FC School Board adopts traditional five-day calendar
District names track facility after long-time coach, athletic director
The Forrest City School Board approved the district’s calendar for the 2022-23 school year during a meeting Thursday evening, opting to stay with the traditional five-day school week.
"We've been working hard with our PPC (Personnel Policy Committee) to make a calendar that makes sense for our school and our community," superintendent Dr. Tiffany Hardrick told board members. "We chose not to do a four-day calendar because we feel it creates a hardship for our parents, students and people in our community."
Hardrick said that instead, the district would be working in more breaks throughout the school year, including four-day weekends for both teachers and students.
"This will still allow us to have summer school, but we will do a four-week summer school instead of a six-week summer school," said Hardrick.
The board unanimously approved the calendar, with Annie Norman being the only board member absent.
The board also approved a scoreboard for the new track at the high school.
"The one we are looking at is currently quoted for $37,500," Hardrick told the board before asking them to approve up to $50,000 in case the quote changes.
"With this, I am also asking the board to consider adding the name on the board to name the area officially the Donnie Willis Mustang Track and Field," said Hardrick to which the board agreed unanimously.
Willis, the district's athletic director and long-time track coach, was at a track meet during the board meeting. The board contacted Willis via a video conference to tell him the facility would be named in his honor for the time and dedication he has given to the district and student athletes.
"What?” Willis responded when given the news. “I appreciate you all so much.”
The board also recognized Lady Mustangs Coach Caronica Williams for being named Coach of the Year in girls basketball in the 4A-5 Conference and Mustangs Interim Coach Marcus Britt for being named a coach in the 4A All-Star game.
"She is a hometown girl who went off to do great things and set records at the University of Central Arkansas and coached at UCA and Arkansas State," said Hardrick of Williams.
Williams said she has been working with her athletes on and off the court to not only provide them with the benefits of the district's athletic programs but academics as well.
"We are wanting to keep them in that A and B grade range," Williams told the board.
On a related matter, the board voted unanimously to remove the interim title and name Britt head coach for the Mustangs.
The board also recognized student athletes Kyla Morrow and Charnelle Hoof for their 4A-5 achievements as well as Kay'Miayha Millbrooks for being selected to participate in the AllStar Three Point Shootout.
The board also recognized students Robert Echols and KeSean Washington for being named to the 4A All-State team.
"Thank you for the amazing work that you do," Hardrick told those who were recognized.
In other business, the board approved a budget for new welding booths at the new ag building from Hicks Brothers in the amount of $26,280; new doors from Top Notch for approximately $112,000, and security entry panels for those doors for $29,200.
Hardrick also told the board that the district has an opportunity to bring a student and staff clinic to the district.
"We have already approved the health and wellness spaces at Steward and Central," said Hardrick. "We now have the opportunity to set up an actual clinic at the Central location.
Hardrick told the board the district could only have one student and staff clinic per district.
"This will have everything, including nurses to write prescriptions," she said.
(Continued from Page 1) The clinic would work in tandem with current school nurses to provide further medical assistance for students and staff, according to Hardrick.
"It isn't going to displace any of our nurses. It requires them to be a part of the model," she said.
She told the board she and the district’s attorney, Brad Beavers, looked at an existing memorandum of understanding with East Arkansas Family Health Center and that Beavers had suggested a few changes.
"Their board has agreed to the changes. If we approve it, they'll come to serve both students and staff," said Hardrick. "They'll provide the staff and we will provide the start-up equipment and space."
Taylor asked about how much the start-up costs would be, to which Hardrick replied around $150,000.
Taylor recommended the board not only pass the memorandum of understanding but to go ahead and approve the $150,000 for the startup funds. The board voted unanimously to approve the clinic.
The board met briefly in an executive session to discuss an employee matter. Upon returning to open session, Hardrick recommended the termination of the employee and the board agreed.