Bagley Reelected School Board President

School Board President Andrew Bagley

At their regular board meeting Monday night, the Helena-West Helena School District Board reelected Andrew Bagley as its President with out opposition.  Doug Friedlander was reelected Vice-President and Marvin Jarrett was elected Secretary.

After the meeting, Bagley said he was humbled by the confidence his colleagues showed in his continued leadership of the school board.  He said, "I have been honored to serve in this position and look forward to continuing our work on behalf of HWHSD and its children during the coming year.  We have accomplished many things and are focused on making sure that the district continues to move forward as we prepare for the eventual return of local control."

Bagley added, "We have seen the district restored to financial stability over the past three years.  We have seen the technology capacity of the district upgraded substantially and we have seen several facility improvements.  There have been some test score gains, and I am proud of the work we have done.  I am hopeful that we can finish the requirements imposed by the state due to the fiscal distress designation within the remaining 20 months that the state could choose to keep control under the fiscal distress law.  I am hopeful that our community is ready for a return to local control."

In other business, the district approved reports from the campuses, the Superintendent, and concerning the budget for the upcoming year.  The board also heard a presentation from retired Principal Earnest Simpson regarding the future of the Westside campus.  The board is on record as supporting working with the Westside Community Hub, a nonprofit organization, on preserving the building and allowing the group to house its programs there and is working to overcome legal hurdles to make that possible.