GRAVETTE — Gravette Schools will celebrate another “big event” next month when open house is held at the new addition to the Gravette Middle School.
At its meeting last week, the school directors set Saturday, April 13, as the day for the grand opening when patrons of the district are invited to tour the new facility from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Details of the event will be announced.
This is the second major project completed for the schools, the other being the new ball field complex which had its grand opening March 5.
At the opening of the meeting, Lorelei Kellhofer and Caleb Brown, elementary school spelling bee contestants, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jake Haak, district financial officer, reported that, because of the Government Sequester, the district may receive 10 percent less in federal and state funds next year. This estimate and how it will affect the district is just that.
Board member Jack Skillett noted, “We need to posture ourselves as best we can for teacher salaries and staff positions.”
In other action at the board meeting, the directors completed hiring of administrative and certified staff for the upcoming school term.
Administrative staff approved include superintendent Richard Page, high school principal Jay Chalk, middle school principal Duane Thomas, upper elementary principal Jay Ensor and Glenn Duffy Elementary principal Zane Vanderpool.
The hiring of classified staff will be addressed at a later meeting of the board.
Field trips were approved for three organizations, including a trip for four to five DECA students to attend national conference in Anaheim, Calif., in early April. Bob Johnson is sponsor of that student organization.
Seven members of Ronald Turvey’s SKILLS team will attend the state convention in Hot Springs April 8-10.
Nineteen FBLA students will attend state competition held in Little Rock April 7-9. Harry Almond is sponsor.
Upon recommendation of Kevin Smith, district tech director, the board approved taking bids for 210 laptops and 60 iPods. Also approved was licensing of Microsoft software.
A report was given by Jaron Porter and Angie Scott, representing the safety committee, which is determining what additional safeguards are needed in emergency situations. Board discussion centered on whether additional resource officers are needed and reviewing the present cooperative agreement with the city of Gravette.
A discussion was held on public participation procedures which involve public comments at meetings. Superintendent Page recommends following guidelines suggested by the Arkansas School Board Association which limit discussion to items on the meeting agenda. This topic will be addressed at a later meeting.
Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignation of two middle school teachers, Melissa Juneau and Ruby Garrett.
At a previous meeting, the board officially adopted an “Affinity Marketing Agreement” document which will allow use of the school logo.
Arvest Bank had requested use of the “lion” for its VISA debit cards. The request will be granted, pending approval from the office of the Secretary of State, the board decided. This is a non-exclusive and royalty-free agreement which reads, “Nothing in this agreement shall confer upon Arvest a proprietary interest of any kind.”