Now that the school year has officially come to a close, it is worth taking one more look back at the final week of activities at Arnett Schools.
Students in third through sixth grade who successfully completed their fourth nine weeks AR goals were rewarded with a trip to the swimming pool to celebrate their hard work and dedication to reading throughout the year. It was a fun way for students to wrap up another successful school year.
Front L-R: Jansen Hamilton, Wesley Wheeler. Middle L-R: Kyler Johnson, Kale Dunham, Hudson Wadsworth, Kindrey Gaisford, Carley Nickel, Dylan Watson, Kashyn Miller, Ellie Royal. Back L-R: Lucas Coykendall, Rhett McCartor, Alexia Larkey, Grant Tune
6th grade: Front: Kenna Haney. Second Row L-R: KayLee Walton, Ryder Williams, Nicki Clark. Back Row L-R: Kreed Dunham, Zuree Fuller, Leddy Johnson
F-B: Skyler Gray, Kaysen Ketterman, Elliott Clark, Lukas Hamilton, Sterling Royal, Zayden Islam, Ayden Brown, Bridger Miller, Kiley Wear, Bentley Broadbent, Cash Welty
L-R: Grant Tune, Kashyn Miller, Kale Dunham, Wesley Wheeler, Alexia Larkey, Ellie Royal
Fifth Grade L-R: Alexia Larkey, Kindrey Gaisford, Dylan Watson, Ellie Royal, Carley Nickel, Kashyn Miller, Kyler Johnson, Kale Dunham, Jansen Hamilton, Hudson Wadsworth, Grant Tune, Wesley Wheeler, Rhett McCartor
As another school year ends, Arnett Schools would also like to recognize several valued staff members who will not be returning next year.
Arnett Schools extends its best wishes to Nicki Broyles as she begins a new chapter after 28 years in education, including 15 years at Arnett Schools. From teaching Pre-K and elementary music to developing the high school music and junior high band programs, Mrs. Broyles invested countless hours into students and school activities both inside and outside the classroom. Whether she was teaching instruments, directing band and choral performances, traveling to auditions on weekends, running auditorium sound, or sharing her musical talents within the community, her dedication impacted many students.
Thank you, Nicki, for the passion, talent, and heart you brought to Arnett. Your years of service and commitment to students will not be forgotten, and we wish you the very best in this next season of life.
Congratulations also go to Larry Branstetter on his retirement after 26 years of custodial service to Arnett Schools. For more than two decades, Larry faithfully cared for the gym, cafeteria, Tech Ed, and Ag buildings with pride and dedication. Even at 87 years old, he could still be found mopping the cafeteria, taking out the trash, collecting the mail, and raising and lowering the flag each day. Larry’s consistency, work ethic, and care for the school have left a lasting impact on Arnett Schools. Thank you, Larry, for your 26 years of dedication. You are an inspiration and will truly be missed
Arnett Schools also congratulates Melisa McMurphy on her retirement after 10 years of service. Beginning as a substitute teacher before serving four years as Elementary Secretary, Melisa—affectionately known by many as “JoJo”—quickly became the heartbeat of the elementary building. Organized, dependable, caring, and always willing to help, she consistently went above and beyond for students, staff, and families alike.
Thank you, Melisa, for the extra hours, servant’s heart, and the countless ways you made life easier for everyone around you. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you nothing but the best in retirement.
To wrap up the week with some exciting news, Arnett Senior Beta had three academic test takers place in the Top 20 nationally. These students will travel to Nashville in just a few weeks to test again onsite for a chance to earn a spot in the Top 10 nationally.
As the doors close on another successful year, Arnett Schools has much to celebrate and many people to thank for making the 2025–2026 school year such a memorable one.