May 2020 Board Minutes

Lakeside Board of Education

Regular Meeting

May 11, 2020

Staff Development Room

5:30 P.M.


The meeting was called to order by the president. The following members were present: Ms. Griffin, Rev. Green, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McJoy, Mr. Mosley, Mrs. Thompson and Mr. Williams.

The April 11, 2020 minutes and financial reports were approved as presented.

Ray Beardsley, Senior Vice-President of First Security presented the final recap on the bonds. Raymond James and Associates, Inc. submitted the lowest TIG rate of 2.499560%. The other bids were: Stephens, Inc., FHN Financial Capital Markets, 2.977550%, and Robert W. Baird and Co., Inc., 3.447429%. A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. Mosley to adopt Resolution authorizing the issuance and delivery of the $1,045,000, Lakeside Special School District of Chicot County, Arkansas Construction Bonds dated May 1, 2020 and other documents pertaining thereto as prepared by the Friday Eldredge and Clark Law Firm. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. William to adopt the attached continuing Disclosure Dissemination Agreement. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. Williams to employ First Security Beardsley as Financial Advisor for a period of three (3) years effective as of the date of adoption. The motion carried.

The superintendent discussed the Approved Graduation Guidance and Plan for virtual graduation for Lakeside High School senior class. Also, the superintendent gave an update on the Arkansas General Assembly (Senate Interim Committee on Education and House Interim) chose Lakeside High School to conduct a study of Arkansas’s school funding system. One component of this study is examining how schools who are having academic success with specific student population utilize resources. The study team selected Lakeside High School as one of the schools from around the state that have shown success with low-income and/or English Learner (EL) students.

The superintendent discussed the Reform Alliance (Virtual Town hall with Education Secretary Johnny Key) Covid-19 Education update. The board received an article by AAEA that stated that AASA is leading the charge on urging congress to take action and funding E-rate to connect over 12 million students across the nation who lack internet access to support online learning. Also, an update was given on installing WI-FI hot spots in school buses. Economic Arkansas awarded students at Lakeside Elementary, middle and high school students with banner and monetary awards for winning first and second place in region 6 of the State. Furthermore, the Lakeside High School Advanced Placement students were recognized by Virtual Arkansas staff as doing extremely well in their online AP classes.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. McJoy to approve the Special Education Preliminary budget application for IDEA Part B (611) and (619) funds for provision of Special Education and related services for school year 2020-21 for the amount of $306,798.31. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. McJoy to increase the classified base hourly rate to $11.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2020. Also, increase CDL bus drivers $2.00 to the base which will be based on time and distance. Add a $4000 stipend to a classified staff with a bachelor degree or masters degree with an ADE approved waiver and is not the lead teacher or have not met ADE qualifications for certification. Also, add a $7000 stipend to a classified staff with a bachelor or masters degree who qualifies for an emergency permit from ADE when you cannot find a K-12 licensed teacher. The permit will be valid for one school year pending ADE approval. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Ms. Griffin to pay the High Priority Bonus to Melissa Armstrong ($2,270.41), Aleaner Owens ($4,270.41) and Rebekah Vaught ($4,270.41) because the above teachers’ names were left of the ADE Approval bonus list. The amounts were established by ADE based on recruitment and retention of certified teachers. The motion carried.

The superintendent gave the board an update on the new football field and HVAC for Eudora Elementary and Lakeside Middle School, Title IX, the feeding program and CDL classes being offered at UAM School of Technology.

The president requested that the board go into executive session for the purpose of employment, appointment, promotion, discipline or resignation of personnel. After the discussion, the public was allowed to return. A motion was made by Ms. Griffin and seconded by Mr. McJoy to approve the contract of Dr. Vera Wright as the Lakeside Middle School Principal and accept the resignations of Vincent Holmes (Technology Assistant), Lana Johnson (Dyslexia Teacher) and Katasha Higgins (ALE Teacher for Elementary). The motion carried.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.