[{"_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",6589759,"mediaKeyId","5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2","parentId",5477849,"title","Athletics sees record participation, state championships and expanded facilities support","audioSeconds",635,"startMs",5070000,"endMs",5705000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2&start=5070&end=5705","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2/thumbnail_5070000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589759/Arkansas/Athletics-sees-record-participation-state-championships-and-expanded-facilities-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589759-eefa882935b1df3632852ccde66c1045/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949207&Signature=BAcf6b8vIZff3weYNnYfOjjz~PcJjqcZlQgZv~0R-RLH7Eu1WTTIsaPqVz5IvEGdRNBJCRGRmClE2yhz0JmM6AIzclFYNCJCu4bkgKtnEihgZglu5dpuDjYg~ARgCLIpDXy7yVsKnU2zD8vEUpKKvxMxhwc3AbyjUzYkRpFT0qzGD3XS6D20Wr~x~GyAAz-8USY5FqsqP96UpoUl7fM5y4cL1-t3CtQpxySYPFoALs76JILYQsibvKFYX4nXQF4KbQrD4Gh4BRfApwe4hVdkxFVCMnFvnks5iSWxxvO-GGHp~Wak8Z5qmwzADm7y24~fEsvN-cwPaFlOp9bQnKDLxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","FAYETTEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-07-25T01:14:44.65Z","article","The Fayetteville Board of Education heard the district’s annual athletics report at its July meeting, which highlighted competitive success, increased participation and expanded community support.

Athletic director Steve Jansky (presenter) said the high school saw an approximate 27% increase in student-athlete participation going into the year, bringing Fayetteville High School to 1,485 student athletes (717 female, 768 male) and more than 2,100 across the district. Highlights from the year included two state championships, multiple state runner-up finishes, over 50 all-state athletes and a school-record 40 student athletes signing collegiate offers.

Why this matters: The athletics program reported academic gains alongside competitive success; 12 teams earned a team GPA of 3.5 or higher, and the district runs a supplemental instruction program for athletes who fall below a 2.0 GPA.

Community support and facilities: Jansky described the Purple Rain Room in the sports, wellness and academic center as a hub used for school and community events (over 100 events) and credited Purple Rain Club memberships and sponsorships for equipment, AED upgrades, athletic trainer support and travel assistance. He told the board the club’s revenue had been reinvested in equipment, safety, training and equity across junior-high programs.

Board reaction: Trustees praised the department’s leadership and emphasis on academics and community service; Jansky noted teams completed more than 80 hours of community service during the year.

Ending: Trustees thanked Jansky and district athletic staff and noted athletics’ role in student development inside and outside the classroom.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FPS Regular Board Meeting - July 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Fayetteville Athletics reported record participation growth, two state championships and expanded community support through the Purple Rain Club; board members praised academic priorities and community engagement.","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},6589764,"District rolls out Branching Minds RTI tool and shares preliminary Atlas test results",718,2762000,3480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2&start=2762&end=3480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2/thumbnail_2762000.jpg","/articles/6589764/Arkansas/District-rolls-out-Branching-Minds-RTI-tool-and-shares-preliminary-Atlas-test-results","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589764-4b6c185e8034c7f21de25bbc11a2e3ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949207&Signature=QmN0IUbTPGAV3YPK-wAo2S7QhuhIiEHqFlg2LAFMMoY2AQkqcy33PkxTE1sIkj8KKB8z6CidaAViNX8fITzEhNnaTDfqNMtXZEppnaTA8PmbCGKBL3UyYaIJCJ0zYgyzz9C1aM0PKBMcIpusnap3fu0nxli8Swq7a1WzgJvHXG1zeqZf67eMfylmkxcnKEZ-if3pRXnmDGlhJEhu9QH-86owP-edtOHpfCD2ztF6r~9fi7TWK9Vf7ZdYEst0tIsuob-XQ4fCKLppflEpGaWACA1eoCl2ERO-os73u2~3vgjb1nfaVKwhV0qk6J3~4bbB5HZkRDGQud38Byt2SKLxLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July Board of Education meeting the district’s curriculum and assessment leaders outlined two linked initiatives: a rollout of Branching Minds, a multi-tiered system-of-support (MTSS) platform, and a preliminary summary of statewide Atlas test results.

Dr. Tate, presenting a monthly strategic-plan update, said Branching Minds will be used districtwide in 2025–26 to centralize MTSS information, collaboration and evidence-based intervention libraries. \"Branching Minds will allow us the opportunity to put everything in one place and it has built-in collaboration tools,\" Tate said, and principals and site leaders will receive training this year to support rollout. The district also announced the SOAR program for grades 9–12 will relocate to the Alps Building to consolidate services.

Why this matters: Branching Minds is intended to streamline identification and supports for students who need Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention and to give teachers and leaders a shared platform for tracking interventions and progress.

Atlas test results (pre-appeal): Dr. Dugan presented pre-appeal Atlas data for ELA, math and science. She emphasized the data are preliminary and that appeals and test participation certification (95% tested) will shift some numbers before final accountability reports. The district showed higher-than-state-average performance in several grades and subjects: for example, Fayetteville’s third-grade ELA proficiency (levels 3–4) outpaced the state by approximately 16 percentage points in the initial report. Science averaged above the proficiency threshold in several grades; Dugan said renewed standards and test alignment contributed to higher science results.

Timing and next steps: Appeals and certification with the state will occur in August; growth metrics will be released in September and final score report cards in October. Dr. Dugan said K–2 results are delayed because standards are being reset and those analyses will follow.

Ending: Board members welcomed the platform rollout and asked for building-level data at future meetings once appeals and certification are complete.","Fayetteville schools will begin using Branching Minds for multi-tiered supports; the district also presented pre-appeal Atlas results showing strengths in science and varying proficiency across grades while final adjustments and K–2 results remain pending.",{"_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},6589769,"Parents urge district to keep impartial process for out-of-school suspension appeals; board approves policy revisions",5327,1826000,7153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2&start=1826&end=7153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2/thumbnail_1826000.jpg","/articles/6589769/Arkansas/Parents-urge-district-to-keep-impartial-process-for-out-of-school-suspension-appeals-board-approves-policy-revisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589769-ff2fef4381f50dc7a2aa339a3b8c0509/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949207&Signature=TkaSorkt0LuWHKw17lnm6hmyvRLbryGf5ygjMfrpHEUzLJjuoD5LPW~Sbr7KrJ~HVlJ7v~VnjkXtMFatwdg3SbL8J66BiejW8eHawP6DpB9PSxEOnzXT8a3LYuKsUbn6WWc80-mt9--ConSv4NcOF~hILETKFoNfgZ0Gy5sprnmwtdNPZESONXhgYITFGULC9YeXOBDq2fnCYIzkvU0JWQ89n1ja6JIYu~gz984lyon3FOT81ljtN5cnB30jyNiCoCrC-FBMg9LvO4d4PtQhFCm2xI9AZh4ujZGvS-orSafzAAcBBPHoMbi9i~jZjZSmW1vUl546MF6OuLoofkqwaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the patron participation segment of the July Board of Education meeting, Joe Askins urged trustees to retain a clear path for impartial review in the district’s out-of-school suspension (OSS) appeal process.

Askins, who said he was speaking about proposed changes to policy 5.17, told the board the stated rationale at the prior meeting — “streamlining” — lacked supporting data and risked limiting a family’s ability to obtain an impartial final appeal. \"To be truly impartial, an appeal must be reviewed by someone outside that initial decision-making circle,\" Askins said. He asked the board to preserve a final, impartial review by a district leader outside the chain of command that initially made the suspension decision.

Why this matters: Changes to disciplinary appeal processes affect students’ access to education and special services. Askins and other commenters argued that efficiency should not replace a meaningful, impartial appeal for families.

Board staff and discussion: Claire (policy staff) and Superintendent Dr. Mulford addressed the board’s revisions to the policy. Board members asked how frequently formal appeals are filed; staff said formal, documented appeals are rare (approximately one or two per year) and most disputes are resolved informally by principals and executive directors. Claire noted a drafting correction suggested during the meeting and said she would update language where the draft omitted “principal or executive director.”

Action taken: The board voted 6–0 to approve the proposed new, repealed and revised policies presented at the meeting, which included the changes to the OSS appeal policy. Trustee Justin Eichman moved to approve the policies and Tracy Pomeroy seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ending: Board members said they weighed the need for efficient administration against the value of impartial review and that clarified language would be included in the policy software before final posting.","Public commenters asked the Fayetteville board to preserve a path for impartial review of out-of-school suspension appeals. Trustees voted 6–0 to approve proposed policy changes, with staff noting clarifying edits and bargaining between efficiency and impartiality.",{"_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},6589774,"District warns federal Title funding freezes will force short-term contingency plans",681,4011000,4692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2&start=4011&end=4692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2/thumbnail_4011000.jpg","/articles/6589774/Arkansas/District-warns-federal-Title-funding-freezes-will-force-short-term-contingency-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589774-e7a6ca4fd82305b43a8bab0d73392b6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949207&Signature=h3copwErl7aeEy1pEKslSlzaNENIJ7A9ZnO7T~1U2K6g2KNiqlaLs8ttPzHtShHos1~3IxQXog8CbFP0A03O7eKAnUaI9FDoPW8OptbCoCohLH0G0iEv9~AaqJuZACyyM-tcugB1DE5N4w0QmJxSUyyTSr3048D76O75-97Ered-gBgSmlNDYL7KgJtDfEpab3r~7XnfnoyQYcCAbOpLpeCWcdq6TiN2SOgON13cSTChuWANMigfIhxbs7oXDlFxx0Rosff75zz9Br4ITbMVEoaHY0YnV~PkEFgoIO2yxDwKcnK8oO1ZF~-9tTyp-WRDfZD-uq3xwseXdR3GXlwjTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July meeting of the Fayetteville Board of Education, Dr. Vicky McPetridge, the district’s federal programs presenter, told trustees the U.S. Department of Education had frozen a number of awards after states expected funds under a congressional continuing resolution.

McPetridge said the district’s Title I allocation — the largest single federal education grant that supports high-poverty schools — was not frozen and the district expects an official allocation soon. But she told the board Title I-C (migrant), Title II (professional development), Title III (English learner support) and Title IV-A (well-rounded education) grants were currently frozen and together accounted for several hundred thousand dollars the district had planned to spend on staff and programs for 2025–26.

Why this matters: The freezes require Fayetteville to cover some positions and initiatives this year and could force program cuts or job reassignments if funds are not released later.

Amounts and effect: McPetridge said the district had expected roughly $700,000 in funding in March planning that now is under review at the federal level; she listed Title II at about $360,000 and Title III at just over $100,000. She said Title IV-B (a separate competitive piece tied to after-school and summer programming) was briefly frozen but has since been released.

McPetridge told the board the district has contingency plans to cover commitments for the coming school year and will continue to pursue reimbursements if the federal funds are ultimately released. She also said the U.S. Department of Education’s requirements — including recordkeeping and program expectations — remain in force even where funding is frozen.

Board response and advocacy: Board members expressed frustration that the funding decision arrived late in the budget cycle. One board member noted about 24 states had filed suit against the Department of Education; McPetridge said Arkansas had not joined that list but that state officials were lobbying elected representatives. McPetridge said district leaders and local advocates had also contacted members of Congress and that district staff planned to monitor the situation closely through December.

Ending: The district will use local contingency funds to cover planned staff and programs for 2025–26 while awaiting clarity from the state and federal levels; trustees asked staff to report back if the freeze persists.","Fayetteville officials say recent U.S. Department of Education freezes of multiple Title grants leave the district covering some salaries and programs this year and force planning questions if funds are not restored.",{"_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},6589779,"Board approves $10.16 million MEP allowance for new Woodland junior high as neighbors urge alternate sites",6963,626000,7589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2&start=626&end=7589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5477849-61524970eb655da5e3ff117b8022b1b2/thumbnail_626000.jpg","/articles/6589779/Arkansas/Board-approves-1016-million-MEP-allowance-for-new-Woodland-junior-high-as-neighbors-urge-alternate-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589779-6897cc36c0f0c5d868b0bc472f938889/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949207&Signature=cI5C1iOgYPZQaZY9oCHp-4g2scxyqCzr3vVckPXcKnQGnV2YWeheQr3IkZ2g0wCy-F4DTpBqZgm8vZF9GkcGUIuRCkC1XQQh9mnBb~S5zcQpTUJxsakHtRy-2Y9BxwFyj0tumBpKbwkNp1IJL8JYAd9YIk2GZ2MW7KsB5xrJQLfa9~9001BX8-CcX~~QpptRhOzjyazlG7wgVAs3u8ubXOA7KmV~PdWmvMcm~2OLNT~KkMsvcEH5uaOjgt5AvTa6Q7JY2oQbYpH0O1hKvuRDNdJoxpBY7pNK7o0Eoe4A2bqopFb5UTHL745IxBNWRCbj~vHBwJeWOw4ykEkdAbRbmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","President Tim Hudson convened the July meeting of the Fayetteville Board of Education and the board approved a $10,157,846 allowance for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) work related to the new Woodland junior high project.

The allowance was presented to the board to keep site work moving while the district and the design team complete a value-engineering review intended to bring the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) closer to budget. Dr. Williams, giving the construction update, said the revised GMP will be presented in September and that the MEP allowance “will be credited to the MEP portion of the overall GMP.”

The allowance vote followed a public comment period in which several residents urged the board to reconsider the district’s east-of-College Avenue site, citing geology, steep slopes, tree loss and neighborhood traffic impacts.

Why this matters: The district is simultaneously pursuing construction of a new junior high and upgrades to existing athletic facilities; approving the MEP allowance keeps the construction schedule on track but also drew renewed public scrutiny of the chosen build site.

Details of the vote and project: Board member Nica Weitzman moved to approve the MEP allowance and Yvonne Hudson seconded. The motion passed 6–0. Dr. Williams told the board the allowance, if approved, “would increase the current board approved GMP to $24,686,834” for the MEP portion; the design team is continuing value engineering to reduce the overall GMP to the board’s target budget.

Public concerns raised: Dot Neely, a Fayetteville resident and geologist, told the board the Ramey site “is on a hill slope, on a very steep hill slope,” and described local bedrock as Fayetteville shale that she said is expansive when wet and contracts when dry — creating long-term foundation risk. Neely said adapting the steep site “is going to cost millions of dollars,” and that an Environmental Action Committee discussion had estimated at least $10 million to adapt the site.

Local residents reiterated concerns about trees and traffic. Andrea Forney read a recent column criticizing past site decisions and warned about cutting century-old oaks and the cost of a proposed parking garage. Susan McDonald and Joe Newman also urged preservation of the forested parcels and asked the board to consider renovating the existing Woodland campus instead of building on a forested hillside. Newman pressed the board for additional traffic study for Ash Street and Township Road, saying both roads have sharp turns and limited sidewalks that would be strained by peak drop-off and pickup traffic.

District response and next steps: Superintendent Dr. Mulford told the board the district had worked with city leaders to explore alternative parcels but that covenants on those parcels prevented a feasible swap. He said the city “worked really hard” but the alternative sites were not available.

The board’s approval of the MEP allowance was framed as a schedule-preserving step while the design team completes value engineering and finalizes the GMP. The construction update also listed other active capital projects including the high school parking garage (building permit issued 07/07/2025), Leverett Playground (decking permit issued 07/14/2025), and Ramey Field renovations; the board is scheduled to review a civil engineering proposal for Ramey Field in August.

Ending: Board members said they expect an updated GMP and additional budget details in September and that the district will continue to coordinate with city staff on site and traffic issues raised by residents.","Fayetteville Board of Education approved a $10,157,846 mechanical/electrical/plumbing allowance to keep construction on schedule for the new Woodland junior high while residents testified about slope, tree loss and traffic risks tied to the chosen site east of College Avenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Athletics sees record participation, state championships and expanded facilities support

District rolls out Branching Minds RTI tool and shares preliminary Atlas test results

Parents urge district to keep impartial process for out-of-school suspension appeals; board approves policy revisions

District warns federal Title funding freezes will force short-term contingency plans

Board approves $10.16 million MEP allowance for new Woodland junior high as neighbors urge alternate sites