[{"_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",6468809,"mediaKeyId","5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389","parentId",5781637,"title","Votes at a glance: agenda, consent items, budget report, security officers and personnel packet approved","audioSeconds",3139,"startMs",6146000,"endMs",9285000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389&start=6146&end=9285","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389/thumbnail_6146000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6468809/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-agenda-consent-items-budget-report-security-officers-and-personnel-packet-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468809-b6b8429fc3801236ddec67d51e174c9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133986&Signature=oPRxMW9WpOUw-fFqA2MHYWPqzHJQT1ZZa5HddFaOPxzadb33lcO3XSTKEVbPMtDkGItDSA5d1P4cn02nKYoXTc5XstKO7wBef06IKJ63sA-ht4TD5NaprQptGWiaHlyJuJEu6z9m3mdVbZDnyhH6bt-8Bxw2Iwt7ZRuQ0N~lmJL51JNUmjJoPQQ3JqPA2RSw~adLdmLo1wB1yP0wAa78-3r2XWS2Jm5rwXlnw65ibrOJ16WUc3KkJRkLcA3mwYstFlDQnms8vq-QvKf23xRMswE4ypeM-JHrWjo91Wp1Nm5HRYlmS44YDMl8heDmf2WOi97rSWG1UiV72nYGx6KRXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-09-18T00:28:17.043Z","article","At the Sept. 16 Bentonville School District Board of Education meeting the board recorded votes on the meeting agenda, the consent agenda, a budget report, the hiring of commissioned school security officers and a personnel packet.

The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda in early procedural motions. The board later approved the district’s budget report for period close with the finance director noting $75.3 million in total fund balance across funds and an operating position that will be bolstered by property tax receipts in October‑November.

The board approved a personnel request to add up to 14 commissioned school security officers (CSSOs). District staff explained CSSOs are state‑licensed security professionals permitted to carry firearms in school settings after completing specialized training and background checks; the district requires prior law‑enforcement or military experience for these hires. Board members said the hires are intended to expand proactive safety coverage to elementary and middle schools.

The meeting concluded with approval of a personnel packet following an executive session. All recorded votes taken in public session were approved by the board with no opposing votes recorded.

Votes (as recorded in the meeting transcript):
- Approval of meeting agenda: Motion by Willie; second by Bill. Roll call: Tatum — yes; Bill — yes; Willie — yes; (presiding member) — yes; Rachel — yes; Jennifer — yes. Motion approved.
- Approval of consent agenda: Motion by Rachel; second by Tatum. Roll call: Tatum — yes; Bill — yes; Willie — yes; (presiding member) — yes; Rachel — yes; Jennifer — yes. Motion approved.
- Approval of budget items (period close / 2026 budget adjustments): Motion by Tatum; second by Willie. Roll call: Tatum — yes; Bill — yes; Willie — yes; (presiding member) — yes; Rachel — yes; Jennifer — yes. Motion approved.
- Personnel request to add 14 commissioned school security officers (CSSOs): Motion by Willie; second by Becky. Roll call (item 7G): Tatum — yes; Bill — yes; Willie — yes; (presiding member) — yes; Rachel — yes; Jennifer — yes. Motion approved.
- Approval of personnel packet after executive session: Motion by Bill; second by Tatum. Roll call: Tatum — yes; Bill — yes; Willie — yes; (presiding member) — yes; Rachel — yes; Jennifer — yes. Motion approved.

The transcript shows unanimous approval for these items during the public meeting. Several votes included standard roll‑call confirmations and no public dissent was recorded during the voting sequences.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 9-16-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Bentonville School District board approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda, accepted the budget report, authorized hiring of 14 commissioned school security officers, and approved the personnel packet; votes were recorded for each item.","taxTitle","BENTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",12974,"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},6468813,"Bentonville High team recommends ending class rank on transcripts; public forums planned",1387,3107000,4494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389&start=3107&end=4494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389/thumbnail_3107000.jpg","/articles/6468813/Arkansas/Bentonville-High-team-recommends-ending-class-rank-on-transcripts-public-forums-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468813-4569b599c890f86c8ac3607d6037631b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133986&Signature=VEh15NfyKvJCVj5-DRVmqCvDi8eoTAUDlQOPjxmHIBo2c5p-SENnGPE2l50nNO0c7VwohD3dz5TpzIgx-pd3cGM3x~6oDzfBERVY54cDxqm3mAra7I3JVo4CwHqwfeiK7~YFqahMyVsEjxMiEsuATBmr6s-DRtv-wr~sQR386c0k5xLr1k~ZJDNGd3g0grBrIXjtcTTw~60vJTu18s~-TA0fiQsyoadue2jzmIbH-UCeSOhpWnF6Xn~G7XeaCm-rDyJ-NtIGhHFUavdroXtMOWnVYFC4HYRa0r5SB2YwrfvRMd1Lb3JC7AFPwkBIjbh7oF5RUJq07JJk8Uc7IUuB6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bentonville School District high‑school leaders on Tuesday recommended removing reported class rank from student transcripts, saying recent state changes to weighting rules and the growing mix of concurrent and accelerated courses have created distortions that disadvantage some students.

Laura Pate, an AP English teacher at Bentonville High School, and district staff told the board the high‑school academic advisory committee has studied class rank since 2017, interviewed principals from high‑performing districts and concluded that reporting rank can induce unhealthy competition and undervalue students who choose arts, athletics or non‑weighted courses.

Presenters showed examples in which students who take multiple semester‑length concurrent college courses can accumulate more weighted credit in a single semester than peers taking advanced AP courses. They said that because recent state rules made all concurrent college courses and many accelerated courses weighted immediately and non‑retroactively, students who took the same course in different years receive different weighting that affects GPA and rank.

District staff recommended eliminating the reporting of class rank on Bentonville transcripts effective immediately. They said doing so would not prohibit recognizing top students by other methods; options under consideration include retaining valedictorian/salutatorian titles using an internal rubric, or other targeted recognitions. The presenters recommended two public forums next week to gather input from students, parents and teachers and said the administration would return to the board in October with an action recommendation.

Board members asked about out‑of‑state college admissions and scholarships. Presenters said many colleges place limited emphasis on rank and that admissions reviews examine course rigor, AP/IB scores and other achievements; several board members said they supported moving away from rank to reduce pressure on students and broaden recognition.

No final board action was taken Tuesday; the administration said it will hold public forums and then bring a recommendation to the board at a future meeting.","District academic leaders presented research showing class rank disadvantages students in arts and concurrent coursework and recommended removing class rank from transcripts; two public forums are scheduled to gather community input before an October recommendation.",{"_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},6468817,"Sugar Creek Arts Academy outlines arts‑integration program, partnerships and after‑school offerings",438,1656000,2094000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389&start=1656&end=2094","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389/thumbnail_1656000.jpg","/articles/6468817/Arkansas/Sugar-Creek-Arts-Academy-outlines-artsintegration-program-partnerships-and-afterschool-offerings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468817-7ec5e87813198a5f6fc51d3d33ed1a03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133986&Signature=biztgUzi45IsrwNZJ2icrIlSTHZpasWhttII6vubjg5ykwnYanTg1tcWyZMfgU7a1BYnmks1uz~1G0Lk8AVgG2Yt27YvIgLsZfO8D1IynuuO4jRMtQW3i51CQ50RSzQcNQEXOcE-b-J3Z2P2CbZStAiVxpFmlFtZpJq-R3Xs6loiLldib3Eoy1j22SlqDPSdX6NX-zuo4cr1IcOmtwGvlprq4C6WYxe3t0YDCw~HpSoY3jd9hcNcgMucdDIjYbMERipHwjrcne2KTJSiw0Dc-kjj4HON20SScLJ7k6xvhWbpREqDZ8lEvS52XnNWoar2~9I3wqtKaDHkI9zNLd2hwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sugar Creek Arts Academy leaders updated the Bentonville School District board on a year of arts integration at the downtown elementary school, describing classroom changes, outside partnerships and new after‑school offerings.

Doctor Summerford and Kenny Timbrell, the school’s arts integration specialist, said the academy has integrated visual, performing, culinary and STEAM strands into classroom lessons and is building partnerships with Crystal Bridges and local performing arts groups.

Timbrell described professional development for teachers that ties art‑making to core curriculum and cited a crosswalk aligning CQLA and Eureka math standards with dance, theater and visual arts outcomes. He said the school is emphasizing equitable assessment of art standards alongside academic standards rather than treating arts projects as standalone “enhancements.”

The presenters listed recent and planned activities: a baby grand piano donated to the school; a cafeteria mural painted by a parent; updated signage and display cases; monthly collaboration with Crystal Bridges; and an expectation that students could visit Crystal Bridges regularly under a district permission arrangement. Summerford said the school is pursuing an “art bus” concept to facilitate near‑daily trips.

Timbrell said Sugar Creek received a Disney Theatricals grant through the Disney Stage Connect program that will fund an after‑school production of Aladdin Kids; 49 students have signed up, 12 staff and two parent volunteers will support the production, and the program will be free to participating students. He said staff and volunteers include a costume designer and a mural artist for set design.

The school also described classroom projects across grades: kindergarten collages linked to sorting and classification standards; first‑grade masks tied to literacy; third‑grade Mad Hatter hats and character cards tied to plot standards; fourth‑grade “Kandinsky circle” place‑value visualizations; and a “StorySlam” open‑mic night that connected writing and theater standards.

Summerford said the school is gathering data with partners including Heartland Whole Health Institute and the University of Arkansas to measure arts impact on engagement and growth; the district will survey students and parents to collect baseline information. School leaders also said they are exploring partnerships with the high school so high‑school students can help build props and mentor performances.

Board members praised the presentation and noted visible increases in student engagement and teacher morale. The presentation was informational; no board action was taken.","School leaders described curriculum changes, partnerships with Crystal Bridges and Disney Theatricals, an arts‑infused curriculum crosswalk, and plans for after‑school programming including a no‑cost Aladdin Kids production with 49 students signed up.",{"_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},6468822,"Architects present reimagined downtown K–6 campus centered on Old High arts pavilion",376,357000,733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389&start=357&end=733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5781637-9b097b4903239702a24df7928d71d389/thumbnail_357000.jpg","/articles/6468822/Arkansas/Architects-present-reimagined-downtown-K6-campus-centered-on-Old-High-arts-pavilion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6468822-5f8d0f5967dbd7fcb77f6fcb6033de73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133986&Signature=HLs0nthZjfP8302Vc4oa2s56s2yaUxvBo-1l1C8VRjuYZ7cUVruFjBJvgh2EZSARIWPm6K6QQkHo1-fPIS7Vi6p4UaoMeoh~09j8clhn0LdL-Xd6Gz87Sd4B9eTu~GCZeeVk9XTWHVFrfQzPEI2u88JsQPHcTuedQ3eojp-ho2lCwFl7Iz4Bq8Xszo-WgCB5dA~zgoCrJz6GbKA5o2LWBWHvdNNkI~7l1-EzhRFzi15aHeAn3ZavQxfSpCsjJPUqcT7doMDAHnqRCNKNxnZdwgBPNIjBH7tmDxGVGElJY~jvGm99vHAdKn2msM3c7to7j~xZ87ldFgqDKbQXDbpRpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marble Fairbanks on Tuesday presented Bentonville School District board members with a concept design for a combined K–6 school that preserves the district’s Old High building as an arts pavilion and places classrooms around terraced outdoor courtyards.

The design team said the three‑story classroom wing would free up perimeter fields, provide direct outdoor access from every classroom, and anchor community‑facing spaces — including a dining commons with a culinary test kitchen and a rentable wing near the Old High arts pavilion and amphitheater.

The project team said the master plan grew from guiding principles set with district leaders in January: active, hands‑on learning; connection to nature; student‑centered social‑emotional design; creativity; and downtown integration. Tanya of Marble Fairbanks told the board the team narrowed four site strategies to one scheme with south‑facing small courtyards and a terraced classroom cluster during the concept phase and was in a review period for a report to be finalized in October.

“A cornerstone of this campus is Old High,” the designers said, describing it as reimagined for arts programming with an outdoor amphitheater and rentable space for community events. The dining commons is sited to face mature trees and the planned nature play area, and the learning lab at the main entry would double as a hands‑on maker space and double‑height library.

Designers showed renderings that emphasize sightlines across levels so younger and older grade clusters are visually connected and described a circulation scheme that would permit separate event and bus entries so evening community events could be held while school areas remain secured. The team also presented material palettes favoring neutral, natural, locally‑sourced materials and low‑maintenance landscaping.

Board members asked about public reaction to a community forum held the previous night. The presenters said turnout was strong, concerns about demolition of Old High were quickly allayed, and questions focused on security and enrollment. Panelists also said the team had discussed alternative transportation and an option that had previously considered a fully bikeable campus; designers said they are still working to integrate bicycle access with landscape design.

Designers provided current parking counts for the preferred scheme: about 200 spaces in the main lot, an additional roughly 65 vehicle spaces along the car drop, 65 more parking spaces on the western side of the site and space for about 20 buses; they said the scheme separates bus and car circulation to avoid conflict points.

The district and design team said they expect to synthesize community feedback and finalize the concept in October. No binding approvals or funding decisions were made during the presentation; the session was informational and board members were invited to submit questions before the October finalization.

Details provided by Marble Fairbanks at the meeting are subject to revision as the design proceeds through the district review and any future budgeting and permitting steps.","Marble Fairbanks presented a concept design for a combined K–6 Bentonville school that preserves the Old High building as an arts pavilion, emphasizes outdoor learning courtyards and community rentable spaces, and includes parking and bus/drop configurations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: agenda, consent items, budget report, security officers and personnel packet approved

Bentonville High team recommends ending class rank on transcripts; public forums planned

Sugar Creek Arts Academy outlines arts‑integration program, partnerships and after‑school offerings

Architects present reimagined downtown K–6 campus centered on Old High arts pavilion