School Board Meeting News

The Springdale Public Schools School Board met May 12, 2026.

Regular monthly School Board meetings are held at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the District Administration Building at 804 W. Johnson Ave.

Meetings are livestreamed HERE monthly.

The district has just wrapped up an incredible National Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8, and Springdale hallways were buzzing with gratitude as we celebrated National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 5.

We want to extend a massive thank you to our dedicated educators who go above and beyond for our students daily. You don’t just teach, you inspire. Thank you for making Springdale Public Schools a place where students thrive!

Springdale Public Schools honored 37 educators who are retiring at the end of the 2025–2026 school year. These individuals represent a massive wealth of institutional knowledge, having collectively dedicated more than 824 years of service to the Springdale families.

The retirees were likewise celebrated May 7 at a retirement party featuring dinner, personal tributes and specially made gift honoring their service from the district cabinetry shop.

Associate Superintendents Melissa Fink and Shannon Tisher shared information with the School Board on the teachers selected as Building Teachers of the Year and the District Teacher of the Year.

Tisher announced Brianna Powell of Lakeside Junior High School as the District Teacher of the Year.

“I teach to empower students to believe they can take on any challenge they choose,” Powell said. “I teach to support them as they grow, to celebrate their successes and to remind them that learning can be both meaningful and joyful.”

Building Teachers of the Year are selected within the buildings they serve, Fink said. Selected educators receive four to five questions from district administrators to answer, and an outside committee blindly scores their answers. The teacher with the highest score becomes the District Teacher of the Year.

School Board members presented Building Teachers of the Year with a gift at the event, while Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland presented Powell with a plaque.

The Building Teachers of the Year are:

Bayyari Elementary School: Hannah Kornele
Westwood Elementary School: Veronica Santillo
Harp Elementary School: Sarah Perdue
Don Tyson School of Innovation: Amber Stout
George Elementary School: Sally Newton
Jones Elementary School: Jennifer Mills
Shaw Elementary School: Amy Brown
Walker Elementary School: Jeana Smith
Elmdale Elementary School: Valerie Hanna
Lakeside Junior High School: Brianna Damet-Powell
Tyson Elementary School: Rhonda McCrackin
Young Elementary School: Cassandra Combs
Sonora Middle School: Dean Huffstetler
Southwest Junior High School: Harmony West
Parson Hills Elementary School: Stefanie Goseland
Archer Learning Center: Stephanie Demieville
Turnbow Elementary School: Whitney High
Central Junior High School: Elizabeth Tocco
Sonora Elementary School: Jesus Albarran
George Junior High School: Jessica Zbylut
J.O. Kelly Middle School: Karey Simmons
Smith Elementary School: Natalie Schachte
Hunt Elementary School: Patrice Brown
Hellstern Middle School: Trina Pergeson
Har-Ber High School: Tessa Bunch
Knapp Elementary School: Moriah Santiago
Springdale High School: Kelsey King
Early Childhood Center: Anna Baker
Jim D. Rollins Elementary School of Innovation: Vanessa Stewart
Monitor Elementary School: AnnaLisa Donald
Helen Tyson Middle School: Ashley Cappezzuto
K-8 Connect: Shelley McGlocklin

The School Board honored Sonia Hernandez as T.G. Smith Elementary School’s new assistant principal.

"I am excited to join the Smith family and to learn and work alongside Mrs. Barron," Hernandez said. "I want to thank Dr. Cleveland and the central office team for this opportunity to serve at Smith.”

Read the full story HERE.

Brandolyn Peterson was also recognized as the new assistant principal of George Elementary School.

“I’m excited and honored to step into the role of assistant principal at George Elementary,” Peterson said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve this school community and support students, staff and families, while continuing to grow as a leader. I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of the parents, students and staff.”

Read the full story HERE.

The School Board likewise celebrated Dr. Michael "Shane" Hampton as the new assistant principal of Helen Tyson Middle School.

"I feel honored and genuinely excited to step into the role of assistant principal," Hampton said. "It’s an opportunity to expand my impact beyond the classroom and facilitator position to support both students and teachers on a broader level.”

Read the full story HERE.

District Workforce Director Rodney Ellis discussed the April 30 Career and Technical Education Career Signing Day at Springdale High School, where about 80 Springdale Public Schools students officially launched their professional careers.

Students from Archer Learning Center, Don Tyson School of Innovation, Har-Ber High School and Springdale High School participated in the event, committing to work for some 40 businesses from throughout the region.

Read the full story HERE.

District Counsel Kendra Clay shared information with the School Board on filling the vacancy created following the April election and School Board Member Kevin Ownbey’s retirement from the board.

Following the recent re-election of School Board President Nick Emerson and School Board Member Randy Hutchinson, a vacancy has opened in Zone 2 because Emerson was elected to represent Zone 1. To address this, the Board intends to appoint a new member for Zone 2 to serve the remainder of the term through 2028.

The selection process will be conducted entirely in a public session during the June 9 School Board meeting, with a hard deadline to fill the position by June 15.

Information regarding the vacancy will be published officially, and any interested parties must submit a valid petition by May 29, which is ten days prior to the scheduled meeting.

Springdale Public Schools will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Seamless Summer Option food program to serve meals free of charge to children 18 and younger during summer break.

District meals will be served at the following dates and locations Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to noon:

• Harp Elementary School from June 1-19
• Parson Hills Elementary School from May 26 to June 19
• George Elementary School June 1 to July 31
• Elmdale Elementary School from May 26 to July 31
• Walker elementary School
• June 1-26 and July 6-17.

All participating locations will be closed July 3.

The School Board voted unanimously in favor of salary adjustments for certified, classified and pre-K floater staff members.

The recommendations were formulated with a focus on long-term sustainability, particularly considering the projected $125 per-pupil funding reductions and shifting enrollment trends sustained in the 2026 school year.

The district’s immediate fiscal outlook remains positive, and Springdale Schools is committed to balancing competitive compensation with future budgetary discipline.

Certified salary staff members will receive a $900 base salary adjustment, bringing the entry-level starting salary to $55,000. In addition to this base enhancement, all eligible returning certified staff will receive a service-based advancement of at least $685. This combined $1,585 adjustment represents a 2.92% increase.

To maintain parity across the district, classified salary personnel will receive a 1.66% base salary adjustment. In addition to this base adjustment, all returning employees will receive their scheduled experience-based increase. This ensures that district classified team members receive a total compensation adjustment comparative to that of Springdale’s certified employees, reflecting the district’s appreciation for their essential contributions.

Pre-K floater staff members will receive an increase in hourly rates $14 per hour, an increase $2 from $12, to recognize their vital role in district programs. This increase reflects current market rates and recognizes the growing program responsibilities incurred in recent years.

All salary adjustments will be effective effective July 1.

The School Board unanimously supported the rezoning of Bayyari and Knapp elementary schools for the 2026-27 school year.

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Location: PO Box 8 Springdale Ar 72764
Phone: 479-750-8800