JNPSD board approves Provision 2 reapplication, vendor renewals, policy updates and Arch Ford lease; student handbook postponed

At its June meeting, the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District board approved a series of administrative actions including a reapplication for Provision 2 of the federal school meals program, renewal of child nutrition vendor contracts, adoption of model policy revisions and a new lease arrangement for a district property; the board postponed student handbook approval to July.

Provision 2 reapplication: District staff recommended reapplying for another Provision 2 base year so the district can provide breakfast and lunch at no cost and work toward reaching the 70% participation threshold that unlocks other funding. Staff reported that adding Medicaid as a qualifier increased the district’s identified student population from 42% to 52% but still short of 70%. The superintendent’s recommendation to reapply was approved. Staff told the board the district lost "a lot over about $1,700,000 in enhanced student achievement funding" after falling short of the 70% threshold last year.

Vendor renewals and resolutions: The board approved renewals for three child nutrition vendors — Don Wholesale Company (bread), Highland Dairy (milk) and the Arch Ford cooperative (child nutrition purchasing) — for fiscal year 2025–26. The board also approved resolutions, in accordance with Annotated Code 6-24-105, to continue doing business with local vendors including Don Wholesale Company, Jam Fabrication/Get A Grip and Double R Floors (the latter two with local-purchase limits up to $9,999); the district will seek state Secretary of Education approval where statutory limits require.

ASBA model policies: The board approved revisions to Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) model policies in Section 1 (board operations), Section 3 (licensed personnel) and Section 8 (classified personnel) to reflect changes from the 2025 legislative session. Administrators told the board most of the revisions must be in place by July 1 to comply with law.

Classified stipends and pay alignment: The board approved updates to the classified stipend schedule to reflect current technology certifications and considered aligning classified sick-leave conversion amounts with substitute paraprofessional pay rather than a fixed dollar amount. District staff said the licensed staff substitute rate increased from $75 in 2020 to $95; the recommendation was to tie classified payout to the current substitute paraprofessional rate to avoid annual dollar fixes.

Employee leave rounding: The board approved rounding fractional leave balances to the nearest half day during conversion from an hours-based system to days to avoid penalizing employees for fractional balances.

Student disciplinary cases: The board reviewed four uncontested student disciplinary cases as presented in their electronic packet and approved the superintendent’s recommendations.

Pathfinder lease and Arch Ford MOU: The board approved adding an addendum to the agenda and then approved termination of the existing Pathfinder lease (tenant had moved out) and an MOU/lease with Arch Ford Education Services Cooperative to bring a Horizons Day treatment program into the district-owned building. Administrators reported the building is 5,184 square feet, the proposed rent is $14.40 per square foot for a monthly payment of $6,220.80, and Arch Ford will pay utilities and internet; the prior Pathfinder lease had nominal rent ($1 per year).

Student handbook: Several board members asked for more time to review the student handbook revisions that reflect new statutes; the board postponed action and requested that questions be submitted in writing so staff can document responses prior to a July vote.

Executive session and personnel: The board recessed into executive session for personnel matters and later approved the personnel recommendations presented at the conclusion of the closed session.

The meeting also approved a change to the July board meeting date (from July 7 to July 14) and adopted the consent agenda. Specific motions generally moved the superintendent’s recommendation; where roll-call tallies were not read aloud the board recorded voice votes and approved the items.