Read the wrap-up of the Dec. 13 School Board meeting
Board Approves Substitute Teacher Incentive
The School Board voted 7-0 on Dec. 13 in support of incentive pay for Springdale Public Schools substitute teachers.
The district will pay substitute teachers an additional $20 per day, which will be retroactively effective to Dec. 1, 2022.
The incentive will be funded temporarily through ESSER funds until the current district substitute teacher shortage subsides.
The incentive will help maintain continuity of operations and will allow the district to remain competitive with substitute teacher pay in other regional districts.
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Schools Recognized for Outstanding Performances
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Five Springdale schools were recognized for receiving seven 2022 Outstanding Education Performance awards totaling $277,950.
The following Springdale Public Schools elementary and middle schools received the noted awards:
Bernice Young Elementary School earned a Top 5% Performance Award of $49,800.
Hellstern Middle School earned a Top 6-10% Performance Award of $37,750.
Hunt Elementary School earned a Top 6-10% Performance Award of $27,500 and a Top 5% Growth and Graduation Rate Award of $55,000.
John Tyson Elementary School earned a Top 6-10% Performance Award of $26,250 and a Top 5% Growth and Graduation Rate Award of $52,500.
Shaw Elementary School earned a Top 6-10% Performance Award of $29,150.
Up to $100 is authorized per student who attends a public school or public charter school in the top 5% of all Arkansas public schools in student performance or student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates for secondary schools under criteria set forth by rule of the State Board of Education, according to Arkansas Code §6-15-2107.
As much as $50 is awarded per student to public schools or public charter schools in the top 6-10% of all public schools in Arkansas in student performance or student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates for secondary schools under criteria set forth by rule of the State Board of Education, according to the code.
Schools Celebrate High Growth Recognitions
Five Springdale schools were also celebrated for 12 high growth recognitions, according to the University of Arkansas' Beating the Odds: High-Growth Schools Based on the ACT Aspire Examinations, Serving Low-Income Communities education report.
Springdale elementary and middle schools were recognized as follows:
Elementary Overall ACT Aspire - Beating the Odds Arkansas Top 10
Elementary Math ACT Aspire - Beating the Odds Top 10
- George Elementary School #9/10
Top 5 High Poverty Elementary Schools by Region - Math Growth
- George Elementary School #3/5
- Bayyari Elementary School #4/5
Elementary ELA ACT Aspire - Beating the Odds Top 10
- John Tyson Elementary School #5/10
Top 5 High Poverty Elementary Schools by Region - ELA Growth
- John Tyson Elementary School #4/5
Middle School Math ACT Aspire - Beating the Odds Top 10
Top 5 High Poverty Middle Schools by Region - Math Growth
- Helen Tyson Middle School #3/5
Elementary School Overall ACT Aspire Growth Scores
- Hunt Elementary School #13/20
Top 5 Elementary Overall Growth by Region
- Hunt Elementary School #4/5
Outcomes are based on ELA and math scores. ACT Aspire examinations were administered to students in grades three through 10 in math, reading, writing, English and science in the 2021-22 academic year, according to a report by the university. The scores obtained in reading, writing and English were combined to create a combined ELA score.
2022 Arkansas Assistant Principal of the Year
Mike Mertens. AAESP assistant executive director, recognizes Patricia Athey, Hunt Elementary School assistant principal, with the 2022 Assistant Principal of the Year award on Dec. 5. 2022, at a surprise assembly at Hunt Elementary School.
The School Board likewise celebrated Hunt Elementary School Assistant Principal Patricia Athey, who was named the 2022 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals.
The Assistant Principal of the Year award is presented annually to an Arkansas elementary school assistant principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students and is acknowledged by peers for exemplary contributions to the profession, according to an AAESP press release.
Athey has served as Hunt’s assistant principal since 2017 and has worked to develop the school’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and to expand access to school-based therapy, according to the release.
Enrollment and Personnel Update
Kelly Hayes, Springdale Schools deputy superintendent, provided the School Board with a five-year update on district enrollment and staffing for 2018-2023.
2022 Caroling on the Creek
Cara Sedberry, George Junior High School assistant principal, shared an overview of Springdale Public Schools Caroling on the Creek with the board.
Students performed holiday classics Dec. 2 in Downtown Springdale on two stages at Turnbow Park.
The event was hosted by the Springdale Choral Music Department and featured students from every elementary, middle, junior high and high school in Springdale.
Families gathered to watch and celebrate the holiday season, with an estimated 6,500 people in attendance!
"It means a lot for our community to have this event," said Damon Donnell, Springdale Schools Student Services director.
Watch the Event
Thanks to Caroling on the Creek Sponsors!
See All Caroling on the Creek Photos
Revised School Board Meeting Dates
The School Board in November approved revising the School Board meeting dates for January and February.
The Board will meet at 5 p.m. on Jan. 9 and Feb. 7 at at the District Administration Building at 804 W. Johnson Ave.
Monthly meetings are open to the public and livestreamed here.