GENTRY — The school board, on April 17, renewed the contracts of Gentry teachers for the 2017-2018 school year and approved several policy changes for the new year, as well.
According to lists provided at the board meeting, 120 teachers were offered new contracts for the new school year. Also approved were coaching assignments for the new school year with few changes from the current school year.
Resignations were accepted from Jessica Westhafer, Gentry High School art teacher, and Tammie Smith, cafeteria employee. A Family Medical Leave Act request for the first 12 weeks of the new school year was approved for Carrie Cantrell, high school English teacher.
Approved on their second readings were adjustments to the base salary of the night custodian supervisor and adding nurses to the list of those who receive APSCN stipends. The school calendar for next school year proposed by the Personnel Policy Committee was also approved.
Adjusting the track coach stipends to match those of other spring sports failed for lack of support. David Williamson was the only board member voting in favor of the stipend increase.
Read for a first reading were two policies related to Arkansas Law in regard to allowing home-schooled students within the district to participate in interscholastic activities and allowing home-schooled and private-schooled students to enroll in academic classes. The class enrollment would count toward school district enrollment and tax funding on a prorated schedule.
The board approved a growth plan for Terrie Metz, who will take over as superintendent of the district on July 1. She will also act as superintendent at the May meeting of the board with Barrett handling the June meeting, his final meeting before retiring.
Parent mailers were shown to the board explaining classroom assignments and bus unloading at the intermediate school campus in the fall, when demolition and construction is underway for a new classroom facility on the campus. The mailers include classroom assignments and the bus lane. A similar mailer was shared in regard to the entrance and classroom area at the primary school which will be used over the summer for the Seamless Summer meal program and the Boys & Girls Club.
Jason Barrett, transportation and maintenance supervisor for the district, reported that construction of the diesel mechanic lab and career classroom facility was on schedule.
Receipt of an Arkansas Motor Vehicle grant in the amount of $15,136 was reported to the board. The money will be used for tractor-trailer brake training boards, diagnostic software and student tool kits in the diesel mechanic program at Gentry High School Conversion Charter.
General News on 04/26/2017