Springdale board approves waiver request, 2025–26 pay adjustments, financials and a small property purchase

The Springdale School District board voted May 12 to move forward on a set of administrative actions that the district said are meant to protect classroom staffing flexibility and shore up compensation while remaining mindful of looming state funding cuts.

Dr. Cleveland presented an overview of the district—s finances and staffing pressures and said the board would be asked to seek an extension of what staff described in the meeting as the "Act 12 40 waiver" that allows limited leeway on class size and secondary teaching-load caps. "Our current waiver allows for two students over per class and a maximum teaching load of 162 at the secondary level," a staff presenter said. The board authorized staff to submit the continuation request to the State Board of Education after a motion by Mrs. Creek and a second by Mr. Bell; the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: District staff said the waiver has helped reduce disruptive student reassignments and provides scheduling flexibility. The presenter noted staff will ask the State Board for a five-year extension (the maximum), explaining the district had previously been granted three years.

At the same meeting the board approved the April financial statements. Staff reported property-tax collections at about 64.86% of the budgeted amount for April and told the board district revenues were trending slightly ahead, with roughly $1 million in additional receipts expected in May. The board approved the financials by motion.

Pay changes: The board also approved recommended salary-schedule adjustments for the 2025–26 school year. The district proposed adding $500 to the certified salary base (an investment staff estimated at $1,080,000) which would raise the starting salary for a certified teacher with a bachelor—s degree and no experience to $54,100. Classified staff will receive a 1% base increase, estimated at about $400,000. Staff said built-in step increases (about $685 per year on the certified schedule) remain in place.

During the discussion board members and union representatives acknowledged uncertainty from state funding changes. A district presenter said a forthcoming state funding formula adjustment will reduce foundation funding by roughly $125 per student, an effect staff calculated at about $2.7 million; board members and the SEA representative discussed that risk in the context of approving a modest, sustainable increase.

Property purchase: The board approved a resolution to purchase 305 Deaver Street, a small parcel adjacent to the Treehouse Pantry, to expand the pantry—s footprint. Staff described the lot as a small addition (roughly two-tenths of an acre as discussed at the meeting) and said the owner was cooperative on price. The motion to buy the property passed by voice vote.

What—s next: Staff said they would submit the waiver request to the State Board of Education and publish finalized salary schedules on the district website once administrative details are completed. The board approved all motions by voice votes during the meeting.

Sources: Meeting presentation and board discussion at the Springdale School District board meeting, May 12, 2025.