Rogers School Board member resigns

NWA Democrat-Gazette/DAVE PEROZEK Jim Davis, the new principal at Rogers' Heritage High School, addresses the Rogers School Board during its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Davis shared information about the approach he and his staff are taking this school year.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/DAVE PEROZEK Jim Davis, the new principal at Rogers' Heritage High School, addresses the Rogers School Board during its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Davis shared information about the approach he and his staff are taking this school year.

ROGERS -- The School Board has a vacancy to fill.

Edgar Hernandez, the board's Zone 1 representative, submitted his resignation after Tuesday's board meeting. Hernandez said he's moving to western Ohio for a job opportunity and to be closer to family.

Moment of silence

A moment of silence was observed at Tuesday’s School Board meeting in honor of Katy Mae Engle, a second-grade teacher at Northside Elementary School who died last week. Engle, 31, had been an elementary school teacher for six years, according to her online obituary.

Source: Staff report

The board has 30 days to fill the position. Residents of Zone 1 may contact the School District's central office for information on how to apply by calling (479) 636-3910. The board will interview applicants and vote to appoint someone, said Superintendent Marlin Berry.

Interviews could take place at the board's next regular meeting, scheduled for Oct. 16, or the board could set a special meeting, Berry said.

Hernandez, 41, became the board's first Hispanic member in September 2017 after running unopposed for the Zone 1 seat. He was born in Mexico City and moved to the United States when he was 3 years old. He grew up in western Ohio and became a U.S. citizen, he told the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette last year.

He and his family have lived in Rogers since 2015. He worked for Sealed Air Corp. in Rogers.

Berry gave his annual report to the public at Tuesday's meeting, as required by the state. He briefly reviewed information and highlights from the past year in categories he labeled excellence, dollars, growth, athletics and requirements. To conclude his speech, he noted the first letter of each category heading spelled out "Edgar," which is when he shared the news Hernandez was leaving.

"We will miss you greatly, but best wishes to you and your family," Berry said. "Thank you for your work and your service in your time here on the board."

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board approved a budget for the 2018-19 school year.

The district expects to spend about $146.5 million, about $1.1 million less than anticipated revenue, according to chief financial officer Jake Haak. Revenue was budgeted conservatively, Haak said.

The district ended the last fiscal year with an operating fund balance of $23.1 million. It's expected to end this fiscal year with a balance of $24 million.

Teacher salaries are expected to cost the district $70.8 million this school year, a 3.5 percent increase from last year. Teachers received a $1,000 bonus last year that was rolled into the salary schedule, making it permanent.

Haak noted the per-pupil funding amount provided by the state this year is $6,784, up $71 -- or 1 percent -- from last year. Increases in foundation aid per student have been 1 percent for the past several years.

Teachers receive annual pay increases as part of their salary schedule that equal nearly 2 percent per year, Haak said.

NW News on 09/19/2018

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