Gravette schools move toward construction

School board moves to proceed with two major construction projects, architectural firm chosen

Marion Harris, right, was presented a framed photo of the new Gravette High School campus, projects completed during his tenure on the board. Making the presentation during a meeting of the school board last week was Dan Yates, new school board president.
Marion Harris, right, was presented a framed photo of the new Gravette High School campus, projects completed during his tenure on the board. Making the presentation during a meeting of the school board last week was Dan Yates, new school board president.

— A decision to proceed with two major projects for the Gravette School District was approved by the district’s governing board. The action followed reorganization of the board at its meeting Thursday night.

Approved was construction of a new wing for the Gravette Middle School and two new ball fields at the high school complex. The two fields were in the original plan when the new high school was constructed about five years ago.

The reorganization of the board follows the annual schoolelection held in September. Dan Yates, Gravette attorney and CPA, was elected president of the six-member board; John Edwards, vice president; Jim Singleton, secretary; and newly-elected board member Susan Santos, disbursement officer. Other board members are Danny Alsup and Jim Hendren.

Prior to the meeting, Marion Harris was presented a large framed picture of the new high school campus. Yates, in making the presentation, complimented and thanked Harris for his 15 years of service to the district while serving on the board.

Remodel/Rebuild

The building project report, which explained the projects as briefly outlined here, was prepared by the facilities committee chair Jim Hendren. Hendren was out of town and unable to attend the meeting. The concept received unanimous approval by the other five members present.

The middle school project will involve removing the east-west wing of the old high school building which joins the middle school. It will be replaced with a new structure which will include a new entrance. The existing south wing will be retained. When funds become available, it too will be replaced to continue joining the new music facility.

The two ball fields, softball and baseball, will be added to the high school campus as originally proposed.

The board approved retaining the architect firm Crafton, Tull and Sparks to prepare plans for the projects.

Cost of the projects couldrange from an estimated $3,811,375 to $4,441,125, depending upon the final size of the new school wing.

Completion of the project will hinge on voter approval at a special election which may be held as early as February of next year.

No New Mills

According to financing plans, the project will not require an increase in the district’s millage rate - 37.2 mills - but approval must be secured to reinvest and extend several existing bonds.

The projects will utilize more than $825,000 from the district’s building fund, $362,912 in proceeds from a 2009 bond, infusion of a one-time million dollar revenue payment from the state (all districts have received a one-time revenue enhancement) and, if necessary, the issuance of $500,000 in second lien bonds to complete the project, depending on final bids.

Additional information will be forthcoming as soon as details for the election are finalized and when architects provide final plans for the new building.

Design work on the ball fields is already in place.

Bonus Awarded

In other action at the more than three and onehalf hour meeting, the board approved a one-time bonus of $650 for each of the district’s more than 235 employees. This includes all certified and classified employees.

Funds for the bonuses come from the federal Education Jobs Fund Program. A second bonus is expected to be given at the start of the 2012-2013 school term. Similar bonuses have been the norm for many of the area school districts, said superintendent Andrea Kelly.

The board approved a project proposed by the Upper Elementary Parent-Teacher organization. It involves painting four Lion-theme murals on halls in the middle school building. They will be created by Candace Ericksson, elementary/upper elementary art teacher.

The board accepted the resignation of Debbie Skinner, the district’s Instructional Technology Director, who is accepting a position in the Rogers school system.Skinner has been a member of the Gravette staff for 19 years.

“We will miss her tremendously and we wish her well in her new position,” Kelly said.

Reports Presented

Prior to the actual business session, the board heard the district progress report from Pat Hastings, special projects coordinator. It will be published in next week’s Westside Eagle Observer. Roger Sharp, testing coordinator, presented a report; board member John Edwards presented a Common Core Summit report; and Glenn Duffy Principal Zane Vanderpool reported progress with the new Common Core subject program in that school.

Common Core is a new state-mandated program which focuses on basic core subjects. It will be phased into the entire school system over the next four-year period.

The board also voted to contact area banks: Delta Trust, Bank of Gravett, Arvest and Bank of the Ozarks concerning their interest in a possible Affinity Marketing Agreement.

News, Pages 1 on 10/26/2011