Board extends superintendent contract, considers facilities use plan
GENTRY — The school board, at its regular meeting on Monday, approved on its first reading a policy regulating the use of school facilities by individuals and organizations, and it renewed the contract for Terrie Metz, the district superintendent.
After an executive session that lasted close to an hour, the board announced that it had completed the evaluation of Terrie Metz as the school district superintendent, and it voted unanimously to renew her contract for another two years. Board member Melissa Holland thanked Metz for her hard work and said she was looking forward to her work for the district over the next two years.
The new policy on the use of school district’s facilities, if approved on its second reading, allows for citizens of the district to use school facilities for lawful meetings and social and recreational activities, provided such activities do not interfere with school activities. It sets fees for use and limits use to facilities suitable for the intended activity and establishes a fee schedule and procedure for renting facilities.
Use of school buildings will be restricted to individuals or nonprofit groups and organizations whose activities benefit the students and residents of the Gentry School District. The facilities will not be rented out to for-profit individuals and organizations. School facilities that do not appear on the District’s fee schedule will not be available for public use.
Individuals, groups and organizations using school facilities “assume full and complete responsibility for the conduct of all persons, regardless of age, associated with their use of the facility while they are in or about the facility. Smoking or the use of tobacco or products containing tobacco in any form or the
use of drugs or intoxicants is prohibited. Firearms or other weapons of any kind are not allowed on school property unless the person carrying the firearm/ weapon is permitted to do so by law as defined in A.C.A. § 5-73-120 or the individual has a valid concealed carry license and leaves the concealed handgun in the individual’s locked vehicle. Failure to comply will result in an immediate request to leave the facility and grounds and will void any future rentals.”
According to the proposed policy, “All buildings and facilities will be returned to a suitable condition under the supervision of a Gentry Public School employee. Users will ensure that all facilities are clean and free from litter at the end of the period of usage. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to see that all persons have vacated the school buildings and grounds promptly at the time specified on the agreement and that the building is securely closed. Custodial charges are found in the Rental Fee Schedule.”
“Organized community nonprofit groups that provide services and/or resources for students of the Gentry School District will be exempt from facility rental use fees but other fees may be assessed as described in the fee schedule.” Individuals or nonschool related groups and organizations, such as wedding showers, anniversaries, birthday parties, baby showers, family reunions, fundraisers and youth athletic traveling teams that are not a Gentry Youth Organization team, are not exempt from rental and use fees, the policy states.
The fee schedule is included in the policy.
Hirings approved by the board included Heather Teel and Caitlyn Beattie, food service workers; and Brittany Ritchie as the primary school nurse.
Jason Barrett, the school district’s facilities and transportation manager, explained to the board Friday’s decision to hold students at the school when a tornado warning was issued. He also said the weather conditions on Saturday made it unsafe for the school to make its facilities available for athletic activities because of the manpower which would have been needed to clear ice from parking lots and sidewalks and the liability if someone were to fall on the ice.
Measure of Academic Progress or MAP testing data was shared with the board, along with plans for improving test scores at each campus. Principals from the schools and the superintendent spoke about improvement plans to better meet the needs of students who scored below expected proficiency levels in math and English.
Christie Toland, assistant superintendent, updated the board on Opportunity Culture and its plans to hire teachers to assist and mentor other teachers in the district. A career ladder pay differential was also approved.
David Williamson, president of the school board, received a plaque at the meeting recognizing him as a master board member for the hours of training he has completed.