Superintendent ends LifeTouch work, issues food‑service RFP; board approves rehires and accepts staff resignations
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Summary
Superintendent said LifeTouch will be replaced with local photographers, the state approved the district's RFP for food service, and the board approved a slate of rehires, accepted resignations, and hired an assistant coach — all actions recorded without specific vote tallies in the transcript.
During the superintendent's report the Superintendent said the district will move away from LifeTouch for school photography, citing operational difficulties and local preference for photographers who live and work in Nashville. He said LifeTouch has assured the district that school photos have not been released and that the company was not implicated in the Epstein files cited by some community members; the Superintendent said the district will advertise the role and let local providers bid.
Separately, the Superintendent reported that the state approved the district's request to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for food service providers as the current five‑year contract cycle ends. He said the district has already sent the RFP to multiple providers that serve Arkansas and expects proposals from companies including Elior, Chartwells and Aramark.
The board also approved a slate of rehires for the 2026–27 school year as recommended by the Superintendent: James Nichols (transportation, maintenance and athletic director); Tate Gordon (assistant superintendent); Ashley Riggs (high school principal); Hannah Topher (junior high principal); Tyra Hughes (elementary principal); Nathan Evans (primary principal); and Kim Slaton (curriculum coordinator). The board accepted resignations from Mikayla Clift (head cross‑country coach), Stephanie Hendry (high school nurse), and Ray Rogers (paraeducator). The Superintendent recommended hiring Kaylee Hignite as assistant trap coach and the board approved that hire.
Why it matters: Vendor and food‑service contracts affect daily student services and local contractors' economic opportunities; the personnel actions shape school leadership and frontline staffing for the next school year.
What's next: The district will advertise photography work and evaluate food‑service proposals as they arrive; administrative staff will handle onboarding for rehired and newly hired personnel.