[{"_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",6520170,"mediaKeyId","5334464-ab92644d3b513b5c00e323166dfedcb1","parentId",5334464,"title","PCSSD operations reports construction progress at Mills, Harris, College Station and Robinson","audioSeconds",238,"startMs",2622000,"endMs",2860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334464-ab92644d3b513b5c00e323166dfedcb1&start=2622&end=2860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334464-ab92644d3b513b5c00e323166dfedcb1/thumbnail_2622000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520170/Arkansas/PCSSD-operations-reports-construction-progress-at-Mills-Harris-College-Station-and-Robinson","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520170-81ec55ac9ad9fddef1cf2f1e5d03f493/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183360&Signature=o~7UlQF7N-Q8UKuu6~k9xTpS-NL8NvZO41gAPfWSZFgJYbCW042-XvQxUm6VIr4ittRp6XL49kskTkwhup6n1fp1YW0mkD3BcQqw0l6vWOqdC~4n1fLmdeA5SaxHFJSSLkpuHvyAQCnE~reSv5XUrxsk6dr45q6Le74seFIL~MKcVMwZXJ7CXpgDK5fRn4dVIAiJakD8cDGx5TEinUf6cd3ttPYqoG3Uh17v997VaU-OxetbuETa07MjZuikSf5jLl9tEQQaZri~Hq0QGyR8GGi9vHF0mSCzbYu0GZ7ZofgRY5MfjT~4BE84wk9l3N7R71dI4F6PQg6IZUs2g1k1CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-07-09T12:21:36Z","article","Pulaski County Special School District operations staff told trustees on July 8 that construction and renovation projects across the district are progressing with the goal of meeting summer and early-fall occupancy timelines.

Operations lead Johnson said Mills High School continues on schedule and \"the furniture for the new classroom portions of it, will be arriving next week.\" He reported the arena construction is closing the north side wall and detailed interior work is beginning.

Why it matters: Several capital projects affect fall occupancy, classroom moves and program space. The district outlined schedules for furniture delivery, painting, site work and modular unit delivery to prepare campuses for the school year.

Key updates presented by Johnson
- Mills High School: Furniture delivery for new classroom sections expected the week after July 8; district targets full building receipt in July. Arena north-side wall is closing in and detailed interior work will follow.
- Harris Elementary and College Station: Harris painting and move-in work were under way; Johnson said painting at Harris \"should be completed by the 23rd of July.\" The team plans to have Harris ready for teachers the first week of August. College Station design work is advancing; Johnson said the team hopes to finalize design in August/September and submit to the state in September/October, with bidding targeted for December and construction start in January (subject to state approvals).
- Robinson High School: A pre-construction logistics meeting introduced school leadership to construction managers; a modular unit for a driven program is slated to ship Aug. 29 and arrive in September, with installation taking roughly two to three weeks once on site.

Questions and clarifications
Trustees asked whether College Station could be completed for the next school year; Johnson said the intent remains for a two-year schedule but the team is working to prepare a timeline that could allow occupancy for the 2026 school year. Board members also asked about the status of softball fields; Johnson said contracts were signed and work was in motion but the fields were not completed.

Ending
Johnson closed his report by asking if there were any questions. The board thanked the operations staff and confirmed the district will continue to coordinate timing with the state for approvals and bidding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pulaski County Special School District PCSSD Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Operations staff reported July 8 that Mills High School and its arena remain on schedule for July/August handoffs, Harris Elementary painting will finish in mid-July, College Station design aims for submission in September-October and Robinson High School pre-construction logistics have begun.","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},6520175,"PCSSD receives $442,766.50 for state merit-pay program; district outlines who qualified",376,2033000,2409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334464-ab92644d3b513b5c00e323166dfedcb1&start=2033&end=2409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334464-ab92644d3b513b5c00e323166dfedcb1/thumbnail_2033000.jpg","/articles/6520175/Arkansas/PCSSD-receives-44276650-for-state-merit-pay-program-district-outlines-who-qualified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520175-be8d637c965793ee5f2b03bfc3cc76e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183360&Signature=X12RYFxb1ZH~~8Zthd-Vg1zIAxjK6b~rJxhD3G-MGLqy4UD9-d7xyaMT36a6uB0YUoJ6TVP8P2CUe3r75bv7-M26eecypzzfuyx4Ul-z9fH-8r6JjAZLcDe~eFYfWLkpgUfSNbbsiox9-uKb~qiGd38SPN-~PnRVagvV9KkXrz4m7rAi-GwLjcWMq7yJbanVFx80yGJGsqjvkSqOV-yeAP7WqDlb5ICPh4a~hFw62gLs6VO2Iip89gdLGsworKq8UCjgfkeyid6YZHDocqk5l8bK-LPcTM0jDDoXWWt6GYZIev1nqGj9Wk0QoTm~BwMdArHYnsZAyVvZcY06znNbnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pulaski County Special School District officials on July 8 summarized the district's share of a statewide teacher merit-pay program, telling trustees the district would receive $442,766.50 in merit funds including fringe benefits.

Dr. Whitfield, presenting the statewide and local figures, said the Arkansas Department of Education \"set aside 14,240,000.00 for this plus the fringe benefits such as retirement.\" She said statewide roughly 4,283 teachers received some bonus, about 10% of the state's teachers.

Why it matters: The merit-pay program distributes state funds to teachers who meet specific licensure, experience and growth criteria. The board heard the district's allocation and the eligibility categories that determined awards.

What the board heard
- Eligibility and state criteria: Dr. Whitfield said a qualifying \"teacher\" is a classroom teacher who spends at least 70% of time with students, or a counselor or teacher librarian holding a current license, with three or more years of teaching experience, no ethics violations, an end-of-year rating of \"effective\" or higher and a three-year growth average of at least 80. Counselors and librarians must provide an artifact showing contribution to student growth.
- Statewide distribution: \"A total of 4,283 teachers received some bonus. That's roughly 10% of the teachers in Arkansas,\" Dr. Whitfield said. She said over 800 teachers received $5,000 or less, 76 teachers earned the maximum of $10,000 and the statewide average bonus was $3,299.
- District totals: Dr. Whitfield said PCSSD \"qualified in growth for $91,000\" and that, \"the district did receive with benefits a total of $442,766.50.\" She noted that because the program caps awards at $10,000 per person, some aggregate district-qualifying totals were reduced.

Context and limitations
Dr. Whitfield cautioned that not all teachers are eligible: educators must hold a current teaching license; some long-serving classroom instructors without a valid license do not qualify. She also said some categories are still under development at the state level, including a proposed mentor category for year-long residents.

What happens next
Board members heard the informational presentation as part of the board's reports and did not take separate action on the merit-pay distribution at the July 8 meeting. The district staff will handle distribution consistent with state rules and the program's $10,000 cap per person.

Ending
Dr. Whitfield said the funds represented meaningful recognition for qualifying teachers and that some staff were surprised and pleased by the awards.","The district reported statewide and local results of Arkansas' teacher merit-pay program: statewide roughly 4,283 teachers received bonuses, ADE set aside $14,240,000 plus fringe, and Pulaski County Special School District received $442,766.50 (with benefits).",{"_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},6520179,"PCSSD board adopts Act 503-related policy changes, selects six-year terms and approves budget resolution",1523,2991000,4514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334464-ab92644d3b513b5c00e323166dfedcb1&start=2991&end=4514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334464-ab92644d3b513b5c00e323166dfedcb1/thumbnail_2991000.jpg","/articles/6520179/Arkansas/PCSSD-board-adopts-Act-503-related-policy-changes-selects-six-year-terms-and-approves-budget-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520179-efcf0aee7c7a55582ff60c85d1f72220/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183360&Signature=XlGfvdWXS8XImJIqMnyWBNrqjJ47uu2RoCaVTVG50jmhvTkoJbtcPQXv4o4ynfCFEkqvAV9p4zdgLxRoT7h~4UjxQrNvVIX1aODRP2PZ6WAJuneb2NvcmaxWNZ17Qqyi~FnVGc1uzAcQza~GOLOXUyJV6K2gR-rxKIpKnD2mjHTSaOe1oKdt5XMzgT5P6j2a2exFIHlVW6IoKL3RJJiuH3A~X2bJ6VZ89VgJnC8qya1SXvJ3ovPv05Nx10AvThb0mlkCpZ3QWiA-aNyqawy2xZU2cEh5dw4CGvEjn7qd-sHVrupiYk2yb7bZ5k-eZeNKwzVqCsTf818m9a7VgAbvww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pulaski County Special School District trustees on July 8 approved a package of policy changes to comply with Act 503, set future board-member terms at six years for newly elected members, approved a preliminary budget resolution and designated a board member to cast the district's required November millage ballot.

Board Chair Delaney opened the new-business discussion with an overview of the state law changes: \"Act 503 ... says that all school elections have to be on even years now,\" he said, explaining why the district needed several policy revisions and two resolutions to meet new election timing and millage requirements.

Why it matters: Act 503 moved school board elections to even-numbered years and removed November as a regular election date, forcing districts to revise policies that referenced old election timing and term lengths. PCSSD must still publish a preliminary budget and satisfy an annual millage requirement despite the election-date changes; the board approved a special process that permits a single designated elector to cast the ballot in November rather than holding a full public election when the millage rate is unchanged.

Major votes and outcomes
- Delete-and-replace of Policy 1.2 (align vacancies and remove references to five-year terms): Motion by Potter, second by Maynard. Passed (unanimous).
- Delete-and-replace of Policy 1.21 (align annual election timing to state law): Motion by Smith, second by Maynard. Passed (unanimous).
- Selection of term length (Policy 1.19): Motion by Dr. Tate to adopt six-year terms for newly elected board members; second by Potter. Vote: 5-2 (Yes: Tate, Smith, Potter, Keller, Delaney; No: Ward, Maynard). The board chair emphasized this change affects only future, newly elected members: \"This change will take effect only for newly elected board members during the 2026 election cycle,\" he said.
- Preliminary budget resolution (nonbinding, required before the election): Motion by Maynard, second by Keller. Passed (unanimous). The board noted the district's final fiscal-year budget will be prepared in September.
- Designated-elector resolution to satisfy the November millage vote requirement: Motion by Maynard, second by Potter. Passed (unanimous). The board designated board member Smith as the elector who will appear at the county elections office in November to cast the ballot for the district's unchanged millage rate. Smith accepted the commitment.

Additional policy votes
The board also approved a series of policy updates and administrative manuals presented as part of routine compliance and housekeeping. Votes passed on the following items (motions and seconders noted in the meeting record): adoption of the certified PPC (policy and practice council) manual; updates to entrance requirements (policy 4.2); changes to the absences policy (4.7); disruption-at-school language (4.2 disruption); student harassment policy (4.27); bullying policy (4.43) (recorded vote: Maynard opposed; 6-1); foster-student deadline change (4.52); extracurricular/transfer/homeschool/private-school participation policies (4.56, 4.562, 4.563); antisemitism-related policy and prohibited conduct update (4.65 and 4.18); and concurrent/dual-credit policy split (5.22P and 5.22P1). All motions carried as recorded in the meeting.

Context and next steps
Board members and counsel discussed technical implications: because Act 503 eliminated November as a regular election date but did not remove the requirement that districts publish a budget and present millage annually, the state election commission allowed a designated-elector mechanism to avoid costly full elections when the millage rate does not change. The board will publish the preliminary budget as required, finalize the formal FY26 budget in September and rely on the designated elector in November to satisfy the millage/notice requirement.

The board chair summarized the outcome: \"That is all. We have now complied with Act 503. We picked 6 year terms. Nobody gets a 6 year term until they win an election, and all our elections in the future will be in the spring with the primary.\"","Pulaski County Special School District trustees voted July 8 to adopt multiple policy updates required by Act 503, select six-year terms for future board members, approve a preliminary budget resolution and designate an elector to cast the district's November millage vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

PCSSD operations reports construction progress at Mills, Harris, College Station and Robinson

PCSSD receives $442,766.50 for state merit-pay program; district outlines who qualified

PCSSD board adopts Act 503-related policy changes, selects six-year terms and approves budget resolution