SALEM SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES
SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT
January 21, 2025

The Board of Education of the Salem School District #30, State of Arkansas, met in regular session Monday, January 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria on the high school campus due to the number of student athletes being recognized.  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Miller.

ROLL CALL:
Present: Miller, Coffman, Yarnell, Smith and Hall
Absent: None

The Chairman declared a quorum present and opened the meeting for business.

The minutes from the December 16, 2024 regular meeting were reviewed.  Coffman made the motion with a second by Smith to approve the minutes as written.  

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

First on the agenda, Superintendent Guiltner read a resolution (attached) to recognize the 2024 Salem Greyhound Football  team for their dedication to excellence and their winning season, and their many accomplishments for the year.  Season record 12 wins – 3 losses.  3A-2 Conference Champions and 3A State Champions and was coached by Josh Watson, assisted by Billy Webber, Luke Barker, Ben Leisenring, and Seth Brazeal.  Hall made the motion to accept the resolution recognizing the Sr. Greyhound Football  with a second from Smith.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Next, Superintendent Guiltner read a resolution (attached) to recognize Coach Josh Watson as Coach of the Year.  Coach Watson has  been head coach for 5 years and accumulated 43 wins.  In 2023 led the Sr. Greyhounds Football Team to the 3A-2 Conference Championship, 2024 3A-2 Conference Championship, and Coached the Salem Greyhound Football Team to its first football state championship by winning the 2024 3A State Championship.  Coach Wastson was named the 2024 3A-2 Conference Football Coach of the Year, the 2024 Ozark Radio Network Football Coach of the Year, the 2024 Arkansas Sports Network Football Coach of the Year, the 2024 Hooten’s Football Coach of the Year, the 2024 Arkansas Democrat Gazette High School Football Coach of the Year; and was elected the Arkansas Activities Association Head Coach of the High School All-Star Game.  Motion was made by Yarnell with a second from Coffman to accept the resolution recognizing Josh Watson as Coach of the Year.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner presented the Sr Greyhound football team and coaches and let Coach Watson speak.  He talked about his team and the hard work they had put in.  He thanked the administration, faculty, board and community for all their support.  Mr. Guiltner took a picture of the team with the board and the team was excused from the meeting.  At this time the meeting was paused at 6:30 p.m. and it was resumed at 6:22 p.m. in the Boardroom on the high school. 

Mr. Guiltner gave a report on;  Which School Districts Do the Best Job of Teaching Kids to Read?   The data is from the 2023-2024 school year for 3rd grade students and Salem is one of the top performers.  Great job to our faculity and students.

The board retired into executive session at 6:25 p.m.

Superintendent Guiltner realized during this Executive session that the microphone was left recording at which time he tried to back it up to before the executive session and accidentally deleted the entire recording.  Mr. Guiltner recorded a statement to begin the recording to start at board returning to open session.

The board returned to open session at 7:09 p.m.  

As the result of executive session, recommendation was made to extend Superintendent Guiltner’s contract one year.  This makes contract valid through June 2028.  Motion was made by Yarnell with a second by Hall.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner reported to the board on the Standards of Accreditations Academic reports, stating that the district is fully accredited.

Next, Mr. Guiltner reported on school board member training.  All members have to have six hours of training, and all five of our members have completed required training.

Superintendent Guiltner reported on Act 1029 of 2019, “bullying report”.  The high school had 23 isolated incidents, 0 second time incidents and 0 third time incidents.  The elementary school had 24 isolated incidents, 3 second time incidents and 0 third time incidents.

Consider Legal Liability insurance. Arkansas School Board Association is not satisified with the price increase so they are shopping around for better pricing.  No recommendation at this time but school is still covered at this time.

Superintendent Guiltner made a recommendation to amend the board meeting agenda to remove item J.  Coffman made the motion with a second by Yarnell.  

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Superintendent Guiltner gave a report on pay for conference hour/extra personal day – Board Policy 3.55.

Superintendent Guiltner gave a report on the new laws for School Choice.  Mr. Guiltner recommended to accept six (6) school choice students (attached).  Hall made a motion with a second by Smith to accept the six (6) School Choice students.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Mr. Guiltner asked that the board to consider an Itinerant emplpyee bonus.  A motion was made by Hall with a second by Yarnell.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.
	
Superintendent Guiltner reported that the  Salem School District and Precise Contractors have developed a partnership agreement for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.  Salem School District will provide a place and time for Precise Contractors to present apprenticeship information to Salem High School seniors; and Precise Contractors will present the opportunities to Salem High School seniors concerning post secondary apprenticeship positions within the Precise Contractors company.

Superintendent Guiltner gave a report on Professional Learning Grant received from the Arkansas Department of Education in the amount of $29,520.62.

The financial reports were reviewed and accepted on a motion made by Hall with a second by Smithl.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

In miscellaneous business, Superintendent Guiltner wanted to express his thanks to all board members for their time, work and dedication that they put into our school.  He read a proclamation from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declaring January 2025 as “SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RECOGNITION MONTH IN ARKANSAS”. (attached)  

Reminder that February’s Board Meeting was moved to February 10, 2025.

Reminder that the Statement of Financial Interest is due January 31, 2025 to the County Clerk’s office.

Hall made the motion with a second from Coffman to adjourn the meeting.

The Chairman called for discussion.

Yeas:  Unanimous
Nays:  None

The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

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							Secretary