Benton County School Board approves agenda, policies, budget moves, calendar and NFHS streaming contract

The Benton County Board of Education on an unanimous roll-call vote approved the meeting agenda and consent items, two policies on second reading, a series of budget resolutions, the 2026–27 district calendar and a contract allowing NFHS to install cameras at CHS baseball and softball fields.

The consent agenda — approved as part of the motion to adopt the agenda — included approval of February minutes, appointment of substitutes pending background checks, designation of March as a special-area staff appreciation day (UTrust day), approval of Cody Hassell as a non‑staff CJH football assistant coach, approval of Jacob Clinton and Dawn Craig as bus drivers, and the Sontz textbook adoptions. Board members noted Jacob Clinton and Dawn Craig are already district employees.

Board members also unanimously approved the Policy Committee report and two policies on second reading: policy 4.603 (promotion and retention) and policy 5.118 (background investigations). The votes were recorded by roll call as 12–0 for each item.

On budget matters the board approved the Budget Committee report and a package of budget resolutions that reallocated existing funds among line items; the board heard staff explanations about moving funds for medical supplies, technology to meet E‑Rate matching obligations, and repairs after building flooding. The roll-call votes on the budget items were 12–0.

The board approved the 2026–27 district calendar by voice vote and then confirmed it on roll call (12–0). Director Mark Florence explained timing concerns tied to local election schedules and said the start day will be finalized in consultation with the election commission.

The board also approved a contract with NFHS, the high-school-sports streaming service, for the CHS baseball and softball fields. Director Florence said NFHS will install cameras, the city will provide Internet at the city park, and NFHS subscription revenue will return 20% of membership fees to the school. Florence said the district would pay installation costs (described during the meeting as approximately $2,000 per camera) and that subscriptions are handled by parents or viewers.

Votes at a glance - Approve agenda and consent agenda — Motion and second (not specified); roll call 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. (Consent items include Sontz textbook adoptions; Cody Hassell, Jacob Clinton, Dawn Craig approvals.) - Approve Policy Committee report — Motion and second (not specified); roll call 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Approve policies 4.603 (promotion and retention) and 5.118 (background investigations) on second reading — Motion and second (not specified); roll call 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Approve Budget Committee report — Motion and second (not specified); roll call 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Approve budget resolutions (interfund moves for health services, technology/E‑Rate match, facility repairs, and other line-item adjustments) — Motion and second (not specified); roll call 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Approve 2026–27 district calendar — Motion by Miss Betty Jo (recorded as motion/second in minutes); roll call 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Approve NFHS contract for CHS baseball and softball fields — Motion and second (not specified); roll call 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved.

Several roll-call tallies recorded the same 12 board members voting yes: Hedge, Mills, Douglas, Marks, Blue, Thornton, Hargis, Livingston, Winters, Hyatt, Kennan, and Arnold. Where a motion or second was not named in the meeting record, minutes noted simply that a motion and a second were made and the roll call proceeded.

The board adjourned after routine announcements about upcoming planning sessions and school events.