Warren School Board held its annual Report to the Public Tuesday night with only school administrators and two media members present as the public.
Assistant Superintendent Carla Wardlaw began the presentation by stating the district’s mission statement: “We are deeply committed to providing every child a safe, positive environment for learning educational skills necessary to live productively in a global society.”
Top photo: SEACBEC Director Devin McDiarmid gives a report to Warren School Board on Career and Technical Education as Assistant Warren High School Principal Correy Muldrew and Brunson Elementary Principal Rosalynda Ellis observe. Photo by Tim Kessler.
By Tim Kessler
Saline River Chronicle Contributor
Wardlaw said students are given personalized learning plans. All students receive free breakfasts and lunches. Each student is provided with an iPad.
She said enrollment had decreased in the current school year by five students to 1,418. There are 200 students in the Gifted and Talented program. A new Parent Center coordinator is Wanda Rhodes.
Principals Rosalynda Ellis, Brunson; Kathy Cornish, Warren Middle School; and Assistant Principal Correy Muldrew, Warren High School, explained each school’s goals in improving reading, math and science test scores and the actions their schools were taking to achieve those goals.
SEACBEC Director Devin McDiarmid said SEACBEC has five programs of study. In 2022-23, students put in 1,477 hours of study and also utilized 15 distance learning centers. The program also operated the ABC preschool, which has 112 students.
As part of the regular School Board meeting:
- McDiarmid gave a Career and Technical Education report, noting the LEARNS Act gives SEACBEC the role of preparing students to be ready for careers and college. Students can start getting industrial credentials including OSHA-30 certification and National Career Readiness Certificates in addition to college credits before leaving high school.
“At SEACBEC, we encourage attendance like they are at a job site,” she said.
This year, 47 students expect to receive OSHA-30 certification. By 2026, all students must earn computer science credits.
- The board approved two board to board student transfers from Warren to Hermitage School District.
- Disclosure statements were approved for board members or school personnel for business interests they have in companies that the school district might do business with.
- After nine years, Warren Middle School is ending its charter program. A motion was approved for the non-renewal of the charter.
- A resolution was approved to adopt the Bradley County Mutijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was approved to allow South Arkansas College to use SEACBEC to train 12 AHF workers.
- Another MOU was approved to allow Arkansas Construction Education Foundation to serve students at SEACBEC.
- Board member Joel Tolefree was designated as the Arkansas School Boards Association delegate.
- The November board meeting was changed to 7 p.m. Nov. 13 and the December board meeting was changed to 7 p.m. Dec. 11.
- The purchase of security cameras for Warren Middle School for $43,507 through a safety grant and Phase III of Warren High School renovations for $11,190 through fire insurance was approved.
- A public hearing on the Facilities Master Plan was set for Nov. 13.
- Superintendent Bryan Cornish reported Homecoming was a success. Several schools received Office of Education Policy awards. The district received a Goal Community RISE Award. Playground equipment has been installed at Warren Elementary School. Mainline Health System’s on-campus clinic had 106 medical visits and 105 mental health visits through the end of September.
- Certified resignations accepted were Coleman Horn, WHS science instructor, and Erick Roebuck, WHS literacy instructor. Classified resignation accepted was Mayra Rodriguez, ABC paraprofessional. Certified hire approved was Michael Wessel, WMS science instructor. Also hired was Justin Glauser, Esport coach.