Hear’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text:
Financial Performance & budget:
Savings: The Watson Chapel School District saved $1 million in operating funds during Superintendent Keith mcgee’s first year.
Fiscal Year End: The district finished the fiscal year on June 30 with $3.5 million in the black, an increase from $2.5 million the previous year. Reasons for Savings: McGee attributed the savings to being more strategic with spending, including not filling positions that weren’t essential.
Impact of Special Education hires: District Treasurer Norma Walker cautioned that the $1 million increase will be reduced by approximately $300,000 due to the hiring of special education instructors.
Future financial Challenges: The district anticipates losing about $1 million in state foundation funding in 2025-26 due to a drop in student enrollment. They also predict needing to make an additional $3 million in cuts as they finish construction of a new high school.
Student Enrollment:
Decrease: Enrollment dropped by 173 students from the end of the 2023-24 school year to the end of the 2024-25 school year,going from 1,725 to 1,552 students.
Cause of Decrease: The enrollment drop is largely attributed to a population decline in Pine bluff.
School Choice Impact: The district saw an increase in students arriving via school choice, taking in at least 50 students and losing about 27. McGee sees this as a positive trend they aim to sustain.
Strategic Initiatives & Future Plans:
“Right-sizing” Schools: mcgee discussed being strategic about staffing, particularly in elementary schools, to ensure licensed teachers are teaching in their licensed areas.He noted that secondary schools tend to be overstaffed due to electives.
New High School Construction: The district is finishing construction of a new high school, scheduled to open next summer. This construction is funded by a 5.7-mill increase approved by voters in August 2022.
New Scoreboard:
Purchase: The board approved a $301,343 purchase for a four-sided center-court scoreboard system for the new gymnasium. Purpose: The scoreboard is intended to enhance functionality,visibility,and the overall experience of the gymnasium,serving as a key feature for student engagement,athletic excellence,and community pride. It’s also designed to accommodate corporate sponsorships.
Personnel Moves:
The text lists several new hires for various teaching and support positions, including:
Myrel Jean Austin (secondary english/language arts teacher)
Stacey Carmeans (secondary social studies teacher)
Tamrika Chism (elementary teacher)
Elizabeth Elliott (secondary counselor)
Jamie Gordon (secondary math teacher)
Mariah Hall (vocal music teacher)
Lakesha Harris (secondary ELA teacher)
Kandra King (special education paraprofessional)
Kimberly Lawson (secondary ELA teacher)
Brandye McCue (second art teacher)
Markeith Neal (director)
