Less than two weeks after winning election onto the Pine Bluff School District board, Arnold Robertson Jr.’s new peers elected him board president at his first monthly meeting Monday.
Robertson, who represents Zone 2, was one of five officers board members selected. Others include Ricky Whitmore Jr., who ran unopposed to retain his Zone 3 seat, to remain vice president; Christen Shelton-Farris, who ran unopposed for the Zone 1 seat, as disbursing officer; Bonita Corbin in Zone 6 to remain secretary; and previous president Sederick Charles Rice in Zone 4 as legislative liaison.
Under district policy, Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree said, the officers are selected at the first meeting following certification of election results. Each elected board member will serve a six-year term.
Zone 7 board member Patrick Lockett nominated Robertson, a former principal in the Dollarway and Pine Bluff districts who is now assistant principal at North Little Rock Middle School.
“We all had an opportunity to nominate who we want to nominate, but I think it’s also important, especially for the new board members, to serve a little while before sitting in this seat,” said Rice, who was selected board president when the then-limited authority board was installed in late 2022, in open comments before the board vote. “I believe (Robertson) can take the fiery darts, personally, but I also believe that we should have an opportunity to put someone in that position who’s had experience on the board.”
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Said Whitmore, who’s also served since 2022: “We all started new. We didn’t have experience.”
Rice seemed to whisper words of encouragement to Robertson as the two traded seats once the officers were elected. Robertson presided over the remainder of the meeting. Robertson defeated incumbent LozAnne Calhoun in the March 3 election. Prior to the meeting, Robertson said his objective was to “take care of home” when asked how he plans to juggle his duties on the board and with his current employer.
“Just to continue the improvement of our school district to get our students where they’re competitive globally, and our district is on the map and connected to our city and communities,” Robertson said, stating his goals. “In doing that with integrity and transparency, (I want to) make sure everyone knows everybody’s on board to support the district.”
Shelton-Farris is the mother of a high school senior and fourth grader who said she was drawn to running for election because her students attend school in the PBSD and not as a politician. She succeeds Jomeka Edwards, who did not file for reelection.
“I’m just hoping to serve the students and the school and know that I’m making the right decisions for them and follow the law the best that we can all the time,” Shelton-Farris said. I’m just here to serve the students and the community and just ensure the schools have what they need, and make sure the staff is well taken care of.”
2026-27 CALENDAR APPROVED
The board approved a calendar for the 2026-27 school year. The slate includes 154 academic days prior to the state assessment in the district. Among key dates:
The first day of classes is Aug. 3, the first time the PBSD started in August under its year-round format. The last day of classes is June 4.
Staff professional development days are scheduled for July 29-31; Aug. 31; Oct. 14; Jan. 4-6; March 29; and June 7.
Labor Day break is Sept. 1-7; fall break Oct. 15-20; Thanksgiving break Nov. 23-27; and Christmas break Dec. 21-Jan. 1.
CLEAN AUDIT
Finance director Jamie Reid reported the PBSD received a clean audit from the Arkansas Legislative Audit for fiscal year 2025.
The audit contains an independent review of financial statements, internal controls and compliance, and federal program compliance. A clean audit, Reid said, is the result of an unmodified opinion, which she said means financial records were presented fairly, accurate and reliable.
“That’s the highest level of assurance you can receive,” Reid said.
IN OTHER DISTRICT BUSINESS
The board either approved or renewed contracts for 141 certified staff members including seven principals and nine assistant principals. A hearing was voted off the agenda after Barbaree announced an issue between an employee and district officials was settled.