First day was great

"I had a kid say 'I've had a job I hated, now school is like a job I love,'" Chip Greenwell, Pea Ridge High School assistant principal, told School Board members.

"We're just really, really excited. There were kids in the commons areas with their computers out working on homework," Greenwell said, adding that a teacher told him that he was able to teach "in a way I was really excited about."

Every administrator shared similar positive stories about the first day of school to board members.

"Do whatever it takes to make a student successful," Josh Johnson, director of the Academy, said.

School officials plan to interview construction companies for the construction management position beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, Neal told the board.

In other business, board members:

• Hired Sierra Warner, elementary teacher; LoraLeigh Brumley, PRMBA instructional aide; Kristy Turner, Middle School business teacher; Amber Spillman and Stephanie Shrader, food service;

• Accepted resignations from Lisa Abraham, PRMBA instructional aide, and Jim Haygood, bus driver;

• Approved student transfers into Pea Ridge schools of Austin Lee Parker, Olivia Grace McCracken, Brianna Spicer, Laura Socha, Maria Socha, Lisa Ferry, McKayla Brewer; and

• Renewed contracts with Ozark Guidance; Todd Reif; psychology, Lisa Pollard; Vista & Benton County Therapeutic Day Treatment; Day Spring & ALEX Health Services, Decision Point; Kids for the Future; Vantage Point; SG360; SEAS, Rethink; REAP; and NTI -- Northwest Technical Institute.