Rogers School Board approves contracts, 2026-27 proposed budget, curriculum adoptions and facility plans
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Summary
The Rogers School District Board of Education approved a series of routine and substantive items including vendor contracts, the district's proposed 2026-27 budget, new ELA curriculum adoptions, a conceptual naming-rights agreement and a guaranteed maximum price for an Innovative Learning Center.
The Rogers School District Board of Education on Feb. 20 approved multiple items on the agenda including vendor renewals, the district's proposed 2026-27 compliance budget, curriculum adoptions for English language arts and a conceptual naming-rights agreement with First National Bank of Northwest Arkansas.
Board members also approved a guaranteed maximum price for an Innovative Learning Center to relocate the district's K-5 alternative learning environment and passed calendar adjustments to recoup snow days.
The consent agenda passed first; a motion to approve minutes and personnel changes was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The board then approved a three-year engagement with First Security Beardsley as financial advisor and renewed general liability coverage and the district's copier contract after staff presentations and brief discussion.
The board voted to publish a proposed compliance budget for 2026-27 and later adopted the proposed budget after staff explained millage components and revenue assumptions. Finance director Jay Gock reported healthy balances and a year-to-date interest-earnt increase; he said federal ESSER funds had declined and that facilities projects (including Oakdale and Lingle) were driving current building fund activity.
On curriculum, the board accepted the recommendation of a teacher-led committee to adopt HMH Into Literature for grades 6-8 and Savvas MyPerspectives (2025 edition) for grades 9-12. Instructional staff said the adoption followed a formal rubric and a month-long public review.
The board conceptually approved a 10-year naming-rights proposal from First National Bank of NWA that would include stadium field naming and an elevated sponsorship tier; staff said contract details and final math would return for legal review. The board also approved a guaranteed maximum price for an "Innovative Learning Center" project to relocate the K-5 ALE program into a standalone facility and free up classroom space at another elementary; staff said the work includes HVAC, electrical and other building repairs and is scheduled to be completed by August.
Finally, the board approved calendar adjustments to add five minutes to middle-school days after spring break and to convert the final scheduled late-start day in May to a regular day to make up instructional time lost to snow; the motion included authority for staff to convert additional planned professional development days to make-up days if the district exceeds the current number of missed school days.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: motion passed (mover: Board member Amy; second: Board member Paige). Outcome: approved. - First Security Beardsley (three-year financial advisor contract): motion passed (mover: Board member Nathan; second: Board member Curtis). Outcome: approved. - General liability coverage renewal: motion passed (mover: Board member Amy; second: Board member Suzanne). Outcome: approved. - Copier contract renewal: motion passed (mover: Board member Curtis; second: Board member Paige). Outcome: approved. - Proposed 2026-27 budget (publication and later adoption): motion to publish and subsequent motion to adopt passed (mover to adopt: Board member Paige; second: Board member Amy). Outcome: adopted. - ELA curriculum adoption (6-8 HMH Into Literature; 9-12 Savvas MyPerspectives): motion passed (mover: Board member Curtis; second: Board member Amy). Outcome: adopted. - Naming-rights concept with First National Bank of NWA (10-year concept, field naming and sponsorship upgrade): conceptual approval passed (mover: Board member Nathan; second: Board member Amy). Outcome: approved conceptually; final contract to return for legal review. - Innovative Learning Center (GMP approval to relocate K-5 ALE): motion passed (mover: Board member not specified in transcript; motion recorded and approved). Outcome: approved; construction targeted for completion by August. - Calendar adjustments to make up snow days (add 5 minutes to middle-school day after spring break; convert final late-start day to a regular day; authority to convert PD days if further make-ups needed): motion passed (mover: Board member Amy; second: Board member Paige). Outcome: approved.
Board president and staff said no votes withheld; where recorded, motions were seconded and adopted by voice vote. Staff will return with final contracts and legal terms where required.
Details and next steps include final contract language for the naming-rights agreement, a published 60-day proposed budget notice as required for the May election, and construction scheduling and insurance/insurance-recovery coordination for the Innovative Learning Center project.
