Hello Joanna nice to meet you.
Victor Craig: resume recording okay there we go, we are now live and now recording.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Okay, thanks victor.
Jeff Hunnicutt: let's go ahead and call role for this executive session on June 9 2021 Leslie post.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Here Cara riley.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Here, Adrienne Jackson.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Adrienne Jackson.
Jeff Hunnicutt: yeah I think she said, your name for us here at Jeff Hunnicutt.
Jeff Hunnicutt: we're getting together tonight to go into executive session to continue our discussion we get relating to personnel issues, can I get a motion to adjourn to executive session.
nate fries: So moved.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Second okay all in favor.
Leslee Post: Aye Aye.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Any opposed?
Jeff Hunnicutt: If not, we will go ahead and move to executive session Thank you Victor.
Victor Craig: i'm gonna go ahead and open the breakout room.
Victor Craig: Okay, ladies and gentlemen, our board is an executive session and that part is not being recorded, nor is being broadcast.
Victor Craig: We will return when they are done, they will return to this meeting and take any votes that are necessary if any are necessary, and then we will adjourn.
Victor Craig: And I am just going to share a screen that says we're an executive session shortly so thank you very much.
Cara Riley: Here we are.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Worked okay looks like everybody is back.
Jeff Hunnicutt: I believe.
Cara Riley: Is Vic on here.
Jeff Hunnicutt: appears like he is.
Victor Craig: I am.
Cara Riley: I am.
Cara Riley: Recording Vic?
Victor Craig: yeah we are now recording and we're still on live. Not of what you guys...you know your Executive session was, but we're live here so.
Victor Craig: Go ahead.
Victor Craig: you're ready.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Okay, thank you.
Jeff Hunnicutt: So we're back from executive session.
Jeff Hunnicutt: We did not have any voting items tonight there's really not much for us to disclose as far as the the content of the meeting we were just in. However, as a board we've been, we've discussed and we do have an announcement that we would like to share.
Jeff Hunnicutt: it's.
Cara Riley: made before you make your announcement, are we not going to vote on the one thing.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Oh, thank you very much, well that's going to be after.
Cara Riley: Okay, fine.
Jeff Hunnicutt: So let me jump into this your guys, it is something that i've written down because it's a lot of content so forgive me for reading if I have any any stammers here.
Jeff Hunnicutt: So, good evening everyone, thank you for attending tonight's Arkansas Arts Academy virtual board meeting.
Jeff Hunnicutt: we'd like to take a moment tonight to share a few important updates with you the parents staff and the students of the Academy.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Many of you were a part of last night's regularly scheduled board meeting both virtually and in person.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Last night, was a busy night, full of passionate and articulate commentary from the public, along with a respectful display of support for issues which are important to each one of you.
Jeff Hunnicutt: upon completion of our meeting the board adjourned to executive session in order to discuss personnel issues within the district.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Out of that discussion, it was determined that our CEO Richard Burrows would complete his current one year contracted term which ends on June 30 2021.
Jeff Hunnicutt: But would not be renewed for employment beyond that point. This decision was not made easily as there are many,
Jeff Hunnicutt: There are many positive qualities which Rich brings to the job, most notably some much needed structure for operational procedures such as finances virtual schooling and more.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Given this departure our attention will turn to the succession planning for Mr Burrows and while we don't have a concrete, concrete update.
Jeff Hunnicutt: On this, given this short notice or the short amount of time that the Board has been working on the issue we are committed to finding an immediate interim solution.
Jeff Hunnicutt: which will help to preserve a positive culture, community reputation and, above all, an outstanding student learning experience.
Jeff Hunnicutt: We also learned last night that our long term long time board members Tony Beardsley and Howard Alsdorf would be resigning their positions effective immediately.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Both men have served tirelessly for years on the AAA school board and have given countless hours toward the success of the school and our students, the board can, at times, be a thankless volunteer endeavor, but for their work, the board, would like to genuinely think each one of them.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Next, it's important to remind everyone that according to Arkansas State law regarding school board functions.
Jeff Hunnicutt: The board only has supervisory responsibilities and influence over the superintendent or CEO.
Jeff Hunnicutt: And we don't have any ability to manipulate, modify, or approve staffing issues within the district with with that responsibility ultimately following following to the superintendent or CEO.
Jeff Hunnicutt: With That being said, the probationary period for principal Matt Young will be upheld.
Jeff Hunnicutt: But will be reviewed by interim leadership in tandem with Mr Young, with the aim of resolving any concerns and performance. I am confident and the Board is confident that this will bring a productive and effective conclusion to the matter.
Jeff Hunnicutt: I would also like to reiterate a pair of updates that were given last night during last night's meeting.
Jeff Hunnicutt: But may have been difficult to hear for all listeners or viewers, whether because of the virtual aspect or just the size of the room.
Jeff Hunnicutt: First, Mr burrows did bring a mask policy to the board, which was recommending the removal of mask mandating at AAA campuses and facilities.
Jeff Hunnicutt: The Board wholeheartedly agrees that we are ready for this transition, but we need to make sure that our policy is sound and will hold up as we move into the next school year and beyond.
Jeff Hunnicutt: In turn, Katie Milligan, Dr Cara Riley, Heather Davis, and Mr Young were tasked to make a priority of refining the policy, so the board, we can vote and put it into place.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Each of these people realize the importance of the issue and is actively working to move toward resolution.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Second AAA sports has been a popular topic for discussion and a few of our speakers, our public speakers last night did a great job and sharing their voice and support at keeping these programs for our students.
Jeff Hunnicutt: The Board agrees that sports are an integral part of the student experience and has subsequently initiated the creation of an athletic program workshop.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Where we can sit down with with David Skelton, Matt Young and other staff to create a robust and enforceable athletics program policy which will give clear structure for our student athletes, our parents, and our coaches.
Jeff Hunnicutt: The summer is a difficult time to coordinate schedules, but we are aiming to have this workshop sometime in early July.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Last or, lastly, these past few weeks have brought with them some significant challenges.
Jeff Hunnicutt: emotions run high and some tough decisions have been made, which will undoubtedly bring some transitional growing pains.
Jeff Hunnicutt: But I just want to share that the Board has committed to hearing our parents, supporting our staff and, most importantly, to improving this place for our students. The board thanks you in advance for your understanding and support while we continue this good work.
Jeff Hunnicutt: So thank you everyone, we do have one item, that is for vote from the the board coming out of the executive session, thank you, Dr Riley for correcting me on that.
Jeff Hunnicutt: And that is to vote to approve the the separation agreement for Mr Burrows or the proposed separation agreement for Mr Burrows. So can I have a, ask can have a motion and first for that.
Cara Riley: Second.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Okay, all in favor Aye.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Aye any opposed.
Jeff Hunnicutt: To take that as an Aye Adrienne is muted(Adrienne voted aye in zoom chat window), but that will conclude the the meeting for tonight, can I get a motion to adjourn.
Cara Riley: So moved.
nate fries: Second.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Once again, all in favor.
Cara Riley: Aye Aye.
Jeff Hunnicutt: Any nays?
Jeff Hunnicutt: No? Alright guys, thank you very much, and have a great night.
Cara Riley: Thank you.
nate fries: Thank you.