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Week 16: Partnerships That Strengthen Us, Decisions That Shape Us
Happy Friday!
Welcome back from Thanksgiving Break. I want to thank everyone for the steady work and professionalism shown as we returned to school this week. The weeks between now and Christmas can feel fast, but your focus and commitment continue to make an impact on our students. As always, our performance targets remain in full view: strong attendance, reduced discipline referrals, and continued academic growth across all grade levels. Thank you for the effort you bring to each of these goals.
This week’s Wrap-up highlights two important areas of focus for our district. First, I want to share the opportunities emerging from our visit to NIDEC, formerly US Motors, and how their expansion creates meaningful career pathways for our students. Second, I want to bring attention to the federal funding proposals now moving through Congress and what they may mean for Polk County. Both of these topics speak directly to our mission of preparing students, supporting staff, and building community confidence.
A Visit with NIDEC – Opportunity in Our Own Backyard
This week, we were invited to tour NIDEC, formerly US Motors, one of Mena’s most important corporate partners and a long-standing contributor to the economic strength of Polk County. Their facility manufactures industrial electrical motors used around the world for moving fluids and air, supporting industries such as mining, petroleum, natural gas, agricultural irrigation, and water utilities. The precision and craftsmanship we observed reflect a level of technical skill and pride that aligns with the values we teach our students every day.
NIDEC leaders shared that they are in a period of expansion and will soon need fifteen to twenty-five additional employees, with nearly that many vacancies available right now. What stood out the most was how accessible these careers are for our graduates. Most positions require only a high school diploma, yet offer highly competitive starting wages, opportunities for advancement, and tuition assistance programs for those who want to continue their education while working.
Their encouragement for Mena students to apply, along with their open invitation for teachers and classes to tour the facility, demonstrates the power of a strong corporate presence in a rural community. It also reinforces the message shared in earlier Wrap-ups: that meaningful, high-wage work is available to students who develop their skills, understand their purpose, and are willing to put in the effort to grow. When students see advanced manufacturing up close and understand the skill sets required, they begin to recognize that prosperity is not distant. It is here, attainable, and within reach through determination, perseverance, and personal growth.
Federal Funding for FY26: What Teachers Should Know Right Now
Earlier this school year, we entered August with the same uncertainty felt by districts across Arkansas when federal Title I, II, and III dollars were temporarily withheld during budget negotiations in Washington. Although most of the funding was ultimately released once the federal fiscal year began on October 1, the delay revealed how fragile the system becomes when rural schools cannot rely on predictable federal support at the start of the year. Many of you saw the worry firsthand as we planned literacy interventions, scheduled professional development, and prepared services for multilingual learners without firm confirmation of the federal programs that make those efforts possible.
Congress is now considering two very different plans for FY26, and the consequences for Polk County classrooms could not be more significant. The House proposal cuts nearly four billion dollars from Title I and eliminates Title II and Title III entirely. For districts like ours, this would reduce the trained paraprofessionals and early-literacy interventionists who work with our youngest students each day. It would end federal support for Science of Reading-aligned professional development and disrupt the targeted language instruction Polk County multilingual learners depend on. These reductions strike directly at the instructional progress our students are making and create barriers for teachers who count on these supports to provide high-quality learning experiences.
By contrast, the Senate’s bipartisan plan maintains funding for all three programs and strengthens expectations for timely, predictable federal disbursement. For rural districts, that predictability is essential. Staffing decisions are made months before the federal fiscal year begins, and intervention plans must begin long before October. Stability allows us to prepare students, support staff, and maintain the instructional momentum we have built together.
Because these decisions will shape what is possible in Polk County classrooms next fall, your voice matters. Teachers provide the firsthand knowledge that policymakers rarely see. If you feel called to advocate for stable, student-centered funding, the education staff for our federal delegation are available to hear from you:
Representative Bruce Westerman’s office: Charlie Louree ([email protected])Senator John Boozman’s office: Kathleen Bochow ([email protected])Senator Tom Cotton’s office: Madison Erstine ([email protected]) and Riley Larson ([email protected])
A short, respectful message sharing what these programs make possible in your classroom can help ensure that Washington understands the practical impact of its decisions. Our students deserve stability, not surprises.
Closing Celebrations
Before Thanksgiving Break, Mena was proudly represented at the Special Olympics Fall Games. Our athletes returned with outstanding results, earning two Gold-medal finishes, three Silver-medal finishes, and two Bronze-medal finishes. These accomplishments reflect the commitment, teamwork, and spirit our students bring to every opportunity. I appreciate everyone who helped make this experience possible for our athletes.
We also celebrated an important milestone this week at UA Rich Mountain with the “topping off” ceremony for the new Allied Health Science Building, scheduled to open in Fall 2026. I was honored to attend as the final beam was placed and signed, marking significant progress on a facility that will soon house early health professionals gaining real clinical experience right here in Polk County. The construction company leading this project, Clark Contractors, is partnering with Mena Public Schools to provide apprentices with on-the-job training and high school course credit, giving our students a direct connection between classroom learning and real-world career pathways in the construction trades. This is another example of how strong local partnerships create meaningful opportunities for our students and strengthen the future workforce of our community.
Nothing ushers in the holidays like our choir and band concerts, and we began the season last night with a wonderful performance from our Mena Middle School and Mena High School Choirs in the Performing Arts Center. This annual event always brings out the spirit of the season, and our students delivered a heartfelt and impressive program that showcased their talent, discipline, and joy in making music together. I appreciate the work of our choir directors and the dedication of our students who make this tradition such a meaningful part of our school community.
We will continue the tradition next week as our Mena Bands present their Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 11. This performance is always a highlight of the season, and our band students have been working with focus and determination to prepare a program that reflects both their growing skill and the pride they take in representing our school. I look forward to seeing our community come together again to support these students and enjoy an evening of music that truly captures the spirit of the holidays.
Our 5th Grade Winter Program earlier this week brought a full audience to the Performing Arts Center and showcased the energy, excitement, and talent of our youngest performers. Congratulations also to our 5th and 6th-grade Quiz Bowl Team for earning 2nd place at the Ashdown Invitational. Their preparation, teamwork, and poise were evident throughout the competition. At Louise Durham, several of our preschool students reached the impressive milestone of reading 500 Books Before Kindergarten. These achievements reflect the joy of early learning and the strong partnership between families and our schools.
Our basketball teams continue to represent Mena well. The Ladycats and Bearcats earned strong wins earlier in the week against Western Yell County, and our junior high teams competed hard in their matchups at Booneville. The senior high teams are now on the road at the Redwater, Texas, Invitational Tournament, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth as the season progresses.
It was a good week of dedication at Mena Public Schools.
At Mena Public Schools, our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.
Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming, and have a good weekend!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearcatwrap.substack.com
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By Dr. Lee SmithHappy Friday!
Welcome back from Thanksgiving Break. I want to thank everyone for the steady work and professionalism shown as we returned to school this week. The weeks between now and Christmas can feel fast, but your focus and commitment continue to make an impact on our students. As always, our performance targets remain in full view: strong attendance, reduced discipline referrals, and continued academic growth across all grade levels. Thank you for the effort you bring to each of these goals.
This week’s Wrap-up highlights two important areas of focus for our district. First, I want to share the opportunities emerging from our visit to NIDEC, formerly US Motors, and how their expansion creates meaningful career pathways for our students. Second, I want to bring attention to the federal funding proposals now moving through Congress and what they may mean for Polk County. Both of these topics speak directly to our mission of preparing students, supporting staff, and building community confidence.
A Visit with NIDEC – Opportunity in Our Own Backyard
This week, we were invited to tour NIDEC, formerly US Motors, one of Mena’s most important corporate partners and a long-standing contributor to the economic strength of Polk County. Their facility manufactures industrial electrical motors used around the world for moving fluids and air, supporting industries such as mining, petroleum, natural gas, agricultural irrigation, and water utilities. The precision and craftsmanship we observed reflect a level of technical skill and pride that aligns with the values we teach our students every day.
NIDEC leaders shared that they are in a period of expansion and will soon need fifteen to twenty-five additional employees, with nearly that many vacancies available right now. What stood out the most was how accessible these careers are for our graduates. Most positions require only a high school diploma, yet offer highly competitive starting wages, opportunities for advancement, and tuition assistance programs for those who want to continue their education while working.
Their encouragement for Mena students to apply, along with their open invitation for teachers and classes to tour the facility, demonstrates the power of a strong corporate presence in a rural community. It also reinforces the message shared in earlier Wrap-ups: that meaningful, high-wage work is available to students who develop their skills, understand their purpose, and are willing to put in the effort to grow. When students see advanced manufacturing up close and understand the skill sets required, they begin to recognize that prosperity is not distant. It is here, attainable, and within reach through determination, perseverance, and personal growth.
Federal Funding for FY26: What Teachers Should Know Right Now
Earlier this school year, we entered August with the same uncertainty felt by districts across Arkansas when federal Title I, II, and III dollars were temporarily withheld during budget negotiations in Washington. Although most of the funding was ultimately released once the federal fiscal year began on October 1, the delay revealed how fragile the system becomes when rural schools cannot rely on predictable federal support at the start of the year. Many of you saw the worry firsthand as we planned literacy interventions, scheduled professional development, and prepared services for multilingual learners without firm confirmation of the federal programs that make those efforts possible.
Congress is now considering two very different plans for FY26, and the consequences for Polk County classrooms could not be more significant. The House proposal cuts nearly four billion dollars from Title I and eliminates Title II and Title III entirely. For districts like ours, this would reduce the trained paraprofessionals and early-literacy interventionists who work with our youngest students each day. It would end federal support for Science of Reading-aligned professional development and disrupt the targeted language instruction Polk County multilingual learners depend on. These reductions strike directly at the instructional progress our students are making and create barriers for teachers who count on these supports to provide high-quality learning experiences.
By contrast, the Senate’s bipartisan plan maintains funding for all three programs and strengthens expectations for timely, predictable federal disbursement. For rural districts, that predictability is essential. Staffing decisions are made months before the federal fiscal year begins, and intervention plans must begin long before October. Stability allows us to prepare students, support staff, and maintain the instructional momentum we have built together.
Because these decisions will shape what is possible in Polk County classrooms next fall, your voice matters. Teachers provide the firsthand knowledge that policymakers rarely see. If you feel called to advocate for stable, student-centered funding, the education staff for our federal delegation are available to hear from you:
Representative Bruce Westerman’s office: Charlie Louree ([email protected])Senator John Boozman’s office: Kathleen Bochow ([email protected])Senator Tom Cotton’s office: Madison Erstine ([email protected]) and Riley Larson ([email protected])
A short, respectful message sharing what these programs make possible in your classroom can help ensure that Washington understands the practical impact of its decisions. Our students deserve stability, not surprises.
Closing Celebrations
Before Thanksgiving Break, Mena was proudly represented at the Special Olympics Fall Games. Our athletes returned with outstanding results, earning two Gold-medal finishes, three Silver-medal finishes, and two Bronze-medal finishes. These accomplishments reflect the commitment, teamwork, and spirit our students bring to every opportunity. I appreciate everyone who helped make this experience possible for our athletes.
We also celebrated an important milestone this week at UA Rich Mountain with the “topping off” ceremony for the new Allied Health Science Building, scheduled to open in Fall 2026. I was honored to attend as the final beam was placed and signed, marking significant progress on a facility that will soon house early health professionals gaining real clinical experience right here in Polk County. The construction company leading this project, Clark Contractors, is partnering with Mena Public Schools to provide apprentices with on-the-job training and high school course credit, giving our students a direct connection between classroom learning and real-world career pathways in the construction trades. This is another example of how strong local partnerships create meaningful opportunities for our students and strengthen the future workforce of our community.
Nothing ushers in the holidays like our choir and band concerts, and we began the season last night with a wonderful performance from our Mena Middle School and Mena High School Choirs in the Performing Arts Center. This annual event always brings out the spirit of the season, and our students delivered a heartfelt and impressive program that showcased their talent, discipline, and joy in making music together. I appreciate the work of our choir directors and the dedication of our students who make this tradition such a meaningful part of our school community.
We will continue the tradition next week as our Mena Bands present their Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 11. This performance is always a highlight of the season, and our band students have been working with focus and determination to prepare a program that reflects both their growing skill and the pride they take in representing our school. I look forward to seeing our community come together again to support these students and enjoy an evening of music that truly captures the spirit of the holidays.
Our 5th Grade Winter Program earlier this week brought a full audience to the Performing Arts Center and showcased the energy, excitement, and talent of our youngest performers. Congratulations also to our 5th and 6th-grade Quiz Bowl Team for earning 2nd place at the Ashdown Invitational. Their preparation, teamwork, and poise were evident throughout the competition. At Louise Durham, several of our preschool students reached the impressive milestone of reading 500 Books Before Kindergarten. These achievements reflect the joy of early learning and the strong partnership between families and our schools.
Our basketball teams continue to represent Mena well. The Ladycats and Bearcats earned strong wins earlier in the week against Western Yell County, and our junior high teams competed hard in their matchups at Booneville. The senior high teams are now on the road at the Redwater, Texas, Invitational Tournament, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth as the season progresses.
It was a good week of dedication at Mena Public Schools.
At Mena Public Schools, our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.
Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming, and have a good weekend!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearcatwrap.substack.com