Marion County School District Superintendent Wendy Bracey reported on Monday night at the board meeting that 5,000 boxes of food were distributed through the Save The Children Program. Of the 5,000 boxes disbursed, 2,400 families were able to enjoy the contents.
The boxes contained cooked chicken, apples, onions, potatoes, cheese and other items. There were two distribution sites, one at Woodlawn Church and the other at Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church.
Bracey shared a note she received from a mother: “We have had one of the toughest years we have ever had, and Save The Children has been there every step of the way.”
Under personnel changes Ryan Stringer was appointed as principal of West Marion Elementary School beginning in January by board approval. The current administrator, Sherrie Williams is retiring at the end of December.
“In knowing Ryan for years, I think it is an excellent recommendation. Ryan is going to do a great job elevating our schools even more,” Board member Larry Jenkins said.
Other hires approved include Shelita Kendricks-Fisher as the bookkeeper for East Marion Schools, Jonathan Sims as a teacher assistant, and Jerri Schexnayder as STC Literacy Tutor at East Marion Elementary School, Kasey Frances as a long-term substitute at West Marion Primary and Willie Smith as janitor East Marion schools/bus stop.
Jenkins said he was concerned about the importance of diversity among the administrators at the schools. He noted that of the five administrators at the West Marion Schools, there are no black administrators.
“There is a concern in the black community about the lack of black principals in West Marion,” Jenkins said.
He said he has researched the issue, and about 37% of students at West Marion are black, leading to his concerns about the lack of representation at the administration level.
“I just want to reemphasize to the board that, as a board, due diligence must be done to be in compliance with equal opportunity employer and to be sure we have diversity among our principals,” he said.
Bracey provided the Superintendent’s Report. She said at the beginning of the school year more than 600 students signed up for either virtual or distance learning. Since the second nine weeks began, that number has dropped to close to 300 while the rest returned to traditional learning. Overall Bracey reported the attendance rate has been very good with 95% or better at the district level.
However, there has been an increase in the excessive absence report. Bracey said one thing is virtual students need to complete their assignments to be considered present.
Bracey discussed acquiring new vehicles for the student resource officers. She said David Brasseal may have two vehicles for them, and SRO Brian Foxworth may have found some vehicles, which could possibly be donated. She said they will check out the vehicles that may be donated if the vehicles are in good enough shape to use while Brasseal negotiates a deal on those vehicles. After that a decision will be made on which direction the board will move.
