Bentonville Schools public meetings in 2020
19 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on December 15, 2020, and approved several actions, including a custodial contract amendment, substitute pay increases, and salary schedule adjustments. The board also approved the financial report and authorized signers. The meeting included recognitions and a calendar review.
- Approved amended custodial contract with SSC Service Solutions, increasing by $228,449 to $5,577,527 annually.
- Approved substitute teacher pay increases and a new attendance incentive, with projected costs up to $199,298.54 and $33,200 respectively.
- Approved bus aide and TRPS salary schedule adjustments totaling $7,525.50 for the remainder of the school year.
- Approved financial report showing operating fund balance of $51.2 million.
- Recognized Katy Moore with the Extra Mile Award and Marissa Snow as District Teacher of the Year.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a special meeting to hear two district transfer appeals from the H. and S. families. After presentations, the board voted unanimously to reject both transfer requests. The meeting was otherwise procedural, including roll call and adjournment.
- District transfer appeal hearing for H. family
- Motion to reject H. family transfer carried unanimously
- District transfer appeal hearing for S. family
- Motion to reject S. family transfer carried unanimously
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools board held a special meeting to consider and approve a one-time 1.2% bonus (capped at $1,000) for all active employees, costing $1.6M, to be paid with the December 17, 2020 paycheck. The board also entered executive session, accepted the personnel packet, and adjourned.
- Approved one-time 1.2% bonus for all active employees, capped at $1,000, total cost $1.6M
- Bonus to be paid with December 17, 2020 paycheck
- Board retired to executive session per Arkansas FOIA
- Accepted personnel packet as presented
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on November 17, 2020, to approve the building construction package for Elementary #13 at a guaranteed maximum price of $18,482,083, along with other routine items. The board also approved the financial report, surplus of four school buses, course catalogs, and a revised student sexual harassment policy. All votes were unanimous.
- Approved $18,482,083 building construction GMP for Elementary #13 (total project $21,023,260)
- Approved financial report and surplus of four school buses (1995, 1999, and two 2006 models)
- Accepted 2021-2022 Junior High and High School course catalogs
- Approved revised Student Policy 4.29 on sexual harassment to align with Title IX regulations
- Elected officers and administered oath to new board member
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville School Board approved issuing $27.9 million in refunding bonds to save $11.1M in interest, and approved a $2.5 million site work package for Elementary #13. The board also approved routine items including the consent agenda, financial report, a related-party contract with Bedford Camera & Video, salary increases of 5% or more, course changes, and received the annual bullying report.
- Approved $18,215,000 and $9,640,000 refunding bonds, saving $11.1M over life of bonds
- Approved $2,541,177 site construction GMP for Elementary #13 by Flintco LLC
- Approved resolution to contract with Bedford Camera & Video (related-party transaction)
- Approved salary increases of 5% or more for listed employees (2018-19 to 2019-20)
- Approved 7 course additions and 2 deletions for 2021
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on September 15, 2020, to approve several financial actions, including a bond refunding application and the 2020-21 school budget. The board also approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, reports, and assurances. Recognitions were given to two employees, and the calendar was reviewed.
- Approved application for $9,930,000 in Refunding Bonds to refinance 2017 bonds, potentially saving $5.4M
- Approved 2020-21 budget with operating revenues exceeding expenditures by $1.2M
- Approved August 2020 Financial Report showing all-funds balance of $72.9M
- Recognized Kari Hale and Dee Thomas with Extra Mile Service Award
- Consent agenda approved including minutes, facilities, enrollment, transportation reports
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a special meeting to hear a family's appeal of a district transfer decision. After presentations from the family and district staff, the board voted to deny the transfer, following the district's recommendation.
- Motion to deny transfer carried 5-1 (Yes: Leas, Cowgur, White, Quinn, Carlson; No: Powers)
- Family presentation on transfer appeal (information item)
- District presentation by Mr. Don Hoover (information item)
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on August 18, 2020, to approve the consent agenda, which included the proposed budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 and the Ready for Learning Plan. The board also approved the July 2020 financial report and a personnel packet. Enrollment as of August 1, 2020, was reported at 18,318 students, with 4,796 in virtual learning.
- Approved consent agenda including proposed budget with tax levy for FY beginning July 1, 2021, and election documents.
- Approved July 2020 financial report; fund balance for all funds is $107.3M.
- Enrollment report: 18,318 total students, 4,796 virtual, 13,522 blended as of August 1, 2020.
- Information on ADH directives for school-sponsored music and team sports, allowing events with restrictions.
- Board received bullying prevention training per Act 1029.
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board of Education met on August 4, 2020, and approved the Task Force Final Report, which includes the District Support Plan and Reopening Plan for the upcoming school year. The board also approved the agenda, entered executive session, accepted the personnel packet, and adjourned.
- Approved Task Force Final Report including Reopening 2020 plan
- Approved agenda
- Approved personnel packet
- Held executive session
- Adjourned
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a special meeting to hear appeals from families requesting district transfers. The board voted to deny all the transfer appeals in a single motion, which carried with one dissenting vote. Individual appeals from the Biscup, Castaneda, Doles, Heinze, Lange, Pino, Pollet, Schmidt, White, Ashford, and Hayes families were considered.
- Motion to deny all district transfers carried 5-1 (Rebecca Powers dissenting)
- Individual transfer appeals heard for Biscup, Castaneda, Doles, Heinze, Lange, Pino, Pollet, Schmidt, White, Ashford, and Hayes families
- Special meeting held at Administration Building, 500 Tiger Blvd., Bentonville AR
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education is meeting to approve several actions, including a revised 2020-21 school calendar, a $50.23 million bond refunding, and emergency policies on face coverings and COVID-19 screenings. The board also recognized an employee with the Extra Mile Award and received public comments on face masks. All listed actions were approved unanimously.
- Approved revised 2020-21 calendar starting Aug 24 for grades 1-12, Aug 27 for kindergarten
- Authorized issuance of $50,230,000 Refunding Bonds, Series D
- Approved June 2020 financial report showing $78.3M fund balance
- Approved electronic transfer of funds to any vendor
- Approved emergency policies on face coverings and COVID-19 screenings
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on June 16, 2020, to approve routine items and several action items, including a COVID-19 emergency resolution, a revised commencement plan for the class of 2020, and policy changes for the 2020-2021 school year. The board also received an update on the design of Elementary School #13 and approved the May financial report.
- Approved COVID-19 Emergency Resolution to suspend district policies conflicting with state/federal waivers
- Approved commencement plan: BHS July 17, BWHS July 16, with contingency options
- Approved policy revisions including mental health absences, internet safety, bullying, and retiring BYOD policy
- Approved May 2020 financial report; fund balance $91.1 million
- Received presentation on Elementary #13 design (30% phase)
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on May 19, 2020, approving the consent agenda, financial report, student handbooks, policy updates, and new staff positions. The board also received a COVID-19 update and discussed the financial impact of the pandemic.
- Approved custodial contract renewal with SSC for $5,349,079.18
- Approved 3 licensed FTE and 8 classified FTE for 2020-2021 enrollment growth, costing $424,714
- Approved student handbooks for 2020-2021 school year
- Approved policy revisions including tobacco/electronic nicotine device policy
- Approved April 2020 financial report; fund balance $70.5 million
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools Board held a special meeting on April 23, 2020, primarily to conduct an employee appeal hearing. After an executive session, the board voted unanimously to support the administration's recommendation regarding the appeal. The meeting was otherwise procedural.
- Employee appeal hearing held
- Executive session for deliberation
- Motion to support administration's 9 recommendations carried unanimously
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met virtually and approved the SW Barron Road site for Elementary #13, an alternative pay calculation method during COVID-19, and the consent agenda. The board also received updates on COVID-19's educational impact, senior events, and the district's financial status.
- Approved SW Barron Road site (30 acres, parcel # 01-180-000) for Elementary #13 construction
- Approved Alternative Calculation of Pay resolution for COVID-19 period
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, facilities, enrollment, and transportation reports
- Reported fund balance of $80.7 million at close of period nine
- Senior enrollment totals 1,166 across BHS and BWHS
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools board held a special meeting virtually on March 31, 2020, to comply with COVID-19 gathering restrictions. The agenda included a COVID-19 update from Dr. Debbie Jones and a roll call, with waivers permitting the virtual format. The meeting was otherwise procedural, with no votes or decisions listed beyond adjournment.
- COVID-19 update presented by Dr. Debbie Jones (information item)
- Virtual meeting format approved via waivers granted March 2020
- Meeting recording to be posted by April 1, 2020
- Roll call conducted by Secretary Brent Leas
- Adjournment (action item)
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Board of Education met on March 17, 2020, and took several actions, including approving a 1% salary increase for all staff for the 2020-21 school year, selecting Flintco, LLC as construction manager for Elementary #13, and approving the 2021-2022 school calendar. The board also approved the consent agenda, financial report, new positions, and personnel recommendations. The meeting included an executive session and public comments.
- Approved 1% salary increase for all salary schedules for 2020-21, costing about $730,000
- Approved Flintco, LLC as Construction Manager at Risk for Elementary #13, projected completion May 2022
- Approved 2021-2022 school calendar as presented by PPC
- Approved consent agenda including expulsion of a 12th-grade male from BHS through spring 2020
- Approved financial report showing $88.0 million fund balance for all funds
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville School Board held a special meeting on February 19, 2020, to conduct an employee appeal hearing. The board deliberated in executive session and subsequently voted to uphold the administration's recommendation regarding the appeal. The motion, brought by Matt Burgess and seconded by Willie Cowgur, carried with five affirmative votes.
- Employee Appeal Hearing conducted by President Eric White
- Board voted 5-0 to uphold the administration's recommendation on the employee appeal
- Motion carried with affirmative votes from Brent Leas, Matt Burgess, Rebecca Powers, Willie Cowgur, and Eric White
Meeting Agenda/Minutes Archive: January 2025-July 2015
The Bentonville Schools board held a work session covering district property, social emotional learning (SEL) updates, and curriculum adoption. The agenda was approved and the board adjourned after an executive session. No final decisions were made on the content items.
- District property overview using Benton County GIS map (A.C.A. § 6-13-620)
- SEL district updates, including GUIDE for Life SEL standards and PBIS plans
- Curriculum adoption process presentation, referencing Arkansas math standards K-5
- Motion to approve agenda carried unanimously
- Executive session held, then adjournment motion carried