Williams Lays Out Plans for CCSD

RISON - Jerrod Williams told the Cleveland County School Board during his first meeting as superintendent Monday night that it could a "tough year" for the district, but he was already proposing ideas that could save the district money. Speaking to an overflow crowd inside the meeting room of the administration building, Williams said the district is on track to finish the 2022-23 school year down by about $140,000, which was much better than the $330,000 loss that was rumored earlier. However, he noted that there were still about $55,000 in purchases to be paid that could push that shortfall to nearly $200,000. "My goal, and the way I look to function, is cash," Williams told the board. "I don't like to put off paying or purchasing. I like to buy it when it's needed so that way you know exactly how much you have… We're going to be working toward that." With the fiscal year officially ending June 30, he stressed that the numbers he was discussing were approximate and that the final figure will not be available until all the books are officially closed. In an interview with the Herald prior to officially taking over as superintendent, Williams said one of his concerns was keeping up with the rising cost of operations. His first meeting proved that out as he informed the board that the district's property insurance through the Arkansas School Board Association (ASBA) was more than doubling, going from $71,448.89 to $150,224.62 for the year. Williams said the ASBA insurance is essentially a model where the school districts share in the insurance claims made by the districts. With Jessieville and Wynne both experiencing heavy damage from tornadoes, Williams said the cost from those claims is being passed along to the other districts. To put the price hike in perspective, Williams said it will consume nearly 40 percent of the additional money the district will be getting in increased foundation money this year. ...