The Mansfield School Board met in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, February 17. Members present, Rick Nicodemus, Mark Barton, Michael Gipson, Dewayne Ward and Trent Hayslip. Also present, Secretary Carol Reano, Superintendent Joe Staton, Elementary Principal Kim Arnold, High School Principal Donnie Eveld, Middle School Principal Floyd Fisher and Michael Parker.
After the meeting was called to order, and consent agenda items approved, a motion was made by Nicodemus and seconded by Ward to accept Staton’s recommendation to approve the 2020-2021 school calendar as presented.
Next, a motion was made by Nicodemus, and seconded by Gipson to accept Staton’s recommendation to renew the lease for three buses. The motion passed unanimously.
In other items of business, a motion was made by Gipson, and seconded by Ward, to designate Nicodemus as the disbursing officer. He will be replacing Barton effective March 2020.
A motion was made by Nicodemus, seconded by Barton, to approve Staton’s recommendation to advertise mowing bids for 2020. The motion passed unanimously.
Ward then made the motion to approve baccalaureate ceremonies based on approval of the student vote. Barton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
At 6:18 p.m., the board moved into executive session to discuss the contract renewal for administrators. After reconvening at 6:50 p.m., Gipson made the motion to accept Staton’s recommendation to approve the contract renewal for administrators as presented. Ward seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Superintendent Staton reported on the financial state of the district. According to him, the legal balance as of January was up $72,000.
Other items discussed included:
- Program changes for the WATC program for the 2020-2021 school year.
- The district will be participating in a video of the school in part of a Sebastian County Program.
- The superintendent will be scheduling a meeting with the booster clubs.
- Magazine will be over the 2A track conferences that will be hosted by the Mansfield School District.
Nicodemus then recognized and thanked Barton for his dedication and 10 years of service on the school board. Barton did not seek re-election in March 2020.
Other recognition included:
- The Beta Club National Convention will be June 15-19 in Texas. Layton Howard has qualified to compete in this event with his art work.
- Eveld recognized Annette Smith and the East group for the $1,000 grant they received from Blue & You to start a clothes closet at the high school.
- Eveld also recognized the FFA for the $1000 they received from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
With no other items on the agenda, the meeting of the Mansfield School Board was adjourned.
