[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6537688,"mediaKeyId","3459404-14f13a13452507470d109c13b28c2e90","parentId",3459404,"title","Parents, community members urge board to reconsider handling of wrestling program and recent coach departures","audioSeconds",159,"startMs",791000,"endMs",950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3459404-14f13a13452507470d109c13b28c2e90&start=791&end=950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3459404-14f13a13452507470d109c13b28c2e90/thumbnail_791000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537688/Arkansas/Parents-community-members-urge-board-to-reconsider-handling-of-wrestling-program-and-recent-coach-departures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537688-4811c596dea61d3fdc5ee163f0e8605f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020541&Signature=XjGBHyfgd-lrB-bX0LUkXyOI5qY9qUd5dBdQi3ybgZabmCkYM1eQSmyT40ejOlNumBA0vaTSv0Q6lJY4ovkyHIv8ancCwDCd2Znv-KA8q-sIdX7NzKy8IMcFYt3K5PBud4DxoDuXNY-QERo86y9cMsm9nMX-zwC52j-8WSE6XGVd3CmReVaSMUbGAyw9olzxp-suo26oXp9fP~HzpcPLHuzCS92CUvNKv1yjB50rApnrT3gU1FGsfTiYO3PdqYApLl4M52QUVZVKIipylCFSvPJuV0RmdA7pORkobb2kcq23XlYk-7J3inFDpIMejoy4TdYBQbn-VDLaVAp7~FFazQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","GRAVETTE SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-05-22T23:00:58Z","article","Two community members used the public comment period at the Gravette School District Board meeting on May 20 to ask the board to address recent personnel decisions affecting the district’s wrestling program.

Amber Jenkins, who identified herself as the mother of a recent graduate and an incoming junior, said the district prevented a longtime coach, referred to in her remarks as Coach Weller, from attending the athletics banquet and that an anonymous social-media post had tarnished the coach’s reputation. Jenkins said the coach was told he would be arrested for trespassing if he remained at the banquet and that the incident and subsequent departures have \"wiped out\" a successful program that produced back-to-back state championships.

\"He [Coach Weller] deserves the same faithfulness from us,\" Jenkins said. \"He is owed an apology.\" Jenkins also said several other coaches and program leaders left the district and urged the board and community to take steps to \"right these wrongs.\"

A second speaker, who identified himself during the public forum as a parent and coach supporter, said Coach Turline (surname used in comments) accepted a lower-level position elsewhere because he no longer felt supported locally. \"He's walking away because he no longer feels that he has the support needed to help the wrestling program continue to grow and succeed,\" the speaker said, asking the board to consider how decisions have affected coaches and athletes.

Board response and context

Board members did not take action during public comment. Later in the meeting, several board members thanked all candidates who applied for the open board seat and observed the meeting’s emotional tone; the transcript shows no formal board action specifically tied to the wrestling-comments during the public meeting.

Ending

Commenters asked for a public apology and for board members to act to rebuild the program and retain staff and athletes. The board’s formal actions that night addressed personnel and hiring across the district; public comment requests for specific corrective steps were not resolved on the record at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gravette School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Two public commenters criticized district handling of the wrestling program, saying coaches were barred from events and that departures harmed the program. They urged the board to apologize and take steps to support remaining athletes and staff.","taxTitle","GRAVETTE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",65929,"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},6537692,"Gravette board adopts new K–12 math materials on three-year contract",10919,2518000,13437000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3459404-14f13a13452507470d109c13b28c2e90&start=2518&end=13437","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3459404-14f13a13452507470d109c13b28c2e90/thumbnail_2518000.jpg","/articles/6537692/Arkansas/Gravette-board-adopts-new-K12-math-materials-on-three-year-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537692-0c7e2d00a7224c8e115c6e955cf5a990/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020540&Signature=G-NHkL710VnU~spnf5yx7DcKA0YzcAvHohFrsT9VJhN~ZK8Zj7AuGHNljK-ZnBsi3zuo3EJTauhbNZjuvM9~3GkbPdqIF0BERTBu8NxttjCLwaPGJBIzifrI4e2VqgXS9yF9uIrXVtLZdDnno0pRioBtrL~5UUNJ5GKLlo3egSuJl1rbKTT32KKvdEffDFdXTVypmYOVob22FFSGL3KbOLK5mGfaEIMOY9AaPKcM~3M6C31geMsSpDt07HMB0hJDTtPmWUEmzt90cbhcI84LxJPuaxbjLs9gydrakZ-YQHaNFC3g0xFHoA7lb6rkXgq-v8J8ypk9FglFC7x5lKGoOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gravette School District Board approved a three-year adoption of new math instructional materials for K–12 on May 20, awarding K–5 materials to Eureka Math Squared and high-school algebra/geometry to Illustrative Math (branded as Imagine I AM).

Andrew (curriculum staff) told the board the elementary team preferred Eureka Math Squared for its direct-instruction components and supports, while recommended high-school courses use Illustrative Math to align with problem-based instruction. The middle school will pilot both programs this summer and decide for grades 6–8 before a formal roll-out.

\"I shared a quote for a one-year quote, and then I shared a three-year quote,\" Andrew said during the presentation, noting the three-year contract reduces per-year costs. He told the board that the first-year price typically includes teacher materials and consumables; recurring annual costs would cover digital subscriptions and consumable workbooks. The staff recommended the three-year option to secure the cost-savings and continuity for teachers and students.

Why it matters

The district has not updated its math curriculum in roughly a decade, board members noted, and the new materials will standardize K–12 content and reduce the ad-hoc work teachers now produce. The board approved paying the three-year amount up front from student-growth and building funds, with staff continuing negotiations on professional development packages with the vendors.

How the decision was made

Teachers reviewed vendor demonstrations, piloted lessons, and consulted with staff in neighboring districts that have implemented similar splits (elementary Eureka; secondary Illustrative). Middle school teachers will pilot both programs before the 2025–26 school year to determine which units to adopt at that level.

Board members discussed contract flexibility and return/exit options. Andrew said vendors typically provide digital updates to meet changing Arkansas learning standards; the three-year agreement includes updates that the vendors will deliver, and staff will negotiate professional development as a separate or negotiated element of the contract.

Budget and next steps

Andrew estimated recurring annual costs (after the initial year) at roughly $35,000 for K–5 and about $30,000 for the high-school courses, based on the vendors' one-year quotes; the board approved the three-year purchase to capture vendor discounts. Staff will finalize purchase orders and return to the board with implementation timelines and professional development arrangements ahead of fall classes.

Ending

Board members said the purchase will ease teachers' planning load, provide consistent materials for students and parents, and the middle-school pilot will help ensure a smoother K–12 transition.","The board voted to adopt Eureka Math Squared for K–5 and Illustrative Math (Imagine I AM) for high-school algebra and geometry on a three-year contract, with funding to come from student-growth and building funds.",{"_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},6537698,"Gravette board approves personnel moves, coaching stipends and first reading of model policies",581,13393000,13974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3459404-14f13a13452507470d109c13b28c2e90&start=13393&end=13974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3459404-14f13a13452507470d109c13b28c2e90/thumbnail_13393000.jpg","/articles/6537698/Arkansas/Gravette-board-approves-personnel-moves-coaching-stipends-and-first-reading-of-model-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537698-a2c23f9c789d565f0a8f84b273062773/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020540&Signature=iQoEAz2bFOjqJcBruOWwRmWpwobsqRwCglsLyB7xaww1eNo4oQ~bqGwWm8m6SfArMuApVVuQi5M-fWci34qlyrTwswv2XpFKz1i-rmdqYrIiZO~~jQ-ILqPmJemiNOSL81josrK0Ug566DjVc6zj-R9hO-tqq1znuGPcgI6SEp-gK5Tdc04wWYx~97OtdlyFxV2CVigye-hbLrW7W38v0c2L5y8pe6YdW78uk62y6LM1qop1thNaZ2b1hbWL6bqypOu4CTdG23OtnVDVf9CVO3kUkd8~kFlG3rPPoSYsljWYSbVhSV59SWoBkLKzsHEcIhEaNmXcfWXvEX8ymwF1xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gravette School District Board of Education approved a series of personnel decisions, added coaching stipends and took the first reading of updated model policies at its May 20 regular meeting.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda and later approved the monthly financial report after a presentation of April results. The district reported April property tax receipts near $1 million and total receipts for the month close to $1.8 million; year-to-date receipts were about $18.6 million (about 72% of budgeted annual revenue), and year-to-date expenditures were near $20.3 million (about 76% of budget). Dez (finance staff) led the finance presentation and fielded questions from board members about how operating funds and restricted fund lines are reported.

On personnel, the board recorded a number of resignations and retirements effective at the end of the 2024–25 school year and approved hires for 2025–26. Motions carried to accept resignations from staff including Sid Clark (DHS science teacher), Grace Jones (GHS special education paraprofessional), Dusty Larson (role not specified), Rita Clare Rudnick (kindergarten teacher), and others. The board approved retirements including Barbara Hamilton (upper elementary fifth-grade teacher). Hires approved included Joseph Dungan (GHS audio/visual/communications), Carly Johnson (GHS science teacher), Drew Lindsay (GMHS middle school science teacher and assistant wrestling coach), Matthew Chandler (Moor Grove Middle School social studies teacher and assistant coach) and several other coaching and teaching hires.

The board also approved changes to extra-duty stipends and headcount for athletics: it authorized adding an eighth football coaching stipend and a sixth track stipend for 2025–26, and it approved adding additional baseball and softball positions to provide flexibility for development and expanded participation. Board members discussed using stipends to create hybrid roles tied to existing hires rather than creating entirely new full-time positions.

The board approved the three-year purchase of new math instructional materials (see separate article) and approved the first reading of the Arkansas State Board of Education (SBA) model policies. Board members noted the policy draft is large and will require follow-up discussion before a final vote; the policies will phase in statutory requirements over the coming months.

Other formal motions included appointing Jeff Gravatt to the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative Board of Directors for a two-year term (expires 2027) and accepting personnel recommendations that had been considered in executive session under the Freedom of Information Act (Act 93) for employment and legal matters. No votes were taken during executive session.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes):
- Added agenda items to personnel recommendations (approved).
- Consent agenda (approved).
- Monthly financial report for April (approved).
- Approve resignation: Sid Clark, DHS science teacher (effective end of 2024–25) (approved).
- Approve resignation: Grace Jones, GHS special education paraprofessional (approved).
- Hire: Joseph Dungan, GHS AV/communications teacher, 190-day contract, step 16, salary as presented (approved).
- Rescind/clarify resignation matters for AJ Herline (wrestling/cross country) and record resignation as deferred/handled per motion (approved as recorded).
- Approve resignation/retirement: multiple classified and certified staff including Dusty Larson and Rita Clare Rudnick (approved).
- Hire: Carly Johnson, GHS science teacher, 190-day contract, step 4 (approved).
- Hire: Drew Lindsay, GMHS middle school science teacher and assistant wrestling coach, 190-day contract (approved).
- Hire: Matthew Chandler, Middle School social studies teacher and assistant football/track coach, 190-day contract (approved).
- Appoint Jeff Gravatt to the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative Board (term to 06/30/2027) (approved).
- Add eighth football coaching stipend and sixth track stipend for 2025–26 (approved).
- Add additional softball and baseball positions for 2025–26 (approved).
- Adopt (approve purchase of) math curriculum materials on a three-year contract (Eureka Math Squared and Illustrative Math/Imagine I AM) to be paid from student growth/building funds as budgeted (approved) — see separate curricular article for details.
- Approve first reading of updated SBA model policies (approved for first reading; further discussion planned before final adoption).
- Appoint Brandon Cravens to fill the vacant board seat (approved) — see separate appointment article.

Notes: Many of the personnel motions were moved and seconded from the dais; the meeting minutes record votes as \"all those in favor, say aye\" with no roll-call recorded in the public transcript for every motion. Where specific contract steps and annual salaries were read into the record, the board approved them as presented.

Ending

Board members emphasized the workload of hiring season and thanked staff for a busy year. Several members encouraged community involvement at upcoming summer events (including Grama Day in August) and noted new staff introductions scheduled for the June meeting.","The Gravette School District Board approved a slate of personnel actions, new coaching stipends and accepted the first reading of updated State Board of Education model policies during its May 20 meeting. The board also approved its monthly financial report and placed multiple hires and resignations on record.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents, community members urge board to reconsider handling of wrestling program and recent coach departures

Gravette board adopts new K–12 math materials on three-year contract

Gravette board approves personnel moves, coaching stipends and first reading of model policies