Gravette School Board discusses district's graduation rate

Photo by Susan Holland Gravette High School senior, Ashton Yarbrough, who was recently chosen Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen and governor of Arkansas Girls State, spoke to Gravette school board members at their June meeting and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Photo by Susan Holland Gravette High School senior, Ashton Yarbrough, who was recently chosen Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen and governor of Arkansas Girls State, spoke to Gravette school board members at their June meeting and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

GRAVETTE -- The monthly meeting of the Gravette Public School Board was held Monday, June 16, with all board members present. A short reception immediately preceding the meeting honored Jay Ensor, retiring upper elementary principal; Mandy Barrett, new upper elementary principal; and Dodie Evans, who has provided newspaper coverage of Gravette school activities for 58 years. Ensor has spent 38 years in education, 14 of those in Gravette; and Barrett has 16 years of experience in education, three in Cassville, Mo., and 13 in McDonald County.

Ashton Yarbrough, Gravette High senior recently chosen as Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen, was present. She gave a brief report on her recent honors and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ashton was also chosen as governor of Girls State, where she competed against 34 other girls. She has earned over $10,000 in scholarships and will be going to Washington., D.C., July 19-26, then on to Orlando, Fla., for the Miss America Outstanding Teen competition.

High school principal Jay Chalk gave a report on the Gravette High School graduation rate. He said 83.2 percent of GHS seniors graduated in 2010-11, 86 percent in 2011-12 and 80 percent in 2012-13. He explained that if students withdraw and transfer to another school that doesn't keep good records and follow through on their school career, they may be counted as a dropout. He said home-schooled students are not counted as dropouts but are counted against the graduation rate and GHS has a large percentage of home-schooled students. Chalk recommended trying hard to keep the dropout rate low so the graduation rate will improve.

Board member Jack Skillett questioned why the graduation rate was so low and suggested that other schools may use a different reporting system. Board member Dan Yates said he felt there must be some differences in reporting data because the school was doing a good job and Gravette has an excellent faculty. Chalk said he would call the administrative staffs of area schools to check on their reporting systems and report back to the board.

Richard Page, in his superintendent's report, said that Gravette High School was recognized in the Washington Post as one of the most challenging schools in the U.S. and he was proud of the fact that GHS students have tested in the top 10 percent in literacy and the top 5 percent in algebra. He also reported infrastructure upgrades and the installation of new computers.

Financial officer Jake Haak gave his financial report through May, detailing changes in fund balances, assets and liabilities. He reported the natural gas bill had been a little high but attributed that to a harsh winter. Other bills are running about normal and the diesel bill even lower than normal. The district has been able to raise teacher salaries.

Fourteen students were recently approved for transfer to Gravette schools under the school choice option and 12 more have applied. Two kindergarten students, two seventh grade and one tenth grade were approved for transfer, and six were denied because of capacity issues.

A need for more math teachers was identified as a priority as the school population increases. Action on financial matters included approval of the 2015-16 preliminary budget and approval of a proposed millage election.

Board president Danny Alsup said the board would ask voters for a millage increase of 3.6 mils over the current rate. An increase of 3.9 mils was considered but, due to the lower interest rate the district received on refinancing of the 2009 bonds, the school board determined a 3.6 mil increase would be sufficient.

The school will be creating a brochure to educate voters about proposed usage of the millage increase. A bond issue is being proposed to fund construction of a new elementary school in Bella Vista and an addition to the high school and equipment and refurbishing for present buildings. Members voted to approve submitting the application to the state department of education for a permit to issue bonds.

Bids were considered from banks wishing to handle the school operating accounts. Jake Haak explained that the school must get approval from the state every two years for the institutions handling these accounts to solidify the banking relationship.

Three bids were submitted -- Bank of Gravett, Arvest Bank and Bank of the Ozarks. Board members Jim Singleton and Danny Alsup excused themselves from discussion of this issue. Each bank's services and fees were considered. Remaining members approved continuing to use Arvest Bank for operating accounts. Non-operating accounts will remain at the Bank of Gravett.

A bid was approved from Time Striping, Inc., of Fort Smith for paving the high school parking lot. Cost will be $20,736 and the work will be done in July. Approval was also given for purchase of a used 2012 Thomas bus from Midwest Bus Sales at Van Buren. The bus is a 35-passenger vehicle with 22,000 miles and will replace two smaller buses. Cost will be $63,500.

Faculty member Dorothy Hadley presented a proposal for purchase of new playground equipment at Gravette Upper Elementary School. She noted that $9,000 is already available from GUE fundraisers.

PTO president Marlana Russell also spoke, outlining the need for new equipment and recommending one climbing structure especially helpful for autistic and handicapped children. Approval was given to spend $10.000 to help purchase new GUE playground equipment, with a 50 percent match on the remaining structure when the PTO has raised the additional funds.

Following an executive session, the board voted to accept the resignations of eight teachers, approve contracts for 11 new teachers, two food service managers and a grounds-keeper/maintenance man and approve the transfer of Will Pittman from assistant principal/coach to E.A.S.T. lab/coach.

Taos Jones, current E.A.S.T. lab instructor, will be a full-time science teacher.

Tammy Fisher, administrative assistant for Gravette Public Schools, pointed out that an article reporting on the May school board meeting contained an error. School lunch prices were raised 15 cents, not 61 cents.

General News on 06/25/2014