WSB makes decision on insurance money

In a special called meeting, the Wynne School Board voted June 1 to keep approximately $8 million in insurance money with Cross Bank.

Dr. Kenneth Moore, Wynne Schools superintendent, said the district contacted five financial institutions for information on their special accounts such as CDs and money markets.

“We have a little over $8 million sitting there,” he said. “It needs to be put somewhere and needs to be spent pretty quickly. The demolition is getting closer, and temporary site bills are going to come in. They decided to leave that money with Cross Bank right now, and put it in their money market because it’s easier for bookkeeping.”

Moore noted the board will revisit the issue as another $15 million in insurance money is expected with another $15 million requested.

“When that money gets here, they’ll revise and decide where to put that,” he said.

In other business, the Wynne School Board approved handbook changes for each building for the upcoming school year. Moore said no major changes were proposed.

“Most of the stuff we needed to correct in the handbook was on the secondary level,” the superintendent said. “We went to a district handbook last year. There are things as the year goes on that pop up where you need better clarification, or need to add some language, or take away.”

The board also held three student disciplinary hearings, and approved the following personnel recommendations:

• Resignations/terminations included: Carla Hopkins, custodian; Kristi Dewitt, cafeteria; Lori Cothren, department chairperson/JH; Debra Baney, cafeteria; April Smith, bus driver, coding/JH; Denise Neal, SpEd/JH; Ieshia Walker, aide/ALE, Intermediate; Lisa Paschal, second grade; Utah Aitken, P.E./Ath/JH; Derek Bodenhamer, history/Ath./SH; Priscilla Rhodes, benefits; Verna Seawood, CTE teacher/HS; Kimberly Beavers, ISS coordinator/SH, and Blake Sorey, football coaching duties.

• Certified/classified hires included: Katy Nicholas and Melissa Guill, Intermediate teachers; Shonta Suthrlen, science/JH; James Bowlin, JH teacher/assistant varsity football