SNSD hears COVID update, accepts resignation

The Smackover-Norphlet school board met on Monday, August 23 and, according to unofficial minutes available from the meeting, found several new uses of ESSER funds and discussed topics including the resignation of board member Joe Bates.

In new business, the board unanimously approved a motion to accept a new contract with accounting firm Cobb & Suskie “with no increase in the amount,” according to the minutes. This firm also functioned as auditors for the district during the 2020/2021 school year.

Also in new business, the board unanimously approved a motion to hire a new nurse for the district — either a registered or licensed practical nurse — for two years using ESSER funds.

ESSER funds are monies distributed to school districts by the state that emerged from federal legislation including the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Recovery Plan.

The board also approved renewing the district’s usage of the STOPit anti-bullying app with ESSER funds, which allows students to anonymously report bullying and abuse incidents.

Also in new business, the board unanimously approved moving funds in an amount unspecified in the minutes from the operating fund to the building fund.

District nurses Michelle Martisek and Amy Jeffress offered updates on the school’s COVID-19 quarantine and case counts during the meeting.

The two informed board members that as of Monday, the district had

one staff member in quarantine; zero quarantined or positive in the preschool; six positive and six quarantined at Smackover Elementary School; zero positive and seven quarantined at Norphlet Middle School; and one positive and four quarantined at Smackover High School.

The district will hold a specially called meeting on Monday at the SNSD central office starting at 5 p.m. to discuss “COVID related items,” according to the district’s blog.

SNSD Superintendent Jason Black also accepted the resignation of district transportation director Henry Epps.

School board member for Zone 2 and former board president Joe Bates also announced his resignation at the close of the meeting.

Bates, according to the meeting’s minutes, decided to resign due to his no longer having children in school in the district.

A motion then passed unanimously to advertise for the open position for two weeks and to have the board interview candidates; prospective candidates must be a resident of Zone 2 and must be a registered voter.