Cabot School Board approves $650,000 transfer to building fund, signs off on personnel and property actions

The Cabot School Board voted July 22 to transfer $650,000 from district operating funds into the building fund after Superintendent Michael Byrd presented the 2024–25 year-end financial report.

Byrd told the board the district did not need to make the previously projected $1.4 million transfer from the building fund into operating this year and therefore put forward the $650,000 transfer for approval. The board approved the transfer unanimously, recorded as a 7–0 vote.

The board also approved a package of other routine and policy items. Among them, the board authorized the sale of a 2004 Chevy Silverado from the technology department through GovDeals; approved an ethics disclosure for Claressa Davis, the district media specialist; and adopted school improvement plans for 2025–26. Each of those motions passed 7–0.

The board voted to dedicate the real property known as Panther Trail as a public right-of-way that will be maintained by the City of Cabot. The motion to approve that dedication passed 7–0.

During the meeting Aaron Randolph reported the district administered 990 AP exams in 22 subjects last year, with an average score of 3.11 and 70.6% of exams earning students college credit. Pam Wilson presented ATLAS assessment results showing math gains in grades 3–8 (with an 18% increase in Algebra), literacy scores above the state average (including a 10th-grade gain of 10%), and science improvements for several lower grades. Michael Byrd said maintenance completed 1,041 work orders since the end of school.

The board approved personnel recommendations as presented, covering certified and classified resignations, transfers and new hires. Personnel lists were included as attachments in the meeting packet (SEG 004–SEG 009); the board recorded approval by a 7–0 vote.

The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. and adjourned at 7:30 p.m.