GRAVETTE - Purchase of 210 laptops and 60 iPads which meet new Common Core test requirements was approved at the Monday night meeting of the Gravette School Board.
The $126,246 purchase price includes nine mobile carts. This was one of many topics addressed during a two-hour meeting at the school administration building, including offering contracts to present classified personnel.
In other business the board:
◊Heard a salary proposal for the 2013-2014 school year was referred to the Personnel Policy Committee for review.
◊Approved the present $109-$324 pre-K cost for the upcoming school term. This remains the same as the current school term fees.
◊ Heard a proposal from superintendent Richard Page for new staff positions, including adding a CORE teacher for the middle school, a special education teacher, a building/ grounds position, a secretary for district special projects coordinator Pat Hastings, and a half-time math coach.
◊Approved participation in a summer feeding program as presented by Jason Carter, district food service director. Free noon meals will be served at two locations; a cafeteria on the Gravette campus (to be selected) and at Sulphur Springs. The program begins June 3 and will continue through July 26 with serving of the free meals to anyone at either location at 11 a.m. each week day.
◊Heard a PowerPoint presentation by professional learning committee members Tabby Crane, Amber Sisemore, Sharon Riggs, Roger Sharp and Jaron Porter.
◊Approved a procedure for speaking by the public at board meetings which will limit comments to topics on the board meeting agenda. Persons who wish to have topics added to the agenda must contact the administrative office prior to the meeting.
◊Approved the legislative audit report as presented, and passed, on first reading, changes in the school board policy document as requested by the Arkansas School Board Association.
◊Heard a report from representatives of the Bentonville/ Bella Vista Trailblazers concerning a possible walking trail. The group is seeking support/interest for the project.
◊Heard the Lion football stadium will be the site for a movie filming crew at a date during May.
Executive Session
Following an executive session, the board accepted resignations from three staff members: Laura Brown, pre-K assistant; second grade teacher Brenda Bontke; and middle school teacher Sarah Morris.
The board also issued contracts to classified staff, as recommended, and to Mary Brown, special education teacher; and Harris Steele, bus driver.
All board members except Dan Yates were present for the meeting which began at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 9:55.
News, Pages 1 on 05/01/2013