ROGERS -- Board members approved hiring a principal and clarified points with their new chief executive officer during their first meeting as Arkansas Arts Academy.
The school, formerly known as Benton County School of the Arts, took its new name July 1.
At A Glance
Board Reorganization
Board members elected officers during Tuesday’s meeting.
• Dave Russell was elected board president, replacing Wes Abbott.
• Tony Beardsley was elected board vice president, replacing Alicia Knotts.
• Darlene McLernon was re-elected secretary/treasurer for the board.
Source: Staff Report
Elementary/middle school renovation is slightly behind schedule, Mary Ley, newly appointed chief executive officer, reported to the board. Soundproofing at the performing arts center required a special-order door. Computer lab work will start Monday, she said.
Ley asked the board for clarification about its vision for a foundation for the school. The formation of a 501(c)3 was approved by motion, board members said, but asked her to check with the school attorney on its status.
Ley got board approval to look into a possible partnership with Crystal Bridges. Ley told the board she and other administrators will attend Arkansas A+ training focused on arts integration this summer. She got approval to move forward with a partnership with Trike Theater for drama instruction that would leave a previously posted elementary performing arts position open.
"I think we can get more bang for our buck to outsource it than to hire one person," Ley said.
She also discussed outsourcing custodial positions the school had advertised but received no applications. The board requested a bid on custodial services. Board members asked her to check costs on outsourcing a nurse position at the elementary/middle school.
A lease on the school's offices is up in November and Ley asked the board if they would be open to moving offices to a house closer to one of the two school sites. The current office isn't near the schools and isn't visible to parents or the public, Ley said. A small office might mean board meetings would be at the schools, she said. Board members had no objection.
"I miss having board meetings alternating between schools," said Howard Alsdorf, board member.
The board approved Renee Deshommes of Fayetteville as principal for the elementary middle school. Deshommes is a teacher at Holcomb Elementary School in Fayetteville and an instructor in the adult education program there, according to her resume. She earned a doctorate in public policy from the University of Arkansas last year.
The school has a strong team, Ley said, as the board approved Deshommes as principal. She and Barb Padgett, high school principal, interviewed six candidates for the position, she said.
A new website for the school's new name is active, said Tony Beardsley, board member who has been coordinating the school's marketing.
The board voted to spend $9,500 in signs for both schools with the new name.
NW News on 07/09/2014