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The Mountain Home Public Schools Board of Education approved a $105,900 bus purchase and added a salary schedule for therapists at its meeting Wednesday, while board president Jason Schmeski reminded members to keep discussions of board business in public meetings as required by state law.
All action items passed unanimously.
In remarks during the discussion portion of the meeting, Schmeski said he had noticed instances of board members engaging in sidebar conversations during presentations and talking over one another.
“It’s hard to interpret on the video,” Schmeski said. “We’re all passionate. We’re trying to get through these different things, and they’re good things. Let your board members speak and finish so that we can let you speak and finish.”
Schmeski also reminded members that discussions of agenda items must take place in public meetings, not in private conversations, under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
“As much as I would like to talk to any one of you about these things that I’m passionate about, it’s not right,” Schmeski said. “It’s against the law. We mean no harm when we do it, but it is against the law. So this is our time. This is our place to discuss these things.”
He also reminded audience members that school board meetings are “meetings held in public” rather than public meetings, meaning outcries or interruptions from the audience are not permitted.
Bus purchase
The board approved the purchase of a 2025 Collins 28-passenger Chevrolet bus to replace an aging vehicle with more than 240,000 miles that has developed mechanical issues.
The replacement bus has already been located at a dealer outside Springfield, Mo., and could be in service by January after being fitted with required safety equipment.
Board members discussed the district’s ongoing need to replace buses more frequently. The district has 52 buses, and Schmeski noted that replacing only two per year would result in a 26-year life cycle, which he called too long.
“We need to be budgeting for three to four buses a year,” Schmeski said.
The district’s fleet logs roughly 10,000 miles daily. The buses performed well in recent state inspections, with inspectors noting improvement over last year.
Therapist salary schedule
The board approved adding a salary schedule for speech, occupational and physical therapists beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The schedule does not include any current hires but positions the district to recruit its own therapists rather than relying solely on contractors.
“We are not hiring anybody,” Schmeski said. “We are putting an addition to the salary schedule. No name tied to this at all. This is just hopefully preparing for the future.”
Related party disclosure
The board approved a related party disclosure for board member Tommy Knight, whose business, Insurance Marketplace, is connected to the district’s Air Med Care emergency air service benefit offered to employees.
The district began offering the benefit before Knight joined the board. Employees who opt in have the cost deducted from their paychecks, and the district pays Air Med Care Network directly. The benefit costs the district nothing.
Knight left the room during the discussion and vote.
Counseling team recognized
The district’s counseling team presented an overview of services at each campus. It was the first time the counselors had presented to the board as a group.
Counselors described classroom lessons focused on social-emotional learning, including listening skills, handling disappointment, friendship and responsibility. Students can also refer themselves for individual counseling, with home life being the most common concern.
Counselors at the junior high have focused on goal-setting and supporting staff as well as students. At the high school, the LT Thrift Store provides basic needs and snacks to students, and counselors help students prepare for life after graduation. High school students completed 264 concurrent credit hours at ASU-Mountain Home in the first semester.
Counselors also coordinated Christmas gifts for 265 students this year.
Security update
The district has completed installation of auto-locking interior door knobs districtwide and installed lockdown shades in classrooms. A new gate behind the high school was installed this week to eliminate through traffic on campus.
The district will begin using weapons detection systems at basketball games starting Dec. 22. Entry Shield, the company that provided the district’s cafeteria units, donated an additional set for use at the gym along with iPads for secretaries at the junior high and high school.
The district received a COPS grant for new radios and is accepting sealed bids for a communication system, due Feb. 3.
A “See Something, Say Something” anonymous tip line is available for students in grades 6-12 to report concerns.
Enrollment steady
Enrollment remained at 3,656 students, unchanged from November but down nearly 100 from the same time last year. The district expects 16 or 17 early graduates next month.
Other business
Three board members received awards at the Arkansas School Boards Association conference. Schmeski received the Pinnacle Award for more than 200 hours of continuing education, Mollie Morgan received the Master Board Member award for 50 hours, and Scott Booth received the Certificate of Boardsmanship for 25 hours.
Schmeski said the conference, which included remarks from Education Commissioner Jacob Oliva, was encouraging. Board member Mrs. Horton echoed his comments.
Booth praised the high school band’s holiday concert, and Morgan noted the Mountain Home Education Foundation will sponsor a reading initiative at Hackler Intermediate. Booth also recommended Pinkston counselor Miranda Cotter’s recently published children’s book.
The board’s next meeting is Jan. 15.
