The Eureka Springs School Board meeting Nov. 14 was short on agenda items, but packed with positives.
The highlight was a recap of a recent Arkansas Department of Education report that named Eureka Springs as one of six school districts in the state recognized as having schools on top of the 2022 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Index Scores and Letter Grade reports.
“They recognized seven schools that are on the move for growth and out of those seven, Eureka Springs had two of them,” superintendent Bryan Pruitt said. “I’m really proud for our school and just proud for our students for what they’ve done.
“I’m really proud for the kids, the parents, the staff and the community itself. It’s a really nice achievement.”
The ESSA School Index Scores were compared between 2022 and 2019 to identify schools that made the most continuous improvement over the span of time with five or more points of increase on the ESSA School Index Score and increased by one letter grade.
Eureka Springs High School saw a 6.07-point score increase and was one of six schools — including four elementary and two high schools in the state — to earn the distinction as a “Schools on the Move Towards Excellence Featured School,” according to the ADE.
“ESSA gives districts the opportunity to redefine accountability for their schools and utilize evidence-based strategies best designed to meet their specific needs,” the ADE said in a release about the numbers. “Under ESSA, Arkansas created a plan with input from all stakeholders, including educators and community members. Arkansas’ ESSA School Index contains five indicators for success: weighted achievement, growth, progress to English language proficiency, graduation rate, and school quality and student success.”
Eureka Springs Elementary School was also recognized for its improvement in weighted achievement scores.
“Eureka Springs High School’s ESSA School Index Score gained more than six points, pushing it well above the state average,” the ADE reported. “The high school also increased its letter grade [from B] to an A.
“Superintendent Bryan Pruitt emphasized the role culture has in building an environment of excellence. He stressed the importance of always having high expectations in order to produce students that are confident, prepared, and successful.”
For its success, the high school will receive a grant of $10,500 and the elementary will receive $9,550.
STAFF BONUSES
The board also approved a recommendation by the Personnel Policy Committee to give one-time bonuses to school district staff.
Certified staff, both part-time and fulltime who were under contract as of Nov. 1, and who have worked at least 100 hours between July 1 and Nov. 1 were approved to receive a one-time bonus of $2,500.
Classified staff who worked the same parameters will receive $1,500.
“We’re glad our board is able to show appreciation of hard work and the effort that our staff does,” Pruitt said. “They make sure that our buildings are quite clean and safe and friendly and welcoming for safe learning. And then, our teachers are well prepared and, from technology to resources we just make sure that we’re well-rounded and we can do our number one job and that is to educate our students.”
Pruitt said the bonuses will come out of regular district funds.
“Some other schools got to use some of the American Recovery Plan funs [for bonuses],” Pruitt said. “But we’ve already spent our funds on COVID-related items.
“We had to get [the bonuses] out of our district funds, but it’s money well spent. When our kids are learning and growing and they’re getting ready for life … that’s a good investment for our schools.”
The board also approved two transfers of students from Berryville and one student from Huntsville.
Kristy Heckman was also hired as a food service worker.
