School Board Recap: December 16, 2024

The Fort Smith Public Schools Board of Education met on December 16, 2024. Following the meeting, Dr. Morawski, FSPS  Superintendent, announced that he and the Board would be discussing a leadership transition process in January 2025 as his wife, Dr. Courtney Morawski, has been named the lone finalist for Superintendent of Granbury ISD in Granbury, Texas. 

Mr. Shawn Shaffer, Executive Director of Facility Operations, updated the Board on the Playground Committee’s progress. Formed in March 2024, the committee consists of over 20 district leaders and staff members who have worked to assess the need for safer, more inclusive, and equitable playgrounds across the district. The goal is to establish a district-wide playground standard with installation beginning in the Summer of 2025 and rolling out over three years. Previously, schools were required to fundraise for playgrounds. The new plan introduces a life cycle program for upgrading playground equipment, and it focuses on space planning, safety standards, design, aesthetics, and ongoing maintenance. Miranda Watson, Principal at Barling Elementary, discussed the committee’s approach to developing the design of the new playgrounds. Surveys were conducted for feedback from families, students, and staff. Shade, swings, and no mulch emerged as the top priorities. Ms. Watson showed the Board a photo of the prototype playground design, which features multi-level play areas, slides, improved accessibility, shade, swings, and no mulch. 

Mr. Shaffer also presented cost estimates for updating practice tracks at each middle school, provided by MAHG Architecture. The estimates include site preparation, civil work, and rubberized track surfaces while maintaining the current track footprints. The estimates are $771,582 for Darby, $890,757 for Kimmons, $779,030 for Ramsey, and $1,645,949 for Chaffin. Mr. Galen Hunter, AIA, Principal at MAHG Architecture, discussed Northside's conceptual high school competition track. The project, including lighting, bleachers, concessions, and land acquisition, is estimated to cost $15-20 million. While the middle school tracks are feasible over an eight to ten year period, with work completed within two and a half years per campus, the high school competition track would require external funding. 

Dr. Chris Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Campus Report, presented the proposed  2025-26 school calendar developed by the Personnel Policy Committee. Based on staff, families, and administration feedback, the calendar reintroduces a mid-week start to help ease students back into the school year. The calendar is based on instructional minutes rather than days, meeting the state’s requirement of 1,068 hours while including 1,089 hours for three inclement weather days. If additional time is needed,  May 22 and May 26 are designated make-up days or time can be added to the remaining instructional days. The Board approved the calendar as presented.

Dr. Tiffany Bone, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, shared the District’s first results from the Arkansas Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System (ATLAS) scores. The ATLAS replaced the ACT Aspire assessment in Spring 2024. The ATLAS scores cannot be compared to previous assessments due to structural differences, but they establish a new baseline for student learning in Arkansas. The Board was given sample ATLAS test questions to illustrate the rigor and format of the exams. Based on FSPS students’ scores, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recommends reviewing teaching practices to promote higher rigor. Dr. Bone outlined the actions the Curriculum Department is taking to improve scores including implementing coaching cycles, conducting practice assessments, utilizing the teaching and learning snapshot tool, and enhancing collaboration across grades and subject areas.