EL DORADO — The El Dorado School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting tonight, May 12, at 6 p.m., with a full agenda that includes financial updates, staff recognitions, and student honors across several campuses.

The board will begin by approving the minutes from its previous regular meeting held on April 14, as well as a special called meeting on April 22. Board members will then review and consider approval of monthly bills for payment and hear the annual audit report from Michael Cobb of Cobb & Suskie, Ltd.

One of the key financial items on the agenda includes a proposed update to the district’s extra duty pay stipends and salary schedule, followed by a review of lunch pricing for the 2025-26 school year.

A special moment of recognition will highlight students earning the Arkansas Seal of Biliteracy. Honorees include Ignacio Chavez and Fredling Sarahy Mendoza Salmeron (10th grade), Abbigail Jasso, Daniela Peralta, and Samuel Ramirez (11th grade), and Denisse Hernandez and Ariana Jasso (12th grade). The award, presented by Heather Jennings, recognizes students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one other language.

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Two Southern Arkansas University student residents, Nealey Elkins and Cambell Warner, will also be recognized for their contributions to the district.

The board will hear from Yocum Primary and Yocum Elementary School, where several students and staff members will be honored. Katherine Briones Valerio and Zamarion Lowery were named Students of the Month for Yocum Primary and Elementary, respectively. Classified Employees of the Month are Melinda King (Primary) and Savannah Brown (Elementary), while Ashley Collinsworth and Nicole McAdams will be recognized as Teachers of the Month.

Principal Jessica Moore will provide a combined report for both Yocum Primary and Yocum Elementary.

The meeting will conclude with consideration of student transfer petitions and an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

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EL DORADO — The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce is rallying community support for local business with a special “Cash Mob” event this Saturday, May 17, at Especially For You, located at 522 W. 19th Street in El Dorado.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and shoppers are encouraged to stop by and commit to spending at least $25 in the store. In return, they’ll help boost a locally owned business — and be entered to win door prizes just for participating.

Cash mobs are grassroots efforts to support small businesses by encouraging a surge of customers during a short, targeted period. They not only provide a financial lift to businesses but also help generate visibility and build lasting community connections.

Especially For You, a longtime favorite in El Dorado’s retail scene, offers a wide variety of gifts, fashion, and home goods. The event aims to reward loyal customers and introduce new shoppers to what the store has to offer.

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No advance registration is necessary. Shoppers can come by at any time during the three-hour window. For more information, visit the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce on social media.

EL DORADO — As the current school year nears its end, families in Union County are being reminded to prepare for upcoming immunization requirements for the 2025-2026 academic year.

In accordance with Arkansas state law, students must receive several key vaccinations before returning to campus this fall. The requirements include:

• One dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis) for students 11 years of age

• One dose of Meningococcal vaccine for students entering 7th grade

• A Meningococcal booster dose at 16 years of age

School officials urge families to complete these vaccinations before the first day of school. Students will have a 30-day grace period from the start of school to submit proof of immunization. After that, those who are not up to date will not be permitted on campus.

Appointments can be scheduled through the local health department or other healthcare providers. The Union County Health Unit in El Dorado is available for appointments and can be reached at (870) 863-5101.

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For questions or more information, parents are encouraged to contact school nurse Bailee McDaniel, RN.

Families are advised not to wait, as appointment slots may fill quickly over the summer.

EL DORADO — Children and teens in El Dorado will have access to free meals throughout the summer thanks to a seasonal meal program offered at El Dorado High School during June and July 2025.

The program, available to all children 18 and under, provides two convenient ways for families to receive meals — either in person or through a weekly pickup. All meals are served on a first come, first served basis.

From Monday through Thursday, children can enjoy breakfast and lunch at El Dorado High School, located at 2525 Parnell Road. Breakfast will be served from 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Adults may also purchase meals, with breakfast priced at $3 and lunch at $5.

For added flexibility, families may choose to pick up five days’ worth of breakfast and lunch on Mondays between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the same location, behind the high school. Children do not need to be present during pickup, and the meals remain free for anyone under the age of 18.

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The initiative ensures that local youth continue to receive nutritious meals even when school is not in session, and it supports working families with limited access to daytime meal services.

No registration is required, and availability is based on a first come, first served basis each day and week. For more details, families are encouraged to contact El Dorado School District.

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Division of Higher Education is encouraging students to apply for the Arkansas Future (ArFuture) Grant, a program that covers tuition and fees for students pursuing high-demand careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as other critical regional fields.

The fall deadline to apply is July 1, and prospective students are urged to act quickly to take advantage of this opportunity. Applications can be submitted online at sams.adhe.edu.

The ArFuture Grant is designed to increase the education and skill level of Arkansas’ workforce by providing financial support to students enrolled in qualifying certificate and associate degree programs at public institutions across the state. The program was launched in 2017 as part of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s effort to boost workforce readiness and economic development by targeting tuition support to students pursuing credentials in fields that are essential to Arkansas’ future.

Eligible programs include areas such as computer science, healthcare, manufacturing, and other high-demand technical fields that meet state or regional workforce needs. The grant is a last-dollar award, meaning it covers remaining tuition and fee costs after other financial aid has been applied.

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To qualify, students must enroll in an eligible program, maintain good academic standing, and agree to live and work in Arkansas for at least three years upon graduation. The program is available to both recent high school graduates and adult learners returning to school to upgrade their skills or change careers.

For more information on eligibility, program details, and how to apply, visit sams.adhe.edu.