Gentry board accepts resignations, hires staff

GENTRY — The school board for the Gentry School District, at its Sept. 27 meeting, hired three new custodians and accepted the resignations of a number of classified and certified staff members.

The hiring of Billie Glascock, Henry Free and Steven Free as school custodians was approved by the board. Resignations were accepted from custodians Bridget January and Deitric Massey.

Other resignations accepted included Bobbie Martin as a special education paraprofessional, Beth Spivey as a bus driver, Brittany McCormick as a primary school teacher, and Alison Greer as a middle school math teacher.

Emilee Terry was hired to teach sports-medicine classes.

The board approved a list of three companies with which to negotiate a contract to serve as a construction manager for the

HVAC project at the high school and middle school gyms. The list included Flintco, Milestone and Kinco.

It was reported to the board that the ARP ESSER fund plan to give bonuses to school staff based on attendance was approved by the Arkansas Legislative Council. The bonuses will be given in one lump sum and are tied to attendance, figured at $31 per day for 81 days.

The board adopted an activities handbook and approved soccer uniforms and colors for the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams.

A Ready for Learning Plan was also considered and adopted by the board.

Considered in separate special meetings on Sept. 27 were the district’s Title One plan and the district’s annual report to the public.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, in the Pioneer Activities Complex hospitality room.