[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6190585,"mediaKeyId","5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8","parentId",5047354,"title","Board notes $109,000 in state merit pay for teachers; approves multiple hires and personnel actions","audioSeconds",7683,"startMs",215000,"endMs",7898000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8&start=215&end=7898","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8/thumbnail_215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190585/Arkansas/Board-notes-109000-in-state-merit-pay-for-teachers-approves-multiple-hires-and-personnel-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190585-d30be0a48e189e8571977a31fa0461cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775740811&Signature=hZOASvCWuUUpVsvou2UrJG3WJdoP~C5Xf8coEG8tmVo-bYv~Sh2smTMWqKgsU5y5LWW49oz9GkfMACg2lHmxAhaNpLeOmU~ez9M1LvdeBPxwlPGng7MOkLXl-5Fa8Gq74qNhThn1rLXH73nIxptfMP2sYgFYKef7aruAlJRT345Je2HPQBB~A3eCQOrnNOHmSNjD4IvfeOwG3TPNrx11SdHIyC3EwjJM4ER6t~KkBXgdLSx~C-H86aDLG6BuhDyk8gPHu0ALIatqcVbWWr9GUptbfZ~ACemrfESHqq9aiKMLP0scaVNkqMZflK1pvTHKkE7EqwCYRjtIkyZ8eRyWjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gravette School District","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Mr. Gravatt told the Gravette School District board that 21 teachers were identified by the Arkansas Department of Education for merit pay classifications and the district received “a little bit over $109,000” to be paid on June 20 to eligible teachers.

“That’s going to be on paychecks for June 20 this week for those teachers,” Mr. Gravatt said, and the district planned to celebrate recipients at district events.

The board approved multiple personnel actions both on the consent agenda and following an executive session. Actions recorded in the meeting minutes included approvals to hire teachers and support staff and accept resignations. Examples announced or approved at the meeting included hiring Summer Seay as a K–5 ALE teacher, Amanda Motley as an elementary second‑grade teacher, custodial and food‑service hires, and the approval of other transfers and schedule adjustments noted on the personnel agenda.

Most personnel motions were approved by voice vote. The board also accepted at least one resignation noted as effective June 2025.

The board’s votes on personnel items concluded the hiring slate; several of the hires were made following executive‑session discussion of employment matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gravette School District Board Meeting ","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent told the board 21 teachers were identified for state merit pay, totaling just over $109,000 to be distributed on June 20; the board also approved a slate of hires, resignations and transfers during the meeting and executive session.","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},6190590,"Athletics director reports healthy participation, pilots mental performance program for athletes and coaches",230,1115000,1345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8&start=1115&end=1345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","/articles/6190590/Arkansas/Athletics-director-reports-healthy-participation-pilots-mental-performance-program-for-athletes-and-coaches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190590-eaa4065dcde66672e533588ba057d6ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775740811&Signature=YSvqUHnzQec6Vh~XDR63TZ9yTkyLF258oZCaLo8-S9H6pVkBW1mcXaLQ4YhkLqgE0mIONhFZIKRVPSSaGj~QnQFVUJq8OB28ykInSSgkEPN~ow-70geXmb9oDfbvWbCngE84KXaPYS4VnZFcyPzH90SJpQW~-qdC1JSlyS15a1kzIeSjwukqwY7ICyod0jLAUT4mZgAcDeVCSOeih9ukSzj5CzaAV1dBgPmnPIb-YLdX4cxryWA0qVKUhUWHq6rEABHxSYMARWHIK~mFnYXJdwVnjQfsMoxGjrY8LQBnH9bQrbUFhTyyEDXVA998kmAuqFbTrtqCrshWPpvoJoDsug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gravette’s athletic director summarized participation and staffing across sports and said most programs are fully staffed while the district continues to recruit for a head track coach.

Coach Beyer described healthy participation numbers and noted some sports have higher athlete‑to‑coach ratios — wrestling was highlighted as a program with particularly high numbers. Beyer said staffing decisions and whether programs cut rosters have been handled case‑by‑case with a focus on program sustainability and youth development.

Beyer also described a pilot mental performance program several girls’ programs and one boys’ program will use. “It’s going to basically break down every athlete with a pre seasonal toughness and composure, competitiveness, and confidence,” Beyer said. The program includes a 30‑minute initial setup and a 5–10 minute weekly check‑in; it offers both athlete and coach modules. Beyer said the program is used at college level and in some Arkansas high schools and that local data will be collected to evaluate effectiveness.

Board members asked to revisit roster and cut policies after the first year to assess effects on participation and program health. No policy changes were adopted at the meeting.","The district reported robust participation across sports, staffing levels and a pilot mental performance program for athletes and coaches that includes preseason baseline screening and weekly check‑ins; board discussed roster limits and coach staffing ratios.",{"_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},6190594,"District reports $6.5M receipts in May; board cautioned over lost grants and pending project decisions",6592,2313000,8905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8&start=2313&end=8905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8/thumbnail_2313000.jpg","/articles/6190594/Arkansas/District-reports-65M-receipts-in-May-board-cautioned-over-lost-grants-and-pending-project-decisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190594-dfb063b9a385b3473675d14e3433d3db/orig.mp4?Expires=1775740811&Signature=B6KkUAHi8P4jNv5kwrOcUkjpXFQSiOuz6AM2OiwvL8R5DRuDVhYNaKshmZzl8fa~1qT4tikzp6TkB775lm0S9SGVmabD3NPUefqIEZb61KAEQx4wfmpE1aIIAUTfl3nPjXA3~Ix6LGtoGJ7Aeg84wyyeKY28jx-3FPOrE-iQ-j~rABRqlP1U4Smh564pdaEro0DovsPtXE45SZaw1a2779u74bGrdTYtIPLwCkohR-71wPpQzJN8p8RzFFHuwzpRNGC4W0KjJk-3ZDtqBcCCHz9Qix4MIlRo20qgc3NAMBzbkbufp7irtSMuYrKPWiCiV4d4rV0R-GtLv~kmYvvXhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gravette School District finance staff reported that May receipts totaled a little over $6.5 million, including roughly $6 million in property tax receipts and $417,000 in monthly state foundation funding. Year‑to‑date receipts through period 11 were reported at about $25.1 million, approximately 97% of budgeted revenues.

Finance staff noted an $863,000 overage in local tax collections so far this year and said the district expects another tax payment in June. The state’s 98% uniform rate of tax (URT) guarantee was discussed; staff said the collection rate has risen to slightly more than 96% this year, which should increase URT funding compared with recent years.

On expenditures, the district reported operating expenditures near 87% of budget even though the fiscal year was about 92% complete; utilities are running under budget overall, while transportation and technology expenditures remain above budget but showed improvement from last year. Cash on hand was reported at about $7 million.

Board members and staff raised budget pressures: the Walton Family Foundation‑funded ABC program (about $75,000 annually) will end, enhanced transportation funding (about $35,000 a year) is being reduced, and an administrator indicated roughly $100,000 in anticipated cuts for a department budget. The superintendent said the board must decide whether to proceed with road work now or delay until expansion project costs are final.

The board approved the financial reports by voice vote; staff said they will finalize payrolls and return in July with updated cash and project recommendations.","Finance staff reported May receipts of more than $6.5 million, year‑to‑date revenues at 97% of budget, and a cash position near $7 million; board discussed possible loss of $175,000+ in external funding and whether to proceed with road work before expansion costs are finalized.",{"_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},6190597,"Special education caseload grows to 432 students; district plans UDL training and reviews disproportionate identification",1537,653000,2190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8&start=653&end=2190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8/thumbnail_653000.jpg","/articles/6190597/Arkansas/Special-education-caseload-grows-to-432-students-district-plans-UDL-training-and-reviews-disproportionate-identification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190597-9ccf435db21fdb9402c8f4e2771615dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775740811&Signature=dYrcpyJilLRUV4k5XQ4MTFbr8GQNUu4AsOUSsibM9Jnh85zUFfpzCTG7fPJG2RcEBKdaR2Nf9wRCXIuilT9uOI4M4U7NY5ngnfAfdagdHjeRxmxsKgj-5b2tQIYXSdCwERatHScT0fIKtZ-x0qt3BW1waf5HN1Yo96jJrU0tUTYlB0cira4NPK~vdKzU03NZumTN~9WFJ0fueHMdNIkQLPZUTAEpU7ZzcJFDHMGl8dBGJXl34IVd-xDrcl1ovwLr-AYw6i4QPL-YruPJlMJ7mJEjMkV41nv~5kc9OuRcL~tR2iV68che2Bxui3zZJK5n4WYb8KKsgWp9vWM5mW8qFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gravette School District’s special education director told the school board Wednesday that the district finished the year with 324 students on Individualized Education Programs and 108 students with 504 plans — 432 students total receiving special‑education services.

“While the state looked at our December 1 count as being lower than the previous year, our end of year count is far higher,” Mr. Matlock said, reporting 62 referrals this year and 50 students tested. He credited staff with meeting timelines for referrals and paperwork.

The district’s staffing plan for 2025‑26 includes 17 full‑time special education teachers, 17 instructional aides, three speech‑language pathologists, two occupational therapists, one physical therapist and a school psychologist; the board was told a part‑time SLPA is under consideration pending approvals.

Matlock described a district initiative to expand Universal Design for Learning training: 30 teachers will take summer UDL training, with plans to extend training districtwide in subsequent years. Matlock said UDL and other interventions are part of the plan to address disproportionate identification findings in the district’s assurances.

The board approved the district’s ESSA/IDEA assurances and GEPA statement required for federal funding. Staff explained the state review flagged a higher percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students identified with specific learning disabilities relative to state thresholds; because the district’s Native population is small, one or two students can shift the percentage. Administrators said re‑examining disability classifications will not reduce services but could improve accuracy.

Board members asked for future reporting on IEP dismissals; Matlock said the district tracks dismissals and would provide the number to the board on request.

No formal changes to student services were adopted at the meeting; the board approved the federal assurances so the district can apply for federal funds.","Special education director reported end‑of‑year increases in students served (324 on IEPs, 108 on 504 plans; total 432), 62 referrals and expanded staffing; the board approved required federal assurances and discussed over‑identification of American Indian/Alaska Native students and a summer Universal Design for Learning rollout.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6190599,"Gravette board approves $5.14 million construction bonds, signals intent to add six classrooms",203,8607000,8810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8&start=8607&end=8810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5047354-3ef7ae062aff13353b74d279911ffeb8/thumbnail_8607000.jpg","/articles/6190599/Arkansas/Gravette-board-approves-514-million-construction-bonds-signals-intent-to-add-six-classrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190599-faf3708d5cb656a643b0a771ab3362f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775740811&Signature=j5aSMc8EQh8rEAmFfaqnDR~f5ew7Heb98zTNImJ4CP5cJxSbQaysJr~WgURmS3OKP6o~~yD4rpCSeARME3ATErx28EYYHDhVC4iv~sZTtmwYzw~PE5pqS2sTdEtZkW4LHWZLG~0IC1hKqbsT0Lo5ZGwTw0~VvqM-feotcMo8buR2wmqQ-xznc~MccU5HY-awCjLKpBYU4PuYQrhn6KXpsW-o~4HAzt~wkxq0NYYpM0N~t7FpyF~-ktzeYWOQiWV3K7y68wL2QTnyDYg3AQwiRrrTVcwIDwBB2Q2wRzB0dFut99hjv2cDuassseHVQ5jBhhxdCX7bxnD30nlZIt1tBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gravette School District Board of Education voted Wednesday to authorize the issuance of $5,140,000 in construction bonds and formalized the board’s intention to add six classrooms to the high school.

The bond resolution, moved and seconded during the meeting, authorizes delivery of the bonds dated June 26, 2025. A subsequent board motion stated the district’s intent to use bond proceeds to add six classrooms; the board approved that motion by voice vote.

Why it matters: the bonds fund a planned high‑school addition the district and state have reviewed. Board members and staff discussed contractor estimates during the meeting and whether the project would consume the full bond amount. One board member said Crossland’s high‑end projection could exhaust the funds, while smaller contractor bids could leave money available for paving and other district projects.

Board discussion focused on keeping the formal bond documents aligned with state and investor expectations while retaining discretion over classroom count. A district attorney or bond counsel was referenced during debate as having prepared the documents for the board’s action.

The board unanimously approved the resolution by voice vote; no dissenting votes were recorded.

Looking ahead: district leaders said they will continue conversations with contractors to refine project costs and determine whether bond proceeds will cover additional campus work such as paving. No construction schedule was set at the meeting.","The Gravette School District board voted to issue $5,140,000 in construction bonds on June 26, 2025, and recorded an intent to use bond proceeds to add six classrooms to the high school; board members discussed contractor estimates and possible leftover funds for paving.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board notes $109,000 in state merit pay for teachers; approves multiple hires and personnel actions

Athletics director reports healthy participation, pilots mental performance program for athletes and coaches

District reports $6.5M receipts in May; board cautioned over lost grants and pending project decisions

Special education caseload grows to 432 students; district plans UDL training and reviews disproportionate identification

Gravette board approves $5.14 million construction bonds, signals intent to add six classrooms