GENTRY — GENTRY -- The school board in Gentry heard reports and approved several personnel-related matters at its regular meeting on Dec. 19 at the Pioneer Activities Complex.
The board approved a spring semester leave of absence for Chandra Sooter and approved a one semester contract for Megan Stane to teach kindergarten in Sooter's absence.
The board changed Connor Willett's position as a technology technician from full-time to part-time (three days a week). According to Barrett, Willett requested the change due to other employment and the school plans to turn over some of his job duties to students serving as technology interns. The internship positions will be available to selected applicants in the junior class but possibly opened to other classes if not enough juniors apply.
Three were officially hired as classified employees by the board: Conceicao Ruffino as evening custodian, Step 1; Chanda Wolfe as evening custodian, Step 3; and Deanna Evans as cafeteria cook, Step 1.
Randy Barrett, district superintendent, updated the board on the district's financial condition, saying the district has $3.9 million in its operating fund following the receipt of tax money from the county but that this would be used for salaries and bond payment over the upcoming months. He anticipated the district was on track with its budgeting and would finish the year with the $1.5 million carryover the district needs to be counted financially sound by the state.
One student transfer request from Gentry to Siloam Springs was approved.
And, following an executive session, the board rated Barrett as proficient (meaning he had met board expectations) in his annual review. Since Barrett has submitted his letter of resignation for the close of the current school year, no vote was taken in regard to extending Barrett's contract. Instead, the board filled board-appointment positions on a screening committee to find a new superintendent for the 2017-2018 school year.
Appointed by the board were Kevin Johnston as business and community leader, Larry Scribner as a parent representative and Gary Dunlap as a board member on the committee. Other members are Toni Sarratt, Gentry High School teacher and Personnel Policies Committee member; Lisa Hillis, Intermediate School teacher and PPC member; Larry Cozens, principal at Gentry Middle School; Gayla Wilmoth, principal at Gentry Primary School; Tamhra Shawver, district treasurer; Renee' Bradshaw, classified employee and Classified Personnel Policies Committee member.
Barrett asked the board if it wished to have him continue to assist in the search process, saying it was "kind of like trying to find your wife a date" for him in helping in the search for his own replacement. The board did ask him to help by scheduling the first screening committee meeting.
The board was directed to review the reports (especially the facilities and transportation report and the PPC minutes) in the board DropBox -- available to the public on the district website.
Randall Bolinger told the board he has received numerous inquiries about the possibility of building a high school competition gym on property to the north of the high school parking lot. He said people have been asking if there is some way to do that. No response or suggestions were offered at the Dec. 19 meeting.
The January meeting was moved up to Jan. 9 due to the Martin Luther King holiday.
Editorial on 12/28/2016