GRAVETTE -- Gravette school board members voted to employ Brandi Brown as a special education paraprofessional and accepted the resignation of Marcus Arnett as school bus driver at their Sept. 15 regular meeting.
Three fifth-grade students from the Gravette Upper Elementary ROARS program led the pledge of allegiance to open the board meeting.
Financial reports were given by new business manager William Hayford.
Jay Chalk, high school principal, gave a graduation report -- 101 of the 2013 seniors graduated. Others included one fifth-year senior, nine GED students and three ALE grads with fifth-year status. Nine students were dropped for lack of attendance (over 10 days of absences) and 20 transferred out while behind grade level. Gravette High School has an 80 percent graduation rate, but Chalk reported the entire GHS faculty had met to analyze the obstacles and attempt to raise that rate. GED students are counted as non-graduates and home-schooled students who are behind grade level when they withdraw are counted as non-graduates. All help lower the graduation rate, Chalk said. Chalk told the board he is working with the Arkansas Department of Education's Greater Graduation Rural District Initiative to help solve the problem.
Chalk also gave an update on plans for a trophy case to honor Angela Scott and the HOSA students and to display their medals. Members approved construction of a 6-foot red oak case with tempered glass doors at a price of $650 installed. Some lockers will be moved to clear a space for the display case.
Superintendent Richard Page gave an enrollment report showing current enrollment of 443 students in Glenn Duffy Elementary School, 409 students in Gravette Upper Elementary School, 451 in Gravette Middle School and 623 in Gravette High School.
Board members approved transfer of one student from Bentonville School District to Gravette School District and gave unanimous approval to the purchase of a 77-passenger bus from Midwest Bus Sales for a price of $95,726. Delivery is expected in late December or January. Unanimous approval was also given to accept a bid of $5,000 from Two Sons Floats for the sale of a 2001 Ford diesel bus.
Stephanie Summerford submitted the Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (ACSIP) for the 2014-2015 school year. Board members approved the statement of assurances for programs under the plan. It also gave unanimous approval to rescheduling the October school board meeting from October 20 to Tuesday, Oct. 21, so board members can attend the Arkansas School Boards Association regional meeting at Elkins on Monday.
General News on 09/24/2014