Board votes to move forward with plans for school in Bella Vista

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

GRAVETTE - A first step toward locating an elementary school in Bella Vista was taken by the Gravette School Board at its meeting Monday night.

The board approved a $20,000 contract with Crafton-Tull Engineering firm to provide an initial design concept, Phase 1 for a Bella Vista elementary school.

A location adjacent Highway 279 has already been earmarked for such a structure. Following lengthy discussion, board members voting to proceed were Jack Skillett, John Edwards, Susan Santos and Jim Singleton. Those opposed were board members Dan Yates, Danny Alsup and Jay Oliphant.

Discussion prior to the vote centered on the timing of the action, with some comments indicating it was premature to take that step until additional information was available. Also discussed was the question of where borders for students who will attend such a school are, or will be, set. Earlier boards have approved the concept of a school to serve the Bella Vista area. Moving past the initial design concept is subject to receiving more information concerning enrollment.

Prior to the vote, Hope Duke, of Gravette, addressed the board and stressed the need to locate the new school in Gravette. It was noted that students in Sulphur Springs, Maysville and Hiwasse are schooled on a Gravette campus.

New Employees

In other action, the board offered contracts to fill open positions, among them high school band director, food service director and Alternate Learning School director.

James Marvin Hendrex, who has served as band director for Greenland school, was selected as band director following the recommendation of a selection committee made up of citizens and high- and middle-school personnel who interviewed five applicants from among the 24 received for the position.

Hendrex is a 2007 graduate of the University of Arkansas and served one year at Harrison before his tenure at Greenland.

The board looked in house to fill the position of food service director when they hired Sheila Roughton for the position. She has served as director of the Glenn Duffy Elementary School cafeteria the past five years and meets certification for the position.

Jeff Abbott, who held a similar position for three years in Bolivar, Mo., was offered a contract to direct the Alternate Learning School for the Gravette district. He also served one year in the Bentonville system. Twelve applications were received for the position.

Other new employees will be Samantha Bates, secretary to director of communications; and Cory Bridge, fourth grade teacher. Also hired were a bus driver and a pre-kindergarten aide.

Earlier, in executive session, the board accepted resignations from Ron Turvey, drafting instructor; Theresa Flessner, fourth grade teacher; and one bus driver.

Other Action

Other business conducted by the board included the following:

◊Approved adopting a district student transfer policy to accept/reject applications as they are received. Note: the deadline for transfer applications for this term has passed.

◊Approved the district school-choice transfer policy.

◊Okayed the athletic participation packet/ sports medicine handbook as presented by athletic director Norman Mitchell.

◊Approved the purchase of a new 71-passenger school bus at a cost of $95,000. It will be air conditioned and will be used as a route bus. The district presently operates six air conditioned buses, one of which is a route bus. The others are for special activities and trips.

◊Accepted the high bids for two older buses the district is retiring: $3,501 from Tri-State YMCA of Rogers for a 1998 International diesel with 138,385 miles; $1,752 from Decatur Schools for a 1995 Amtran diesel bus with 92,000 miles.

◊Approved routine change orders for remodeling project under way at the annex building located south of the administration building.

◊Approved a bid of $23,975 for 26 PCs for the Gravette High School business lab.

News, Pages 11 on 07/24/2013