Board approved millage increase

n Measure will go before voters in September.

GRAVETTE -- The Gravette School Board, after deciding to ask voters to approve a millage increase, as reported in last week's Eagle Observer, addressed numerous agenda items during a three-hour session on Feb. 24.

As reported, in a 4-3 split vote, the board approved a 3.9 mil tax increase to fund a new elementary school in Bella Vista and a five or six classroom addition to the high school. That action came after two citizens, Hope Duke and Haidee Larson, spoke against the plan.

As required by law, voters will be asked to approve or reject the measure, which will be on the ballot in the annual school election, Sept. 16.

Turning to other agenda items, the board heard a presentation by Crafton-Tull architect David Swearingen which included a schematic and design concept for the proposed new school. Dan Yates was the only member of the seven-person board who opposed the measure.

A major item approved by the board was finalizing the Gravette School Calendar for the 2014-2015 school year. The complex graphic calendar is expected to be placed on the school website, but briefly it includes the following: Aug. 18 will be the first day of classes; the Christmas break will be Dec. 22- Jan. 1; spring break, March 25-27; graduation, May 16; with May 29 being the official last day of school (with 10 snow days built in). In recent years, only five snow days have been built into the calendar. Three staff professional days will be taken during the summer.

Other Board Actions

The board agreed to hold a planning session the evening of April 16 at the administration building. The group postponed action on bids for the district's technology equipment (copiers, etc.). They approved field trips for the following groups: DECA, HOSA, FCCLA, FFA and the High School Band to attend various competitions which require travel time.

The board accepted a bid of $3,651.99 from the Decatur School for a 1998 International bus and accepted the low bid of $16,899 by Myer Roofing of Rogers for roof repairs on the competition gymnasium. The Myer bid was the lowest of five submitted.

Following an hour-long executive session, the board returned to open session and unanimously accepted the resignation of Upper Elementary principal, Jay Ensor, and special education teacher, Judy Payne. The board then extended a contract for the 2014-15 and 2015-2016 school years for superintendent Richard Page.

Various financial and other reports were received during the opening session of the meeting, including a request to the State Department of Education for a waiver to accommodate school days lost to inclement weather and to any that occur between now and mid-April when the state will take action on the request.

The meeting, which was held in the high school commons, was attended by several dozen citizens.

General News on 03/05/2014