Board considers SRO costs, construction changes

Costs to add SROs, bond funding services, construction changes considered at special meeting

GRAVETTE — A special meeting of the Gravette school board was held Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the school administration building.

Richard Page, superintendent of schools, reviewed information about the school resource officers and Zane Vanderpool, principal at Glenn Duffy Elementary School, presented information on SROs and commissioned school security officers.

Vanderpool has met with Gravette Mayor Kurt Maddox and Chief of Police Chuck Skaggs and learned that SRO renewal for this year for two officers will cost $63,057. Adding two officers for a total of four SROs will cost $126,114. This would be one SRO/ CSSO for each building.

Board members asked about funding sources to cover some of the costs. Information presented showed it will cost the same to train outside staff as CSSOs as to pay the salary for another SRO. Sergeant Banta, with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, has offered to train the staff.

Dennis Kurzcek, business manager, presented bank bid information from the recent sale of bonds. Board members voted unanimously to accept the bid from the Bank of Gravett for a proposal to provide investment management services for the proceeds of the recently issued construction bonds.

Clay McGill and Michael Speath, from BiLD Architects, and representatives of Crossland Construction Company presented drawings and information on proposed cost savings on the construction of the new gymnasium.

A discussion was held about costs being higher than original projections, and board president Tracy Moorman said he felt they were not acceptable since they were not what was presented to the taxpayers.

Spaeth explained how architects’ fees were set and offered several cost-cutting alternatives. Board members agreed to eliminate the secured entry to lower costs and asked for a list of other savings that could be realized by purchasing materials elsewhere.

Crossland representatives said they preferred for the school district to purchase fixtures itself and that would result in cost savings.

Architects reviewed Career Center plans with the board. Speath pointed out several items that can be eliminated from the plans to save money and said some could be added in later if needed. Board members asked him to tally items that could be deleted from the plans and purchased by the district for cost savings. They voted unanimously to eliminate everything Speath listed except for the overhang.

Board members held a short executive session to consider employee contracts but no action was taken after the session.