At A Glance
Financial Training
The Bentonville School Board also listened to a presentation by the district’s financial director, Sterling Ming, about budget procedures. They learned about the budget approved by the prior board in the fall along with information on how to read a budget.
SOURCE: Staff Report
BENTONVILLE — The School Board gave a committee the ability to select a demographer firm to help pinpoint growth numbers during a special meeting Thursday.
The committee of Travis Riggs, board president, Michael Poore, superintendent, Brad Reed, student services director and Sterling Ming, financial director, have been interviewing three companies to fill the job in recent weeks.
The board voted 5-2 to allow the committee to make the decision without approval from the board. Wendi Cheatham and Grant Lightle, both board members, voted against motion.
“If I am going to vote on it, I want to understand it,” Lightle said.
Cheatham said she would like more information in order to vote yes.
Riggs said he typically likes decisions such as these to come before the board.
“I am in favor of the process,” Riggs said. “But I am OK with varying in the process because of a sensitive timeline.”
Riggs said it’s important to select a demographer before Feb. 1 so reports about demographics will be available before so a possible millage increase election may be held in October.
The board was given three options by Poore during the meeting. He said it could either allow the committee to make the decision or the board could meet for a special meeting next week to approve the company. The last option would be approving the company during its March meeting.
Rudy Upshaw said he also voted yes because of the timeline but would like to follow a process otherwise.
The School Board voted earlier this month to move forward with millage increase election to pay for a second high school. Willie Cowgur was the only board member to vote against the action.
Cowgur along with Rebecca Powers and Brent Leas supported the option of letting a committee decide the demographer company.
“I am good with empowering the committee,” Cowgur said, “We entrust them to run the district. I’m sure they can make this decision.”
Poore said the cost of service from each company along with a background check will be reviewed before a decision is made. He said all of the companies have been asked about their ability to work with other government agencies and businesses while putting together the report. He also added the companies have been asked about attending community events to explain the report.