[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6493245,"mediaKeyId","5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60","parentId",5664109,"title","District reports K–2 literacy gains and dyslexia services numbers","audioSeconds",278,"startMs",1871000,"endMs",2149000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60&start=1871&end=2149","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60/thumbnail_1871000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493245/Arkansas/District-reports-K2-literacy-gains-and-dyslexia-services-numbers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493245-194bbaaa36c58bc19b3f9d0bda26615f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105540&Signature=EJ2fNRc9-0qRjWXHx-DORN0Xf8llV9fNabBYyrHWTLPHe~NbSu7DQ5v-NPRI~qzqJ2TNtyRhZTPWejMAGWkXvN~Oy2vppCNVDy-H5OHp7Mo5~VJWUMTu0O81b9q8LkDQRrqp9nXjB2R72ofR9rDWSUZrRM9Pvp2J9xl5FaX-CEx02ZtX4IV2Fc23OjOMlGauihsJLvSpHoA5Ep1NY35nFnwyx1Xlbz7yh~LoeWK31Z559QX-ywjku~xjfHuJZsnrDNyLd~xAWQ2FnzfmcUiAih3hVBPrwHED12fFsUlWqqAJPTPcoRea8h~crP2GqiZBCf0gMMWi6HPRdyMt4RpDUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PINE BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-08-22T16:26:02.723Z","article","District instructional staff reported year‑end gains in early literacy measures and reviewed dyslexia screening and services provided during the 2024–25 school year.

In presentation slides compiled by staff, the district reported that 84% of kindergarten students knew all uppercase letters at the end of the year. Presenters said first‑ and second‑grade uppercase‑letter knowledge was in the mid‑90 percent range with a roughly 95% tested rate, and letter‑sound mastery had increased substantially for kindergarten (from a low single‑digit starting point to 78% knowing letter sounds at year end).

The district also provided dyslexia service data for 2024–25: staff said 372 students met screening criteria for dyslexia but that 346 students received dyslexia interventions (programs listed included Take Flight, BUILD or Barton, depending on the student’s needs). District staff explained some students identified in screening later \"tested out\" of needing full dyslexia services after interventions and were placed on progress monitoring instead.

Presenters said the next reporting cycle will expand from letter‑naming to decoding and blending measures to show how many students are meeting grade‑level reading benchmarks. The board received the data as part of the superintendent’s academic update and had no substantive motion tied to the literacy charts beyond discussion and monitoring.

Attribution: The literacy slides were prepared by Miss Rawls and discussed in the superintendent’s academic report; presenters credited targeted phonics instruction and targeted interventions for gains.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pine Bluff School District | School Board Meeting – June 23rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District presenters told the board kindergarten letter‑naming and letter‑sound scores rose this year and outlined dyslexia screening and intervention counts: 372 identified, 346 served in interventions.","taxTitle","PINE BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",64862,"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},6493250,"Transportation director outlines GPS routing, fleet strain and CDL training",1249,2589000,3838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60&start=2589&end=3838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60/thumbnail_2589000.jpg","/articles/6493250/Arkansas/Transportation-director-outlines-GPS-routing-fleet-strain-and-CDL-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493250-259db03d4dd7d09b2fb8b1f9f989f161/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105540&Signature=Q0oVhBPd3TyVh2X-yjWNfT8Y3CioiClMNhL5-JOwMd1AHUfBIJo9uq2Xe7WtTOF~xTdfooE~2k81iOda7PJflNNigyej5bDaZ0q09VtSAfTkpAmeeJEOJ0x5QauqnOiew9vn1SIfkXt-ZMDc6yQkyYRI9079mHx1HU9teh~1YCVQQrEMm8BGVOJ1jtv8-UiXFATclmRisg54-SmEGG04rH~NYnfFDvx6KM2oFHQoDaB1oiGhXQcBIPl7cWz4aR0BEbvggbCJkVDAFcKbrWs56mX-~S28r3UASqkLuTyUvsfvFJwB71c0HzQwNq~QS3x~o61Rc4AeH9zaNaU1ed5Utg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Transportation Director Davis and assistant Hurd briefed the board on route mapping, GPS tracking and fleet capacity, and asked the board to approve purchases to refresh vehicles.

Davis said the district covers 596 square miles, making routing and spare‑vehicle planning unusually complex: \"our district itself is 596 square miles,\" he said. Staff demonstrated a mapping system that generates stop maps, produces parent letters with pickup and drop‑off times, and provides GPS location, idle time and fuel‑use reports.

The presenters showed live and historical GPS data for buses, and explained driver supports — printable route sheets, turn‑by‑turn notes and an option to install tablets on buses to display routes. Davis said the GPS helps dispatchers answer parent calls about bus whereabouts and can flag long idling or mechanical alerts from vehicles.

Capacity and staffing: Davis told the board the district transported roughly 2,200 students this year and that the fleet lacks spare buses; several routes are run as doubles because there are not enough units available. The team reported 6 drivers in CDL training now and said the district is the only Jefferson County site that can legally train school‑bus drivers, with plans to set up a local testing site at the bus garage.

Funding and procurement: staff presented quotes for a new 2026 diesel 89‑passenger bus (quoted in packet) and two used buses (a 2020 Bluebird at $84,900 and a 2019 unit with wheelchair lift); staff asked the board for permission to pursue purchase of used options and later presented vehicle purchase motions for capital outlay funding. Davis also described grant opportunities for electric buses and charging infrastructure the district is pursuing.

Training and retention: Hurd said the district trains drivers and asks trainees to commit to work for the district for a period after receiving a district‑funded CDL. \"If we train you to get your license... you at least have to do a year with us,\" Hurd said, describing an effort to reduce churn of newly trained drivers.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with purchase approvals the board authorized in the purchasing section (capital outlay) and continue to pursue state and grant funding for fleet modernization and tablets for buses.","District transportation staff showed a GPS‑based routing system, said the district covers 596 square miles, described a shortage of spare buses and outlined local CDL training and recruitment steps.",{"_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},6493254,"Pine Bluff board approves policies, contracts, personnel and purchases",82,6312000,6394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60&start=6312&end=6394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60/thumbnail_6312000.jpg","/articles/6493254/Arkansas/Pine-Bluff-board-approves-policies-contracts-personnel-and-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493254-5e6aaa6343d657882723378dd580fbec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105540&Signature=Q0vI9v0GPhOcYgbkhKwOmn237YbMcZmMhYSy4KM3fZ18p5qAMqPbdAcCtkdSkX1sGtqZyUhCwq3X-wZUi9Dibk2SdQupnD08u1FvD1FmgzjL4rF0zSKRwOx61id1CHtNGeu9NoYCpx8I-FgSpGaPfMcBs4ckPg4qCgdtshouDgzodfBkhQlziOjdG6ORVwUK8ELYC387LHtLjM53dyye0U2XHkXMhPaTyEq55hXn8zNIjEKwWO0tlgDLX7eRPosZLCtPzARkxhJmWlsjER6CbExASVAgq9fGpz0RnjUUylXJHb0~lc2lWcKJreEJC4B-EPIHIxgNsDCSnV~Nioi9aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pine Bluff School District board approved a package of policies, contracts, purchases and personnel recommendations in a single set of motions during its meeting.

Key approvals included an update to the district’s public‑comment procedure (Policy 1.14), a bell‑to‑bell personal electronic device policy (4.47), a three‑year communications contract with Apogee, professional learning and instructional coaching contracts, salary‑schedule adjustments and a list of certified and classified hires.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting):
- Approve minutes from the 05/27/2025 meeting — approved by voice vote.
- Approve financial report as presented — approved by voice vote (see separate article on tax true‑up).
- Approve electronic funds transfer addition for Lewis Architects — motion made and approved.
- Approve student handbook updates — motion to approve presented; board approved.
- Approve Policies 1.14 (meeting agenda/public comment) and 4.47 (personal electronic devices) — motion made; policies approved on voice vote. The superintendent said Policy 1.14 implements a required 30‑minute public‑comment window and three‑minute time limit per speaker, with signups opened 30 minutes before a meeting.
- Approve salary‑schedule adjustments and additional duty pay rescopes (classified and district support schedules) — board approved.
- Approve purchases and contracts: 95% Group professional coaching and on‑site days ($119,600, Title I funding); NIET POC leadership coaching ($33,000, state POC grant); Apogee three‑year communications contract (first‑year startup + annual fee, total three‑year entry $90,086 with annual payments thereafter, Title I communications funds); Kubota tractor and rotary cutter for grounds ($44,770, capital outlay funds); a used 2020 Bluebird bus (quote $84,900) and a smaller used special‑needs bus (quote provided) were discussed; the board approved a 2024/2025 vehicle purchase motion referenced in the packet and approved truck purchase as presented (funded from capital outlay). The board approved a district purchase of mesh backpacks at $10.39 each to distribute to students.
- Approve personnel action chart (multiple certified hires, paraprofessional hires and district staff hires) — approved by voice vote.

Funding and sourcing: Board members and staff repeatedly identified funding lines for purchases: Title I and federal grant funds for curriculum and coaching, capital‑outlay funds (account 5000) for vehicles and grounds equipment, and district communications funds for the Apogee contract.

What the board did not finalize: A quote for a brand‑new 2026 diesel 89‑passenger bus (quoted at $177,963) was discussed; staff also presented two used‑bus options and asked for permission to pursue purchase; the transcript records discussion and requests for authority but not a final board vote on the new 2026 bus order.

Sources and attribution: Items and dollar amounts and funding sources were presented by district staff and administration during the agenda’s new‑business segment. Where motions were recorded in the transcript, voice votes indicated the board approved the listed items.","At its meeting the board approved multiple items including policy updates on public comment and personal electronic devices, contracts for communications and professional learning, salary-schedule changes, capital purchases and a personnel slate.",{"_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},6493259,"Pine Bluff district finds state reporting error, receives $922,000 true-up",224,833000,1057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60&start=833&end=1057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664109-9c021c627542168bcbdae5d6bfc3cc60/thumbnail_833000.jpg","/articles/6493259/Arkansas/Pine-Bluff-district-finds-state-reporting-error-receives-922000-true-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493259-4a4b17f0975b164050bfa3ab807a1c7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105540&Signature=RwLNaKbg5EaFHv-Qu7Db95H5NtRtoHTmYEX9grZFb~kByAharVeCFVNseBIkFyoGETenW51-dDcQrwjOSyYsFlWuum7Fn4FsoHTX61VlRlorzof~T9igWYhoi-N6WoikAL3018eJ3F~J~GnVPSukQ7t1hU4YjBc3x204LGtdFZlicUrtRBMfn~Llz6eUhTozTYHq~iKxZNovtDmWV7Yj1b0rV1cfdpKh24a81N0VaMq8YF~n0dohI59xPs3b7Jexh6Hycwz-Vjd1jg1l6275ngQlGjvHf~0tzKcdLlBZS~QUUYAR4mcRNnEQn8nYNQuQ6obLSfs9BvImy1gMK0koEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Barley told the Pine Bluff School District board that state reporting of local tax revenue used an old millage figure and led to an incorrect claim that the district had overcollected revenue.

The district received a final foundation funding payment and a $922,000 reimbursement from the Arkansas Department of Education, Barley said, which brought the district’s calendar-year reporting in line with the mills the board approved. \"We just got in today. We've got our last foundation funding payment, plus the state has also reimbursed us $922,000 to true up to get us to the 98% collection rate,\" Barley said during the meeting.

The discrepancy stemmed from how local property-tax revenue is reported (by calendar year) compared with the school fiscal year (July–June), Barley said. The district's millage rate changed after the board vote in August 2023; the state apparently reported receipts using the prior (lower) millage number. Barley said the district had been tracking collections and determined it had collected at 93% of the new 47.7 mills, not the 105% figure the state initially reported.

Why it matters: the mistaken report would have shown an overcollection that could reduce state foundation aid. Barley credited district staff — \"I just want to give praise to Jamie Reed for doing the digging\" — and outside advisors for resolving the discrepancy and ensuring the district will not owe the state money based on the incorrect report. Barley said the corrected result turned what would have been a $1.2 million liability into roughly a $1.5 million positive difference for local revenue collections.

Finance action: The board moved to approve the financial report for the period as presented; the motion was seconded and the board approved the report by voice vote.

Budget context and next steps: Barley reviewed related fund balances and noted the board will use a 2023 capital-outlay account to pay for a planned warehouse roof repair. She also said the district continues to monitor tax receipts and will show updated numbers in the June board packet.

Sources and attribution: The summary above draws on the superintendent’s presentation and public remarks by Jamie Reed and financial adviser Ray Beardsley during the board meeting.","Superintendent told the board the Arkansas Department of Education reported the district using the old millage rate; the state issued $922,000 to correct the record and the district said it effectively gained about $1.5 million compared with earlier estimates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District reports K–2 literacy gains and dyslexia services numbers

Transportation director outlines GPS routing, fleet strain and CDL training

Pine Bluff board approves policies, contracts, personnel and purchases

Pine Bluff district finds state reporting error, receives $922,000 true-up