Board approves shared sick‑leave change, adopts secondary math curriculum, upholds termination and approves settlement
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Summary
The PCSSD board approved an amendment to the PPC shared sick‑leave policy (increasing donation cap), adopted the Illustrative Mathematics secondary curriculum, approved consent agenda items and student waivers, upheld a superintendent recommendation to terminate a bus driver after a hearing, and approved a $35,000 settlement in a separate case.
The Pulaski County Special School District board took several personnel and policy actions at the Dec. 9 meeting.
Votes and formal actions
- Approval of minutes: The board voted to approve the Nov. 11, 2025 meeting minutes.
- Shared sick‑leave (PPC) amendment: Administration proposed increasing the maximum number of donated leave days an employee may give from 10 to 30; the board moved, seconded and approved immediate implementation.
- Secondary core math curriculum adoption: The board voted to adopt Illustrative Mathematics for secondary grades (6 through Algebra 2). Administration said the core curriculum is free but consumables and professional development have costs; the rollout will begin with coach training in January and phased teacher training in February and March.
- Consent agenda and student waiver: The consent agenda (which included a recommended waiver of a student community‑service requirement for medical/special circumstances) was approved by voice vote.
- Waiver hearings: Two individual waiver petitions were considered in public hearings. One waiver (recorded as a disqualifying‑offense waiver for 'mister Casey') was approved by roll call; a second waiver for Hildreth was approved on a 6–1 vote (Potter opposed).
- Termination hearing — Bobby Richards: The board held a termination hearing after administration presented an internal investigation and video evidence concerning a September bus incident and a subsequent workers’ compensation claim. Mr. Richards testified and called witnesses. After retiring to executive session, the board voted to uphold the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate Mr. Richards’ employment.
- Settlement approval: The board approved a $35,000 settlement in case No. 60C‑V‑22‑8478.
Board members asked administration to preserve due process steps and to return if new evidence arises; administrators said they would require full medical clearance before any reinstatement consideration.