School Board Meeting News

The Springdale Public Schools School Board met July 16, 2024.

Regular monthly School Board meetings are held at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the District Administration Building at 804 W. Johnson Ave.

Meetings are livestreamed HERE monthly.

Image courtesy of Freepik.

The Springdale School Board voted 7-0 at the July meeting to approve entering into social media litigation alongside other Arkansas school districts.

Kendra Clay, district general counsel, said any monies Springdale Schools may receive through the litigation could be applied toward strengthening district mental health supports for students who are negatively impacted by social media.

Read more about the litigation HERE.

The School Board likewise unanimously voted to approve applying for a $400,000 grant to participate in a state pilot program designed to strengthen the health and well-being of students by managing cell phone use during the school day.

The average American teen now spends nearly five hours a day on social media, usually on their

phone and often in school, according to a July 2 letter Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent to Arkansas superintendents. Spending three or more hours a day on social media doubles children's’ risk of mental health problems.

Since smartphones became widespread, suicide rates have tripled among young teens, self-harm among girls has gone up nearly 200% and depression among teenagers has increased 150%, according to the letter. Teen math, reading and science scores have dropped in the United States and other developed nations since 2012, while school alienation has risen across the board.

If approved, Springdale Schools' participation in the pilot grant program will provide pouches for Springdale's approximately 12,400 secondary students to safely store their phones during the school day, creating a better learning environment and inviting in-person socialization.

There is no cost to the district to participate in the program, Clay said.

Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland informed the School Board of the district's intent to market about 28.07 acres of land for sale at Don Tyson Parkway and George Anderson Road in Springdale.

The district purchased the property in 2018 for $800,000.

The School Board celebrated the Har-Ber High School baseball and softball teams at the July meeting.

The baseball team took the 2024 6A Baseball state title, while the Lady Wildcats’ were the state championship runner-up!

The School Board also celebrated the return of Heather Tyler to Springdale Schools, who'll serve as a district Special Education supervisor.

“I am grateful to Dr. Cleveland, the district leadership team and the Springdale School Board for the opportunity to return to Springdale School District,” Tyler said.

Read the full story HERE.

Board members likewise welcomed Kimberly Loughridge back to Springdale Schools, who's returning to the district to serve as the Springdale Pre-K assistant principal.

“I know it's going to be a year filled with new learning adventures," Loughridge said.

Read the full story HERE.

• Dr. Cleveland’s Administrator Meeting: July 26 at 8 a.m. in the Don Tyson School of Innovation East Cafeteria

• New Teacher Orientation: Aug. 1 at 8 a.m. at George Junior High School

• Teachers Return: Aug. 5

• Springdale Teacher Appreciation Event: Aug. 7 at 7:30 a.m. at Springdale High School

• District Back to School Faculty Meeting: Aug. at 1 p.m. at the Springdale High School Performing Arts Center

• First Day of School: Aug. 12

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Email: communications@sdale.org
Website: https://www.sdale.org/
Location: PO Box 8 Springdale Ar 72764
Phone: 479-750-8800