PRAIRIE GROVE -- Prairie Grove School Board approved a new contract for Superintendent Allen Williams last week that gives him a 3.7-percent raise and five additional vacation days.
The new contract is effective from July 1 through June 30, 2020. Williams' new salary will be $135,031. His vacation days will increase from 10 to 15.
The board also renewed employee contracts for all administrators in the district for 2017-18, including assistant superintendents Missy Hixson and David Kellogg, principals Brenda Clark, Jonathan Warren, Reba Holmes and Ron Bond, assistant principals Shayne Taylor and Joey Sorters and athletic director Tommy Roy.
Board President William Dick said he's been on the board for 13 years and during that time Prairie Grove has had five different school superintendents.
Williams, who is in his seventh year with Prairie Grove, is doing an "awesome job," Dick said.
"The raise was just deserving of the work he's done," Dick said, adding, "personally, you couldn't find anyone easier to work with. He's taken care of business. He lives in the community and is a part of the community."
Board member Casie Ruland said as a parent she's seen what Williams has done as superintendent and as one of the newer board members, she's especially been pleased with him and his work ethic.
"He attends everything and supports the students," Ruland said. "It makes a big statement when he's there. He's very approachable and I like that."
Williams, who is finishing up his 31st year in education, said his plan is to stay at Prairie Grove until he retires, "if they'll keep me."
During his evaluation, Williams said board members talked to him about updating the district's strategic plan for the next five to 10 years. Williams said the board will have some work sessions during the spring and summer to discuss the plan.
"They want to get more involved with it," Williams said.
In other action, board members approved the school calendar for 2017-18, as recommended by the district's teachers and staff. The first day of school for students will be Aug. 15 and the last day will be May 23, 2018. The district will have a week-long Thanksgiving break and Christmas break will be Dec. 22-Jan. 3, 2018.
The School Board also gave Williams the authority to advertise to fill a new teaching position to implement the high school's health profession's pathway. After the meeting, Williams said this position most likely would be filled by a registered nurse. The high school has received a state waiver on some courses so that it can hire qualified personnel who are not certified by the state as teachers.
General News on 03/01/2017