Board approves policies, master plan submission and ALE conversion application; votes at a glance
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Pulaski County Special School District board approved minutes, multiple policy updates, the 2026 six‑year master plan (5–1), and authorized the ALE to apply for an LEA conversion charter; the board also approved several personnel‑related policy clarifications and the consent agenda.
Pulaski County Special School District’s board on Jan. 13 approved a series of motions spanning minutes, personnel and policy changes, a state master‑plan submission and authorization for the district’s Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) to apply for a conversion charter.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of December meeting minutes: Motion by Miss Potter, second Miss Maynard; voice vote in favor. (Passed)
- Policy 5.17 (honor graduate status — tiered laude system, contingencies for valedictorian/salutatorian): Motion by Miss Potter, second Miss Smith; board approved 5.17 p1 as presented. (Recorded as passing unanimously in the meeting record.)
- Certified extended leave of absence policy (clarifying language aligned with FMLA‑style timeframes): Motion by Miss Maynard, second Dr. Williams; approved for immediate implementation.
- Search and seizure policy (4.32) update (striking outdated parent pick‑up language): Motion by Dr. Tate, second Miss Maynard; approved.
- Certified PPC salary advancement (clarifying documentation deadlines and removal of obsolete language): Motion to approve by board member (recorded), second Miss Smith; approved for immediate implementation.
- 2026 six‑year master plan resolution to submit to the state: Motion by Miss Smith, second Miss Maynard; board approved the master plan resolution by roll call with a recorded 5–1 vote (Dr. Tate recorded as opposed). Board discussion distinguished between "committed" projects (funded/contracted) and "planned" projects (projections, not yet funded); Mr. Johnson noted initial College Station bid pricing of $11,119,314 as a planning figure.
- Authorization for ALE conversion charter application (permission to apply for LEA number and seek state waivers): Motion by Miss Maynard, second Miss Smith; board approved authorization to apply. Administrators said the conversion would allow ALE to seek waivers and continue services under LEA coding and that staffing allocations (for counselor/principal where required) would be addressed if acceptance occurs.
- Consent agenda: Motion by Miss Maynard, second Miss Potter; board approved the consent agenda items.
- Waiver to Mr. Griffin: Motion by Miss Ward, second (recorded); approved.
- Adjournment: Motion by Miss Potter, second Miss Maynard; approved.
What the votes mean
The master plan resolution formalizes the district’s six‑year facility and capital project submission to the Arkansas Department of Education; board members emphasized the distinction between committed projects tied to contracts and planned projects listed to document needs and seek future funding. The ALE authorization permits staff to pursue conversion status with the state, enabling waivers intended to preserve ALE services across satellite locations.
Available financial and scope details were described as projections for planning purposes; Mr. Johnson told the board that many planned items remain unfunded and would require separate approval and funding when ready. The master plan vote was recorded 5–1, with Dr. Tate noted as the sole dissenting vote.
The board indicated it will post materials and continue committee‑level review where appropriate.
