Superintendent reports enrollment, new buses, ag program grant and student competition wins

Superintendent Stacy Wood updated the board on enrollment, transportation, new curriculum grant opportunities and recent student competition successes.

Wood reported the district’s K–12 enrollment as 3,042 students and said the district has 321 homeschool students. The district recently acquired a third used coach bus (a 2011 model similar to prior purchases) and staff described features including additional seats, power outlets for students and small video screens. The buses were purchased using an IRS rebate/credit that the district secured, and the administration said staff would decide whether to wrap or paint the buses for a uniform appearance.

Wood said the district was awarded a grant opportunity to start an elementary agriculture (AG) program; the district will begin with a fifth-grade course next year. Zach Thomas and Wood will pursue training for implementation; the training leads to a technical endorsement that can be added to a staff member’s license.

Administrators and staff also highlighted strong student performance in science fairs and Technology Student Association (TSA) competitions. The high school and middle school reported substantial placements at regional and state competitions: the district had 42 students place at a recent regional science competition at the University of Arkansas, with those students qualifying for state competition and winning more than $1,800 in cash awards. The district reported sending two projects and three students to the international science fair in Columbus, Ohio, in May. Staff emphasized broad student participation in co-curricular competitions and thanked faculty for coaching and program leadership.

The board received the superintendent’s report; no board action was taken on these informational items during the meeting.