GRAVETTE -- Clay McGill and Mike Spaith, principal architects with BiLD Architects, were present at a June 7 special meeting of the Gravette school board and gave an overview of the proposed building projects to be funded by the school district's recently passed millage increase. A proposed construction timeline was presented, and a discussion was held about whether to hire a construction manager or a general contractor.
McGill and Spaith will return for the June 18 regular meeting of the board and a proposed AIA architect agreement will be on the agenda for a vote at that time.
Daniel Rice, school technology director, presented a proposal for a technology upgrade. Rice reported that he is working to implement Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) within every school's network infrastructure. Before that can begin, Rice said, the entire networking closet data runs (excluding high school) need to be tested, restructured and labeled. Not having the time or staff to complete this process in-house, Rice recommended hiring Advanced Cabling to label, test and restructure the data closets and data runs. Board members accepted Rice's recommendation and voted to approve having Advanced Cabling assist with the VLAN implementation at a cost of $23,896.
Rice also reported that, due to age and extended use, the projectors at Glenn Duffy Elementary are nearing the end of their useful lives. Replacement of these projectors will provide more reliable and higher resolution displays for teachers and students. Switching to Epson projectors will lower the costs of upkeep in coming years, while still allowing the use of the current SMART software. Rice recommended purchasing 30 Epson projectors and wall mounts from Howard Technology at a cost of $51,738.75. Board members voted to approve the purchase.
Zane Vanderpool, principal of Glenn Duffy Elementary, presented a proposal to erect a 16x20-foot metal storage building behind the elementary school, to store pre-K materials which are not used daily and move them out of a room that is now to become an office. Vanderpool had priced a tan metal building with white trim and red roof, to match a building currently on site. Cost of the building, from Spavinaw Stove Company, is $7,588.35. Funds will be paid from an Arkansas Better Choice, Schools for Success grant. Board members voted to approve the purchase.
Board members adjourned to a short executive session. When they reconvened in regular session, they voted to approve employing Rachel Galloway as upper elementary/middle school music teacher, moving Melinda Griffin from high school social studies teacher to high school counselor, employing Michelle Bohannon as a sixth grade English teacher, employing Kelby Bohannon as middle school physical education instructor and junior and senior high assistant football coach, and employing Dana Betz as high school cheer sponsor.
Board members voted to accept the resignations of Dan Childress as sixth-grade English tools instructor and junior-high football coach, Vickie Johnston as child nutrition worker, and Taylor Bowers as high-school math teacher. All three resignations are effective immediately.
General News on 06/13/2018