South Pike County School Board Sets Land Sale Timeline, Approves Building Fund Transfers

The South Pike County School Board met in regular session Tuesday evening, approving personnel and financial items while receiving updates on the upcoming school year.

During the superintendent’s report, Tanya Wilcher announced that the fair market value has been established for district-owned property that will be offered for sale. Sealed bids will be accepted through 3 p.m. on Aug. 17.

Wilcher also reported that the first day of school for students will be Aug. 19, with an open house scheduled for Aug. 13 from 3 until 7 p.m.

Board members were also informed that a water leak beneath the student parking lot has been repaired by the city, and the parking lot is expected to be restored before the start of the school year.

Wilcher said 63 kindergarten students have already registered for the upcoming school year, creating the need to hire an additional kindergarten teacher. She also announced that the board’s August meeting has been rescheduled for Aug. 20.

In other business, the board approved a board-to-board transfer allowing a student to transfer to the Arkadelphia School District.

Members also approved changes to the student handbooks as presented by Cheyana Burns and James Riley, along with a student accident insurance proposal from EBI at a cost of $3,616.

The board also approved total building fund expenditures of $381,793.74 for the 2025-26 school year and authorized the transfer of $872,000 into the district’s building fund.

All motions were approved unanimously.