District kicks off year with updated athletic facilities, new personnel
Administrators and the school board of the Smackover-Norphlet School District remained busy during the summer.
Following an overhaul of the high school baseball field’s lights last spring, the district moved just before the summer to do the same at Buckaroo Stadium. The projected was completed in late June and, just as with the baseball field, all light poles and fixtures at the football stadium were removed and upgraded.
Superintendent Jason Black said the school board is currently reviewing an athletic plan to continue on the path following the facility updates.
“We’re excited about that…[SNSD athletic director David] Osborne provided an athletic plan for the school board to review at our previous meeting. We’ve started with some updates to the baseball field and football field. There were some safety concerns with the poles, so we’re glad to get that done,” Black said.
During the June monthly school board meeting, board member Damon Goodwin asked that funds spent on the athletic facilities for boys sports be matched on upgrades for girls sports facilities.
Lynn Birchfield, who took over the role of president of the school board after being elected by her fellow board members during the July board meeting, spoke to some long-term improvements the board has in mind for the Smackover High gymnasium.
“We are looking at doing some work to the gym at Smackover High School. It’s an older gym and we’ve had the floor redone and need to look at air conditioning in the building. We’d love to build a new gym, but that’s not feasible thing right now…We’re also trying to update the bus fleet and are putting it into our budget to get new bus or two per year,” Birchfield said.
Maintenance to the district’s campuses has been a focal point during the summer months, Black said.
“We upgraded the Norphlet [Middle School’s] HVAC system. There were some older outdated boiler systems there and we overhauled them, so we’re excited about that. There’s been a lot of little things - Wesley Lucas and his maintenance team have done a fantastic job making sure things are touched up in time for school to start,” Black said.
On the administration side, some new faces joined during the summer.
Former SES principal Holly Strickland stepped into the role of Director of both HR and academics and school improvement, in one example Black cited.
Other new administrators include Brian Arnold, who will act as director of technology and new Smacker Elementary principal Gary Steelman.
“I think it’s a really good mix; it’s always good to have teachers and administrators who have been there along with new additions who add new ideas and thoughts, so we’re excited to work with those new additions,” Black said.
The district will also move into the 2021/2022 school year with a full staff of teachers.
“All of our principals worked hard to fill our vacancies. We have all of our positions filled as we push into the new school year,” Black said.
Birchfield mentioned vocational training as a particular focus she would like the district to take on in the coming school year.
“We have a need for [training] students that are not going to be two- or four-year college graduates. In our area, there’s a need to get kids ready with vocational skills… One of my main things is that we have all students well-rounded and prepare students who are going straight into the work field,” Birchfield said.
As for COVID-19, Black said the district is “cautiously optimistic.”
“We recognize the current uptick [in cases], and we will continue to make sure to keep an eye on things as the situation progresses, make adjustments and keep the public informed. The state is coming out with the Ready for Learning plan, so we’ll put eyes on that and make adjustments at the district level,” Black said.
The state Departments of Education and Health did release new COVID-19 guidelines on Tuesday, July 27, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
The guidelines state, in part, that schools are “encouraged to help students ages 12 and older, their families, and all school staff with getting vaccinated” and recommends mask usage indoors.
Act 1002 of 2021, which Sen. Trent Garner, R-El-Dorado, served as the main sponsor for, went into effect on Tuesday, July 27 and bans school districts from mandating masks.
Birchfield said the district will continue practicing COVID-19 protocols in any way it can.
“With the passing of Act 1002, there can not be a mask mandate as such. But we will practice safe habits, cleaning and suggesting to students and staff to wear a mask. But with the law, you can’t say you have to do it,” she said. “I will say this - our staff, from administration to all of teachers, did a marvelous job last year. My hat’s off to them… They really take extra effort to do what we can do and did a fantastic job.”
Black echoed those statements, adding that he enthusiastic about students coming back to the district’s campuses.
“I’m thankful for all of staff; last year was a tough year for everyone all over country. I’m proud for everyone who is coming back and look forward to seeing the kids, that’s what we do it for. I know some of the kids are really looking forward to coming back to school,” Black said.
The Smackover-Norphlet District will be back to school on August 16, according to the district’s website.