GRAVETTE -- Dustin Morris, president of the Builders Club at Gravette High School, led the Pledge of the Allegiance to open the November meeting of the Gravette School Board.
Robin Morris, who has been Builders Club sponsor for 13 years, commended the club for its service projects. She reported a recent dance raised more than $800 for Christmas gifts for needy children, and a spring fundraiser would be held to benefit the Arkansas Children's Hospital.
Carla Hicks, geometry teacher, and Allison Schaffer, biology teacher, were presented Outstanding Educational Performance Awards from the University of Arkansas Office of Education Policy. Hicks won the award for her students' high-achieving overall performance in the geometry end-of-course exam, with an 89 percent proficiency score, 14th in the state of Arkansas. Shaffer won the award for her students' high-achieving overall performance in the biology end-of-course exam, with a 76 percent proficiency score, 17th in the state. They were presented award certificates by Gravette's superintendent of schools, Richard Page.
Bill Hayford presented the financial reports for the month of October and said revenue is very similar to that reported at the same time last year.
Superintendent Page gave the monthly attendance report, showing an average daily attendance of 1,862.5 for the month of October. He said an average of 94 percent of students enrolled in Gravette High School are present each day. He said he found that a very positive figure. He encouraged those present to attend Veterans Day programs at the schools on Nov. 11.
Lori Russell, HOSA member Damayla Cowan and members of the committee working on installation of a display case for HOSA medals spoke to the board. They have received estimates from the original architect of the school for a lighted case constructed of red oak with brushed nickel trim which they propose to install in the commons area and which will match other display cases in that area. Estimated cost is $6,900. Some discussion was held of displaying some of the HOSA medals in the cases at the fieldhouse, but it was agreed that many students would not see them there.
Board members said the HOSA program is fantastic and one of the highlights of the school activity calendar. Russell spoke of the late club sponsor, Angela Scott, and said, "Angie made the program what it is." She expressed a wish to have a case large enough to display the current medals, which include 283 state, 38 national and many Top Ten medals, as well as allow space for future growth in the collection. The possibility of donors contributing part of the cost of the project was discussed and board members voted to continue pursuing other options for funding and, hopefully, finalize plans for the display case within the next month.
Scott Beardsley presented a report to the board regarding the need for an amnesty resolution, needed because of filing one day late in an audit in 2010 and two days late in an audit in 2011. Since board member Dan Yates was not present, the board decided to wait until all members were present before acting on the matter. A special meeting was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20, to discuss the issue.
Richard Carver presented a motion to seek bids for new controls for the middle school heating and air unit. Unanimous approval was given to the motion to seek bids.
Board member Jack Skillett requested that school administrators review the board goals for the coming year and submit responses for approval at the December meeting. Board president Jay Oliphant appointed member Susan Santos as the point of contact for reviewing and editing those goals. He said that administrators should also be asked to examine the goals at the end of the year and evaluate whether they had been achieved.
Changes were approved in the health care coverage policy and in the procedure for making public comments at school board meetings. Anyone who wishes to comment at meetings will still have three minutes to speak but will no longer be limited to commenting only on "the approved topic." Wording was changed to say board members are to listen and "need not respond," rather than "may not respond." Those wishing to speak must submit items for the agenda 10 days before the date of the meeting.
Board members voted to hire the Johanson Group to proceed with a salary survey proposal, showing comparisons with salaries of other districts of similar size and job title descriptions. The Johanson Group's fee is $3,000 to $3,500, with additional fees of $1,500 for obtaining and comparing job descriptions and $1,500 for a vacation time and benefits study. The board voted to approve the total package proposed.
Chris Scuimbato was hired as a bus driver following a brief executive session at the end of the regular meeting.
General News on 11/26/2014