Benton School Board to consider 2 calendar options & 72 pages of policy change

The Benton School Board will hold their regularly scheduled meeting Monday, February 12th at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Professional Development Center at 211 N. Border St.

Among several items on the agenda, Dr. Larry Smith will present 2 calendar options for the 2024-25 school year, as well as numerous changes to ASBA Policy, as indicated in a 72-page document. (Ark. School Board Assoc.)

Find both of those items in the agenda outline below. The calendars are included at the end. The 72-page policy change document is at this link.

Scroll down for the agenda, potential calendars and policy document?

Agenda

Call to Order
Establishment of Quorum
Pledge of Allegiance
Academic Update
1. Dyslexia Report and Presentation – Mrs. Jodi Quinn
Consent Agenda
1. Reading of Previous Minutes
2. Financial Reports – Mr. Chris Hinson
3. Approval of Aramark December 2023 and January 2024 Invoices – Mrs. Aletha Simpson
Action Items
1. ASBA Policy Changes – Dr. Larry Smith
2. Adjustments to Classified Salary Schedule – Dr. Larry Smith
3. Adjustments to Certified Salary Schedule – Dr. Larry Smith
4. Proposed 2024-25 Calendar – Dr. Larry Smith
5. Track Resurface – Mr. Scott Neathery
Department Reports
1. Bright Futures Report and Presentation – Shameka Christon
2. Athletic Report – Scott Neathery
3. Elementary Education Report – Stacy DeFoor
4. Secondary Education Report – Craig Dupuy
5. Transportation Report – Danny Revis
6. Public Relations Report – Jennifer Bradley
7. Technology Report – Brian Lowrance
8. Facilities Report – Paul Tudor
9. Special Education – Angela McWhorter
10. Security Report – Greg Little
11. Child Nutrition/Food Service Report – Stacy Adams
Superintendent’s Report
1. Dates to Remember
  1. Tue 2/13 – HSBB – Home – Lake Hamilton – JVVGVB – 5 pm
  2. Wed 2/13 – CAJHC Basketball Championship – Arena – 5 pm
  3. Sat 2/17 – Wrestling Regionals – TBA
  4. Tue 2/20 – SOF – Maroon/Gray – 5 pm
  5. Thu 2/22 – BAS – Home Benefit – NLR – 4:30 pm
  6. Fri 2/23 – School Board Luncheon – Ringold Elementary – 11:30 am
  7. Fri 2/23 – HS Wrestling State Tournament @ UALR – TBA
  8. Sat 2/24 – HS Wrestling State Tournament @ UALR – TBA
  9. Sat 2/24 – HS Swim State Meet – Russellville – 3 pm
  10. Wed 2/26 – Sat 3/2 – Benton Classic Baseball Tournament
  11. Tue 2/27 – Sat 3/02 – HSBB State Tournament – VGVB – TBA
  12. Tue 2/27 – BAS – Home – NLR – 6 pm
  13. Wed 2/28 – BASJV – Home – CHS – 6:30 pm
  14. Thu 2/29 – SOF – Home – Bauxite – 5 pm
  15. Thu 2/29 – BAS – Home – Cabot – 7:30 pm
  16. Sat 3/02 – HS Bowling State Tournament – Jonesboro – TBA
  17. Mon 3/04/24 – BASJV – Home – Morrilton – 4:30 pm
  18. Tue 3/05 – BAS – Home – Texarkana – 5
  19. Tue 3/05 – SOF – Home – Texarkana – 5
  20. Thu 3/07 – TRK – Home – 3:30 pm
  21. Fri 3/08 – BAS – Home – White Hall – 5 pm
  22. Fri 3/08 – SOF – Home – White Hall – 5 pm
  23. Fri 3/08 – SOC – Home – White Hall – 5 & 7 pm
  24. Sat 3/09 – BAS – Home – Bryant – 2 pm
  25. Sat 3/09 – SOF – Home – Bryant – 2 pm
  26. Mon 3/11 – SOF – Home – Greenbrier – 5 pm
  27. Mon 3/11/2024 – Benton School Board Meeting – 5:30 pm
Executive Session (If needed)
Personnel Recommendations/HR Report -Dr. Larry Smith
Student Disciplinary Hearing
- Student #2.12.2024.1
Adjournment

Scroll down for the potential calendars ?

Calendars

The following is the Letter and 2 Calendars submitted to the School Board by Dr. Larry Smith, exactly as it was written.

MEMO: To Benton Board of Education Members

From: Dr. Larry Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Administrative Services

Concerning: Proposed Calendar Options for the 2024-2025 School Year

There has been a lot of discussion concerning school calendars as a result of legislative action that has basically taken away the ability to use AMI days to count in attendance. As a result of that both PPC and CPPC believe that a change from the traditional 178 day calendar is warranted. After surveying staff and parents, two calendar options have been developed. Each Committee has a different recommendation based upon the feedback received. A subcommittee made up of members from both PPC’s developed each of the attached calendar options for the Board’s review and ultimate selection of next school year’s calendar. The Chair’s of each Committee will be at the meeting to answer questions.

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Possible Calendar (Banked Minutes)

Benton School District

2024-2025

July 4 July 4th Holiday (School Closed)
August 12-15 District Inservice
August 19 Begin 1st Quarter
September 2 Labor Day Holiday (School Closed)
September 17 Secondary Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:45-6:45
(Dismiss 1 hour early)
October 14 Columbus Day School Closed
October 17 End 1st Quarter (42 Days)
October 18 Begin 2nd Quarter
October 24 Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:45-6:45
(Dismiss 1 hour early)
November 25-29 Thanksgiving Holiday (School Closed)
December 20 End 2nd Quarter (41 Days)/End 1st Semester (83 Days)
December 23-January 3 Christmas Holiday (School Closed)
January 6 Begin 3rd Quarter
January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (School Closed)
February 13 Secondary Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30
February 17 President’s Day Holiday (School Closed, Possible Snow
Make-Up Day)
March 14 End 3rd Quarter (48 Days)
March 17 Begin 4th Quarter
March 20 Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30
March 21 School Closed
March 24-28 Spring Break (School Closed)
April 18 Good Friday Holiday (School Closed)
May 23 End 4th Quarter (43 Days)/2nd Semester (91 Days)
May 26 Memorial Day Holiday (School Closed)
February 17, May 27-30 Possible Snow Make-Up Days

This includes 174 days of Teacher/Student Interaction.

2 Parent/Teacher Conference Days.

10 District Days including 4 scheduled days of District Inservice and 6 Flexible days to complete teacher inservice requirements.

5 days for inclement weather make-ups.

Each instructional day is a minimum of 369 minutes (Gives Just Over Two Hours for Early Dismissal that will be taken on September 17th and October 24th).

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Possible Calendar (Hybrid Calendar)

Benton School District

2024-2025