Mineral Springs School Board Meets

Monday night, new interim superintendent of the Mineral Springs School District, Billy Lee, presented the district’s master plan to the board of education. He stated he had consulted with the district’s facilities consultant Gene Hawk and the district is in compliance.

Lee told Southwest Arkansas Radio that the master plan includes moving the district’s administration building back to the Mineral Springs campus.

Board members were informed that the district has a legal balance, including CDs in the amount of $3.2 million. Lee said the district has a strong financial standing.

Board members approved a six month contract with CJ Turner Consulting for $750 a month by a 4-2 vote. CJ Turner Consulting is owned and operated by former Mineral Springs Superintendent Curtis Turner. Lee explained what benefits CJ Turner Consulting will provide the district.

Board members also approved a motion, with two board members abstaining from the vote, to allow the Beckett Law Firm to negotiate a buyout settlement with the district’s current Superintendent, Thelma Forte. Forte was suspended with pay last summer.