BENTONVILLE — A School Board member on Tuesday suggested some of his fellow board members should resign because they have “hidden agendas.”
Willie Cowgur made the remark during Tuesday’s board meeting. He began by saying the School District’s administration has done a great job, citing the district’s good academic performance and financial status.
“That leads me to a concern I have,” Cowgur said. “As I talk to people, I think the morale in this district is not good right now. I really think it’s due to the leadership of the board.”
Cowgur said he’s also heard from people who say some board members have hidden agendas. He didn’t mention specific board members.
“We’ve got some great, great people who lead this district and I’m concerned we’re going to lose some people at the end of the year,” he said. “If you’re not on this board for the right reason I think you need to resign and let someone else fill the seat.”
Wendi Cheatham, board president, thanked Cowgur for his comments.
“I respect your opinion, but I respect that everyone is here to do what’s right for the district and what’s right for the kids,” Cheatham said. “If you have a disagreement, we can have a healthy discussion.”
Transparency and accountability are two things the community expects most from the district, Cheatham said.
No other board members responded to Cowgur’s comments.
Cowgur is the longest-serving member of the board. He joined it in October 2011.
At A Glance
School Board Leaders
Wendi Cheatham was chosen by her fellow board members to be board president in October. She won the title in a 4-3 vote over Willie Cowgur, the board’s former vice president. Grant Lightle was elected vice president by a 7-0 vote.
Source: Staff Report
He isn’t the first person to raise concerns about the board. Two former members have openly criticized the board for its approach recently. Travis Riggs, who resigned in September after 12 years on the board, said last month he believes some members are overly concerned with the district’s day-to-day operation.
Cowgur’s comments came after a presentation by Tom Kimbrell, state education commissioner, on the district’s financial state. Michael Poore, district superintendent, requested Kimbrell present his assessment to the board.
Kimbrell said normally when he addresses finances with school boards, it’s because a district has gotten into trouble or there are some “red flags” in that district’s financial forecast. In those cases, the Department of Education runs a fiscal distress analysis of the district.
The department decided to do the same for Bentonville, and the results were positive.
“This is a very fiscally sound school district,” Kimbrell said.
He also praised the board for paying close attention to the district’s finances. The board is considering a list of 12 suggestions, compiled by district administrators, for cutting the budget. The proposed cuts would reduce the budget by $2.5 million if all were enacted. The district’s budget this fiscal year is $134.8 million.
The board was set to discuss those cuts Tuesday but decided to postpone that until next month. Kimbrell noted overseeing a district’s finances is one of a school board’s chief responsibilities.
“The great thing is you’re having discussions about (the budget),” Kimbrell said. “It gives me great pride that this is a school board that’s operating as it should.”
The district had a balance of $29.9 million as of Dec. 31. Kimbrell said he’s often asked what the appropriate level of carryover is from one year to the next for a school district.
He said there’s no right answer, adding it has much to do with a community’s preferences. Some districts carry over a lot while others carry over almost nothing.
“That’s something that each and every school board needs to have as a discussion point,” he said.
Kimbrell heaped more praise on the district in general, calling it one of the top two districts in the state.
“Be proud of the work this district has done because you’re one of the best,” Kimbrell said.