Gravette graduation July 11

GRAVETTE — The School Board honored superintendent Richard Page on May 11. Page submitted his resignation after serving for eight years as superintendent of the school district.

State Sen. Jim Hendren presented Page with certificates of appreciation from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Hendren said he was especially glad to be able to present the certificates himself since he was a member of the board that hired Page eight years ago.

He thanked Page for “exceptional service to the School District and to education” and said he has been “an invaluable resource” to the district.

Hendren praised Page for his work in improving the school’s program for career education. He said Page’s work resulted in the building new facilities and creating the Western Benton County Career Center. “It is citizens like you who build strong, cohesive communities,” Hendren said.

Page said he enjoyed his stay in the Gravette but was “looking forward to wrapping it up” so he could spend more time with his wife Pam “who has waited on me to spend time with her for 42 years.”

Shannon Mitchell, high school principal, asked to look at the calendar to determine a date for graduation. Board members said input they received from parents indicates they would prefer an in-person graduation.

Hope Duke said she definitely want parents to be able to attend and made a motion to set a graduation date for June 27 with a backup date for July 11 if restrictions aren’t lifted by the June date. After some discussion, board members voted to set July 11 as the date for graduation, subject to guidelines set by the State Department of Education.

Board members also approved an online summer school session for the first four weeks of June.

Clay McGill with BiLD Architects joined the meeting remotely and gave a facilities report. He said “great progress” was being made on the new high school gymnasium and workers are wrapping up sidewalks and getting ready for some additional site work and paving. He said he hopes to complete all needed items on the interior in June, then in July complete all exterior work.

Board members approved changes in School Board policies. One dealt with a reduction in force, with the last one on being the first one off in a matter of staff reduction, giving those with tenure precedence. Page said policies are pretty standard throughout the state, he said.

Board members voted to accept the low bid of $24,000 from Dojan Inc. of Missouri for refinishing the floor at the competition gym to get it ready for volleyball season. Custodial department supervisor Richard Carver said the work will begin June 1 and the project should be completed by mid-June.

Also approved to purchase were cameras and access points for the new gym. Daniel Rice, technology director, recommended accepting a $40,548 bid from Triple S Alarm for purchase, installation and configuration of cameras and the $30,682 bid from NextStep Innovation for access points to provide wireless hookup.

Also approved was a $19,315 bid for TVs for the new gym, so a game can be watched at several locations within the facility.

Dennis Kurczek, business manager, gave the April financial report. He reported $284,000 in property tax revenue was received during the month and a little over $31,000 in pre-K tuition. He described it as “a little shy” because of the early school closing.

He reported $11.9 million has been paid out in construction funds. He said there have been some unexpected tech outlays because of the pandemic but the district hopes to get reimbursement through the CARES Act.

Kurczek said he expects diesel and electric bills to be lower this month and Richard Carver, maintenance department supervisor, said he placed utilities in all buildings on unoccupied mode and hopes to upgrade the Glenn Duffy Elementary School HVAC system with the savings.

Board members voted to accept the resignation of Kathryn Scott, middle school paraprofessional, who is retiring and moving out of the district, and Taylor Lewis, middle school math teacher, who is moving to take a position in another school. They also approved adding a track stipend of $1,269 for Sheldon McKenzie.