School board members, at the board’s regular Oct. 16 meeting, approved the bid of Raymond James & Associates to refund 2002 bonds and build a multipurpose athletic facility at the high school.
The bid, one of five received by Oct. 4, offered $3.595 million in financing to the district at an interest rate of 2.758097 percent to the district. Other bids ranged from 2.8 to 3.1 percent.
The board action was recommended by Dennis Hunt of Stephens, Inc., the financial firm advising the district. Approximately $3 million will be made available for the construction of the multi-purpose athletic facility.
As required by law, an annual report to the public was presented. The report revealed an Oct. 1 district enrollment of 1,407, up from 1,383 last October but less than the previous four years in which enrollment reached as high as 1,440.
Estimated incoming revenue to the district for the current school year was $12,343,880, up slightly from last year but less than the 2010-2011 school year. Estimated expenditures for the current school year are $11,545,588.
The percentage of students eligible to receive free or reduced lunches remained at 57 percent for the current year. It was 55 percent two years ago, according to the report.
The average classroom teacher salary rose to $46,300, a slight increase over last year. Average attendance rates in the district were reported at 95 percent in years 2008-2009 to 2010-2011. Per pupil spending in school year 2010-2011 was reported at $8,802.
The school board reorganized following the September school elections. Board membership remains unchanged, with Gary Dunlap representing Zone 1 until September of 2014; Dani Cypert, Zone 2, until 2016; Clarence Kreger, Zone 3, until 2015; Randall Bolinger, Zone 4, until 2013; Jim Barnes, Zone 4, until 2017; Coye Cripps, At-Large, until 2014; and David Williamson, II, At Large, until 2013.
The board appointed Jim Barnes as president, David Williamson as vice president, Dani Cypert as secretary and as primary board dispersing officer, Randall Bolinger as alternate dispersing officer, Gentry superintendent Randy Barrett as the board’s ex-officio financial secretary and legal and fiscal agent in matters concerning applications and reports for all federal and state funds and for other matters not requiring board action.
The board approved a floor plan and site location for the new multipurpose athletic facility, with the new building to be built between the high school auditorium and the football stadium. The plan also included driveways and sidewalks around the facility to allow safe passage of buses and students during and after the construction of the facility.
The board unanimously approved the purchase of a cargo van and a utility pickup truck for the school district. After reviewing transportation needs, the board agreed there was a need and concluded that the two vehicle purchase was the most economical and advantageous for the district. An alternate idea of purchasing a large trip bus was considered, but the price tag - nearly $1 million - and the other beneficial uses for the van and pickup truck moved the board to scrap the big bus idea.
State bid price for the Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck was $15,420, and cost for the 3/4 ton cargo van was $18,584.
Barrett reported to board members on an updated district website at gentrypioneers.com.
Approved by the board was the resignation of Alexis Welch as the Gentry Middle School art teacher and junior high volleyball coach. Heather Turnbow was hired to replace Welch as Middle School art teacher. A Family Medical Leave Act was approved for Tracey Barnes for up to 12 weeks, with an anticipated return date of Nov. 26.
Board members received a district mileage report for the month of September which included a total of 11,464 bus route miles and 6,768 trip miles, for a total of 18,211. The report detailed mileage for each bus route and each athletic and field trip.
Barrett told the board he attended the recent Public Services Commission Meeting in Little Rock where the Sierra Club and the state’s attorney general spoke against allowing the Flint Creek Power Plant to be retrofitted to meet new emissions standards and continuing to burn coal to generate power. Barrett said he spoke in favor of SWEPCO’s planned upgrade. He pointed out tothe board that the school district would suffer greatly if the power plant were closed and the district lost its portion of tax revenue from the $30 million assessed value of the plant.
News, Pages 3 on 10/24/2012