EL DORADO – The El Dorado School Board conducted a special-called meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025, to discuss two key topics. The first item on the agenda was to reconsider the vote for an alternative calendar that the El Dorado School Board voted to veto in favor of keeping a traditional calendar for the 2026-2027 School Year. 

Superintendent Jim Tucker opened the meeting by thanking everyone for showing up and asking that respect be shown between all participants. He reassured attendees that every board member cares deeply about the district, regardless of differing opinions, and emphasized that “we are all here for the same purpose—giving the best to our students, staff, and parents.”

The podium then welcomed Hannah Cardin, the District Personnel Policy Committee Chair. Cardin thanked the board for hearing her again and bringing the meeting together. She described the district as superior, saying, “There is no district I would rather work for or send my kids to school in.” Speaking as the Chair for the committee and educator, Cardin explained that her role is to advocate for the staff who feel unheard while also representing her students. She stressed that everyone in the room shared a common goal: the well-being, learning, and safety of students. 

Cardin detailed the many responsibilities teachers take on beyond instruction. Cardin spoke on her experience, saying that she often also handed out band-aids for students’ “boo-boo’s,” tissues to students who came seeking her mentorship in tough situations, and even gluing backpacks together. Cardin emphasized that the teachers were not making a selfish decision in recommending the alternative calendar, but that the teachers of El Dorado School District would be willing to lay down their lives for their students. Cardin reminded the El Dorado School Board that they don’t have to participate in a classroom as the schools conduct monthly Active Shooter Drills and invited them to attend one. She also noted that professional development includes training for child safety, reinforcing that teachers are more than subject instructors.

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She emphasized that teachers are not asking for extra vacation time but rather for schedules that prevent burnout. Longer summer breaks, she explained, cause student regression and hinder progress. An alternative calendar would allow more time for doctor appointments without excessive absences for both students and teachers. Teachers often feel guilty for missing class due to substitute shortages, and substitutes cannot provide the same continuity. A more balanced schedule would reduce burnout and improve consistency by keeping regular teachers in front of students.

Cardin also explained that school improvement plans are only as strong as the teachers who implement them. Responding to a concern for the “voiceless,” she pointed out that teachers themselves are the voices of the unheard. She acknowledged both calendar options of 178 student contact days and 190 teacher contract days, and she reminded the Board of countless statistics and research findings that the committee was able to find. Cardin closed by thanking the board for their time. A round of applause followed. 

• 73% of teachers voted for the 2025-2026 Alternative Calendar
• 76% of teachers voted for the 2026-2027 Alternative Calendar 

The Public Comments

Vicky Dobson then read the rules for public comments, reminding attendees that each commenter had three minutes to speak, with a total of 30 minutes allotted.

Jessica Webb, a Dyslexia Interventionist for the District, recommended the alternative calendar with start dates of either August 3 or August 12. She explained that although teachers are contracted for 7.17 hours, they often work 8–10 hours daily. Students, she argued, benefit from more frequent breaks, and evidence shows alternative calendars reduce absences. Webb shared a personal example of missing school for a doctor’s appointment because it couldn’t be scheduled during spring break, stating that Calendar A was about sustainability rather than convenience.

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Nichole McAdams said she did not attend the last meeting because she trusted community surveys, but was disappointed in the outcome. She explained that late afternoons and Fridays become difficult when breaks are too far apart, leading to student inattentiveness. McAdams shared her heartbreak over the last decision, stating she always believed the board supported staff. She urged the board to try the calendar for one year.

Laura Allen, a parent of two daughters in the district, expressed support for the alternative calendar. She said summer is often a struggle for families, with children continuing to grow and desiring to learn. She reasoned that if balancing summer is difficult for a director at SAAC, it must be harder for many other parents. She also shared that her students feel less anxious about school and are enthusiastic about the idea of more frequent breaks.

Shelby Goff, a first-grade teacher at Yocum Primary in her second year, admitted she is already feeling burned out. She explained that the district deserves teachers who are happy to show up and teach, warning that turnover will continue to rise if nothing changes.

Devin Patterson, father of three students, voiced frustration that surveys were disregarded. He felt distanced from the decision-making process, noting that over half of district families are economically challenged and that summer regression disproportionately affects this demographic. He added that teachers need time for rest since their schedules limit vacation opportunities to peak seasons.

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Chester Passmore III, a local pastor, father, and mentor, thanked the board for serving. He criticized the lack of transparency, comparing it to refusing a spouse’s request without giving an explanation. He said he emailed his representative but never received a response. Passmore III expressed his grief with the disrespect he felt the Board had given the community, with a lack of explanation for their ruling against the public surveys. 

Hannah Singleton, a substitute teacher who lasted only three weeks before leaving, also spoke. As an adjunct professor, she stressed that teachers are “the ones with boots on the ground.” She urged the board to adopt flexibility, warning that rigidity breaks when worn down. Since the calendar is voted on annually, she asked the board to try something new.

Willow Pumar explained that the Personnel Policy Committee’s alternative calendar addressed concerns about year-round school while offering better consistency, particularly for students with special needs. She said the approach could reduce absences and behavioral incidents, and that survey results showed the hardest challenges of community investment had already been addressed.

Lori Wilcox insisted that supporting the alternative calendar was not a selfish decision, countering claims that teachers were choosing what was easiest for themselves. She thanked board members who voted “yes” by name.

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An El Dorado School District student came to the podium without permission, but was granted approval by the Board. The student asked why the board would go against the wishes of teachers and students, asking directly, “Did you forget about us?” The student argued that the alternative calendar would provide more time for catching up academically, working on areas of weakness, and allowing teachers preparation and recovery time. 

Every community member who spoke at the meeting was given a round of applause. 

The Board Votes

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In the previous meeting, the Board Members voted as so: 

• Keith Smith: No
• Wayne Gibson: Yes
• Susan Tuberville: No
• Vicky Dobson: No
• Kenneth Clemons: No
• Todd Whatley: Yes
• Renee Skinner: Yes

In tonight’s meeting, the Board Members voted as so: 

• Wayne Gibson pointed out that board initiatives in the past, such as early Wednesday dismissals and moving ninth grade to EHS, were once predicted to harm the district but were ultimately successful. Gibson mentioned he had reached out to other Board Members for districts around the state that had made the switch, and he stated that the consensus was positive. He said the Board had trusted Tucker’s and Pruitt’s opinions then, so it should also listen when teachers present researched facts. Gibson pointed out he voted yes for the 2025-2026 Alternative Calendar and for the 2026-2027 Alternative Calendar. He remained with his vote of favoring the Alternative Calendar for the 2026-2027 calendar. 

• Keith Smith explained that he made the decision he believed was best and did not take it lightly. Based on his research, he concluded that neither calendar offered a complete win. He stated that children thrive on routine, which he felt the Alternative Calendar disrupted. Keith Smith voted against the proposed change. 

• Todd Whatley spoke briefly on his vote mentioning that he originally voted no for an Alternative Calendar for this school year back in the Spring, but he decided to look more into the numbers. Whatley stated that roughly 75% of the 350 teachers surveyed supported the Alternative Calendar. He said that if the teachers and administrators, with well over 1000+ hours of education in education believed in this, “Let’s give it a try.” Todd Whatley voted in favor of the Alternative Calendar. 

• Renee Skinner, who voted yes, acknowledged that opponents made compelling arguments but felt the numbers ultimately supported change. She stressed that if the Alternative Calendar did not work, the Board could pivot. The calendar is voted on yearly. Renee Skinner voted in favor of the Alternative Calendar

• Kenneth Clemons thanked teachers, acknowledging that the profession often feels unrewarding or not as rewarding as you would hope. Clemons stated that he is a junior Board member, but his vote is casted by community, not seniority. Clemons stated that he knocked on the doors of those who signed the petition to get him on the ballot for School Board to ask for their opinions. He stated that many of his supporters were against the change. Clemons reminded those in attendance that the School Board serves for free, but the district can remain unified regardless of outcome. Clemons voted against the Alternative Calendar

• Susan Tuberville stated firmly, that she was looking out into the public and seeing all of the faces staring at her angrily and that she would not change her vote. She argued that one of the primary justifications in the argument for the Alternative Calendar was less regression over summer due to a shorter break. She stated that an 8-day difference in start would not have the effect on regression that the Personnel Committee was hoping for. Tuberville also pointed out concerns for childcare costs, saying she “knows the price of a babysitter.” She stated she would be listening to her constituents and voting against the Alternative Calendar. Two audience members clapped following Tuberville’s remarks, drawing noticeable tension from supporters of the Alternative Calendar. 

• Vicky Dobson apologized for allowing only one teacher to speak at a previous meeting and acknowledged that fairness had been disregarded. She explained that she had spoken with teachers and administrators and received many emails and texts, most in favor of the traditional calendar. While her head told her one thing, she said her heart led her to cast the deciding vote for the traditional calendar, believing it was the best option “for now.”

• Keith Smith: No
• Wayne Gibson: Yes
• Susan Tuberville: No
• Vicky Dobson: No
• Kenneth Clemons: No
• Todd Whatley: Yes
• Renee Skinner: Yes

Notably, the School Board presented none of the data they collected to the public. Many of those in attendance asked “where were the voices of those who opposed tonight?” as they walked out of the room. Others mumbled that they should “select board members on feelings instead of votes.” 

Wayne Gibson made a personal statement of personal opinion, “Madame President, I fear this is the 3rd time we’ve made a mistake.” Mr. Tucker concluded this portion of the meeting by thanking everyone who came out to express their opinions. He praised the speakers, saying he was proud of their passion and emphasized that by continuing to work together, a solution would eventually be found.  

El Dorado School Board Approves 2026-2027 Proposed Budget

The Board voted unanimously to accept the proposed budget by Shelly Pruitt, the Treasurer for El Dorado School District. 

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For more information on the proposed budget, please reach out to the El Dorado School District.