[{"_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",6619703,"mediaKeyId","2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0","parentId",2829075,"title","Pine Bluff board approves design work for athletic master plan as new high school takes shape","audioSeconds",3281,"startMs",1420000,"endMs",4701000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0&start=1420&end=4701","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0/thumbnail_1420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619703/Arkansas/Pine-Bluff-board-approves-design-work-for-athletic-master-plan-as-new-high-school-takes-shape","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619703-366b371fd73b8ff59ecaef74aaa46f18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448535&Signature=c~7hcS2qic1cn5X3d5BKF2AaSvA4ZyBv0NdD1t0IZvYUIdp0jYNrB~syyckJHstq5ZKsMeoj5a2-0eWfCG-TyKq-XA7liLQZXBab6Lz2-nGEwgObK2MSnNAeODfzLUqzy66do7V0H9zRViJ3vuvQNU3zQvpOTgGKQOWm0FPd0JRSCsUJxTOOOhLXmBnsI-l45do94ODXaZUvlhW0CkH1gS53mr3N5GTcBAP44fJvb74bcJTJDbAcSyQR5I0HaS0YaVLewk9EK3RTuoFKxdTwzvRkAvda6l-V8Kt7eBJVqNghRFZd~Vs8dfVMAFBksuwT4SSkLeVSBgJfOvlWjwcO1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PINE BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-04-01T02:22:40.293Z","article","The Pine Bluff School District Board of Education voted to hire Louis Elliott Architects to develop construction documents for a proposed athletic master plan at the district's new high school campus.

Architects showed a site fly‑through and photographs of recent progress at the high‑school site, including new steel framing, excavation for storm drains and concrete work for the auditorium. Blake (architect, presenter) described a plan that would flip the current home side to the west, add a new press box and video board, new turf and expanded seating, concessions with multiple serving lines, ADA ramps and a “Championship Plaza” raised out of the flood plain.

The design presentation emphasized tying the plaza and athletic improvements into existing site work already under contract. “This is a proposed plan based on the possibility of basing this project in, with the different types of funding that would be available to do so,” Blake said. The designers said moving quickly to complete construction documents would preserve current pricing and allow the district to bid selected elements or phase the work.

Why it matters: board members were told the athletic upgrades were not included in the bond financing that paid for the new high school and would require separate budgeting and approval before construction. Superintendent Barber and presenters said the district has already completed demolition, dirt work and other site work, which could make adding athletic improvements more economical now than later.

Key details presented to the board included a reported building‑fund ending balance for the project and the district's total spending on the school to date. In the financial report the presenters cited an ending balance in the building fund “right now” of approximately $50,000,009.37 and said the district has spent $17,302,968 so far on the overall project. The presentation noted remaining structural work and flood‑plain constraints that the design must address.

The board then voted to authorize Louis Elliott Architects to begin construction documents for the athletic master plan. The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote. Board members and presenters discussed the option of creating a prioritized “shopping list” of work so the board could choose which elements to fund and build.

The board was told the documents would allow the district to solicit bids and that the scope could be executed in phases. Presenters recommended full construction documents so the board could compare firm prices for particular elements and make phase‑by‑phase decisions.

Actions and next steps: the board approved the request to prepare construction documents. The architects will prepare drawings and engineering, and the district will return to the board with estimated pricing and a recommended phased approach before any construction contracts are executed. No construction contract was awarded at the meeting.

Ending: Board members said they wanted the district to return with cost estimates and a phased list of work so the board could decide which elements to fund. The motion to proceed with design does not obligate the district to build any specific athletic element until the board approves funding and construction contracts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PBSD Board Meeting | 3-31-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Pine Bluff School District Board of Education voted to hire Louis Elliott Architects to prepare construction documents for a proposed athletic master plan tied to the new high school.","taxTitle","PINE BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",64862,"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},6619688,"Votes at a glance: Pine Bluff board approves federal assurances, career coaches, fixed‑asset policy and several purchases",3469,4655000,8124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0&start=4655&end=8124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0/thumbnail_4655000.jpg","/articles/6619688/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Pine-Bluff-board-approves-federal-assurances-career-coaches-fixedasset-policy-and-several-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619688-5b756801fec7d47642c3dc1d9af3bdd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448535&Signature=ID3ga2ST6XHwy-G87gKLMs4553ommysu82aKmfK4R5zd2lttZRZ8SniDwxCFCIlJg0zs4-TQ-9nz3Ex-UuunrOeYyPmIk5i9je~LwgBq1cAfWAQjJzLXfL5ghMraWJqYb6~39hWWz-x~UFx7JK0PBg3f1zu2gX6XlbWpRlDZXuhKcWngktbXhc2jVcm7HFewgPXz1649vAxG2XiZnrEIZAoaDpiyevVWxY-AMlmp5712-4Oiy53yjEBE-~7L63dS83EHKKhd7C1enGJSNIJF3SPuzs9BnUJ3dDKTxOXegydQ6VEpjL4ewUJIDXtca7CdzQpufM6CjkONNk4qqVQcwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Here is a summary of formal motions and board outcomes from the Pine Bluff School District Board of Education meeting.

Federal assurances
The board approved the district's annual federal assurances document, confirming the district will follow federal requirements for programs such as Title I and special education. Motion and second were recorded but individual mover and seconder names were not specified in the public transcript. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

Architect — athletic master plan (also covered in separate report)
The board approved a motion to hire Louis Elliott Architects to prepare construction documents for the proposed athletic master plan at the new high school. Outcome: approved on voice vote. (See separate article for full presentation and context.)

CR career coach Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The board approved continuing the partnership that funds three career coaches (two at the high school, one at junior high) through a shared arrangement with Southeast Arkansas College (CR). The district's share of the three coaches is described as $90,029 total payment, with $60,000 expected to be reimbursed through Perkins grant funds; after reimbursement the district net cost was stated to be approximately half the salary of one coach. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

Policy 7.13 — fixed asset capitalization threshold
The board approved an updated fixed‑asset policy (policy 7.13) and set the capitalization threshold at $2,500, retroactive to July 1, 2024. Staff said the change aligns district practice with IRS guidance and allows the district to clean up legacy ledger items. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

Purchases and agreements
- Career‑tech lab equipment (CDW): Purchase amount reported as $26,741 for lab equipment; Carl Perkins start‑up grant will cover $24,255 and the district will pay the remaining balance from Title I. Outcome: approved on voice vote.
- Fixed‑asset inventory services and software (three‑year agreement): The board approved a three‑year agreement to inventory and manage fixed assets (district staff proposed paying for three years upfront to obtain a discount). The transcript did not record the exact total cost in a single unambiguous figure; staff said other districts use the vendor and that the cost would be paid from capital outlay. Outcome: approved on voice vote.
- Professional learning (Kids First): The district was awarded funds from the state to purchase professional learning services. Staff presented a Kids First proposal with a project cost of $54,575 and said the district was granted $102,385.46 (as read aloud in the meeting) to spend on professional learning; the Kids First engagement was approved. Outcome: approved on voice vote.

Personnel and waivers
The board recessed into executive session for personnel. After returning, the board approved personnel recommendations from the superintendent in executive session. A separate waiver request for a classified employee who failed a background check was discussed and placed on the executive‑session agenda; the public transcript shows the board deferred the waiver discussion to executive session and then approved personnel recommendations. Outcome: personnel recommendations approved (executive session); waiver details were discussed in executive session and are not part of the public record.

Notes on vote recording
Most motions in the meeting were adopted by voice vote; the public transcript records multiple “ayes” but does not include a roll‑call tally with individual board member roll names for every vote. Where costs or reimbursements were described in testimony, staff cited grant reimbursements (Perkins) and category funds; exact budget line items and contract amounts should be confirmed in the official minutes and contract documents.

Ending: Board members asked staff to return with contracts, final costs and implementation details on purchases, the career‑coach MOU and fixed‑asset software before funds are spent or work is scheduled to begin.","At its meeting the Pine Bluff School District board approved federal assurances, authorized architectural design for athletic facilities, approved three career coaches MOU, adopted a higher fixed‑asset capitalization threshold, and approved several purchases and grants; personnel recommendations were approved in executive session.",{"_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},6619693,"Board hears nurse staffing gaps and 13,042 nurse office visits this school year",171,2496000,2667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0&start=2496&end=2667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0/thumbnail_2496000.jpg","/articles/6619693/Arkansas/Board-hears-nurse-staffing-gaps-and-13042-nurse-office-visits-this-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619693-05d59620a365819dd8622d1dbaf43cf5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448535&Signature=ox92L9zODf9GrXqJqsB8E7hJuTX5uupYOtAqOemnt1gp3fuEHsPJ~Z6EvvtClHQnryzLJyL7n1RQgF1bf~z0MVYYwcaT3CB1dR61GbbiavDcqBVyYqncWRwgCsDQSVl-kWl9yvyUGMSUBlALVLr3kpQIxb0AjlsN3-i2M3FqzBl4hjj8ABSsTvqgKU~druBUUNtP0BJAEelgOQfEM7U2Wzd4gooUJySRhuUaWHRnZ8ndjaAIrDK7cuKcPF49rpDPXCuztWFkuWXYhpQDNtHSS-4~XAelXvUUPvwcpSiZy4v~xCTRe8ykh2pEMgKL~txU8FW1KYApGiEzihWx4DVhHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pine Bluff School District officials told the board the district has recorded 13,042 nurse office visits this school year and is operating with fewer onsite nurses than its staffing guidelines recommend.

Superintendent Barber and school health staff presented a spreadsheet showing office‑visit counts by campus and high counts of specific complaints such as abrasions and asthma incidents at several sites. The presenters said the district had 2,042 students enrolled on the October count used for reporting and that nurses assign acuity levels to visits; acuity 2 and above require clinical attention beyond basic first aid.

Nurse Hawkins said the district does not currently have a nurse at every campus and identified specific schools that lacked dedicated nurses at the time of the report. She told the board two nurses resigned in September and that the district is actively recruiting. “We do not have a nurse at every campus,” Hawkins said, and staff are using part‑time and contracted nurses to cover gaps.

The board discussed possible recruitment and retention actions, including adding an LPN salary line to the district pay schedule and exploring incentives for current nurses. Hawkins said an LPN can work under an RN and that the district’s current hires are registered nurses; the board asked staff to explore salary and incentive options to improve recruitment.

District and nursing staff also discussed partnerships with local nursing programs for clinical rotations and CTE pathways; staff said the district already serves as a clinical rotation site for local nursing programs and plans a CNA/Career and Technical Education pathway in the new high school.

Why it matters: health‑services staffing affects daily student care, medication administration and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma. Presenters said nursing coverage decisions are influenced by both enrollment counts and the medical acuity of students assigned to specific campuses.

Ending: Staff will return with recruitment proposals, potential salary or incentive changes and any budget implications for adding LPN positions or contracted nursing services.","District staff reported 13,042 nurse office visits to date and described coverage gaps at several campuses, recent nurse departures and plans to recruit nurses or LPNs and use clinical partnerships to increase capacity.",{"_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},6619698,"Pine Bluff board to study cell‑phone pouch rollout after state law; committee meeting set",309,962000,1271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0&start=962&end=1271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2829075-0d055854b20ace9f20003b1708e27ab0/thumbnail_962000.jpg","/articles/6619698/Arkansas/Pine-Bluff-board-to-study-cellphone-pouch-rollout-after-state-law-committee-meeting-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619698-abbce70bd1b7e565e3b98b7fa65bd112/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448535&Signature=CvaH1VR0BYqpcIa9nwJ956sj2eT2iYkn2xOxdzbuzgJFgOtOi48e~~PWfvHukZpnSJy-Kv-VKgf7R-LXy6CqDR8cSTlilKhc4E6poswaIX03-ulzQDv8U8roGw7dlrn9X28diP08Hkd7S5yef3h1klCLEE4OgBFCtjQ7KXxkZy22hQAQ1K~gAiRQ56iSkm4wz7HgO6HmyqMIGOHlBWjCmZEaWOs36whiOPAwzbRNfheF8H9MhWTInRgPtaPyMFCjW18eXGlrLzOitQtZMPjeT4I0rPjEySO4T1cfMvLakDfrXzkQy9ezWfsROWDnp354y71ACenzaZLjhav37Mh~-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pine Bluff School District Board of Education discussed plans to implement a new state law restricting in‑class cell‑phone use and scheduled an open committee meeting to gather input and shape procedures.

Superintendent Barber told the board the district will convene a committee the following day at the Jack Robey campus to review the law, the district's current policy and a proposed pouch system that would allow students to keep phones on their person but not use them during instructional time. “The beginning is really gonna be tomorrow when we start talking with the committee,” Barber said, noting that social workers, counselors and teachers were invited and that the meeting is open to the public.

Why it matters: the board must reconcile district policy and handbooks with the new state law. Barber said an Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) model policy is expected and that the district will likely revise handbook procedures and adopt supporting language for discipline and classroom practice.

Board members raised enforcement questions, including whether teachers should collect phones and how that would affect classroom management. Barber and other presenters said the pouch approach is intended to avoid seizing phones while keeping them unavailable during class. Barber said district staff will take student input and counseling perspectives into account: in a student meeting, a student told her, “I'm gonna be anxious not having my phone,” and the district wants to plan supports for that transition.

The board was told the ASBA model policy is expected and that the district will likely amend its handbook and procedures to implement the law. No formal policy vote was taken; staff said they would return with recommended language and procedures after the committee meets and collects input.

Ending: The implementation committee meeting is scheduled and open to the public; staff will return to the board with proposed handbook changes, discipline procedures and any recommended ASBA policy language.","Board members heard plans to form a committee and start public input on implementing a new state law regulating student cell‑phone use; the district will consider student pouches, handbook changes and an ASBA model policy before returning with recommended procedures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pine Bluff board approves design work for athletic master plan as new high school takes shape

Votes at a glance: Pine Bluff board approves federal assurances, career coaches, fixed‑asset policy and several purchases

Board hears nurse staffing gaps and 13,042 nurse office visits this school year

Pine Bluff board to study cell‑phone pouch rollout after state law; committee meeting set