GRAVETTE — Employees of Gravette School District will soon have an additional $650 to spend or add to their savings as a result of school board action Monday night.

The board approved a $650 bonus for each of the district employees.

All district employees, certified and classified, will receive the $650 bonus, as will all personnel employed by the district on Sept. 15. This is the second bonus the board has awarded. A $625 bonus went to all employees several months ago.

Funds come from ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) money, commonly referred to as the “stimulus,” which Congress approved in early 2009.

Jake Haak, the school business director, said the expenditure will total $183,000 from ARRA funds, supplemented with $16,000 from the school budget.

Haak told the board the district teacher salary schedule in Gravette is one of the best in Arkansas. It ranks in the top 10 in the state for teacher salaries, a position it has held the past five years.

In other action the board:

◊Approved an easement agreement with Source Gas, which is constructing a pipeline from near Hiwasse to connect with the firm’s line in Gravette. It will form a loop supply for natural gas and will cross school property.

◊Approved transfer of two students to other districts and accepted one into the district under the school choice policy.

◊Approved final reading of a board policy document.

◊Okayed a report for athletic expenditures presented by Athletic Director Norman Mitchell.

◊Approved an annual agreement with Ozark Guidance in Springdaleto serve as needed by the district.

◊Okayed a bid for audio equipment for the ball fields which are now under construction.

◊Authorized an expenditure for Smart Boards as presented by Kevin Smith.

◊Heard a brief reportof opening day enrollment figures which are expected to change during the opening weeks of the semester, with an official count being taken Oct. 1.

Prior to the meeting, the board also recognized members of the district's teaching staff.

News, Pages 7 on 08/29/2012