South Fork Elementary raises $25,250 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

South Fork Elementary students and staff presented a goal-shattering total raised for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital during last Tuesday's school board meeting.

 

Dr. Seth Huddleston introduced staff members Kendra Shankle, Sam Fox, Kara Brown, Heather Miller, Camisha Hunter, Ronna Dalton, and Patricia Rodriguez, along with students Remi Shankle, Kimber Shankle, Hynlee Hunter, Ryan Brown, Kason Brown, Jaxon Brown, Gabby Miller, Emmett Fox, Cash Fox, Maddox Fox, Evelynn Rodriguez, Merritt Rodriguez, Layla Long, and Sophie Long. They explained their fundraising efforts through the teacher-led initiative. The initial goal was $23,000 to match the previous year’s total. Through dedication and hard work of staff and students, South Fork Elementary not only met that goal, but set a brand-new record by raising $25,250.

 

The Tuesday, March 10 meeting opened with closed session where the board approved the hiring of certified and non-certified positions; approved volunteers; transfers; and accepted resignations.

 

Certified positions: Mackenzie Brunson as WPHS Mathematics teachers; Lucy Hershenson as WPMS 6th grade ELA; and Kaley Wake as WPMS 6th grade teacher. 

 

Non-certified positions: Raymond Leonard as custodian; Mackenzie Brunson as WPMS assistant volleyball coach; Macie Stowers as WPMS head volleyball coach; Brandon Andrus as transportation head mechanic; and Kristen Davidson as WPMS office manager.

 

Transfers: Alexis Harris as WPES 2nd grade teacher to WPHS physical education/health teacher; Alexis Harris as WPMS assistant volleyball to WPHS assistant volleyball coach; Hayley Martin as WPMS office manager to 10 month secretary; Ashlea Adams as WPES 1st grade teacher to WPMS reading success/computers teacher; and Keeli Holden as WPMS reading success/computers to WPES 3rd grade.

 

Volunteers: Melynni Yarber, and Fred McKinney

 

Resignations Kenneth Cook-full time bus driver; Jami Cook-WPMS special education teacher; Tori Healy-WPMS study skills teacher; Marion Barker-custodian; Melody Buse-paraprofessional (2/27/26); Cassie Cressman-WPHS assistant theater director; Kynslee Burgess-Paraprofessional (2/24/26); Dave Watson-full time driver (3/3/26); Pamela McIntyre-custodian (3/3/26); Brandon Somoza-WPHS assistant principal; Amy Barlow-WPHS counselor; and Dave Clarkson-full time bus driver (3/6/26)

 

Terminations: Billie Morris-custodian

 

The following occurred during the open portion of the meeting:

- approved minutes of previous meetings

- approved monthly financial report

- approved request for employments, resignations, retirements, terminations, transfers, and volunteers of individuals as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools

- approved program evaluations

- approved CSIP update

- approved payment of bills

- approved Employee Health Insurance RFQ-Mr. Orchard presented an update on the Employee Benefits RFQ process. Five companies submitted responses to the RFQ with two companies providing competitive plans and rates. Mr. Orchard recommended approval of the OSBA (Ozarks Schools Benefits Association) bid for the 2026-2027 school year.

- approved 2026-2027 Food Service Renewal-Mr. Orchard recommended a contract renewal for Opaa! Food Management Inc. to serve as the district’s Food Service Management Company for the 2026-2027 school year. This extension is for one year, beginning July 1, 2026. This is the 2nd of a possible 4 renewals before the next required bid process for Food Service Management services.

 

Finalizing the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Wesley Davis presented the 2025-2026 budget numbers. The year to date Budget numbers as of March 9, 2026 - Total Revenue is at $26,201,658 and Total Expenditures are at $23,139,544. For the month of March, the district has the 2019 Lease Purchase Payment of $278,961.86 and has encumbered the MEUHP Assessment which is due on March 27, 2026 in the amount of $727,086.

 

The local tax collections to date are at 100.39% of the budgeted amount. Dr. Davis stated he always budgets the previous year’s amount of tax collections. This provides him with a safe budgetary figure. The Year To Date collections are $6,949,469 of the $6,922,736 budgeted amount. High school tuition collections to date are at 56.59% of the budgeted amount. He stated that tuition collections will continue to be collected throughout the school year. $2,125,370.84 has been collected of the $3,755,792 budgeted amount. This does not include tuition collections for the SMTI sending schools.