Warren School Board took the first steps toward possibly converting all school buildings to solar energy in a rare Thursday night meeting.
Josh Meyer of Clear Energy gave a presentation about installation of a 1 megabyte solar array at an estimated cost of $2.26 million.
Top photo: From left to right: Assistant Warren High School Principal Correy Muldrew, Warren Middle School Principal Kathey Cornish, Warren Elementary School Principal Sara Weaver, Brunson Elementary Principal Rosalynda Ellis, SEACBEC Director Devin McDiarmid
By Tim Kessler
Saline River Chronicle Contributor
He said the district would get the cost back over the first 15 years of the project through energy savings and 30 percent would be refunded by the federal government through the Inflation Reduction Act. After year 15, savings through the 35th year of the project could amount to $4 million.
Later in the meeting, board members approved a motion to request a commercial grade audit to determine the exact savings of the project and to partner with the Arkansas Energy Office.
If the project proceeds, Meyer said it might be possible for the district to get investors in it which would lower the district’s costs.
He said his company had already completed projects in school districts at Madison County, Heber Springs and Woodlawn.
In other action:
- Superintendent Bryan Cornish said all indications point to all school buildings being ready for classes on Aug. 21. This will include Warren High School renovations after a devastating fire and opening of the new Warren Elementary School.
A cleaning crew will go into WHS next week. The remaining furniture will be put in place during the first week of August. Some landscaping remains to be done. Classes and offices will be moved out of SEACBEC and the temporary mobile classrooms will be removed Aug. 1.
Teachers are moving their classrooms from Eastside Elementary to the new Warren Elementary building now. Heavy rains have delayed parking lot work but that work is expected to be completed before classes start with paving scheduled to be completed next week.
Assistant WHS Principal Correy Muldrew said orientation for students will be held Aug. 9 at Lumberjack Arena, with grades 9-10 at 9:30 a.m. and grades 11-12 at 1:30 p.m.
Warren Elementary Principal Sara Weaver said open house will be held at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15.
New Brunson Elementary Principal Rosalynda Ellis said her school will have orientation on Aug. 17, with fifth grade at 5 p.m. and fourth grade at 5:30 p.m.
Warren Middle School Principal Kathy Cornish said orientation will be Aug. 11, with sixth grade at 9 a.m., seventh grade at 11:30 a.m. and eighth grade at 1:30 p.m.
Superintendent Cornish said information about district traffic patterns will be released soon.
- In minute messages, Weaver said kindergarten camp will be held from 8-11 a.m. Aug. 1-2. She will attend the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators summer conference next week.
Kathy Cornish said professional development days will be Aug. 14-18.
Ellis, attending her first board meeting, said she is excited to lead the Brunson teachers and students.
Muldrew, also attending his first board meeting, said his staff members were excited about returning to the WHS building. Professional development schedules have been set up. Administrators have attended several summer professional development conferences.
SEACBEC Director Devin McDiarmid said several students participated in the MASH program at Bradley County Medical Center. She said Fordyce students will be added to the center this year.
- Board members approved Arkansas public school vehicle insurance renewal for $20,238 through Arkansas Public School Insurance Trust. Property insurance renewal through the trust went up from $85,000 to $231,629 mainly because of large claims elsewhere in the state, including destruction of Wynne High School in a tornado.
- Contracts were approved to purchase food from Sysco and Tankersley; produce, Robertson Produce; cleaning and paper products, Parker Wholesale Paper and Janitorial Supplies; milk, Hiland Dairy; and bread, Flowers Baking Co.
- The annual district level improvement plan was approved.
- Board member Joel Tolefree was appointed as the Arkansas School Boards Association legislative liaison.
- The 2023-24 statement assurances was approved, as was the Arkansas Department of Education statement of assurances for programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
- Approval was given to the Student Health Survey for 2022-23 school year.
- Approval was given to the 2024-25 school budget, totaling $13.9 million in expenditures.
- Approval was given for First State Bank as the district’s primary bank account.
- Approval was given to the ABC salary schedule.
- Athletic insurance was approved through the Dwight Jones Agency.
- PC Hardware was approved to install locks on school doors.
- The purchase was approved of safety and security window film from D&D Sun Control Inc. for $15,781.
- Approval was given to a visitor management system on all campuses. Visitors will have to provide a driver’s license to be scanned in for visitors’ badges.
- Approval was given to amend the Brunson Elementary handbook.