Gravette School Board approves school tax-levy proposal

GRAVETTE — Zane Vanderpool, principal of Glenn Duffy Elementary School, and Mandy Barrett, principal of Gravette Upper Elementary School, led the pledge of allegiance to the flag to open the March 12 meeting of the Gravette School Board.

Dennis Kurczek, the business manager, gave the financial report for the month of February.

Scott Beardsley, representing First Security Beardsley Public Finance, gave a presentation on the Gravette School District 2018 election, giving information on assessed valuation, millage schedules, bonded debt and bond coverage figures. Board members discussed the proposed school tax levy of 39.7 mills, a 2.5 mill increase over the current tax rate. They approved a motion to adopt a resolution with the proposed budget of expenditures with tax levy for the fiscal year July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.

Board members also approved a motion to submit an application for a permit to issue $12,810,000 in construction bonds to the State Department of Education and to employ First Security Beardsley as fiscal agent. Bond funds would be used for the purpose of constructing and equipping a new high school gym, for expanding career and technical facilities and for “constructing, refurbishing, remodeling and equipping school facilities.”

Board members passed a motion to build a traditional style gym rather than a dome style gym. Beardsley explained that the board would need three bidders on the construction project and the first bond fund payment would not be made until 2020. He reminded board members that no school district funds could be spent to campaign for passage of the bond issue. Money can only be spent to inform voters about the project.

Richard Page, the superintendent of schools, introduced Blake Robertson, president of Northwest Technical Institute, and Anne Tucker, NTI vice-president of instruction, who spoke in support of the district’s efforts to expand vocationaltechnical education opportunities. Robertson praised Page and high school principal Jay Chalk as “great leaders” and said they had made a “wonderful decision” in seeking to establish an area career center. He also commended the board for taking a very progressive stand in supporting a bond issue to help fund career and technical education facilities.

Page also reported that parent-teacher conferences were being held during the week of March 12-16.

Board member John Edwards reported on the sixteenth annual Lions Golf Classic scheduled for Saturday, May 5. Edwards said there were 28 sponsors for the tournament last year and many goods were donated. The event attracted 88 golfers in 2016 and 84 last year. Approximately $7,000 was raised last year. Entry forms are available at school offices and at area pro shops.

Robin Leonard, technology director, gave the technology report. He said the school Facebook page is carefully regulated and social media content is filtered so that nothing can be accessed that doesn’t have actual educational value. He said technology policies are being rewritten.

Zane Vanderpool, Glenn Duffy Elementary principal, gave the preschool funding report and presented the proposed pre-K enrollment fee structure for 201819. Vanderpool reported 137 students are now enrolled in kindergarten and 69 students, including 10 tuition-paying students, in pre-K. He said that Endeavor funding and Walton Family Foundation funding for preK education are ending.

Board members voted to approve a request for $500, $100 for each of five students, to help finance their trip to DECA national competition in Atlanta, Ga. The students will fly to Georgia for the competition April 1924 as Richard Carver, transportation director, said a policy has been established that limits bus travels to 400 miles or less.

After adjourning for a short executive session, board members returned to regular session and voted to accept the resignations of Jay Chalk, high school principal, and Jennifer Chalk, fourth-grade teacher, effective at the end of the current school year. They also voted to accept the resignations of Stephen Moore, bus driver, effective March 7, and Randall Martin, bus driver, effective March 12. A motion was made approving the certified staff rehire recommendations as presented by superintendent Page for the 2018-19 school year.