April 2025

Lakeside Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2025
Administration Building Cafeteria
5:30 P.M.

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

The March 10, 2025 minutes and financial report were approved as presented.

The superintendent discussed the US Secretary of Education letter to State Chiefs of Education and the Arkansas Secretary of Education, Jacob Olivia’s letter to all school superintendents and Cooperative Directors to pause spending Federal ARP Funds that were not used prior to March 28, 2025.

The superintendent showed the Board a video of the Secretary Oliva discussing the simulated school ratings under the new school accountability formula.  According to Secretary Oliva, “These ratings will not be publicly released and are provided for informational purposes only to allow leaders time to learn about the new formula.  The ADE will implement a hold harmless for Public School ratings for the 2023-2024 school rating per HB 1598 of the 2025 legislative session”.

The superintendent gave the board an update on legislative laws, construction; students competitions (VEX Robotics National Tournament, FFA Students State Convention, The Arkansas Transition Film Camp, Coding Competition and Quiz Bowl Competition).  Furthermore, the Lakeside Board members and the Superintendent will hand out diplomas to the 2025 graduating class and Mrs. Smith will announce the awards and scholarships.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. Williams to allow the Lakeside Robotics Team to participate in the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship for Middle School VEX IQ Teams which will take place May 12-14, 2025 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.  The motion carried.

The president requested that the board go into executive session for the purpose of employment, promotion, discipline or resignation of personnel.  After the discussion, the public was allowed to return.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. Williams to renew the contracts of all classified staff recommended (on the list) by Dr. Adams (Central Office Staff, bus drivers, maintenance workers, transportation, janitorial, cafeteria and  as-needed workers), Mr. Brady (Lakeside High School Classified Lists), Dr. Wright (Lakeside Middle School Classified Lists), Dr. Goins (Lakeside Elementary School Classified List) and Mr. Sims (Eudora Elementary Classified List).  The motion carried.

A motion was made by Mr. Livingston and seconded by Mr. Williams to hire Mr. Clayton Foster as the 7-12 Band Director, Mr. Livingston, Mrs. Thompson and Mr. Williams voted in favor;  Rev. Green, Mr. Lane, Mrs. Smith and Ms. Sykes voted against.  The motion failed for lack of majority vote.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 P.M.