GRAVETTE -- Gravette school board members, at a special meeting Friday evening, selected a construction manager for their upcoming building projects to be financed by the millage increase approved on May 22. Crossland Construction was the company chosen by the board to manage the building. Members voted to authorize superintendent Richard Page and board president Tracy Moorman to enter negotiations with Crossland, with Manhattan Construction as a backup.
A Crossland representative said a draft contract would be generated and sent to the board in about two weeks. Board member Hope Duke suggested getting feedback from board members in other districts which have recently completed building projects preceding the negotiations.
In other action at the meeting board members:
• Voted to authorize superintendent Page to enter discussions with the owners of three lots behind the high school about the possible purchase of the property. The property includes one half-acre lot and two smaller lots.
• Discussed remodeling the competition gym for use as a home for the volleyball team and a place for them to play games and host tournaments. Richard Carver, custodial and maintenance department supervisor, said this would require the installation of air conditioning and heating units and some work, including striping, on the floors. The board will investigate costs of installing HVAC units and bring thoughts on the proposal to the next meeting.
• Discussed posting the building improvement plans to the website to meet state requirements. Assistant superintendent Jeff Gravette explained that each school has its own plan, written by its principal, and it will be possible to edit the plans and make revisions within the next few weeks. He said he has attempted to make the plans more understandable and user-friendly on the web.
Board member Heather Finley reminded those present that the high school football team will be having a scrimmage at 9 a.m. on Gravette Day, Aug. 11, in Lion Stadium. She also announced that an all-school reunion is being planned for homecoming weekend, Sept. 28 and 29.
After an executive session, which opened the meeting, board members voted on the construction manager and also voted to hire Amanda Lester as a paraprofessional at Glenn Duffy Elementary, Jennifer Amos as a paraprofessional at the upper elementary, Alan Halzle and Holly Hudson as evening custodians, Julie Denny as a cafeteria cook and cashier, Tabby Crane as upper elementary counselor, Sarah Ruth as a high school counselor, Sue Cluck as a high school science teacher and Nancy Greenwood as a second-grade teacher.
General News on 08/08/2018