[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6583019,"mediaKeyId","3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812","parentId",3119517,"title","District updates timeline for Woodland Jr. High mass-timber build, FHS parking deck and John L. Covert work","audioSeconds",285,"startMs",5660000,"endMs",5945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812&start=5660&end=5945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812/thumbnail_5660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583019/Arkansas/District-updates-timeline-for-Woodland-Jr-High-mass-timber-build-FHS-parking-deck-and-John-L-Covert-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583019-40b4ec9427b4c5f5d4e69d5c17e964d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770839748&Signature=fNUNUgjtbDGdVyBm~5YiW30~yT~zvYrxL1CsSsI-yjlK78WuBFkUpQjE7tVVOMNRFySmWRUuTbncfqYitg3Zncdug0K~bffSDxoPnvzf0XPCzx4KhN1Inzncrde-oORdjipp~i9txSTY-cgvGjklEKQZzOYNfoK12W3RhpTqqUmO44cyF3YnD2VyUAAhZF409uxppwEFiNw-Sb2PUlMpvsRCsACWFQx~9Ru9UqvnGEke7o-rZJnvq1dsWpsCrJ2Hgq4Na~SdWtDskvF9p65RcI7772rbGiXOqJpMwWefu4WtM1CLXUjLm9JSeb0NS6yvMlqHtWlegMGWTHhv67O-Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","FAYETTEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-04-25T00:19:38.56Z","article","Steve, the district maintenance and construction director, gave a construction update at the April 24 meeting covering three major capital projects.

Woodland Junior High: Steve said the Joyce Road extension grading permit and the building-site grading permit were approved and that contractors should begin site work the week following the meeting, weather permitting. An early mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) package is under way because the building design uses mass timber and requires factory-level BIM coordination for systems penetrations; the manufacturer’s mass-timber package has a May deadline. Construction documents are reported about 95 percent complete; bids for the building were scheduled to be due July 17 and building construction to start in August 2025 with a target completion for the 2026–27 school year.

Fayetteville High School parking deck: The grading permit was estimated to be approved in early May, and subcontractor bid packages have been distributed; the project’s guaranteed maximum price (GMP) was expected to come to the board in May and construction to begin in late June 2025.

John L. Covert High School conversion: The site grading permit and city approvals were estimated for May with construction planned to start in June 2025. Steve said permitting has proceeded well and the district remains on its planned schedule across projects.

Board members asked about permitting and were told the city has been collaborative; the director said there are typical minor issues on large projects but no items expected to delay the schedules as reported.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FPS Regular Board Meeting - April 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Operations staff reported the Woodland Junior High site and early MEP packages are permitted and on track, with building work to begin summer 2025 for completion targeted for the 2027 school year; FHS parking-deck and John L. Covert conversion projects also on schedule for summer starts.","taxTitle","FAYETTEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",12975,"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},6583024,"Asbell Elementary awarded $200,000 21st Century grant for 'The Nest' summer learning program",387,5002000,5389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812&start=5002&end=5389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812/thumbnail_5002000.jpg","/articles/6583024/Arkansas/Asbell-Elementary-awarded-200000-21st-Century-grant-for-The-Nest-summer-learning-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583024-f72ef4e658bbffcfb7bab07f86ea5787/orig.mp4?Expires=1770839748&Signature=ke~J7gUWQzBR5e9NMtsdu8hBUx0aqbXz6g-HXBgbd5CR7pAMnyNCCl4TItgZ~yM7g~6dUvQqvP~v2pVt4fLuertRW5gIeTNJxHCJ4O-VQ8uABcdaNcE~zoLlchiNgSWesgaE8mBTz3OctPfcmJ17~UmMWR8w2oJj7C0WivM9ZTHuyTV3KZ5VHM~GDYSuDBn2JSQf4m8Qkym4XUVO6oUHfBSjbOjepH8qFY3t-dq8FT-3Kp-bzVDKetQGSy3Egwfvk2UpQWVlCdFUrqi3Ktgjy4IDXIwP7-X3PI7ndQCpusMToBga2YBVZYGkqOd5ImHeJ5Z9aj1cvWbKHXyl8gRlXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators announced April 24 that Asbell Elementary School has been awarded a renewable 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant of $200,000 to establish a summer and after-school enrichment program the school is calling \"The Nest.\"

The grant will fund a July 2025 summer learning lab focused on third- and fourth-graders in Asbell. Administration said the initial plan is to serve 40 students (20 third-graders and 20 fourth-graders) with a schedule of Monday–Wednesday sessions that run approximately 8 a.m. to noon and an extended field-trip day on Thursdays from about 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The district said it will provide daily breakfast and lunch and will arrange transportation for participants.

School and district presenters described the program as a holistic, research-based enrichment experience that combines literacy and math blocks, Arkansas-focused science and social studies modules, physical activity and creative arts, plus a structured social-emotional learning component. The program’s Thursday field trips will visit regional institutions and landmarks; presenters named partners including the Scott Family Amazeum, Crystal Bridges Museum, Walton Arts Center, the Botanical Garden, Fayetteville Public Library, War Eagle Cavern and the Community Creative Center.

District staff said the Asbell student population the grant targets has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and that the program is explicitly intended to provide cultural and educational experiences that some participating children otherwise would not access. Administrators said the grant is renewable; they discussed applying again to extend the program beyond the initial year.

District officials asked parents to complete a form to enroll children; administration said initial enrollment had begun and that the program leadership would include a local administrator (Jamie Burke) and additional staff. The board received the report as informational; no vote was required for the grant announcement.

","Asbell Elementary received a renewable $200,000 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant to run a summer enrichment program for third- and fourth-graders, including transportation, breakfast/lunch, weekly Arkansas-themed field trips and daily academic blocks.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6583028,"Board approves updated policies, cybersecurity policy and salary schedules in unanimous votes",0,6212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812&start=6212&end=6212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812/thumbnail_6212000.jpg","/articles/6583028/Arkansas/Board-approves-updated-policies-cybersecurity-policy-and-salary-schedules-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583028-cacfec380bc0ad2015ca64a8d09c5582/orig.mp4?Expires=1770839748&Signature=aEy2GFWh8kJl5dV~qDRVchZcCd1cVUhMWgGwq01KszJorX-qrk3A3GvfEK0Ua9jBzRVIDuOi5DtxvPn3j2zpdUENdhtfwZ6AEUHMjjV3HccbW2H2YcSknBHnvPiwA1oSRlyyd4yQf0CvL45CkdPPxhusK~QWkH7ZMkTvcgmTwNfMC0XY2vTMwyOIesv7jfzMAwOORCQ9baSzpsWSGrsXiA~ly3I9xrRadA12cW4e-UDyQmv2g06QBvVT2gUn24~X~L8y3AMeR1wzQEjXadDKRu8aqXWr9z5Do3lCzbS45x3Op-Wdo5oCP9MIF8-v~FNbwGq819FsN15m70~5SrbzRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fayetteville Public Schools Board voted April 24 to adopt several policy changes and personnel-related schedules. Board members moved and seconded multiple motions; each vote recorded in the transcript shows unanimous approval.

Policy updates: The board approved a set of revisions and a new policy to align with state law changes (including updated tobacco/alternative-nicotine language and a consolidated naming-rights policy). The motion to approve the new policy and proposed revisions was made by Keaton Smith and seconded by Tracy Pomeroy; the motion carried 6–0.

Cybersecurity policy: The board approved a new district cybersecurity policy presented at the prior meeting. Keaton Smith made the motion and Tim Hudson seconded it; the board voted 6–0 to adopt the policy.

Salary schedules: The board approved the classified salary schedule and the certified salary schedule for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The classified schedule motion was moved and seconded (motion by Tim Hudson, second by Justin Eichman) and the certified schedule motion was moved by Tracy Pomeroy and seconded by Yvonne Hudson; both motions carried 6–0. District staff said the average total increase across employees will be about 2.5 percent, combining step movement and a cost-of-living adjustment.

Each approval was recorded in the meeting minutes as \"Motion carries 6 to 0.\" Board discussion prior to the votes focused on statutory-driven policy updates and the overall budget context for the salary decisions; administration said details of budget impacts would be part of a May budget workshop and the June budget vote process.

","At the April meeting the board approved a package of policy updates required by new state law, a new cybersecurity policy, and both classified and certified salary schedules; all motions passed 6–0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6583032,"Safer Fayetteville donates $195,000; board approves alert-badge contract and metal detectors",50,3067000,3117000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812&start=3067&end=3117","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812/thumbnail_3067000.jpg","/articles/6583032/Arkansas/Safer-Fayetteville-donates-195000-board-approves-alert-badge-contract-and-metal-detectors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583032-9d75140b7816a68dc562a1253df36f7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770839748&Signature=Q~OTAvymZNHUpGQIsFiMbGPOy~H0qfoMMhmmbGDhkFkG9IBNYakbd6RIuF-UUAtl1q8ey3xfHl1agpDhT9zW4CvT7-JitlBOLY4xcTFu0SYneMB1k-VPmTf3nYHIw5wuITkrGHMg12cj7fjJLxqK86CpxyGcA506b0olG3niYBcXzV0AEFvuefU43Py~cPk8OnQRXdTNea4tKXrX8WzJbaEjWsguQuddCAcdTkqYAG-HLKaUQd7KlFU8ZGoxWV30PQH7jPBXQoiYvdHjJ34PnHM-iMiYRCWSpLos-GiOd88Gc6WI8-sh37ayceVJkb-M~hRH9qykuMFU1~YDJCEKbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the community group Safer Fayetteville attended the Fayetteville Public Schools Board meeting April 24 and presented a donation to help the district buy a new alert-badge system and hardware the district plans to deploy at secondary campus main entrances.

Savannah Connor, speaking for Safer Fayetteville, introduced the group and said the organization had raised funds to support campus safety purchases. Connor said the donation amount was $195,000.

Superintendent Doctor Mulford described the planned purchases: a five-year agreement for an alert-badge system called Syntegix, for which the district had received a state grant that covered roughly two-thirds of the contract cost; the remainder would be covered in part by Safer Fayetteville’s donation. Mulford told the board the district would reallocate some originally earmarked funds and that Safer Fayetteville would present a check that night. Mulford also said the district would use funds to pilot metal detectors at main entrances of its seventh-through-twelfth-grade campuses and at large evening events.

The purchases were on the consent agenda. A board member moved to approve the consent agenda, a second followed, and the board approved the motion 6–0. The transcript records: \"Motion carries 6 to 0.\" The district will finalize vendor contracts and begin implementation planning under the five-year agreement.

No board member expressed a motion to withhold approval during the meeting. The Syntegix contract was described as a five-year agreement; the grant covers about two-thirds of the cost and Safer Fayetteville’s donation covers most of the remaining balance, according to district remarks.

","Safer Fayetteville presented a $195,000 donation to help fund a five-year Syntegix alert-badge system; the board approved the consent agenda to purchase the badge system and to buy metal detectors for seventh–twelfth grade main entrances, motion carried 6–0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6583036,"Board hears summary of 2025 state legislation affecting Fayetteville schools",244,1788000,2032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812&start=1788&end=2032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119517-7fc6d40fe15de01fe3457df2f1316812/thumbnail_1788000.jpg","/articles/6583036/Arkansas/Board-hears-summary-of-2025-state-legislation-affecting-Fayetteville-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583036-39187006ce2d14d6893fe2a7dd309ef8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770839748&Signature=EktY1xmuFjFDhAJeWu~3E8Yc5osf2FHTYQ4aHvOxt5-Qizw0XKpQFrlzdy9RPXosHwgABPD3y1sjRucdV~GWik2Uwr8XFA8X~CJC1bzYHDdvE61FocM7-2UI-G2wm2Fuj9poFfDzKSrZj7bdMWH8rksbP-cYcNNf5iAfdP7JxfjicNAjIFooW9FOrErFPpHRITOKYkHtv8Vbz3kAE5k6uEE89~ir4A~J4uwCeyLZ0cgycTDbflnvpb3UprvvXM7-w72u-Cd6xbfWttIE7XOJkO7mdblAXBIXAadEXMx3ZmTRwlGyvWCgZsd~mFUXXNFjK3O39D-GMjW5Ohm8b3y0Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Claire, the board legislative liaison, told the Fayetteville Public Schools Board on April 24 that the state legislative session has ended and walked members through a set of recently enacted acts that will affect district operations.

\"The legislative session is over. That's the best part of the update,\" Claire said, and then summarized bills the district tracked. She said the district monitored 245 bills this session; 37 were sent to the governor and 36 were signed.

Among the items Claire described: Act 474 pauses issuance of school letter grades while the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education develops a new accountability system aligned with the LEARNS framework; Act 924 requires procurement contracts for electric vehicles purchased by governmental entities to include manufacturer attestations that no forced labor was used in parts or materials; and Act 503 changes school board election timing so board elections will occur only in even-numbered years, meaning the district must adjust terms to balance four- and six-year lengths as allowed under the law.

Claire also noted several education-related enactments with direct operational impacts: Act 123 funds free breakfast for all students on request (covered by DESE funding rather than an unfunded mandate to the district); Act 122 imposes new restrictions on student possession and use of cell phones during the school day, a change the district placed on the agenda for policy revision; and one bill the governor vetoed, Senate Bill 451, would have created regional behavioral crisis centers and changed the relationship between juvenile detention centers and resident school districts.

Claire flagged Act 904 (maternity leave changes) — which requires districts to offer up to 12 weeks of maternity leave to full-time employees with at least one year of service and anticipates DESE rulemaking on allowable costs and interaction with FMLA — and Act 920 (changes to Education Freedom Account expenditures and manager fees). She said Act 990 (citations as provided) raised the district's foundation funding level modestly and increased several categorical funding rates, and she said the district expects those funding increases in next year’s allocations.

Board members asked clarifying questions about timing and next steps. Claire said staff will bring policy updates to align district rules with the new statutes and that the board will hold a budget and legislative workshop in May for a deeper dive into several bills.

The summary was informational; no board action was taken during Claire's presentation.

","Board liaison summarized multiple bills from the just-completed legislative session that will change accountability reporting, school board election timing, paid parental leave, school meal policy and other district responsibilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District updates timeline for Woodland Jr. High mass-timber build, FHS parking deck and John L. Covert work

Asbell Elementary awarded $200,000 21st Century grant for 'The Nest' summer learning program

Board approves updated policies, cybersecurity policy and salary schedules in unanimous votes

Safer Fayetteville donates $195,000; board approves alert-badge contract and metal detectors

Board hears summary of 2025 state legislation affecting Fayetteville schools