GRAVETTE — After reorganizing for the upcoming year, the Gravette School Board, on Tuesday evening, heard various reports including enrollment figures, an annual district report and school board goals. A calendar of events for the Performing Arts Center was also distributed and a school choice/transfer report was presented.
Dan Alsup was elected to serve as chairman of the board for the year. Alsup replaces John Edwards who held that position. Edwards was re-elected to the board in the September school election but was unable to attend the meeting. Alsup expressed the appreciation of the board for Edwards’ service: “We look forward to his being able to return.”
Other offi cers elected were Jack Skillett, vice president; Susan Santos, secretary; Jay Oliphant, primary disbursing officer; and Dan Yates, secondary disbursing offi cer. Jim Singleton and John Edwards are also members of the board.
A brief fi nancial report for the district was presented by business manager Jake Haak who said the district is estimated to see a $200,000 tax increase. Annual tax collections are still being tabulated.
School Enrollment
Enrollment fi gures for the district, which are reported to the state, show 1,851 students enrolled. This compares with 1,802 on Oct. 1 last year.
Enrollment by grade totals: kindergarten, 145; first, 130; second, 128; third, 127; fourth, 130; fifth, 135; sixth, 148; seventh, 145; eighth, 166; ninth, 155; tenth, 169;eleventh, 150; and twelfth, 123.
The school choice/ transfer report shows that 33 applications for transfers were received. The board denied three and approved 30.
David Swearingen of Hight-Jackson reported the annex remodeling project is nearing completion. The board approved about $23,300 for add-ons for the project. Moving day into the newly remodeled building, located just south of the administration building, will be held the first week of November.
Ian Galloway, drama instructor at GHS, handed out posters with schedules for the Performing Arts Center. GHS drama performances of “The Hamlet: Thrill-ma-geddon” are scheduled for Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 2:30 p.m.
A complete schedule for the remainder of the school year will appear in a later issue of the Eagle Observer.
Stephanie Summerford, director of curriculum, discussed a 30-page annual report to the public. A condensed version is required to be published,usually with the next few weeks.
Superintendent Richard Page distributed a fi vepage document which outlines the district’s goals. These include academic improvement, professional development, communications, facilities and fi scal responsibility. Thedocument grew out of discussions at a special board meeting held earlier this month. It will be explained in a later issue of the Eagle Observer.
The board outlined plans to seek sponsorships for scoreboards at both of the new ball fi elds which were completed last year.
Community News, Pages 6 on 10/30/2013