Sheridan School Board approves policy updates, multiple MOUs, contract renewals and personnel slate

The Sheridan School District Board of Education unanimously approved a series of policy, contractual and personnel actions at its July 14, 2025, meeting at McKenzie Hall Auditorium Boardroom.

Board President Jeff Lisenbey called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and confirmed a quorum composed of Lisenbey, Jan Caldwell, Wade Crosswhite, Clarissa Wallace, Jody Spann and Jacob Palmer. Stan Hancock was absent.

On a motion by Jacob Palmer, seconded by Jan Caldwell, the board approved district policy updates as presented (vote 6-0). The board also approved a School Resource Officer memorandum of understanding on a motion by Clarissa Wallace, seconded by Jody Spann (vote 6-0).

The board approved a consent agenda that included minutes from the June meeting, legal transfers, SY26 Arkansas application ESSA and IDEA assurances, and the financial report; the consent agenda was moved by Wade Crosswhite and seconded by Jody Spann and passed 6-0.

A series of administrative and contractual items were approved without recorded opposition: authorization of employees to sign purchase orders for the 2025–26 school year (motion Wade Crosswhite; second Clarissa Wallace), a Student Legal Transfer Resolution (motion Jacob Palmer; second Jan Caldwell), renewal of the Progressive Camera maintenance agreement (motion Jody Spann; second Jan Caldwell), an MOU with the Arkansas River Educational Service Cooperative (motion Jacob Palmer; second Wade Crosswhite), a recommendation for a net legal balance transfer (motion Jacob Palmer; second Wade Crosswhite), and renewal of the Johnson Controls fire suppression system monitoring and inspection contract (motion Wade Crosswhite; second Clarissa Wallace). Each of those motions is recorded in the minutes as passing 6-0.

The board recorded multiple personnel actions and approvals. Retirements listed included Michael Moore (SMS classroom teacher and head baseball coach) and Eutona Barentine (EEI instructional assistant and bus driver). Resignations included Shelly Allen (SES classroom teacher), Shilla Mathews (bus driver), Amber Terry (EEI secretary aide), Patricia Sellers (EEE instructional assistant) and Alexis Standridge (SIS instructional assistant). The board approved contract hires for the 2025–26 school year, including Kendra Cox (ALE classroom teacher) and several classified hires (mechanic Richard Womack; instructional assistants Thomas Anthony, Kaitlyn Laminack, Michaela McCollum, Yuray Luna Aranza, Sandra Jones; bus driver Vickie Easley; SHS arena assistant tech specialist Brayden Sites). The minutes also note job changes and additions such as a contract-hour change for Shilla Mathews and a reassignment for Karah Gonzalez. Jan Caldwell moved to approve the personnel recommendations and Jody Spann seconded; the motion passed 6-0.

The minutes state that the board entered executive session at 6:48 p.m. and reconvened at 6:58 p.m.; those times are recorded as written in the minutes. The general session is recorded as beginning at 7:01 p.m.

Directors and department leads were listed in departmental reports, including Alisa Gray (K–12 directors), Andy Mayberry (communications), Jennifer Almond (special education), Summer Williams (GT/AP), Dennis Emerson (transportation), Jason Binz (maintenance), Rick Treadway (athletics), Allyson Pitts (counseling/Jacket Health & Wellness), Dr. Leann Pinkerton (technology), and Amanda Garner and Jessica Rash (child nutrition).

Superintendent calendar items announced in the minutes include Yellowjacket District Kickoff Day and professional development for staff on July 28–31, the next regular board meeting on Aug. 4, 2025, open houses Aug. 5 and Aug. 7, and the first day of school on Aug. 11, 2025.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. on a motion by Jeff Lisenbey, seconded by Clarissa Wallace. The minutes include signature lines for Jeff Lisenbey, president, and Jacob Palmer, secretary.