representative Joy Springer, who also spoke during public comment, said the district must continue commitments to projects such as College Station and Harris while addressing community concerns raised at the meeting.

Board members did not take formal action on the comments during the public‑comment period. The board’s chair noted that public comment is for speakers to present and that the board will not respond during that segment.

The speakers who addressed the post called for investigation and enforcement of the board’s ethics code, greater accountability for officials’ public communications, and reassurance that district leadership will prioritize student safety and inclusion. Several speakers said they expect the board to follow up and to make repairs where district actions or communications have harmed trust.

The board moved on to its regular agenda after public comment, taking votes later in the meeting on items including facilities work, purchases and personnel matters.","Multiple speakers at the Pulaski County Special School District board meeting called for accountability after a board member shared a meme about ICE raids; commenters said the post harmed students and families and asked the board to enforce its ethics rules.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6701761,"PCSSD approves calendar, facilities purchases, grants and personnel items; waivers granted",1481,10888000,12369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c&start=10888&end=12369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c/thumbnail_10888000.jpg","/articles/6701761/Arkansas/PCSSD-approves-calendar-facilities-purchases-grants-and-personnel-items-waivers-granted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701761-ac5491c43b7f63b6a59482c7f5c8cb15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187770&Signature=jJT7sXbNcH7UB~DFhSk8XFXV7zg3luKTodi9g2BuGXwSWxaQ1S2EzwNND5gnxECJkWNNfiajcElHD8LL6N-pCvMejXuKmhvZT4gkkt8NEtC57H2dqm4HLuGLAU6HO1yVmzwzRaopBCRhma5AWMkUtcw-fxoWcymXim7PKGITxGk4oEfNIKJj6PNeNcvEWNykWtiKyz40vUc4AIr~WRuo9sWKfSkv2Q~NOoSzFie36Z785mY-MPladsk1H~FtGP0uHrQsHZWUWDDm9H20ysa0exeeY1XDmnIB2rMsDgdtbiCujyYZG6vtCNv1D-QawRlqk4kkfyDbQ7zTeHwrNI-BkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pulaski County Special School District board took a series of votes during its Feb. 11 meeting. Most items passed by motion and voice vote; recorded tallies were not provided for every vote. Key outcomes:

• Revised 2025–26 school calendar — approved. The board adopted a revised calendar with an August 4 start for teachers and August 11 for students, yielding 178 student contact days. Motion by Dr. Tate; second by Miss Maynard.

• Intercom replacement at Landmark Elementary — approved, $90,408.59, to be funded from IT millage. Motion by Miss Ward; seconded. District staff said the existing intercom dated from the 1960s and posed safety concerns; installation planned for spring break.

• UPS purchase (E‑Rate) — approved. Purchase of 77 uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) at an initial cost of $132,440; after an estimated E‑Rate reimbursement of $105,952 the net district cost was estimated at $26,488. Motion by Miss Maynard; seconded by Dr. Tate.

• Switch replacement (E‑Rate) — approved. District presented a roughly $1.0 million purchase for network switches with an estimated $776,000 E‑Rate reimbursement (net district cost ~ $248,000). Motion by Miss Smith; second by Dr. Tate.

• Sylvan Hills High School turf replacement — approved (amount listed in meeting materials at roughly $500,000). Motion by Miss Maynard; second by Dr. Tate. District noted prior approvals and said vendor documentation was now complete for contract execution.

• 2024–25 DESE Professional Learning Grant award — approved to contract with the Center for Strategic Partnership and Education First; grant amount $397,377.70; no local match required. Motion moved and seconded; board approved.

• Phone Free Schools (cell phone pouches) — approved. Purchase funded by a $223,000 state grant to provide magnetic phone pouches for secondary students; board approved procurement and a staff plan to pilot and return with a policy. Motion by Miss Smith; second by Miss Maynard.

• Classroom renovations — approved. Clinton Elementary and Pine Forest Elementary were each approved for two life‑skills classroom renovations funded from special‑education/title funds. Motions carried.

• Consent agenda — approved by voice vote (personnel promotions, contracts and routine items included). Motion by Miss Smith; second by Miss Maynard.

• Waivers — multiple waivers for individual hires were approved by motion and voice vote; recorded items in the hearings included approvals for Bobby Fountain, Robert Lasley, Robert Rosby (as recorded), and Ridge Williams among others. (Each waiver was presented and approved individually.)

Board members and staff said several procurement items were E‑Rate eligible and would be reimbursed at approximate federal discount rates. For larger facilities items — notably College Station building repair estimates and Sylvan Hills turf — staff described ongoing insurance and budgeting work; insurance reimbursements for College Station were pending the insurer’s decision.

No item on the evening’s agenda was defeated; staff noted a number of follow‑up tasks including policy drafting, installation schedules and contract execution.","At its Feb. 11 meeting the Pulaski County Special School District board approved a revised 2025–26 calendar, multiple facilities and IT purchases (several E‑Rate‑supported), a professional learning grant partnership, turf replacement at Sylvan Hills, classroom additions and a series of personnel waivers and consent items.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6701766,"PCSSD board approves grant‑funded phone‑free pouches; policy to follow",768,9145000,9913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c&start=9145&end=9913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2264676-283e325faec445aeb77e31c5ed51450c/thumbnail_9145000.jpg","/articles/6701766/Arkansas/PCSSD-board-approves-grantfunded-phonefree-pouches-policy-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701766-05b66a5d0da127baf90a6e0f55aa9104/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187770&Signature=e04UV3i-6CWP5nhTCz4eLlOKThdKNKC52dUuEkhp3APangsb2TXju-r85rlZQGdIV7wFdp0Ryi7SdGK~6pxsDwA9BxCquuaGysrrlhpdXqZ4CcS1SP07og1eP00nZuy4GL0GZ7dQc0n1eRyQzNoONXJEYImROJHiuw21JGjBEyXzMLfnrPXLjRNIed6FJjNq1B7zNly4k-jlJ3PjOcQFGBcLcdByCCxzPwV72C38HFIPPJl3IW3sbdB33h5h8Km2xpbi2rvpR5t9jA7wkJ9-9ryYEAg3n20yPSks4oeSrbJnUdxG7oQnBaOQh3eysiT~SMvna6tbFAj8u9txqVYoxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pulaski County Special School District board voted Feb. 11 to accept state grant funding and purchase magnetic phone pouches for secondary students, a step district officials said will support a phone‑free learning environment.

District staff presented a grant‑funded purchase of about 6,500 pouches — sufficient for grades 6–12 — after soliciting three vendor quotes and identifying Yonder as the recommended vendor. The presenter said the state funded the purchase through a $223,000 grant that would cover the full cost. The board voted to approve the purchase.

Administrators said the district would pilot the system in one or a small number of schools this school year and pursue full rollout at the secondary level for 2025–26. The district also intends to present a draft cell‑phone policy to the board in March, after which the policy would guide implementation details such as allowed access times, staff procedures for pouch storage and procedures for devices such as smartwatches and personal tablets.

Presenters described the pouches as magnetically locking sleeves that render phones inoperable for notifications and calls while inside the pouch; they said the pouches can be released quickly at dismissal and are used in some other districts and event venues. Officials said the district declined a storage locker option because centralized phone‑holding would create greater logistical and liability concerns.

Board members asked about pilot timing, teacher and parent input, and how the pouches handle devices other than phones (staff said pouches have multiple pockets and districts sometimes place watches and tablets inside them). Administrators said the grant was available for the current fiscal year and that buying now preserves that funding; they emphasized that the board would approve policy language before full implementation.

The board approved the purchase by motion; the motion was seconded and passed without recorded opposition.","The board approved purchasing magnetic phone pouches for secondary students with state grant support; the district plans a pilot and a March policy proposal for full implementation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dyslexia interventionists and classified staff press PCSSD for pay‑range adjustments and district recognition

Students, parents and advocates press PCSSD over board member social‑media post and immigrant family safety

PCSSD approves calendar, facilities purchases, grants and personnel items; waivers granted

PCSSD board approves grant‑funded phone‑free pouches; policy to follow