Clarksville School Board Approves Flooring, Staffing, Policy Updates
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SCHOOL BOARD COVERAGE – CLARKSVILLE- SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE
by Megan Wylie
The Clarksville School Board approved a range of personnel actions, facilities projects, policy revisions and ethics resolutions during its June 23 regular meeting.
Among the largest items of business were revisions to two flooring projects originally awarded in March.
Assistant Superintendent Steven Wyatt said the original bid awarded to Razor Polish of Russellville for polished concrete flooring at the middle school did not include sales tax. As a result, the project cost increased from $33,949.88 to $38,803.57. The Board also approved a separate $14,172.20 bid from Razor Polish for epoxy flooring in the middle school locker rooms.
Two additional bids from Lensing Brothers Inc. of Subiaco for carpeting work not included in the original March project estimates were also approved. The bids include $8,900 for carpeting in the junior high counselor’s office, middle school flooring repairs and two boxes of extra flooring material, and $3,500 for flooring in the press box, totaling $12,400.
In March, the Board approved a $69,000 bid from Lensing Brothers for carpeting throughout the primary, elementary and intermediate schools.
Policy Updates
Members approved updates to several sections of district policy as recommended by Superintendent David Hopkins and Assistant Superintendent Chase Carter.
One revision allows Board members to attend meetings remotely when unable to be physically present. Members attending remotely retain the same rights and privileges as those present in person, except they may not participate in or vote on matters discussed in executive session. The policy requires the district to provide a remote attendance option for the public whenever a Board member attends remotely and allows remote members to be counted toward a quorum up to three times per calendar year.
Members also approved updates to the district’s purchasing and procurement policy, increasing the federal micro-purchase threshold from $10,000 to $15,000 and updating bidding and contracting procedures to align with current state and federal requirements.
Carter presented updates to Sections 4 and 5 of district policy, covering students and curriculum and instruction. Included in the update was the repeal of Policy 4.45, Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2026, following that class’s graduation, and adopted revisions to Policy 4.45.1, Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2027 and thereafter. The revisions update English course designations from English 9-12 to English 1-4 and clarify computer science flex credit requirements used to satisfy a math credit. Students who earned a computer science credit before the 2026-27 school year may count an introductory course toward math credit; students beginning in 2026-27 must complete at least a Level 2 course for it to apply.
Other Matters
-Carter presented the district’s annual Arkansas Consolidated Application, General Education Provisions Act statement and required federal assurances. He said the district’s annual plan for instruction was nearing completion and would be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Education for final approval. Members approved the documents and authorized their submission.
-Ethics resolutions were adopted for Amy Auterson, Grace Dougan and Brad Wiggins in compliance with Arkansas Code Annotated 6-24-101 and Act 1381 of 2005, authorizing the district to purchase painting services from the employees at $15 per hour during the 2026-27 fiscal year. The agreements run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. If payments exceed $10,000, contracts require approval from the commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education. Wyatt reported painting has been completed this summer at the elementary, intermediate and middle school buildings, with additional work planned across district facilities.
-Previously adopted ethics resolutions were renewed effective July 1, adding Baltazar Garcia, paraprofessional, for painting services. Other renewed resolutions authorize the district to purchase services from C&R Training Services (Chris and Ramanda Chappell) for CPR and first aid training; Dillon Bean and Jacob Tolman for timing and track meet services; Emerson Kendrick for prom organization; Kaden Dougan for gatekeeper and press box services; Keilah Smith for painting services; Teresa Qualls, kitchen help; Laura Qualls and Leslie Tolman for custom services; Maegan Cloud for drum services for choir and CPA events; Pamela Warren for custom magnets and screen-printing services; Williams Plumbing Company of Ozark Ltd.; Neumeier Plumbing LLC; King’s Locksmith; Nola’s Dirtworks LLC; Nick Kremers Roofing; and Lalo’s Detailing & Auto Sales.
Personnel
Following an executive session, members approved personnel recommendations.
Resignations effective June 30 were accepted from Debra Jackson, primary school Title I reading interventionist paraprofessional, and Samuel Horn, junior high agri teacher.
New hires included Candice Martin, primary school teacher/SPED DI; Jennifer Murdock and Tina Rimmer, school nurses; Erin Dlugosh, Melissa Thomas and Alyssa West, middle school SPED 1:1 paraprofessionals; Jarius Martin, junior high custodian; Logan Ballard, junior high assistant band director; and Russell Ward, social studies teacher, junior high assistant football and track coach and seventh-grade boys football and track coach.
A correction to Baltazar Garcia’s job title as junior high resource paraprofessional was approved from action taken May 13.
Transfers included Arely Castro from primary school SPED 1:1 paraprofessional to SPED paraprofessional-DI; Monica Manriquez from primary school library media paraprofessional to Title I reading interventionist paraprofessional; Bradley Wiggins from high school CATS teacher to junior high agri teacher; and Brandy Horrell from high school cook to assistant food service manager.
Temporary work agreements were approved for Debra Baugus, bus start duties; K. Wesley Davis and Bryan Qualls, athletics duties in lieu of prep periods; Jenava Harris, theater technical support; TaEh Kue, district translator; and Mu Mar, nightly custodial work through Aug. 1.
Board members present were Vice President/Secretary Dana Frizzell, Sterling Penix, Jesse Taylor and Clay Austin. President Joanie Raburn was absent.
The Clarksville School Board holds regular meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the junior high media center. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 28. All meetings are open to the public.
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Published In This Week’s Edition
This story appears in the July 1, 2026, edition of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.
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