Ken McLemore

HOPE – The Hope Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to adjust classified personnel salaries to reflect a five percent increase which will mirror a similar adjustment to certified personnel salary schedules.

HPS Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley made the recommendation for maintenance employees and bus mechanics. Dr. Crossley said the change was intended to ensure consistency in salary schedule composition across the district.

“We want to treat all our employees with consistency and equity,” Dr. Crossley said.

The action by the board makes the change retroactive to July 1.

Monday’s board session was the first for Crossley as the new superintendent of the HPS.

“I am excited to be here,” he noted as he led the board through a full plate of business pending in the transition, including:

--Approval of emergency electrical repairs at Yerger Middle School, which Crossley said should have no impact on the start of school in August.

--Learned the HPS will be eligible for further ESSER funding and the “public comment period” for assessment of needs remains open through Aug. 1 Crossley said a plan for new funding will be submitted by Aug. 15.

--Learned that the Arkansas Department of Education will require more details concerning the plan to renovate Jones Field House, which will necessitate calling for new bids on the project.

--Learned that analysis of spring ACT Aspire scores has yet to be concluded, but shows a need for some “realignment” of reading and math curriculums. Crossley said the HPS remains generally “in the middle of the pack” in regional comparisons of scores.

--Approved the purchase of cameras for buses to aid COVID-19 “contact tracing” under ESSER II at a cost of $19,250.

--Approved a two year contract for student activity insurance.

--Approved a one-year contract renewal with Ecovasive, of Mountain View, Ar., for COVID-19 and other pathogen treatments at a cost of $39,000.

--Approved Bobcat football broadcast permission for KHOA radio.

--Heard a proposal, without action, regarding a classified personnel dental health benefit. Crossley said a full recommendation will be brought to the board pending completion of price negotiations.

--Denied two student transfer requests and approved one.

--Approved personnel recommendations to complete new hires and assignment changes for the 2021-2022 academic year.