Benton Public Schools

10/27/2026

❤️🐾 THIS IS WHAT COMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT!

$10,000 toward supporting Benton students and families! What an incredible gift!

Thank you to Ponder the Kids' Kauses for supporting the work of Bright Futures Benton and helping us take care of our Panther family. We are fortunate to have such generous community partners!

With your help, Ponder the Kids' Kauses was able to donate $10,000 (!!!) to Bright Futures Benton in September! 🎉🎊🎉🎊

These funds will go toward two of the organization's initiatives: 1) Feed a Panther, a program designed to provide weekend food backpacks for students experiencing food insecurity; and 2) Merry & Bright Christmas Program, which aims to coordinate seasonal support, sponsor tags, and hygiene item distributions throughout the month of December. Thank you so much for making it possible for us to do this important work in our community! 🌈

10/26/2026

Benton Teacher Among Arkansas Merit Pay Educators Honored at Governor's Mansion Reception with Second Lady Usha Vance
Educators recognized through the Arkansas Excellence in
Teaching Fellowship program's work to elevate great teaching

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dozens of Arkansas educators who earned merit pay, including Erin Green from Benton, gathered at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, October 20, for an Educator Appreciation Reception hosted by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, and Second Lady of the United States Usha Vance.

The reception recognized merit pay recipients, educators, and education leaders. It gave teachers from across the state a chance to meet the Second Lady and the Governor and to be celebrated for their work in the classroom.

"I was truly honored to have the opportunity to meet Second Lady Usha Vance. As a teacher, it was a special and memorable experience to be part of such an occasion. I’m grateful for the opportunity and will always cherish this moment! " said Erin Green, Teacher, Benton School District, a merit pay recipient and Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellow.

Earlier in the day, the Second Lady and the Governor visited Glenview Elementary School in North Little Rock, where they toured classrooms, held a literacy roundtable with state education leaders, and joined an all-school assembly. The Governor's full photo release has more on the day's events.

The reception reflects the state's growing focus on celebrating teaching. According to the Governor's office, the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program, created under the LEARNS Act, has awarded more than $50 million in merit pay to over 12,000 educators statewide over the last three years.

About the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship

The Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship is a nine-month program, launched in summer 2025, that uplifts educators who receive merit pay and shows the public what great teaching looks like and how it is celebrated. This year's cohort includes 30 fellows from across Arkansas. Fellows take part in virtual convenings to strengthen their practice, deepen their understanding of the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund, and build public awareness of the teaching profession. They also receive training and support for public-facing activities where they share their experience, along with a $1,500 stipend. The fellowship is led in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education and Each Day Communications.

Erin Green (left) is pictured with her guest, Caroline Treece (right).

10/26/2026

**Howard Perrin Elementary Lockdown Update**

This morning at 10:57 a.m., Howard Perrin Elementary was placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution after a loud noise was heard outside the school.

The Benton Police Department responded promptly and determined that the noise was caused by a blown transformer.

The lockdown was lifted at **11:09 a.m.**, and normal school operations have resumed.

We are proud of the Howard Perrin Elementary staff and students for their quick response and grateful to the Benton Police Department for their swift action in ensuring the safety of our school community.

**All students and staff are safe, and the school day is continuing as normal.**

10/23/2026

2026–2027 Teacher Advisory Committee

Our Teacher Advisory Committee (TAC) kicked off the 2026–2027 school year with its first meeting!

Each year, teachers have the opportunity to serve on this committee, with representatives selected by their fellow educators. Throughout the school year, TAC members meet quarterly with Superintendent Dr. Nail and district leadership to share ideas, discuss campus happenings, and provide valuable feedback from the classroom.

We are excited to introduce our **2026–2027 Teacher Advisory Committee representatives:**

🐾 **Angie Grant Elementary:** Caitlin Jones
🐾 **Caldwell Elementary:** Faith Lamb
🐾 **Howard Perrin Elementary:** Kelsey Ramsey
🐾 **Mountain View Elementary:** Kellie Harris
🐾 **Ringgold Elementary:** Kim Hathcoate
🐾 **Benton Middle School:** Janelle Smith
🐾 **Mountain View Middle School:** Christie Moore
🐾 **Benton Junior High School:** Tara McKeon
🐾 **Benton High School:** Sarah Horne

We appreciate these educators for their willingness to serve as a voice for their fellow teachers and help strengthen communication and collaboration across our district. Their perspectives and feedback are valuable as we continue working together to make Benton School District the best it can be!

❤️🐾

10/22/2026

🏈🐾 **PANTHERS UNITED!**

Our Benton Special Olympics Unified Flag Football Team took the field at War Memorial Stadium yesterday for a great day of football, teamwork, and Panther Pride!

Our athletes and Unified Partners showed what it means to come together as one team, celebrating friendship, inclusion, and the love of the game.

We are so proud of these Panthers for representing Benton School District! ❤️🏈

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10/21/2026

Hi Panther Families, here is a look at our Community Review for this month's School Board Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/CommunityReviewOct

10/20/2026

🏆 PANTHER PRIDE | National Merit Semifinalists

Benton School District is proud to recognize five Benton High School students who have been named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program!

Congratulations to:

🌟 Maggie Zhang
🌟 Alizon Padron
🌟 Ryne Lewallen
🌟 Thomas Gilliland
🌟 Abdalrahman Abdalrahman

These outstanding students have earned one of the nation's most prestigious academic recognitions, reflecting their exceptional academic abilities and dedication to excellence.

We are incredibly proud of these Panthers for representing Benton High School at the national level! Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! ❤️🐾

10/20/2026

🏆 PANTHER PRIDE | Salt Bowl Peanut Butter Drive Champions! 🥜

Congratulations to Angie Grant Elementary for winning the Salt Bowl Peanut Butter Drive with an incredible 673 jars of peanut butter collected!

A special shoutout to AGE PTO President Mayson Danaher, who helped facilitate a generous donation of over 500 jars of peanut butter that contributed to the school's impressive total! We appreciate her efforts and the support of the AGE community!

The peanut butter collected during the month of September does more than support a friendly competition. These donations help provide food assistance to Benton School District families in need throughout the entire year.

We are so proud of our AGE Panthers for showing what it means to give back and take care of our Panther family!

Congratulations, Angie Grant Elementary! ❤️🐾

10/20/2026

🏆 PANTHER PRIDE | Teacher Recognition

Benton School District is proud to recognize these outstanding educators for their contributions to student growth on summative assessments!

Congratulations to:

🌟 Angela McAtee
🌟 Brittany Cage
🌟 Charlece Ramsey
🌟 Jonica Ferrell
🌟 Justine Jackson
🌟 Kelsey Thornton
🌟 Lauren Richardson
🌟 Rachel Wooten
🌟 Sarah Winne
🌟 Vanessa Hendrix

These teachers have demonstrated a strong commitment to student learning and academic growth. Their dedication, hard work, and focus on student success are making a meaningful difference in our classrooms.

Congratulations to these exceptional educators for their commitment to helping our Panthers learn, grow, and succeed! ❤️🐾

10/20/2026

🏆 PANTHER PRIDE | Teacher Recognition

Benton School District is proud to recognize these outstanding educators for their contributions to student achievement and academic excellence!

These teachers have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to student learning, with achievements in science, literacy, and mathematics.

🌟 Faith Lamb – Highest Science Scores in the District
🌟 Terri Tindall & Paige Prothro – Literacy Achievement
🌟 Chaley Holland – Math Achievement
🌟 Jordan Staton – Math Achievement
🌟 Stacey Phifer – Literacy Achievement
🌟 Yesenia Ramos – Math Achievement
🌟 Kelsey Holt – Literacy Achievement
🌟 Kylie Rosnermanz – Literacy & Math Achievement
🌟 Kristi Hixon – Literacy Achievement
🌟 Sydney Clark – Math Achievement (Co-Teacher)

Their dedication, instructional excellence, and commitment to helping students succeed are making a difference in classrooms every day.

Congratulations to these incredible educators! Thank you for all you do to help our Panthers grow and achieve! ❤️🐾