DECATUR -- When the Decatur School Board decided to move the pre-kindergarten classes to the building between the high school and middle school in July of 2016, the board found itself without a home meeting place. Board meetings were then held in the high school library; that is, until the Jan. 16 meeting.
Early in 2016, the school board decided to include a new meeting room in the Decatur Middle School renovation plans. In June of 2016, the board gave Doug Holly, the district's maintenance and transportation director, the go ahead to modify the large class room on the northeast side of the building which was an extra classroom.
The board held its first meeting in the new Decatur Community Media Center Jan. 16 when it was opened to the public for the first time.
On the east side of the room is an L-shaped elevated platform with the capacity to seat seven. It has Internet service and outlets that can accommodate all types of media devices. The outlets are connected to two wide-screen high-definition television monitors, one on the east wall for the gallery, and one on the west wall for viewing by the board or guest speakers. During the meeting, the board decided to add two more monitors on the north and south walls, giving the platform and gallery better access to the information on the screens.
Currently, the gallery area can accommodate 24 people in two rows of three desks, each holding four guests. The desk tops each have two sets of electrical outlets which allow the users to plug in their laptops or mobile devices. The final stage of the project will add a row in the center of the room which will increase the capacity to 36.
The back of the room has a sink with a long counter space to accommodate buffet style food service.
The media center will be open to the public by appointment and can be reserved through the Decatur School District Office.
January is Arkansas School Board Recognition Month. During the board meeting, Ike Owens, Kevin Smith, Darleen Holly and Amy Brooks were presented with plaques by Jeff Gravette, superintendent of Decatur Schools. Aaron Owens was absent for the meeting and was presented his plaque later in the week.
The Decatur School Board meetings take place on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the new Decatur Community Media Center at Decatur Middle School on East Roller Ave. in Decatur. The public is invited to attend these meetings. For more information, call 752-3986 or go to decatursd.com.
General News on 01/25/2017