Board approves consent agenda and 2025 audit; tables AI plan pending more community input

The Fayetteville School District Board approved routine business and key items during its February meeting.

Consent agenda: A board member moved to approve the consent agenda as presented; the motion carried on a voice vote recorded as 7‑0 in favor.

2025 audit: After a presentation by Sarah Gentry of HCJ CPAs, the board moved to accept the year‑end 2025 audit. The audit had an unmodified (clean) opinion on the regulatory basis required by Arkansas law. The board voted to accept the audit and authorize submission to the federal clearinghouse and bonding companies; the voice vote was recorded 7‑0.

Financial highlights from the audit presentation: Gentry said the general fund ended the year with an approximate fund balance of $30.9 million (about $1.7 million of that restricted for state programs and $29.2 million unassigned). The general fund reported roughly $150 million in total revenues and $132 million in expenditures; property tax revenues were up about $13 million compared with the prior year, and other governmental funds increased due in part to a bond issue.

AI plan tabled: The board discussed the district’s proposed AI plan and heard that community members and trustees wanted more time to review definitions and privacy language. A motion to table the AI plan until next month passed by voice vote (7‑0).

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: approved (voice vote recorded 7‑0).
- Accept 2025 audit: approved (voice vote recorded 7‑0).
- AI plan: motion to table until next month approved (voice vote recorded 7‑0).

What’s next: The audit will be submitted to required federal and bonding authorities; staff will return the AI plan for further review and community input next month.