GRAVETTE — GRAVETTE - The Gravette school board Monday night heard three proposals on how to spend $337,687 the district is expected to receive from the Education Jobs Fund Program. That money is from federal funds the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) is distributing to schools throughout the state.

Jake Haak, District Business Manager, provided the alternatives recommended by the district Facilities Committee. They follow guidelines and recommendations from the ADE.Funds must be used to fund support salaries and benefits for current teachers and staff who provide daily education services to the students.

One alternative is to pay the current salaries for 5-6 current teachers who normally would be paid from the fiscal year 11 operating budget. This would free funds from that budget for transfer to a building fund for future use.

A second alternative is to use $150,000 of the total to pay a one-time bonus next fiscal year for all eligible employees. This would amount to roughly $500 per person. Remaining funds to pay current salaries would then free some $187,000 for later use for district projects.

The third alternative is to use the entire amount to pay a one-time bonus of approximately $1,200 each to eligible employees in fiscal year 12.

Haak told the board that at least two area districts, Rogers and Gentry, have not provided bonuses this year.

The board will consider these recommendations, or possibly others, in future discussions. The funds must be used by September 2012.

Other Projects

Haak also reported recommendations for use of the approximately $335,000 remaining from a stimulus package received last year and which is available for capital improvements.

Projects recommended include needed improvement to physical plants including roofs, ceilings and replacing equipment. Several of these projects are expected to be let for bids in coming weeks.

In other action, the board rejected an employee severance “buy out” plan which has been discussed at previous meetings. The consensus was not to proceed with the plan.

One item of particular interest that Haak reported is that the Gravette School District is in the top 10 schools in the state for starting teacher salaries.

Gravette’s beginning salary of $39,500 is seventh from the top.

Three other Benton County schools are also listed in the top 10; Bentonville, with a starting salary of $42,230; Rogers, $41,300; and Siloam Springs, $38,100.

The board heard several reports and an executive session followed. These will be reported in next week's Eagle Observer.

School News, Pages 12 on 12/22/2010