Week 20: The State-of-the-State and Our School System

Happy Friday!

A huge thank you goes out to our dedicated transportation department and all of our bus drivers for their hard work and effort in getting our students to school safely during the aftermath of last week’s heavy snow. Many of our backroads were snow-covered, requiring special planning, skill, and maneuvering to complete routes as best as possible. Your efforts ensured that our students could get to school, and we are so grateful for your commitment. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our maintenance department, who worked tirelessly—both early in the mornings and during our closure—to prepare our campus for students. Your efforts made our walkways and driveways safe for everyone, allowing us to return to learning without delay. We were able to get in the most of this week so our teachers and staff could make more progress with our performance targets. We appreciate everything you do to keep our schools running smoothly, even in challenging conditions!

This week’s Wrap-up is an extension of last week’s legislative update. I want to inform you of Governor Sanders’s focus during this session and how it impacts us both directly and indirectly.

State-of-the-State Address

This week, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered her State of the State address, sharing her legislative priorities for Arkansas. Many of these proposals could impact us here in our district, and I wanted to highlight a few that caught my attention.

Education was a major focus, with plans to expand Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) to allow more families to access school choice options. This could provide opportunities for families but might also affect our enrollment and funding. The Governor also introduced Arkansas ACCESS, which aims to simplify college applications and broaden funding for dual credit programs and non-degree credentials. While this could open doors for more students, changes to higher education funding and a push to address "indoctrination" in classrooms could bring more scrutiny to teaching practices statewide.

Public safety and children’s well-being were also emphasized. Proposals like the "Death by Delivery" law and the Protect Act are designed to enhance safety in our communities, while a new 3,000-bed prison may raise concerns about resource allocation. On the positive side, plans to eliminate the grocery tax, sustain free school meals, and expand mental health support for children are steps that could directly benefit our students. Additionally, restrictions on cell phone use during the school day and amendments to online safety laws should help to reinforce those policies we already have in place.

Lastly, the Governor also spoke about Arkansas being ranked number one in the nation for economic growth during the last quarter of 2024. This achievement has both direct and indirect impacts on our school systems. A thriving economy means increased state revenues, which can translate into greater investment in education, infrastructure, and resources for students and staff. Indirectly, economic growth boosts local communities, creating more opportunities for our families and fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. Additionally, this economic success will likely influence how the legislature approaches bills during this session, particularly those focused on funding for education and community development. This progress highlights the importance of strong partnerships between schools, businesses, and government to ensure continued success for our students and state.

As always, we will keep a close eye on how these proposals evolve and advocate for policies that best serve our students and staff. While there is potential for growth and support in some areas, other changes may present challenges we need to navigate together. Your continued dedication to our mission makes a difference, no matter what comes our way.

Grants

This week, I want to highlight some exciting opportunities for professional growth and development. The Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) website has been updated with a variety of grant opportunities for educators. These grants can help support innovative classroom projects, professional development, and more. I encourage you to explore these resources at AAEA Grants. Additionally, I have shared an email from the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, which includes scholarship opportunities for both certified and classified staff. These scholarships provide an excellent chance to further your education and expand your skill set. Please take a moment to review these options and consider applying! Investing in your growth benefits not only you but also our students and community.

Closing

Congratulations to our outstanding band members for their achievements during the All-Region and Four States Honor Band! Their success reflects the proud tradition of excellence in our band program, built on the dedication of our talented directors, the unwavering support of parents, and the exceptional talent and hard work of our student musicians. This recognition is a testament to the hours of practice, commitment, and passion that each member brings to their craft. We are incredibly proud of what our band continues to accomplish and look forward to seeing their success inspire others in our community. Bravo to all!

Our basketball teams, both junior and senior, had some good nights this week against Clarksville and Waldron. It was a tough string of make-up and regularly scheduled games so congratulations to all!

Congratulations to Mena High School student Clohe Bowles for receiving the prestigious Diamond Award, which recognizes outstanding Alternative Education students across the state. Nominees are chosen by teachers and administrators for their diligence, perseverance, sensitivity, and resiliency, with winners selected by the Arkansas Association of Alternative Educators and the Arkansas Department of Education. This is a testament to our AE department’s dedication and perseverance. Clohe will be presented with her award at the state capitol in February.

As we head into the long weekend with Monday off in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we also need to prepare for an extreme cold snap in the forecast. Please take a moment before leaving to ensure your classrooms and buildings are ready by setting your thermostats to 60 if you can. Mr. Minton and his dedicated team will be closely monitoring our facilities throughout the weekend to prevent water pipes from freezing and to address any cold-related issues. Let us all do our part to help keep our buildings safe and secure during this frigid weather. Stay warm and enjoy an additional Monday off! Let us hope we do not have to close any further through the remainder of the school year!

It was a good, almost-full, week at Mena Public Schools.

At Mena Public Schools our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.

Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming and have a nice weekend!