May School Board Updates

Learn more about the May 9 Springdale School Board meeting

Retiring Educators

The School Board honored Springdale Public Schools employees who will retire this year.

2022-23 retirees include:

Sonja Bennett, Har-Ber High School
Wayne Bolin, Harp Elementary School
Sandy Bolles, Helen Tyson Middle School
Deborah Bradford, Harp Elementary School
Heather Doyle, Springdale High School
Cindy Flores, Jones Elementary School
Ladonna Fotenopulos, Hunt Elementary School
Colleen Foster, Har-Ber High School
Darlene Hatfield, Sonora Elementary School
Kelly Hayes, Springdale Public Schools
Robin Joseph, Hellstern Middle School
Romona Kirkpatrick, George Elementary School
Jill Law, Helen Tyson Middle School
Beckie Little, George Elementary School
Bob Maples, Har-Ber High School
Jeanie Nance, Har-Ber High School
Yong Parker, Helen Tyson Middle School
Spencer Scarbrough, Har-Ber High School
Denise Stevenson, Parson Hills Elementary School
Allison Strange, Harp Elementary School
Jocelyn Strobbe, George Elementary School
Tina Sweet, Harp Elementary School
Dr. Annette Thompson, Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation
Mark Whattey, Springdale High School
Kathy Wormington, Hellstern Middle School

Stock Market Winners

The School Board celebrated students from three Springdale Schools who won accolades in the 2022-23 Security/Financial Market Association Foundation Stock Market Game.

Don Tyson School of Innovation, First place in the 2022-23 year long competition

Shaw Elementary School, First place in the 2023 Regional Spring competition

The SIFMA Foundation is dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of the financial markets for individuals of all backgrounds, according to the foundation's website. The foundation provides financial education programs and tools that strengthen economic opportunity across communities and increase awareness of and access to the benefits of the global marketplace.

STOCK MARKET PHOTOS FROM THE BOARD MEETING

Odyssey of the Mind

Two district schools will compete in the 2023 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University.

Don Tyson School of Innovation students placed first in the state qualifier at DTSOI and first in the April 1 state championship at Hendrix College in Conway to qualify for the world finals.

Hellstern Middle School students qualified for the world finals by creating a vehicle that could navigate an obstacle course and challenges as they worked through the "Pirates and the Treasure" problem.

Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation had their first Odyssey of the Mind team this year, but didn't advance to the world finals.

Some 675 teams from about 10 countries will compete in the finals, said Wendy Peters, Hellstern Middle School.

"We're super excited to compete and show them how amazing Springdale and Arkansas is," Peters said.

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND PHOTOS FROM THE BOARD MEETING

Welcoming New Administrators

The School Board welcomed several administrators as they prepare to serve Springdale Public Schools students for the 2023-24 school year.

Please join us as we welcome the following to new positions or as district employees:

Rachel Underdown

SPED Supervisor

Dr. Tammy Butler

Harp Elementary School Assistant Principal

Katie Wilson

Walker Elementary School Assistant Principal

Keith Fimple

Executive Director of Athletics

NEW ADMINISTRATOR PHOTOS FROM THE BOARD MEETING

2023 High School Graduations

Promising Practice Schools

Sonora Elementary School was the first-ever Solution Tree Promising Practices Award recipient.

The School Board honored two Springdale schools that earned the Solution Tree Promising Practices Award.

Sonora Elementary School was the first-ever to receive the award in April, and Bayyari Elementary School received the award this month.

Recipients of the Promising Practices Award demonstrate a commitment to the PLC at Work process, implement the concepts for at least one or two years, present clear evidence of student learning and explain the culture, practices and structures of their school, said Melissa Fink, Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation assistant superintendent.

Promising Practices is the initial step in becoming a Model PLC at Work School.

Bayyari will receive its award banner to hang at the school at a special ceremony May 16.

Grant Winners

Fink likewise recognized several Springdale schools as grant winners.

Elmdale, George, Monitor, Smith, Turnbow and Westwood elementary schools are all PLC Systems of Support Grant winners.

Elmdale and Bayyari and K-8 Connect were BX3 Grant winners.

"We're super excited for these schools to get this level of support in helping our kids be learners," Fink said.

Land Purchases and Sale

1106 W. Center Ave. is located directly behind the Bulldog Stadium scoreboard.

The School Board unanimously approved two land purchases and one sale at the May meeting.

The district is buying three parcels of land totaling some 39.06 acres adjacent to Don Tyson School of Innovation for about $3.2 million.

The district is purchasing the land to provide the district with greater flexibility for growth and personalized education at the school, said Trent Jones, Springdale Public Schools Communications director.

The School Board also approved purchasing property at 1106 W. Center Ave. for about $197,000.

The parcel is directly behind the Bulldog Stadium scoreboard.

The purchase would provide the possibility of continued growth and expansion at Springdale High School, Jones said.

The board likewise approved an approximately $4.3 million sale of two parcels totaling about 36.06 acres at 5984 and 6000 Sisemore Lane.