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Gravette School Board approves curriculum purchase, multiple hires and routine finance actions
Summary
At its July meeting, the Gravette School District board approved a three‑year Eureka Math purchase for grades 6–8, accepted several resignations and hires, authorized technology and equipment purchases, approved the district audit and adopted policy changes and expulsion-return procedures. The meeting included detailed discussion of curriculum supports and staffing needs.
The Gravette School District board approved a package of routine but consequential items at its July meeting, including the adoption of a three‑year Eureka Math curriculum for grades 6–8, numerous personnel changes and several technology and finance actions.
The board voted to purchase Eureka Math for grades 6–8 under a three‑year quote of $55,443.53 to be paid from student declining‑growth funds, after presenters said the program has shown positive results in Arkansas and emphasized the need for teacher input and training. "It completely aligns with the standards," said a board participant who had reviewed the program, while another warned the program’s content can be heavy and stressed the need for teacher support.
In personnel actions, the board accepted multiple resignations and approved several hires and contract changes. The board accepted the resignations of Gabriel Hamilton (K–2 music teacher) and Grace Olsen (GHS special‑education paraprofessional), among others, and approved hires including Crystal Harrington and Cassandra Pratt as PM custodians (effective 07/13/2026), Austin Swinson as a building/library aide and Reagan Jude as a library aide; an amendment to Matt Bush’s contract to add an additional Dean class period for $8,788 was also approved.
The board also approved routine finance and procurement items: the 2024–2025 audit reports as prepared by Arkansas Legislative Audit; authorization for the business manager to execute cash transfers between the district’s Arvest operating and building fund accounts for fiscal year 26–27; purchase of 25 Dell desktop computers and a Xerox printer for $36,974.05 from technology funds; and purchase of 40 Acer Chromebooks and licenses from CDWG for $43,507 (tax included) for GUE using technology funds.
Policy and student‑life changes cleared the board as well. Members adopted a revision to policy 8.38 (vacation accrual language for certain contracted employees), approved the 26–27 student handbooks, and adopted proposed early‑return expulsion procedures designed to allow expelled students to return after meeting specified steps, including administrator‑parent conferences and serving a minimum percentage of the expulsion term (board discussion referenced serving roughly 25% for drug expulsions and about 10% for alcohol, measured in school days).
Votes at a glance - Adopted Eureka Math (grades 6–8), 3‑year quote $55,443.53; funding: student declining‑growth funds — Approved. - Accepted resignation: Gabriel Hamilton (K–2 music teacher) — Approved. - Accepted resignation: Grace Olsen (GHS special‑education paraprofessional) — Approved. - Hired Crystal Harrington (PM custodian), salary $28,526 — Approved. - Hired Cassandra Pratt (PM custodian), salary $38,799 — Approved. - Hired Austin Swinson (building/library aide), salary $19,078 — Approved. - Hired Reagan Jude (library aide), salary $18,824 — Approved. - Contract amendment: Matt Bush additional Dean period, $8,788 — Approved. - Authorized Arvest cash transfers for fiscal 26–27 — Approved. - Approved 2024–2025 audit reports (Arkansas Legislative Audit) — Approved. - Purchased 25 Dell desktops + Xerox printer, $36,974.05 (technology funds) — Approved. - Purchased 40 Acer Chromebooks + licenses, $43,507 (technology funds) — Approved. - Increased student lunch prices by $0.25 (Pre‑K $2.75; grades 6–12 $3.00) — Approved. - Adopted early‑return expulsion procedures — Approved.
Why it matters: The package of approvals affects classroom instruction (new curriculum adoption and related training), student services (changes to expulsion procedures), staffing and district technology capacity. The audit and financial authorizations shape near‑term budget flexibility.
What’s next: Several implementation details remain (timeline for curriculum deployment, teacher professional development and the timing of staff contracts). The board scheduled a July 22 PLC training/work session to explore curriculum implementation and resource allocation; a July 30 special hiring meeting was noted for personnel actions that may be finalized then.
