HOPE – Zone 2 Hope School Board Trustee Mildred Green has resigned from the board, and a successor must be appointed within 30 days, the School Board learned Monday night.\r\n
\r\nHPS Superintendent Bobby Hart told the board that Green had intended to serve through Hope High School commencement ceremonies which were conducted May 12.\r\n
\r\nGreen expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve. She said she and her husband were moving to Tyler, Texas, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.\r\n
\r\n“I have enjoyed my tenure on the Board and have learned a great deal,” she wrote in her resignation. “I leave you with my belief that the District is in capable hands of dedicated, hard-working individuals who want only what is best for the students of this community. I know that Mr. Hart and the Board members will continue to lead the District down the right path in the days and months ahead.”\r\n
\r\nGreen has served since first elected in September, 2010. She was currently serving as secretary to the board, and Zone 4 board member Linda Haynes was chosen by the board to fill that role.\r\n
\r\n“In order to fill that position, the board has the opportunity to appoint a member who serves until the September election,” Hart explained.\r\n
\r\nHe said the board has 30 days in which to complete an appointment; otherwise, the responsibility falls to the Hempstead County Quorum Court.\r\n
\r\nThe board agreed Monday to have “letters of interest” from residents in Zone 2 mailed to Hart’s office at 117 East Second St., Hope, Ar.,71801, by May 25. The zone boundaries may be viewed on maps available at the Hempstead County Clerk’s Office at the Hempstead County Courthouse.\r\n
\r\nHart expressed thanks for Green’s service in a statement.\r\n
\r\n“HPS wants to thank Mrs. Millie Green for her years of service to the district as a member of the teaching faculty and as a member of the school board,” he said. “The entire community owes her a ‘thank you’, and we certainly want to let her know that we appreciate her service.”\r\n
\r\nThe board also heard a report from Rev. Alvin Hunter, who sits on the district’s personnel policies committee, regarding revisions to a number of policies, most of which involved simple changes in language. Some of the changes have already been put into place, and others were the result of changes in state law. A number of changes dealt with bus driver salary schedules, retirement, and pay for additional duties, as well as setting standard mileage distances for out of town trips.\r\n
\r\nDistrict Assistant Superintendent for Facilities and Transportation Steve Bradshaw reported on the progress of goals in the district’s strategic facilities plan. Bradshaw said most of the infrastructure in the district requires simple regular maintenance, but several major projects are looming.\r\n
\r\nHe said roof replacements and upgrades at Hope High School and the HAPS Garland campus are planned, as well as the need to upgrade electrical systems and plumbing at Jones Field House, Yerger Middle School gymnasium, HAPS Garland campus and the district administration building.\r\n
\r\nThe board accepted a district professional development plan, which Hart said is designed to improve the quality of teaching within the district and provide each faculty member with a guide for personal teaching improvement. The plan was developed by district administration and campus principals, with assistance from the Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative.\r\n
\r\nThe document provides a professional development matrix which can be applied to each faculty member, administrator and other certified personnel on a uniform basis, along with a uniform calendar for professional development dates.\r\n
\r\nThe board also accepted a district communications plan which is intended to improve communications practices over the next three years with goals of enhancing parental involvement; improving consistency of internal communications; developing better communication of high expectations for students and parents on each campus; and, rebranding campus communications to reflect more uniformity and professionalism.\r\n
\r\nIn other matters, the board:\r\n
\r\n--Approved contracts with Benchmark Education of New Rochelle, N.Y., for literacy materials for grades K-4 and 5-6 at a cost of $19,356.\r\n
\r\n--Approved federal programs purchases of books, teaching technology, and student supplies from Howard Technologies, of Laurel, Miss., Apple, Amazon.com, and Office Depot at a total cost of $262,301.48.\r\n
\r\n--Approved facilities use requests from Hope Rockers Dance Team for HHS gym on June 20, and for Yerger Middle School open campus from Yerger Alumni Association for July 8.\r\n
\r\n--Approved classified retirements from Cecilia Waldren, accounts payable, and Gail Grant, facilities and transportation.\r\n
\r\n--Approved certified resignations from Alejandra Basilio, HHS math; Cindy Lee, CPS; Davis Butterworth, CPS; and, retirement of Gwen Newton, Beryl Henry Elementary.\r\n
\r\n--Approved certified hires including Bradford Stephens, HAPS/YMS; Jill Carlson, Hope High ELA; Devin Killett, CPS; and, Tahmid Shantanu, HHS.\r\n
\r\n--Approved certified summer school lists for HHS and CPS.\r\n
\r\n--Approved classified hires including Edmundo Dominguez, HHS summer paraprofessional; Kiffinea Talley, accounts payable.\r\n
\r\n--Approved classified summer school hires for CPS and Save the Children tutors.\r\n
