The Eureka Springs School Board held its last meeting of 2025 Monday evening, and a recent Christmas tradition continued to benefit staff members.
Supt. Bryan Pruitt told the board that Jim and Susan Nelson will once again offer $35 gift certificates to all staff at their downtown shop. Pruitt said the gift certificates have been popular and reminded everyone that the certificates would go even further during post-Christmas sales. “We appreciate what they do for our staff,” Pruitt said, adding that the Nelsons have donated 13 pieces of art for the new cafeteria.
The agenda included a presentation by dyslexia coordinator Mandy Elsey. She explained that changing guidelines under the Arkansas LEARNS Act have made more students eligible for intervention. Elsey said the program now serves 83 students, up from 59, and other students are considered borderline and receive occasional sessions with specialist teachers.
Elsey described some of the methods used in the program, and said students can remain in the Take Flight program for up to two years. The efforts are paying off, with more than 50 percent of students scoring proficient. Elsey also introduced a young student, who told the board how the program had helped him.
In other business:
- High School Principal Caen Dowell said some juniors have taken the ACT test early. The state now offers free ACT and SAT tests as practice. “They don’t have to wait until spring to try the test,” he said, explaining that tenth-grade students can take the pre-test in spring. Dowell also discussed an increase in the number of classes offering concurrent high-school and college credits.
“The goal is to get up to twelve credits by the time they leave here,” he said. Dowell said the number of students in the high school remains steady at 204.
- In the absence of Elementary Principal Clare Haozous, Dowell delivered her update for the board. The Scotties’ holiday performance was scheduled for the following day, and pre-K and kindergarten students would have a performance on Thursday. Some elementary students also have an upcoming field trip to Turpentine Creek.
- Middle School Principal Trina Bonham said seven new students have increased the number of kids in middle school to 189. A contingent from the school traveled to Crystal Bridges for a visit with former President Barack Obama. A Thanksgiving event brought families together in the new cafeteria. Bonham complimented the staff for finding ways to “give back” to the community.
- John Tressler was hired as transportation director.
- Board member Al Larson presided over the meeting in the absence of board president Chris McClung.
- Pruitt explained that the state had lowered the district’s millage slightly, to keep overall funding at its present level. He explained that the state can lower a millage, but only the voters can increase a millage.