The new Warren Lumberjacks Arena should be ready to host its first basketball games on Jan. 27 against Monticello, Superintendent Bryan Cornish announced at Monday’s School Board meeting.
Cornish and Athletic Director Bo Hembree will approach Arkansas Activities Association about Warren possibly hosting the Regional Basketball Tournament.
Construction continues on the new Warren Elementary School, with completion expected in February or March. It was previously announced that it won’t be used until the 2023-24 school year.
At the end of the meeting, board member Joel Tolefree suggested that Cornish should continue discussions with Mayor Gregg Reep over the future of the Warren Cultural Center. Cornish agreed to set up a meeting.
The board also agreed to hire Clark Contractors LLC of Little Rock as the contractors for Phase III of the Warren High School repairs. That will include the auxiliary gym and band room that were damaged in a fire last year. The contract will be for $4,047,000. The district will receive $3.5 million from an insurance settlement.
In other action:
- Eastside Elementary Principal Sara Weaver said behavior awards were presented with students getting time at Warren City Park. Attendance awards will consist of donuts and juice. IReady testing has begun. Extended day tutoring has begun for 115 students. Focus is being put on reading gaps.
- SEACBEC Director Devin McDiarmid said welding students went in December to the Welsco Welding Expo. The Be Pro, Be Proud truck also came in December, serving over 200 students. SEACBEC and ABC students participated in the Christmas Parade. Cortez Smith, recruiter for the Universal Technical Institute, spoke to welding and construction students. February will be celebrated as Career and Technical Education Month. ABC students are conducting a food drive. Those students will gain a foster grandparent, Gwendolyn Minion.
- Warren High School Principal Tiffany Gathen congratulated the following band students who gained chairs in the Region 3 All-Region Band: Braniya Davis, 1st band, 11th chair clarinet; Abigail Raines, 1st band, 14th chair clarinet; Joshua Myers, 2nd band, 6th chair trumpet; J’Ciana Strong, 1st band, 5th chair French horn; Emma Mann, 1st band, 7th chair French horn; Alice Regalado, 2nd band, 5th chair trombone; Maxx McGaha, 2nd band, 5th chair tuba; Alex Ayala, 2nd band, 5th chair percussion; and Michaela Stanley, 2nd alternate percussion. Davis, Raines, Strong and Mann all qualified to audition for All-State Band in February. All spring sports organizations have started either playing or practicing in their seasons. Extended semester and afterschool tutoring will start Wednesday. The chess team will compete in the regional tournament this weekend.
- Brunson Elementary School Principal Regina Scroggins said her afterschool program started Monday. IReady testing will finish soon. An Accelerated Reading party will be held Friday.
- Warren Middle School Principal Kathy Cornish said two robotics teams competed at Cabot, with a team consisting of Alejandro Chavis, Gabby Concuhes and Emily Bartista placing seventh. Bayleigh Miller, Raeleigh Milton and Kennedi Braun finished 15th.
All schools will distribute report cards on Thursday.
- Assistant Superintendent Carla Wardlaw said ACT Aspire training will begin for teachers, with tests to be held in April and May. Juniors will take the ACT test in February.
- Board members accepted the resignation of Stacey Sherrill as central office secretary.
- A bid was approved to purchase two scoreboards for the baseball and softball fields from Rainey Electronics Inc. for $23,040.99. Of that, $20,000 will be reimbursed from the Warren School Foundation. Tolefree suggested that Warren city government should be contacted to assist with the remaining costs.
- A decision on the superintendent’s contract was deferred to the Feb. 13 meeting.
- Cornish noted that January is School Board Recognition Month and expressed appreciation to the board members, including new member Ana Angeles.