GENTRY — School board members, on Aug. 19, approved plans to build a new concession stand, adding it as a change order to the current construction of the multi-purpose athletic facility.
Board members approved building a new concession stand to replacethe one torn down (to make way for the larger athletic complex) on the northeast corner of the track, between the track and the new activities complex. A change order to include the concession stand will enable the district to use Flintco as the contractor rather than putting the project out for bid and hiring a new contractor. Floor plans for the concession stand - prepared by Hight-Jackson, the district’s architectural firm - were also approved by the board. A budgeted amount of $480,000 is being allowed for the project, which will also include public restroom facilities.
Adding the project to the existing contract is expected to save the school district money, according to Randy Barrett, superintendent of Gentry School District.
Board members also chose to name the new multi-purpose athletic facility “Pioneer Activities Complex.” No mention was made of the suggestion of some to name the new facility in memory of Walter David Millsap, a former teacher and school administrator who died in July.
Katie Ortiz was hiredas a speech-language pathologist as a part of a consortium to which Gentry School District belongs. She will be assigned to Benton County School of the Arts.
Also hired was Matt Thompson, as a maintenance/transportation helper. The contract offered to William Catron for the position was rescinded.
Under Act 1120, a newstate law which took affect this year, the board was required to approve and give reason for any increase in an employee’s annual salary of more than 5 percent over last year. Due to a number of part-year contracts which were extended for the new school year, job changes and days added to contracts, the board was required to approve the salary changes by resolution.
Community News, Pages 5 on 08/28/2013