Do some research, be informed

In my opinion, we have very serious school issues here in Hot Springs County. 

First of all, let’s look at what happened at last week’s School Board Meeting. Those of you fortunate enough to view it before the School Board took it down should be appalled at the behavior of certain members of our HSCSD #1 board. 

Board Trustee Bethany Webber brought up an issue and other board members met her with accusations, belittling and intimidation towards Bethany afterward. Very hard to watch. We are constantly being told to bring anything to the board and they will address it.  Well, I guess that is only if it is complimentary toward them. The video was taken down for what the school said was a legal review. Hopefully, an unedited version will be available soon.

After last month’s revelation of $46,000 worth of fines, with $37,000 from the IRS and $8,000 for employing an uncertified coach/teacher, school administration rallied and spent another $31,000 to have a speaker come in for one day and speak to the board.  The speaker was from Solution Tree, of course, which is not a surprise since two of our highly paid administrators with the school district here are also retained as presenters by Solution Tree. There is a school policy pertaining to non-school employment of professional staff which they are both in violation of, in my opinion. I find it interesting how the two highest-paid school district employees can find time to work for another company, on school time, while research shows 25% of our teachers have resigned. We have also lost our speech therapist, our school psychologist, the high school librarian, and seven paraprofessionals. I wonder what our classroom sizes are going to be next year. How many critical subjects will be dropped due to a lack of teachers? Parents should be in an uproar!!

And, by the way, do some research for yourselves. Legislatures in Arkansas are auditing state and school contracts with Solution Tree and its affiliates regarding no-bid contracts and “kickbacks’ to school administrators in the guise of ‘consulting fees’ and possible conflicts of interest. 

Hmmmm,   sound familiar?

Bob Aguiar