GRAVETTE -- Hannah Bruckner, a foreign exchange student from Austria, visited the February 16 meeting of the Gravette school board and spoke to board members about her experience in Gravette schools. She told a little about education in Austria and answered questions about the effect of Syrian refugees who have recently come to her country. Bruckner was accompanied by her Gravette host, Karen Kerr. She is the 10th exchange student that Kerr has sponsored.
Emily Kampmann, from Germany, was also at the meeting with her host mother Lori Johnson. This is Johnson's 14th exchange student. Board president Jim Singleton thanked both host parents and noted the value of having exchange students in Gravette schools, saying many local students would not otherwise have any contact with classmates from other countries and cultures. It is a valuable learning experience for all concerned, he said.
Bill Hayford, financial director, gave the financial report, including a summary of the capital asset reserve funds, their history and forecast. He indicated a "healthy amount" was going in and there was no major expense. He provided members a five-year forecast, to fulfill one of the board goals. He said the school had received no student growth fund money yet but a mini-grant had been received and $10,000 of computer equipment had been ordered for the middle school and upper elementary. He noted the gas bill was down because of cheaper gas and the relatively mild winter.
Richard Page, superintendent of schools, presented his report to the board. He said he and board member John Edwards had met with the mayor of Bella Vista to discuss several projects where members of the school's Key Club, EAST Initiative and Builders' Club could help out the community. Work at the kennel, recycling center and the library were all discussed.
John Edwards announced the annual Gravette Lions Golf Tourney is scheduled for May 7 in Bella Vista. All proceeds go to benefit various activities at Gravette schools. Ninety-six golfers participated in the tourney last year and raised about $6,500. Corporate sponsorships are available. He will be releasing more information about the tournament soon.
Sheila Roughton, food service director, gave her report. She presented a three-year report for comparison. She said food costs were up and the school was down about 50 students in enrollment but money from the state was coming in on track. A $10,000 donation had been received from Care and Share to be used for students in need.
Superintendent Page gave a report on board goals and noted good progress in several areas. One goal was to increase on- and off-campus career opportunities and he said that he, high school principal Jay Chalk and State Rep. Hendren had been working on funding for the welding program for next year. Another goal was for all teachers to be using technology as an instructional tool to enhance learning, and he said they were implementing the use of iPads in the elementary school and continuing to develop staff training. Taos Jones and Randall Hunt were giving a presentation at a tech conference on Wednesday.
Page also gave a vocational report. He said school administrators had attended a career education meeting on Feb. 3 in Ozark and met with representatives from Northwest Technical Institute on Feb. 9 to outline course descriptions for welding.
Gravette schools have been asked by Bentonville schools to participate in their Ignite program. After reports from vocational meetings and Ignite meetings in January, board members voted to express support for joining with the Bentonville school district and other area schools in the Ignite program. Approval will be voted on in the March meeting.
Jeff Lathem and Kelly Majdan, representing the Northwest Arkansas Lacrosse Club, requested to use the high school football stadium for a one-day lacrosse exhibition, date to be announced. They said lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in Northwest Arkansas. It is open to both boys and girls, at very low cost since not much equipment is needed. The club would like to do an exhibition game and showcase area students' skills since coaches from Hendrix College want more players and will come to the area, recruit students and give them scholarships. Two exhibition games have been held in Bentonville, one in Fayetteville and one in Prairie Grove. Board members gave unanimous approval to allow use of Lion Field.
In action items, the board discussed plans for a new 6,000- to 8,000-square-foot maintenance facility. A representative from Crafton Tull presented a plan for a new facility just south of the existing bus maintenance barn. An area adjacent the building had been ruled out because of sewer lines running through the area. Possible enrollment numbers for the proposed welding class should be available in the next 30 days and that will help determine how large an area is needed. Discussion on the maintenance facility was referred to the building committee.
Board members agreed to wait until the March meeting to set a date for a board planning session. They voted unanimously to approve the school calendar for next year after some minor changes. Superintendent Page said that teachers preferred to have a shorter Thanksgiving break, only three days, so they could have a full two weeks off at Christmas.
Stephanie Summerford reported on the Gravette School District mathematics and language arts curriculum guides and said the school's advanced education program is scheduled for a review the week after spring break. Board members tabled adoption of the curriculum guides until the March board meeting.
After adjourning for a brief executive session, board members reconvened in regular session and voted to hire Jeris Jarvis as a maintenance technician and grounds keeper and Candice Daniels as a cafeteria cook and cashier at Glenn Duffy Elementary. They also accepted the resignations of Cielito Brown, purchasing secretary, and Esther Varner, special education resource teacher.
General News on 03/02/2016