Manila School Board held a Zoom meeting on May 21, accepting resignations, filling positions, setting cafeteria prices, approving school choice applications, approving food service management company, and hearing administrative reports from Superintendent Jason Evers.
The board accepted resignations from Stephanie Hicks, high school math teacher; Chase Cleveland, PE/baseball coach and assistant football coach; Rachel Cleveland, fourth grade teacher; Rodney Lancaster, high school ALE instructor; Craig Wheeler, study hall, softball coach and assistant football coach; Melissa Baker, middle school librarian; and Kim Hart, career coach. Mr. Evers said Ms. Hart will still be working with the high school through Arkansas Northeastern College.
New staff members hired include elementary teachers, Leslie Abbott, Jeni Cobb, Jennifer Williams, Winnie Lovell, and Billie Bowman; high school teacher, Kasey Cobb math teacher and Alex Richard, teacher/coach.
Evers said as of now, all positions have been filled.
The board approved Opaa! to continue as the District’s food service management company. This will be Opaa!’s second year with Manila.
Breakfast prices were increased from $1.25 to $1.30 with lunch prices increased by 10 cents from $2.15 to $2.25.
School Choice applications for the 2020-2021 school year were reviewed and approved with eight new applications for students enrolling in Manila and three applications for students leaving the District.
The board approved the annual special education application.
Evers said the virtual graduation went well with all but a couple of seniors participating. Lance Wilson, videographer, was hired to video the graduation. It was conducted on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-20.
“It went as well as it could and it will make a nice memory for our seniors,” Evers said. “Parents were able to get close enough to get pictures.”
The school year at Manila officially ended on May 22. Mr. Evers said they are looking ahead and preparing for the 2020-2021 school year.