The Sheridan School Board passed a resolution in Monday night’s meeting to establish new school district zones after the 2020 census established the district will need to change current zones to meet requirements for the minority population.
In order to satisfy requirements, the board voted to allow citizens to elect school board members with two at large members from five zones. State law will require each zone to have substantially equal population.
It was also announced in the meeting that the district will submit plans for approval to the State of Arkansas in order to build new intermediate school building in East End. If plans are approved approximately half of the costs will be paid for by the State. A new building would be built next to the new East End Middle School. Once built students attending East End Elementary would be moved to the current East End Intermediate School. Approval could come as soon as the summer of 2023.
Additionally, the board voted Monday night to approve a resolution granting a five percent pay increase for most district employees. Some employees could see an increase greater than five percent depending on their job titles. Bonuses for faculty and staff are included in this as well.
In other business Superintendent Jerrod Williams told East End citizens that new school traffic lights and push button crossing signals will be placed at East End Intermediate School due to complaints of erratic driving and speeding on Sawmill Road. Williams stated it could take four to six weeks for the work to be completed. He also stated he would request an additional deputy from Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright for extra patrols, especially during the afternoons.
Charles Martin, Commander of the American Legion Post 30 in Sheridan addressed the board stating that his post has voted to solicit funds from local organizations in order to provide posters displaying the National Motto of ‘In God We Trust’ in all classrooms and libraries within the district.
Martin said that in 2017 the state legislature passed a law requiring all districts to display the motto along with the US and Arkansas flags in each classroom and library if contributions or donated posters were made available to the district in order to implement the law. The board took no action on this matter.
