PCSSD board approves superintendent search timeline, sends ethics resolution to state and hears warning on budget decline

The Pulaski County Special School District board on March 11 approved a calendar and interview protocols for choosing a new superintendent, authorized staff to seek state review of a consultant contract that requires ethics clearance, approved several facilities items, and heard a finance briefing that projected a materially lower legal fund balance at year-end.

Board members voted to accept the search firm's proposed timetable and interview rules. Trustees agreed to aim to select semifinalists by March 31 and to hold finalist interviews on April 9–10, with two-hour interviews per candidate and each board member submitting three questions for candidates. Wayne (search firm representative) told the board the firm will return reference summaries and short videos of shortlisted applicants to assist the board’s review. The board adopted protocols to keep interviews consistent and lawful.

On a separate vote the board approved a resolution and contract to seek state ethics approval for a short-term consultant engagement with Rita Guess, who is married to Interim Superintendent Doctor Guess. The contract limits duties, authorizes up to $100 per hour, and caps the engagement at $24,800 (the threshold for not requiring a competitive bid). Legal counsel’s guidance and the state process will determine whether the state authorizes the engagement. The resolution passed 5–2; two trustees recorded opposing votes.

Trustees also approved operational and capital items including replacement of two HVAC units in the Robinson Elementary cafeteria and a state‑funded renovation request for a Mills High School life‑skills classroom. The consent agenda and multiple policy updates were approved during the meeting.

The finance briefing, delivered by Finance Director LaTanya Rowlett and discussed by Interim Superintendent Doctor Guess and board finance members, said earlier projections were adjusted after an accounting review. Staff reported the district’s beginning balance for the period was roughly $17 million and that fiscal adjustments and previously unbudgeted expenditures shifted the projected legal‑fund (funds 1, 2 and 4) ending balance to about $11.1 million instead of earlier, higher projections. Doctor Guess said the district had moved some operating expenses across funds in prior years and that replenishing technology and federal program reserves reduced flexibility this year. He warned the district faces a substantial Chromebook refresh estimated at about $6 million in the 2027–28 fiscal year and said the district must build reserves to meet that outlay.

“Now that we have worked this through, the balance is gonna go down to about $11,100,000,” Doctor Guess told the board, adding that central‑office staff were tightening discretionary spending and reviewing overtime and travel. Finance staff said some grant reimbursements and federal funds will partially offset specific line items, but board members were warned that the legal fund balance decline is real and requires planning for the 2025–26 budget cycle.

The board conducted votes on other routine and policy matters, and staff described progress on the Mills High School construction project and College Station planning. Construction staff said classroom and arena work at Mills were progressing, and an updated bid review for College Station projects is underway.

Votes at a glance

- Ethics resolution and consultant contract (Rita Guess) — Outcome: approved (5–2). Motion by Miss Maynard; second by Doctor Tate; contract will be submitted to the state for review. The contract: $100/hour, termination at will, capped by policy at $24,800 without competitive bidding. State approval required before work proceeds.

- Superintendent search schedule and interview protocols — Outcome: approved (board majority). Motion to adopt recommendation A (select semifinalists March 31; interview finalists April 9–10) and Recommendation B (two‑hour interviews; each board member submits three legally appropriate questions); motion carried by roll call.

- CFO pay range proposal (send to Classified PPC for review) — Outcome: approved to send to PPC (5–2). Motion by Doctor Tate, second by Smith; the proposal would place the un‑frozen CFO position on salary range 25 for committee review.

- Robinson Elementary cafeteria HVAC replacement — Outcome: approved (7–0). Funding and source noted in packet (capital/maintenance funds).

- Mills High School life‑skills classroom renovation (state funding request) — Outcome: approved (unanimous vote to request state funding to restore originally planned footprint for life‑skills programming).

What the board did not decide

The board did not adopt any final capital project for College Station Elementary at this meeting. Staff were asked to return next month with short‑term mitigation options for flooding hazards and a clearer status update on long‑term funding and design options.

Ending: Trustees approved the search timeline and key facilities items, but the finance presentation underscored budget pressure. District leaders said they will return with detailed budget scenarios and short-term facilities remedies; a state decision is required before a consultant engagement involving a superintendent relative can begin.