FAYETTEVILLE -- Longtime member Megan Tullock resigned from the Fayetteville School Board at Thursday night’s meeting.
Tullock, the board vice president serving in an at-large position, was first elected to the board in 2016, then reelected in 2021. Her term was to expire in 2026.
“I’ve given this my whole heart,” Tullock said. “My heart just needs a rest.”
Tullock, 44, held back tears as she addressed each board member, recalling their work together.
“I’m going to miss all of you,” Tullock said.
Superintendent John Mulford presented Tullock with a plaque in appreciation of her service to the board.
“You will be missed, Megan,” Mulford said.
Mulford and the entire board posed for a photo together. The audience gave Tullock a standing ovation.
“This is a gigantic loss for our family,” board President Nika Waitsman said.
Waitsman added that Tullock served with intense passion and said the board benefited from that.
“It’s been a privilege to serve the community as a member of the School Board, and my resignation is in no way a withdrawal of my support” for the School District, Tullock said in a district news release. “So many wonderful things are happening throughout the district. I am excited for Dr. Mulford and his leadership team, our kids and families, and staff at every level.”
Waitsman said the vacancy on the board needs to be filled within 30 days and encouraged any Fayetteville resident who is interested to apply. The seat will then be up for election next year for anyone interested in filling the remainder of Tullock’s term.
According to a district news release, any person living in the School District who is interested in being considered for the position should send a letter of consideration and current resume by April 15 to Nika Waitsman, Fayetteville Public Schools, 1000 W. Bulldog Blvd., Fayetteville, AR 72701 or to [email protected]. The letter should include why the applicant is interested in serving as a board member, how the applicant feels qualified for this service, the applicant's time availability, and what the applicant believes are the three most important issues facing the board in the next few years.
The board voted 7-0 to approve an officer reorganization, with Waitsman remaining as president, Tim Hudson moving from secretary to vice president and Tracey Pomeroy becoming the secretary.
In other business, Mickey McFetridge, finance director; and Greg Mones, executive director of fiscal and human resources, presented the proposed 2024-25 salary schedules for the district’s certified and classified workers.
The starting salary for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree and no experience would be increased from $52,000 to $53,000, according to the proposal, with the average salary for certified employees being $67,276. The increase for all certified steps is 1.8%, and the average increase plus the step is 3.07%, according to the presentation.
For classified employees — jobs such as custodians, food service workers and bus drivers — the average increase plus the step is 3.1%, according to the presentation.
Board members will vote on the salary proposals at next month’s meeting.
The board also:
• Voted 7-0 to approve an easement request allowing the city to make sidewalk improvements in front of Root Elementary School.
• Voted 6-0 to approve hiring Modus Studio Architects to construct a new junior high school on property the district is purchasing at 3145 E. Joyce Blvd. Board member Keaton Smith abstained. Building a new junior high is part of the district’s plan to move middle school boundaries and alleviate crowding at McNair Middle School. The district will close on purchasing the land — just under 28 acres at the corner of Joyce Boulevard and Crossover Road — on Monday, Mulford said. Earlier this month, the School Board approved buying the property for $4.6 million.