Timbo School District Gains Students

Timbo School District has gained 14 students since the first of August, bringing total enrollment to 225 plus 10 students in preschool as of Sept. 1, the school board’s most recent meeting. Five new students were accepted for transfer at that meeting. On Aug. 18, the board approved seven transfers into the district, and one out. On Aug. 4, the board approved four student transfers into the district, and one out.

Also at the Sept. 1 meeting, according to minutes prepared by Sec. Ilse Jordan:

• the board was informed that Atlas literacy screening would start soon for grades K-3.

• board members approved a contract for technology coordinator, a position shared with Searcy County School District.

• the board greed to assist with the formation of a non-profit entity to take advantage of upcoming federal tax credit options (see related story).

• board members voted to give Supt. Valorie McCleary a $5,000 for work she did  prior to being placed on contract.

• the board revised the contract for Virgil Treadway, facililties/maintenance director, to reflect a $2,000 increase.

• the board approved $1,100 stipends for the two school security officers.

• the board heard a report about campus beautification efforts enabled by donations of plants and supplies from area businesses.

• the board accepted a grant for $9,000 to purchase bicycles, helmets and pads for use in elementary.

At a meeting Aug. 18, the board appointed Sue Lee Fletcher to fill the board vacancy created by the resignation of Jonathan Schrock.

Fletcher, who was the only applicant for the position, represented the Timbo zone on the Mountain View School District board prior to the school separation.

Following an executive session, the board hired Aubree Morrison, Nell Anderson and Dan Morrison as substitute teachers, and Nierie Dowdy and Olivia Dowdy as student workers.

In other business, according to meeting minutes, the board:

• heard a student achievement report noting that no third graders were retained from the previous school year. It was the first year that third graders were required by the LEARNS Act to meet a minimum reading standard to be promoted to fourth grade.

• approved purchase of a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica for $18,571 plus $4,000 extended warranty. The vehicle will be used for staff/student travel.

• approved of application for the Arvest Visa Purchasing Card Program.

• discussed the millage rate and timing of a possible increase request, likely in March 2027. It was noted that all three local districts might have millage requests.

Action at a meeting Aug. 4 included:

• a change in the contract of Abigail Henson to be 8-hour days instead of 6-hour days.

• approval of 11 people who will be eligible for work as substitutes if needed.

• approval for contracting with First Security Beardsley as Municipal Advisor and Fiscal Agent for a period of three years. The firm will defer a $2,000 fee, and if Timbo undertakes a project requiring a bond issue within that time, the fee will be factored into that. The firm’s services include board training, budget and ballot support, and regulatory filings for districts with debt.

• approval of a bid from Pinnacle Propane for $1.36 per gallon, the lowest of two bids. No bids were received for gas/diesel so the district will use the lowest priced vendor at the time a fill-up is needed.

• approval of student policies and the student handbook for the school year, all based on recommendations from Arkansas School Board Association. Major changes discussed included a new semester test exemption policy that ties exemptions to absences and letter grades, and a decision to stop using out-of-school achievement days in favor of in-school or group reward activities because of the district’s four-day week.

• approved the district's five bus routes.

• review of personnel with excess days over allowable carryover in policy, and a change in the policy to allow three days for 190-day contracts and four days for 240-day contracts.

• approval of a financial report showing a $1.4 million balance.