Frank enjoys working with students and sharing life experiences as they learn new ideas and concepts. Outside the classroom, he and Nancy enjoy reading, traveling, and being active in their church. His hobbies include LEGO building, visiting quilt shops, supporting missions, and mentoring youth and adults—while joking that he works to support his wife’s quilting habit.
Pioneer Community,
We are excited to share an update on our two major capital projects, the Middle School Classroom Addition and the new Pioneer Arena!
Over the past several months, our district team, stakeholder design committee, preconstruction managers, and architectural and engineering partners have been working together to finalize the design details and prepare for the next steps. We are happy to share that the building plans have now been submitted to state agencies for final review and approval, a process that typically takes 4–6 weeks.
Once final approvals are received, the projects are expected to move into the bid phase in mid-Spring, with the goal of breaking ground in late Spring. While current estimates suggest that construction may take approximately a year, a number of factors, including weather, market conditions on bid day, and State review outcomes can impact not only the final timeline but also the scope of the project and may result in adjustments along the way.
We are grateful for the continued support of our families, staff, and community. These projects represent an exciting investment in our students and programs, and we look forward to sharing updates as progress continues.
🚨 School Closure – Friday, the 30th 🚨
After careful consideration, school will be closed tomorrow, Friday the 30th.
As weeks like this progress, closure decisions often become less obvious and more challenging, especially later in the week. Conditions can vary widely from one area to another, which is why decisions between districts may differ. Each district must weigh many variables and make the best decision based on what is being seen across its own roads and communities.
Administrators spent several hours today driving district roads to inform this decision. Two-wheel drive was used in many areas, similar to how most cars and buses operate, and we experienced sliding and stalling on hills. Even when switching to four-wheel drive, there were still areas where stopping, starting, and maintaining traction was difficult. Photos are attached for reference and were taken after most of today’s melting had already occurred, reflecting the conditions expected tomorrow morning with likely refreezing.
While limited bus routes are available, those routes are optional for families who may not feel safe traveling, which is another factor considered in the decision-making process. So ultimately, when balancing all of these variables together, we did not feel the potential benefit of being in session outweighed the safety concerns.
These decisions require constant evaluation and balance, and when that balance shifts toward increased risk, our philosophy is to err on the side of caution when student and staff safety is involved.
🏀 Athletics Update
Decisions regarding athletic events and practices will be communicated directly by coaches. Please wait for an official announcement from your coach before assuming practices or events are on or off.
If a practice or event does move forward, students will not be penalized for missing due to weather or road conditions. Safety comes first. Families should communicate directly with coaches if travel is not safe in their area, and flexibility will be provided.
🍎 Snack Pack Pickup
For families who already receive weekly snack packs, schools will be open tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for pickup for those who are able to come. Due to limited supplies, this is available only to families who currently receive snack packs. If your family is experiencing a hardship related to this closure, please reach out and we will do our best to help or connect you with someone who can.
A detailed explanation about make up days will come later but you can view the District calendar by visiting www.gentrypioneers.com.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to keep everyone safe.
After closely monitoring conditions, Gentry Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 29.
District administrators continued to evaluate road conditions today. While we are seeing noticeable improvement, many rural roads and bus routes are still not safely passable at this time.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our Gentry Public Schools Maintenance Department, ARDOT, the City of Gentry, the City of Highfill, and the Benton County Road Department. Their hard work over the past several days is evident in how much road conditions have improved.
With temperatures improving, we are hopeful to return to school on Friday. We will continue monitoring conditions and will communicate as soon as possible tomorrow regarding Friday’s status. Photos of road conditions on some of our rural routes are attached to help illustrate current travel concerns.
Monday, January 26; Tuesday, January 27; Wednesday, January 28; and Thursday, January 29 are the first four inclement weather days missed this school year. In accordance with the district calendar, the first two days will be made up on Friday, February 20 and Friday, April 17, the third day will be made up on Tuesday, May 26, and the fourth day will be made up on Wednesday, May 27. Additional inclement weather makeup days are built into the district calendar if needed.
Visit our school website for the full District calendar:
www.gentrypioneers.com
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
Good afternoon Gentry families and staff,
After closely monitoring conditions, Gentry Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 28.
District administrators continued to evaluate roads throughout Monday and Tuesday, and due to lingering ice and extreme cold temperatures, many rural roads and bus routes remain unsafe for travel at this time.
Our maintenance crews are continuing work on school parking lots and sidewalks to prepare for a safe return as soon as conditions allow. We will continue to monitor road conditions and will communicate promptly if additional closures are necessary, so please stay tuned.
Monday, January 26; Tuesday, January 27; and Wednesday, January 28 are the first three inclement weather days missed this school year. In accordance with the district calendar, the first two days will be made up on Friday, February 20 and Friday, April 17, and the third day will be made up on Tuesday, May 26.
Visit our school website for the full District calendar:
www.gentrypioneers.com
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
With 26 years of experience in education, Pamela enjoys working with young children and supporting their growth and success. She is excited to bring her curiosity, dedication, and positive attitude to her school community. In her free time, she enjoys camping, summer travel, and spending time with family.
**Reposting to correct spelling error.
Mya is excited to join Gentry Public Schools and contribute to a supportive learning environment that values student growth and development. With her background in early childhood care, she looks forward to working as part of a team and positively supporting students. Outside of work, she enjoys playing volleyball, staying organized, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family. She is new to Arkansas and looks forward to becoming an active part of the community.
Good afternoon Gentry families and staff,
After closely monitoring conditions, Gentry Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 27.
District administrators drove roads on both Sunday and Monday, and due to extreme cold temperatures, many rural roads and bus routes remain not safely passable at this time.
Our maintenance crews are spending today working on school parking lots and sidewalks to prepare for a safe return as soon as conditions allow. We will continue to monitor road conditions and will communicate promptly if additional closures are necessary, so please stay tuned.
Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27 are the first two inclement weather days missed this school year. In accordance with the district calendar, these days will be made up on Friday, February 20 and Friday, April 17. Additional inclement weather makeup days are also built into the school calendar should further winter weather occur.
👉 Click here to view the school calendar.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
Gentry Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026 due to inclement weather. Stay safe and warm! ❄️
