Votes at a glance: June 2026 Jacksonville North Pulaski School Board

The following is a summary of formal votes and motions taken at the June 2026 Jacksonville North Pulaski School District board meeting.

- Alphabest after‑school pilot (Bobby G. Lester Elementary): Motion to approve the pilot passed by voice vote; no opposition recorded. Administration charged with finalizing licensing, contracting and family outreach.

- Merl Taylor pre‑K conversion project: Board approved proceeding with design/pricing and procurement steps after architects reported a second‑phase estimate near $6.1 million and said drawings were submitted to the State Department of Education. Bidding will begin after state approval and the district will return with a GMP.

- Vendor renewals and procurement resolutions: The board approved routine vendor renewals for child nutrition (including Don Wholesale and milk/dairy vendors), purchasing co‑op contracts and related procurement resolutions presented on the consent/resolutions agenda.

- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for school meals: The board approved district participation in CEP, enabling free breakfast and lunch for all scholars at participating sites for four consecutive years per the program rules; administration said the district already qualifies under program guidelines.

- Paid benefits payment method: The board approved switching employee health‑benefit payment processing to the district’s ACH/administrative channel starting July 1, 2026 (administration said there is no additional cost to employees).

- Legal settlement: The board approved a negotiated settlement to conclude ongoing litigation/appearances related to Dr. Jones, presented as $7,500 by administration; the motion passed after a voice vote in which one board member registered opposition prior to the motion carrying.

- Personnel and executive session outcomes: After executive session the board approved an early retirement separation agreement for Assistant Superintendent Dr. Janice Walker (motion carried; one opposed recorded). The board also approved interim assignments including Dr. Amanda Bard as interim assistant superintendent, Dr. Brandy How as director of instructional leadership, Jennifer Spriggs as principal of Merl Taylor Elementary, and Jocelyn Taylor as assistant principal; motions carried by voice vote.

- Other routine approvals: The board approved consent agenda items, minutes, financial reports, removal of damaged vehicles and buses from inventory (for parts), 2026–27 handbook revisions, and several uncontested student disciplinary packets.

Where votes were recorded by voice only, the meeting minutes did not include roll‑call tallies in the transcript excerpt provided to the board. For items with legal or financial consequences (the settlement and the Merl Taylor project), administration committed to returning to the board with contract documents and a GMP when available.