By JIM BUTLER

The School Board at a special meeting this afternoon is expected to retain a Ruston firm to begin architectural design services for Pineville schools capital improvements.

Member Steve Berry is asking approval to hire Yeager Watson & Associates to handle the pre-election process as well as post-election responsibilities should a bond issue be approved.

A Spring 2025 election is the target date.

Pineville High, Pineville Junior High, Pineville Elementary, J.I. Barron Elementary and Lessie Moore Elementary are the schools comprising School District 52.

The board agenda includes several adjustments to existing contracts.

Following the meeting, regular monthly sessions of the Education, Finance, Personnel and District 62 committees will be held. 

Finance will consider direction for the administration on how to divvy up about $477,000 in state funds for teacher differential compensation allowance.

Stipends can be paid to teachers in critical shortage subject areas (math and science grades 6-12, special ed K-12), those deemed highly effective, those in high-need schools and/or those in leadership positions. 

Education will hear proposals for detailed accounting of current status at Peabody High and Bolton Academy, an outgrowth of changes effective this school year.

The panel will also consider an addition proposed by chairwoman Linda Burgess to the Pupil Progression Plan.

It would require any grades 6-12 student failing a course be given a detailed teacher-written plan of actions the student, parent and teacher must take to bring student grade to passing before end of grading period. 

Personnel will review updates to the system policy manual that affirm prohibition of corporal punishment and detail new state law that bars taping a student’s mouth shut or otherwise restricting airway in any manner. 

The panel will also discuss time limit on speaking at board meetings within the scope of Robert’s Rules of Order.