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Pine Bluff board approves policies, contracts, personnel and purchases
Summary
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.
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.
