Gravette board approves multiple 2025–26 staff hires, calendar and new facilities position

The Gravette School District Board of Education approved a series of staffing motions and administrative items for the 2025–26 school year, including teacher hires, paraprofessional appointments, several interdistrict and voluntary transfers, adoption of the 2025–26 school calendar and authorization to add an assistant director of facilities and custodial position.

Board members approved appointments and transfers by voice vote. Among the personnel actions approved were:

- Voluntary interdistrict transfer: Candice Jones from GPE first grade teacher to GUE fourth grade teacher for 2025–26 (motion approved by voice vote). - Voluntary interdistrict transfer: Drew Lindsey to add assistant cross-country coach while retaining his GMS science teacher and assistant wrestling coach assignments (motion approved by voice vote). - Hire: Madison Gossett as a secondary certified ALE teacher on a 190-day contract at step 13 with an annual rate of $53,835 (motion approved by voice vote). - Hire: Britney Smith as special education bus aide (3.5 hours per day, 181 days) at an annual rate of $11,245 (motion approved by voice vote). - Promotion/transfer: Carl Johnson from maintenance tech 2 to maintenance tech 3 (requires certification in electrical, HVAC, plumbing) at step 27 with an annual rate of $47,081 (motion approved by voice vote). - Multiple special education paraprofessional hires and transfers, including Austin Swinson, Rachel Crittendon and Amy West, for the 2025–26 year (motions approved by voice vote).

The board also approved the district school calendar for 2025–26. The superintendent noted the calendar was adjusted to avoid a five-week meeting gap in July and that additional late‑June or late‑July meetings may be scheduled if hiring demands require it.

Separately, the board approved creating an assistant director of facilities and custodial position: a 245-day contract, eight hours per day, starting at an annual salary of $45,614. District staff said the role is intended to provide working oversight and to handle state‑mandated tracking and paperwork for facilities work while training a candidate from current staff where possible. Board members clarified the new lane change would determine the actual financial impact rather than a full new-slot salary expense in the current year.

All actions in this article were approved by the board during the meeting; the motions were made, seconded and passed by voice vote according to the meeting record.