Board approves transfers, prepares for school year

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

GRAVETTE - The Gravette School Board, at its recent meeting, adopted a 12-point resolution governing the district’s policy on public school choice as approved by the Arkansas State Legislature.

Following approval, the board voted 5-1 to accept 29 transfer applications from students in other districts, most from Bentonville district. The acceptance is provisional and hinges on the caveat the action does not require additional faculty or facilities.

Applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection Aug. 1 and must enroll no later than five days after opening of school for the fall semester. Transportation is the responsibility of the student or student’s parents. Previously earned credits will be transferred. Applicants will not be required to reapply once accepted.

Other Board Action

Other board action included approving the 2014-2015 budget. The proposed budget is for the fiscal year July 1, 2014, to and including June 30, 2015. These totals include $6,858,940 for salary expenditures, $2,464,750 for instructional expenses, $1,475,750 for maintenance and operation, $997,300 for pupil transport expenses, $1,282,880 for other operating expense and $1,927,333 for bonded debt payment. It also sets the proposed levy which does not increase the current 37.2 mills. This includes 25.8mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation and 11.4 mills for debt service previously voted as a continuing levy.

The entire document will be published in a future issue of the Westside Eagle Observer.

The board approved advertising for bids for 26 PCs for the high school business administration lab; approved the Federal Migrant Education program as required each year; approved paying the $34 ACT test fee for college-bound juniors who request to take the test - about 50-60 students are expected to make such a request, with estimated cost ranging from $1,700 to $2,400; okayed a scrolling marquee sign for the Gravette Upper Elementary School to be placed on the east side of the building where loading and unloading of pupils takes place - the project is fully funded by the Upper Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization; approved student handbooks for next year as presented by the building principals.

The board accepted resignations from: Mike Johnson, band director; Jason Carter, food service director; John McDougal, A.L.E.; and Jeff Myers, bus driver.

The board offered employment contracts to: Randall Hunt, head baseball coach; Bob Grass, assistant football coach; Reid Garner, middle school core teacher; Amy Roberts, high school social studies/volleyball coach; Kim Williams, high school Spanish; Stephanie Summerfield, director of curriculum; and Mike Larson, grounds.

News, Pages 12 on 06/26/2013