Although enrollment in the Watson Chapel School District went down 173 students from the end of the 2023-24 school year to the end of 2024-25, the district managed to save $1 million in its operating funds during Keith McGee’s first year as superintendent.
McGee announced at Monday’s board meeting the district finished the fiscal year June 30 at $3.5 million in the black, up from $2.5 million at the same time in 2024. McGee took over as superintendent July 8, 2024, after helming the Helena-West Helena School District.
“We started looking at the budget and tracking the budget, and I just wanted to make sure we were just using good trending data on spending,” McGee said. “So, we were just trying to tighten up on that piece. What we’re trying to do to be more strategic is not fill positions if we don’t need them. I just wanted to be strategic on that.”
District Treasurer Norma Walker cautioned the $1 million increase will be shortened by about $300,000 with the hiring of special education instructors. McGee cited a pressing need for teachers in that area, but some positions would go unfilled as the school district weathered a drop in student enrollment from 1,725 students to 1,552.
The drop in enrollment, which has largely been attributed to the population drop in Pine Bluff, will result in about $1 million lost in state foundation funding during 2025-26, McGee said. He predicted the district would have to make about $3 million more in cuts as it finishes construction of a new high school, scheduled to open next summer. Construction is funded by a 5.7-mill increase district voters approved in August 2022.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“When we talk about right-sizing these schools, making sure these elementary schools are right-sized, the secondary schools are always going to be overstaffed because of the electives,” McGee said. “It’s what we call being strategic to make sure we utilized people who are licensed and they teach in a licensed area. So, we’re just being strategic like that.”
Watson Chapel found an upswing in the arrival of students via school choice. The district took in at least 50 kids and lost about 27 to school choice in the past year, McGee said.
“Right now, that’s a huge plus for us. It’s always going to be our goal to sustain it,” McGee added. “We want to try to sustain some things, and there are some things we’re going to explore for next year so we can continue to be ready to sustain our enrollment in the district.”
NEW SCOREBOARD
A change order in Watson Chapel’s construction budget will bring about a shiny object in its new gymnasium, which will open as part of the new high school next summer.
The board approved a $301,343 purchase of a four-sided center-court scoreboard system to be installed above the court. The cost will be added to the district’s contract with Baldwin & Shell Construction Co., according to a copy of the request for change order.
Four-sided scoreboards are common in major collegiate and professional arenas. Most of them, including the one purchased by Watson Chapel, are also designed with space available for corporate sponsorships.
“The construction of the new high school provides a unique opportunity to enhance the functionality, visibility and overall experience of our gymnasium facility,” McGee said in a district memo. “The addition of a four-sided center court scoreboard system will serve as a key feature for student engagement, athletic excellence and community pride.”
PERSONNEL MOVES
The district approved the employment of Myrel Jean Austin as secondary English/language arts teacher, Stacey Carmeans as secondary social studies teacher, Tamrika Chism as elementary teacher, Elizabeth Elliott as secondary counselor, Jamie Gordon as secondary math teacher, Mariah Hall as vocal music teacher, Lakesha Harris as secondary ELA teacher, Kandra King as special education paraprofessional, Kimberly Lawson as secondary ELA teacher, Brandye McCue as second art teacher, Markeith Neal as director of security, and Jacorrian Spears as secondary social studies teacher.
Resignation/retirement letters were accepted from Edgewood Elementary Principal Edgar Cooper, school improvement specialist Kerri McNeal, mechanic Roderick Austin, teacher Maria Elena de Avila, vehicle maintenance and food service manager Keenon Branch, secretary Chamire Campbell, and bus driver Raymond F. Mitchell.