Four Gravette students expelled

GRAVETTE — Three members of the Gravette High School freshman class and one sophomore girl have been expelled from school for the remainder of the current school term. The action, involving three boys and one girl, was taken at a meeting of the school board last Monday evening.

The action, which preceded the board’s regular agenda, was taken during an open meeting with no discussion other than the recommendation of administrators.

The students will be able to enroll for classes at the start of next semester which starts in August.

Following the expulsion actions the board considered its lengthy agenda which included approving a school calendar for the 2012-13 school year.

Also approved was a district technology plan for next year for Gravette School District 20.

The board discussed agreement/contracts between the district, the architecture firm Crafton-Tull and Nabholz Construction as construction management for projects which voters approvedin an election earlier this month.

One project involves demolition of one wing of the old high school building and replacing it with a new wing which will attach to the Gravette Middle School. The other project is construction of new baseball and softball fields on the high school campus.

Other agenda items included approving a job description for the position of superintendent of schools.

The recruitment process for the superintendent and principal positions was discussed with interview of principal applicants beginning April 10 and for the superintendent slot on March 19.

Andrea Kelly has resigned as school superintendent and Jo Ellen Hastings is retiring as high school principal.

Board members postponed until the next meeting a recommendation by the security committee to enhance security at the high school.

Following a brief executive session the board reconvened and accepted the resignation of Kim Williams as Spanish teacher and bus driver William Lewis.