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Siloam Springs board approves 2025–26 proposed budget, facility-resolution and several contracts; personnel items carried
Summary
At its September meeting the Siloam Springs School District board approved the proposed 2025–26 budget, a resolution supporting preparation for a 2026 master facilities application, policy updates required by state rules and a pair of contracts; the board also approved personnel changes and other routine items.
The Siloam Springs School District Board of Education on Wednesday approved the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget, adopted a resolution supporting preparation of a 2026 master facilities plan and approved multiple contracts and personnel items during its regular September meeting.
Budget adoption Terry, the district finance lead, presented the proposed 2025–26 budget and said the district projects roughly $2 million in additional local revenue tied to higher property assessments and expects state funding to remain largely flat. She told the board salaries and benefits account for 72% of the district’s planned expenditures for 2025–26 and that the district intends to move about $1.5 million into the building fund to help prepare for future facility needs. The board approved the proposed budget by voice vote; the motion carried.
Resolution and policy updates The board approved a resolution authorizing continued preparation for possible state facility partnership funding in 2026; the superintendent said the resolution is a preparatory step and does not obligate the district to request state funds. The board also approved policy updates the administration said were required to align local policy with state rules and regulations (changes to maternity/parental leave language were specifically noted as reflecting state rule language).
Contracts and agreements The board approved a tuition agreement with Northwest Technical Institute to continue placing one student in a welding course. The board also approved a contract with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Jennifer Q. Banks, to provide behavior-consultant services under a contract arrangement rather than hiring a full-time employee; administration described the arrangement as materially less costly than previous full-time staffing while preserving services.
Personnel and other routine actions The board approved the consent agenda, accepted licensed resignations, approved new hires for licensed positions and authorized compensation for teachers assigned more than the state 150-student daily cap in certain classrooms. The meeting minutes, financial statements for August and other routine items were approved by the board as part of consent and regular motions.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve consent agenda (minutes, personnel transfers, student transfers, discipline). Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Approve August financial statement. Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Approve proposed 2025–26 budget. Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Approve resolution supporting 2026 master facilities plan preparation. Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Approve policy updates to align with state rules. Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Approve tuition agreement with Northwest Technical Institute. Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Approve BCBA contract (Jennifer Q. Banks). Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Accept licensed resignations and approve licensed hires (listed in meeting minutes). Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous. - Motion: Approve compensation for teachers assigned more than the 150-student cap. Outcome: approved (voice). Vote: unanimous.
What officials said Superintendent Patrick and Terry emphasized the board’s prior budget work session and described the budget as the product of collaborative preparation. Terry told the board she incorporated board recommendations and that the district had tried to maintain services while increasing staff pay and preparing for future facilities needs.
Next steps Administration will proceed with routine budget finalization steps and the district will continue planning work related to facilities and the master-plan process. Several items (including the Zonda demographic work and school-zone options) are scheduled for follow-up discussion and public input later this fall and winter.
