Episode Details

Happy Snowy Friday!

Well, there was not much to Week 19 at Mena Public Schools. We did get two days into the instructional semester and a day of planning and looking at data to inform our instructional needs to meet our performance targets for the year. Thank you for all the good work done on Monday and the good start on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This week’s Wrap-Up highlights several important topics, beginning with a special thanks to our dedicated school board members for their invaluable service. We will also take a brief look at the upcoming legislative session and its potential impact on our school system. Finally, with our recent school closures, I will review our district calendar to explain how these closures affect our schedule and what it means moving forward.

School Board Appreciation Month

January is School Board Member Appreciation Month, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated school board members for their service and leadership. Our board, led by President Cling Montgomery, Vice President Phillip Wilson, Secretary Ty Plunkett, and members Kyle Cannon, Robert Hines, Susan Rowell, and Todd Aynes, works tirelessly to ensure the success of our students and the strength of our schools. Their commitment to our district and community is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for their vision, guidance, and support. Please join us in thanking them for their hard work and dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of our students.

Potential New Laws

As the 95th Arkansas General Assembly prepares to convene, educators must stay informed about proposed legislation impacting public education. The decisions made during this session will shape the policies and priorities that influence your classrooms, students, and careers.

Your voice matters. By understanding the bills under consideration, you can advocate effectively for the needs of your students and communities. Whether through direct communication with your legislators, collaboration with professional organizations, or participation in public forums, sharing your insights as educators can guide decision-making and ensure policies align with the realities of teaching and learning.

Below is a summary of key bills related to public education introduced in this session:

House Bills

HB 1017 – Maternity Leave Program: This bill mandates that all school districts participate in the maternity leave program established under the LEARNS Act, with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education covering additional costs.

HB 1020 – Education Freedom and Disability Funding: Proposes repealing the education freedom accounts program while introducing additional funding for students with disabilities in public schools and the community school program.

HB 1022 – School Recognition Program: Amends the criteria for the school recognition program, limiting per-student funding to districts in the top 5% and 10% for academic growth only, removing the performance-based category.

HB 1024 – Collective Bargaining: Seeks to repeal the current prohibition on public employees, including school staff, from entering into collective bargaining agreements.

HB 1025 – Teacher Fair Dismissal Act: Restores the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act entirely but does not reinstate similar protections for classified employees.

HB 1028 – Library Material Review: Repeals Act 372 of 2023 in its entirety, including provisions related to the review, removal, and relocation of books in school libraries.

HB 1030 – Youth Mental Health Training: Requires school resource officers and counselors to complete Youth Mental Health First Aid training specifically.

HB 1031 – Health Curriculum: Mandates health courses for grades 7-12, covering topics such as menta