Bryant High School held their monthly school board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6:00 p.m. The board looked at out of state travel requests, student recognitions, the purple star recognition program and road construction plans.

Mrs. Devin Sherrill recognized senior RJ Newton who was invited to serve on the National Student Advisory Council (NFHS). NFHS is an advocate for issues that impact high school student athletes and student artists. Newton is now one of the 16 members of the Council. NFHS provides programming and student leadership empowerment on the national stage. 

Bryant Public Schools has been designated as a Purple Star School District by the Arkansas Council for Military Children for its commitment to supporting and serving military families. Purple Star schools are public or charter schools that recognize the military-connected student and their adjustments whenever their parent receives a relocation order. These schools train staff members to ease entry into the academic environment for those students.

Business Manager Donna Adkins presented the Financial Report from January 2024. The documents for the report can be found on the Bryant Schools website. 

Superintendent Dr. Karen Walters presented her report to the board, which included the following: 

• There are no final decisions on the Bryant Parkway road. The road is a major route that buses take to get from the junior high to the high school. 
• Schools will be closed on April 8, but five schools will open their facilities for people to park their cars and watch the eclipse. 
• Gates enclosing student lot B at the high school from recent security additions this school year will begin closing during school hours starting Monday, Feb. 19.
• Bryant Junior High School will be hosting a job fair on Feb. 29.

The Board approved Dr. Walter’s proposed 2024-25 Certified Salary Schedule. Walters expressed the administration was hopeful that legislative meetings over the year would include conversations that discuss an increase to foundation funding to meet the new salary requirements, and that the district will begin hiring within the next few weeks. 

Dr. Walters also introduced the administration recommendation for the approval of certified resignations, classified resignations, certified new hires, classified new hires, classified contract adjustments and classified terminations. 

The last item on the agenda resulted in the board approving the contract extensions of Assistant Superintendent Angela Dischinger and Assistant Superintendent Pamela Kenney throughout the 2025-2026 school year. 

The meeting was adjourned and Dr. Walters reminded participants of the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 12.