GRAVETTE — Enrollment in Gravette School District has increased by more than 40 students since the opening of classes in August. Superintendent Richard Page reported to the board the enrollment totaled 1,883 on Sept. 15, an increase of 43 over the 1,840 on the same date last year.

Student enumeration fluctuates, particularly during the first few weeks of school. The number enrolled on Oct. 1 is the figure which is reported to the State Department of Education each year.

Other business during the September meeting included hearing finan- cial reports, reports from Superintendent Page, dis- cussion concerning board committees, granting a student transfer, accep- tance of bids for a security system, an ACSIP report and an executive session.

Patriots Appear

Prior to the business meeting Jim Parsons and Gregory Johnson, rep- resenting an organiza- tion, Bella Vista Patriots,

appeared requesting the board consider releasing areas of Bella Vista, now in the Gravette School Dis- trict, to create a Bella Vista District.

A similar presentation was made recently to the Bentonville board, which rejected the idea, Parsons said. Gravette board presi- dent Dan Yates had no com- ment and no action was taken.

Turning to other board business, Yates presented a plaque of appreciation to Jim Hendren for his years of service on the board. Hendren did not seek re- election and will assume the office of State Senator the first of the year.

Jay Oliphant, who last month defeated Jheri Rob- erts for the board position, will assume that slot for the five-year term.

Superintendent Page dis- cussed the district’s State Educational Accountability Report. He highlighted ar- eas of accomplishment and progress and those which will receive focus for im- provement during the cur- rent school year in each of the four districts: Elemen- tary, Upper Elementary, Middle and High School.

Efforts in addressing the

Target Achievement Gap Group (TAGG), those areas needing special attention, “will involve all working together, concentrating on what we need to do to im- prove.” Page said he noted some frustration exists in adapting changes from the “No Child Left Behind” pro- gram which has been the focus in recent years, to the “Common Core” program which has been adopted by the state. Concentrating on the annual state Benchmark testing challenge will be a high priority, he indicated.

Other board business included:

• Approved transfer of a senior student to Benton- ville, as recommended by Page. The student had been enrolled in Bentonville for many years.

• Approved color deco- rator selections for the middle school addition, as proposed by the Facilities Committee.

• Accepted a bid of $18,040 by Tripp S. Alarm to install a security system at the middle school addition and the ball field complex.

• Spent about 15 minutes discussing the committee structure of the board. No resolution resulted.

• Heard a paving project

for the road to the transpor- tation department and the ball field complex has not been let for bids.

• Set Oct. 4 for a board work session to be held at the administration office from3to6p.m.

• Approved the Arkan- sas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (ACSIP) prepared and presented by Pat Hastings. This multi- page document is required each year. It details how the district utilizes federal funds.

Students in the school G.A.T.E. program led the board members and audi- ence in the Pledge of Alle- giance to start the session.

Following the agenda business discussion the board retired to executive session and, upon its com- pletion, returned to confirm the following actions:

• Accepted the resigna- tion of middle school teach- er Seth McKinzie, who has served several years in the district and has accepted an education-related posi- tion.

• Hired Teresa Fletcher to fill the middle school English/Social Studies po- sition.

• Hired Dana Childers as a fourth grade teacher.