Votes at a glance: PCSSD board approves Harris renovation, handbook, safety grants, staffing and procurement actions

The Pulaski County Special School District board completed a series of formal votes at its May 13 meeting. Below is a concise summary of each action, its immediate effect and the recorded outcome. Where precise mover/second information was provided in the transcript it is recorded; many votes were taken by voice with unanimous consent.

Votes at a glance - Harris Elementary renovation (construction contract) - Motion: Approve Harris renovation (28,900 sq. ft.) at $2,140,000 to ready Harris as a receiving school for College Station students if relocation is needed. - Mover/Second: Ward / Dr. Tate - Outcome: Approved (voice vote) - Notes: Administration will proceed with the renovation scope presented; funding to come from bond proceeds and related allocations.

- 2025–26 Student Handbook (including cellphone policy) - Motion: Adopt 2025–26 parent/student handbook (includes bell‑to‑bell cellphone restriction pilot for middle schools, mesh/clear backpacks, AI guidance and nutrition/transportation updates). - Mover/Second: Motion moved by Smith; seconded by Dr. Tate (as recorded during the meeting) - Outcome: Approved (voice vote) - Notes: Middle schools to pilot magnetized pouches and unlocking stations; exceptions listed for IEP/504, emergencies and extracurriculars.

- School numbering signage (Little Rock/Conway sign proposals) - Motion: Approve signage and numbering vendor proposal for classroom and exterior numbering. - Mover/Second: Maynard / Smith - Outcome: Approved (voice vote) - Notes: Funded through the 2025 school safety grant allocation.

- School safety door hardware and installation (Westco; Baldwin & Shell) - Motion: Approve purchase and installation of updated exit hardware and devices under the school safety grant (door devices and labor) - Mover/Second: Maynard / Smith - Outcome: Approved (voice vote) - Notes: Total project allocated within grant; will replace old push‑bar systems and unify door numbering/hardware.

- Purchase of new modular classroom (Robinson High / Driven program) - Motion: Approve purchase of a new mobile modular classroom for Robinson (new purchase recommended over rental) - Mover/Second: Dr. Tate / Ward - Outcome: Approved (voice vote) - Notes: Administration recommended new purchase due to long‑term need; purchase price recorded in board packet.

- Open channel grinder (wastewater debris trap / “muffin monster”) for administrative campus sewer - Motion: Approve purchase and installation of an open‑channel grinder to reduce debris and protect downstream pumps - Mover/Second: Maynard / Smith - Outcome: Approved (voice vote) - Notes: Not grant funded; administration said it will protect district and partner pumps from costly failures.

- Acceptance of the 2023–24 Legislative Audit - Motion: Accept the district audit for fiscal year 2023–24 - Mover/Second: Dr. Tate / Smith - Outcome: Accepted (voice vote) - Notes: The audit included supplemental findings and management letters; administration reported corrective steps.

- Personnel and policy actions - Motions: Adopted certified and classified policy proposals including AI guidance, licensed personnel harassment policy, classified grievance procedure and range/allocation adjustments; approved certified and classified hiring lists and classified allocations. - Outcome: Approved (voice vote for each item) - Notes: Some allocation and range revisions (classified allocations and range adjustments) were discussed with Classified PPC and approved; certified allocation revisions passed (with recorded no votes on a small item recorded in the transcript).

- Consent agenda - Motion: Approve consent agenda (minutes, contracts and routine items) - Outcome: Approved (voice vote)

How to follow up Administration indicated it will publish board‑approved documents (handbook, grant contracts, procurement records and project timelines) and will return to the board for final design approvals and additional bid awards as required.