The Paragould School District has several ongoing construction projects, with officials providing updates on the progress during a recent school board meeting. The projects include work on a new arena, turf at the baseball and softball fields, and parking lot improvements. The board approved the continuation of a partnership with Nabholz Construction to serve as construction manager for future projects in the district, and the company is set to start the bid process for the parking lot project in April. Additionally, Nabholz will work with the district to replace the roof at Ram Academy, which will involve removing HVAC units to improve the building’s longevity and functionality.
The board also took action on various personnel matters, including the expulsion of a 10th-grade student for the remainder of the school year for prohibited conduct, and the hiring of a special education paraprofessional, Rachel Slatton. Other personnel changes include reassignments for several staff members, including Angela Grooms, Karla Brasher, and Luke Guenrich. The board also accepted the resignations of several employees, including Donna Parker, Tim Earls, Rhonda Landrum, and Anna Lee.
The board also approved the purchase of several items, including ballistic film, electronic access doors, and fencing, as well as the continuation of a partnership with Hight Jackson for architectural services. The board also approved policy updates for the 2025-2026 school year and a resolution for the May 2025 school board election cycle. Overall, the meeting covered a range of topics, from construction and personnel to budget and policy issues, as the district looks to improve and move forward.