School purchases SawStop table saw

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

— A number of changes were recommended at Gentry schools as a result of a March visit by representatives of the Arkansas Department of Career and Technical Education. School board members were informed of those recommendations in a report provided to them and explained at the May 21 board meeting by federal curriculum coordinator Judy Winslett.

Among those changes regarded as critical in an April 9 letter to the school district was the purchase of a SawStop table saw for the high school mechanics lab to replace the saw which was in use.

The SawStop saw is equipped with an electrical sensor which detects contact with skin and soft tissue, and a brake and retracting blade which immediately activates when contact is made with skin. Video shown to the board demonstrated the saw’s safety features and value in preventing injury to students.

A second critical element requiring correction before the next school year was a digital camera, scanner and network printer for the Gentry Middle School for its Career Guidance program.

Also recommended was a netbook lab and other technology at the high school.

It was reported to the board that an air filter and ventilation system was added in the welding lab to bring the lab into compliance with upcoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.

Gentry superintendent Randy Barrett told board members the district had to refund approximately $65,000 to the state because it collected more than 98 percent of tax revenue fromproperty taxes. Barrett explained the formula used by the state to guarantee 98 percent of anticipated tax revenue and said it occasionally happens that money has to be refunded to the state.

Barrett told board members that the school district was on track to finish out the fiscal year (which closes the end of this month) with $1.5 million in operating funds. He reported $1.7 million in operating fundsat the end of Period 10 and a total of $5.8 million in all school funds.

“We’ve been in decent financial shape throughout the year and still are,” Barrett said, “and we should end that way.”

News, Pages 7 on 06/06/2012