Board has night of numbers

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

— “It is going to be a night of numbers.” With that opening statement from school superintendent Randy Barrett setting the stage, the board, at its regular September meeting, considered various financial statements reflecting the expenses of operating the district in the 2011-12 school term.

A key report, mandated by the Arkansas Department of Education, for school boards to review and approve athletic expenditures was given by the superintendent. According to Barrett, the district spent approximately $684,190 on athletic salaries, supplies, travel and operating expenses. Barrett noted that the ADE required school districts to use an ADE provided formula to also prorate, for the first time this year, maintenanceand utility expenses to the athletic programs. He said those expenses constituted more than half of the reported total athletic cost.

The board heard evidence of escalating health insurance costs for staff, and Barrett proposed that the board purchase a group disability plan for all the staff as a way of offsetting the cost of the increased health insurance premiums.

“While we cannot do anything about spiraling health insurance, we can purchase a group disability plan for a fraction of the cost for which staff can purchase individual plans,” Barrett said.

Barrett estimated the cost to be approximately $32,000 a year. The proposal was accepted, as well as the proposal from Federal Coordinator Judy Winslett, that the board consider using a portion of its NationalSchool Lunch Act funding to subsidize students who qualified for reduced lunch prices. It was noted that approximately 72 percent of all Gentry students qualify for free or reduced lunch prices and that her proposal, with an approximate cost of $25,000, would allow both groups of students access to (free to students) breakfasts and lunches.

Comments made by several board members and staff concurred that, for many students, meals at school served a vital role in the student’s overall ability to learn.

“It doesn’t have much educational value to put an iPad in the hands of a hungry child,” Barrett added.

Brian Little, dean of students and athletic director who serves as chairman of the Multi-Purpose Athletic and Activities Facility Committee, provided theboard with the pros and cons of the three proposed site locations for the new structure. After lengthy discussion, the board chose to place the building in an area between the high school auditorium and football stadium.

It was noted by the superintendent that all the plans for the structure were contingent upon the voters approving the bond restructuring at the Sept. 18 election next Tuesday.

In other business, the board approved student transfers from Gravette and Siloam Springs to Gentry and one student to Siloam Springs; accepted the resignation of Teresa Flesner, a middle school aide; approved taking bids on a pole sign; heard an update on ventilation fans for Carl Gymnasium; and heard plans to repair the flagpole at the football stadium.

News, Pages 11 on 09/12/2012