Bentonville School Board approves facilities plan, eliminates class rank, adopts budget and course changes; rejects land offer, extends superintendent contract

The Bentonville School District Board of Education on Oct. 21 approved a set of major administrative items: a biennial facilities master plan resolution, an immediate elimination of class rank, adoption of the district's budget for the fiscal year to date, approval of several course additions and deletions, rejection of a 20-acre land offer, and approval of personnel actions including a contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Jones.

Board members said the votes were routine approval of required plans and operational items, but the decision to discontinue class rank prompted the most substantive discussion because it affects valedictorian and salutatorian recognition for current students.

Dr. Jones said the facilities master plan is a state-required biennial resolution that allows the district to seek partnership funding if it chooses. "Every two years, we are required to pass a resolution that goes to the state that just says, hey, we might apply for partnership funding if we qualify," Jones told the board. He said the district will not be seeking funds for new construction now but will pursue "warm, safe, dry" projects where appropriate. The board approved the resolution by unanimous vote.

Dr. Morrow led the discussion and motion to remove class rank, summarizing community outreach and the effects on students. He told the board the…