Welcome back to school, fort Smith

Fort Smith Public Schools students are back in class.

School opened Monday.

Superintendent Terry Morawski answered a few questions related to the school year outlook.

Q: How will the district implement the new starting salaries for teachers?

A: "The school board approved a $50,200.00 starting pay for teachers that went into effect July 1. This will reflect on the checks teachers receive on Aug. 31."

Q: What is the district enrollment projection for first day and what was it on last day of spring?

A: "On the first day of school, enrollment is projected to be approximately 13,600. On the last day of spring, enrollment was 13,800."

Q: Is there a need for substitutes, bus drivers, teachers, or other needs in the district such as materials, foods?

A: "The district is recruiting bus drivers, substitutes, and teachers year-round. United Way's Fill the Bus was a great help in supplying school supplies for the district."

Q: What should be know about school safety on and off campus in traffic or on campuses?

A: "With Ballman (Elementary) temporarily relocated to Fairview, the traffic on Dallas Street during drop-off and pick-up will be congested, so please practice patience with others. If you have a student at Ramsey and Fairview, we recommend picking up the student at Ramsey first and then coming to Fairview to minimize traffic. Please stay off your phone in school zones during drop-off and pick-up hours."

Q: How many school resource officers will be at sites?

A: "The Fort Smith Public Schools Police Department currently has 12 school resource officers. Two officers are placed at each high school and one at each middle school. FSPS PD has three SROs that rotate between the elementary schools, a dispatcher, Lt. Huber, and Chief Hollenbeck."

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Fort Smith schools are back in class