RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. \u2014 The Russellville School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a resolution allowing the district to continue making some purchases from businesses owned by board member Luke Duffield, following a lengthy discussion that resulted in changes to clarify the spending limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The resolution covers up to $10,000 in combined purchases from Duffield’s businesses during the 2026\u201327 school year. Larger projects would require separate board consideration and additional state approval when required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duffield, who was appointed to the board in July, recused himself from the discussion and vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The issue has been a topic of discussion since before Duffield joined the board, largely because his companies have been key to the district for construction materials, paving and other services for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Board President Jeff Terry opened Tuesday’s discussion by emphasizing the value of those relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pointed to a recent repair near the high school’s band room that was completed quickly after a problem was identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After reviewing the district’s purchasing history and talking with administrators, Terry said he believed Duffield’s businesses were providing competitive prices and dependable work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Best price. Best product. Best warranty,” Terry said. “Those are the things that I see are all positives.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Board member Donna Hindsman agreed with that assessment, saying the services provided by Duffield’s companies have been important to the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The quality of his work is exceptional, and it is very valuable to the district,” Hindsman said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her concern was with the wording of the proposed resolution, which identified six companies in which Duffield has a financial interest but did not clearly specify a spending limit or time period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hindsman questioned whether the resolution was too broad and suggested that it should specifically address smaller purchases rather than appear to authorize an open-ended arrangement with multiple businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She told board members she had asked an attorney with the Arkansas School Boards Association to review the proposal. According to Hindsman, the attorney also questioned the broad language and recommended greater specificity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Superintendent Dr. Luke Lovins explained that the district’s attorney, Cody Kees, had recommended adopting a general resolution to cover routine purchases, with separate resolutions for larger projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
District administrator Jeff Holt explained that the $10,000 threshold applies to the combined purchases from all businesses in which Duffield has a financial interest, rather than allowing the district to spend that amount with each company individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, the resolution could allow the district to purchase a load of gravel, sand or other materials needed for routine maintenance without returning to the board for each individual transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arkansas regulations require independent review by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education when transactions involving a board member total, or are expected to total, $10,000 or more during a fiscal year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Larger projects, including paving and construction work, would still go through the applicable bidding and approval processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Board member Tyler Loop argued that maintaining the ability to purchase from Duffield’s businesses was important to the district’s finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loop said the district has historically received favorable pricing from those companies and could end up spending more if it had to seek other vendors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Board member Don Jacimore also emphasized Duffield’s contributions while expressing concern that the district’s purchasing relationship could become more complicated because of his position on the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“He does a lot for this school, and he does a lot for this community,” Jacimore said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After discussing several possible changes, board members agreed with Hindsman’s recommendation to make the resolution more specific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She proposed adding language stating that the resolution covered services provided by the identified companies up to $10,000 for the 2026\u201327 school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hindsman said spelling out the limit would make the resolution easier for the public to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I feel like we’re being more transparent,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hindsman ultimately made the motion to approve the resolution with the additional language, and all six participating board members voted in favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The district’s purchasing relationships with Duffield’s businesses were among the major issues discussed when he first sought appointment to the board in June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At that meeting, Jacimore, Hindsman and Jason Cunningham questioned how state conflict-of-interest requirements could affect the district’s ability to continue using the companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duffield said at the time that he had consulted legal counsel and believed any potential conflicts could be addressed through competitive bidding, disclosure and recusal from votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The board split 3-3 on his appointment, leaving the position vacant. The Pope County Quorum Court subsequently appointed Duffield to the at-large seat on July 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tuesday’s discussion returned to many of those same questions, but ultimately ended with an agreement on how to handle the district’s routine purchases while maintaining the approval process required for larger contracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The resolution applies to the 2026\u201327 school year, which ends June 30, 2027.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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