Heather Hare, 33, of Conway, was sentenced to serve the next 13 years in federal prison for transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of unlawful sexual activity. Hare was sentenced on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky. MORE DETAILS BELOW The investigation into Hare revealed that […]
Saline County youth pastor accused of embezzling over $23K from church camp
A Saline County youth pastor, school staff member, and church camp treasurer is suspected of embezzling over $23,000 from that church camp, according to documents from the Bryant Police Department. On March 19, 2024, Bryant officers began to investigate Phillip Batchelor, age 45, of Benton, on allegations of embezzlement. The police report states that the […]
Bryant choir director named quarterfinalist for music educator award
Tanner Oglesby, Director of Choirs at Bryant High School, has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2023 Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. The Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to […]
Vanderpool named 2020-21 Bryant Teacher of the Year; other exceptional teachers named
The Bryant School District announced Monday, May 24 that they have named Samantha Vanderpool, 4th grade teacher at Parkway Elementary, as Bryant Teacher of the Year for 2020-21. Vanderpool has been part of this elementary school since it opened three years ago. During the current school year, she taught both virtually and in the classroom. […]
Carl Frank named to seat on National Career & Technical Education Advisory Council
A Saline County resident now occupies a seat on a national council for computing. One of the industry’s top IT trade associations, CompTIA, recently announced the formation of a council to focused on accelerating career paths in technology. Carl Frank, of Traskwood, now occupies a seat on the National Career and Technical Education Advisory Council, […]
Benton Public Schools hiring for several positions
Benton Public Schools has several job openings currently. Visit their website to apply for one of the following: BHS Cheer Coach/Teaching Area TBD – Benton High School Choral Music Director – Benton High School Custodian – Custodial Elem. Instructional Facilitator – Benton School District Elem. Special Education Teacher – Caldwell Elementary School Bus Driver – Transportation See more jobs […]
Benton Schools: “No Confirmation” of Staff Having COVID-19
Several readers alerted MySaline to a rumor about a staff member at Benton Public Schools. Spokesperson Isabella Bradley tells MySaline that the rumor is not confirmed. It was reported by a Little Rock blogger, Russ Racop who stated that “sources” said a staff member has tested positive to COVID-19. Yet another anonymous source states that […]
Bryant Teacher Confesses on First Day of School to Soliciting Sexual Photos from 13-Year-Old Boy
A teacher at Bryant Schools was arrested on the first day back to school. He confessed to soliciting sexual photos from a minor student. MySaline reported on this earlier, and now the Bryant School District administration has released a statement concerning the incident. Read below. ORIGINAL: AUG 13, 2019 11:53PM The Bryant Police Department arrested […]
School Employee Charged with Sexual Assault with 16-Year-Old
A substitute teacher and secretary for Arkansas Christian Academy in Bryant has been arrested for allegedly having an improper relationship with a 16-year-old student. Amanda Knight, 38, of Alexander, faces a charge of 1st degree Sexual Assault, class A felony. Knight reportedly turned herself in at the Benton Police Department on Sunday, August 7th, 2016 and […]
Opinion: Public Schools Closing While Lottery Pays C-Students to Stay in State
Posted by Shelli Poole on January 8, 2015 at 2:38pm When then-Lt. Governor Bill Halter championed the lottery as a way to fund Arkansas education, I thought it was a great idea. Except… I wanted the funds to go toward the education of K-12 students, not “C average” college students. Arkansas consolidated many schools about 9 […]