Board approves Lincoln Junior High remodel, budget and additional mechanic; personnel package OK'd after executive session

The Bentonville School District Board of Education took multiple formal actions on Dec. 17, approving building work, the operating budget, authorized signers for district legal and banking documents, an additional transportation mechanic position and a personnel package approved after executive session.

Lincoln Junior High remodel: The board approved interior renovations at Lincoln Junior High School, encompassing the media center, a classroom and a special education classroom and including a new emergency generator and some foyer ceiling tile replacement. The project was drawn by Hyde Jackson with Flintco as construction manager. Staff said multiple bids brought the project in under its $1,400,000 budget at $1,375,000, and work is scheduled to begin in May 2025 and finish before the fall semester. Motion to approve the improvements at Lincoln Junior High phase 3 was made by Willie and seconded by Joel; the recorded vote was unanimous (Tatum: yes; Willie: yes; Joel: yes; Jeremy: yes; Kelly Carlson: yes).

Budget approval: The board approved the district’s operating budget after a briefing from Janet Schwenhauser, who reported the district is 42% through the year with an all-funds balance of $85,700,000 and operating revenues exceeding expenditures by $16,500,000. Motion to approve the budget was made by Jeremy and seconded by Tatum; the recorded vote was unanimous.

Authorized signers: The board approved Kelly Carlson (board president), Debbie Jones (superintendent) and Janet Schwenhauser (deputy superintendent/CFO) as authorized signers for district contracts, legal documents and bank records. Motion by Tatum, second by Jeremy; the recorded vote was unanimous.

Transportation mechanic FTE: The board approved adding one full-time mechanic to the transportation department to improve coverage and reduce downtime for a fleet of 168 buses and 65 district vehicles. Staff estimated salary and benefits for the position at just under $50,000. Motion by Tatum, second by Willie; the recorded vote was unanimous.

Personnel package: After retiring to executive session to consider personnel matters, the board reconvened and approved a personnel package. The motion to approve the personnel package was made by Tatum and seconded by Willie; the recorded vote was unanimous.

Motions for routine items: The board also approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda earlier in the meeting; both were adopted by roll-call votes recorded in the minutes.

No item was tabled or failed at the meeting. Staff indicated the Lincoln remodel will begin in May 2025 pending contractor scheduling and that the additional mechanic position would be posted and filled immediately upon approval.