Benton School Board recognizes students and staff, approves zone resolution
During a regular meeting of the Benton School Board Monday, board members honored students and administrators with some awards. Steven Quinn, principal of Benton Middle School was honored as the Arkansas Association of Middle-level Administration Principal of the Year. Dr. Mike Hernandez, the executive director of AAEA presented Quinn with the award.
“This award recognizes middle level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate
for the students, families and staff members,” said Hernandez.
Quinn is in his eighth year as principal in the Benton School District, according to a press release from AAEA.
“Steve and his staff have a deliberate focus on each child in the building and building a relationship with them every day. Not limiting his duties to 8:00 to 3:00, Mr. Quinn puts forth the time and effort outside of the regular workday to ensure that each student receives the greatest opportunities, resources and attention,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Eric Saunders.
The board also honored the state champion Benton High School Cheer team and the Benton Middle School East students with Panther Pride awards.
The 2021-2022 BHS cheer team won the 5A State Championship and placed 6th at nationals. The team also won three other competitions before winning state.
The Benton Middle
School EAST program gave a presentation to the board and the audience about what the EAST program is all about. They said that the goal of EAST is to provide a classroom of community partners coming together to solve real-world issues. The group talked about how they designed an app that helps people remember where their cars are parked.
The board approved the resolution required for the new zoning map for Benton School Board members.
The resolution reads “the board shall cause elections to be held for all five of its single-member zones and two at-large positions, or as many of its zones and/or positions as are necessary to comply with the Voting Rights act at the November 2022 annual school election.”
The Benton School Board is having to change from all at-large positions to five zoned positions and two atlarge positions due to the school district’s minority population reaching 10 percent as of the 2020 census. Both the resolution and the zoning map, which was passed at a special meeting, will go to the Saline County Election Commission for final approval.
The resolution does not state how the board will elect which members will be running in the at-large and zoned positions.
The board also passed a motion to change the school schedule for next year. The 2022-2023 school year will now begin on Aug. 15.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Larry Smith said he believes this will give everyone a much better calendar to operate off of for the year. With the approved change, the 2022-23 school year will begin Aug. 15.
The board also voted to approve the replacement of the athletic video board at the football stadium that would be built by Rainey Electronics.
There was also a lengthy list of upcoming dates to remember on the agenda. On April 9, online kindergarten registration began. April 15 is Good Friday and school will be out. The following week on April 22, the board will hold a luncheon and workshop. Benton High School prom is scheduled for May 7 and graduation is scheduled for May 19. The last day of school for this year is on May
27.
Other items on the agenda:
•Approved of Benton School District and Benton Police Department MOU for school resource officer staffing.
•Approved landscaping contract.
•Approved proposed policy changes from ASBA for 2022-2023.
•Approved proposed policy change for certified and classified bereavement leave.