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should be expelled. However, I also believe that a teacher or a student that approaches the administration through a building principal or the systems guidance counselor and admits to a substance abuse problem should be allowed to enter a rehabilitation program without fear of termination or being expelled. The problem of tobacco being in the possession of a teacher should be handled through the employee handbook of the school system. The problem of possession of tobacco by a student should be handled as prescribed in the student manual.
Wright — There are currently policies in place for this type of action in the district policy handbook. This applies to both students and faculty.
7. After reading the school supplies list required of students in the elementary classes, what would your ideas be to get the district in a financial position to supply most of it’s own needs and not relying on the parents to do so. And would you put this critical need to education before any non educational agendas?
Dye — I believe that there are programs in place around the community, whether it be churches or other government assist programs, that most people can meet the needs of school supplies without the school having to increase budget costs to do so. If anything, I think educating parents on being proactive and assisting them in finding these relief efforts may be where more of the focus should shift. I do not see this as a critical educational need that should derive much attention.
Hurst — In the near future a number of school supplies will no longer be necessary, as technology continues to advance our classrooms will become more connected, better resourced, and paperless. As this trend develops I would like to see the district invest in new technologies that will help reduce the burden on families and the district in regards to supplying students with the necessary materials for today’s classrooms. Currently our community churches and other charitable organizations do a great job assisting families with the purchase of school supplies which helps offset the burden placed on families. To answer the second part of the question yes I would, I also feel that the school board has done an exceptional job of putting educational needs ahead of non educational ones.
Mullikin — Having three children in either Pea Ridge Primary or Pea Ridge Intermediate, I understand the expense of simply getting the school year started. I believe the problem is not confined to the financial pressure it adds to parents at the beginning of the school year, but also to the financial pressure to our faculty that I believe through the course of the school year makes great personal financial contributions to purchase supplies through the course of the school year. Buying many of these supplies in large lots directly from the retailers or in some cases wholesale would greatly reduce the overall cost of each item purchased. Whether this can be done as a joint co-op or simply a single school district should create cost savings. Spending the most money per student in the state doesn’t ensure the best educated students anymore in spending the least amount of money in the state would produce the least educated students. The constant and daily struggle to provide the most education at the lowest cost should always be one of the districts highest priorities. I’m not sure what your definition of non-educational agenda would be, if you’re referring to extracurricular activities in our school systems I would hope that different types of learning exist in all of them. In many cases such as music, drama, and athletics, a number of activities can create a way to offset their expense. I do believe the most important single purpose that our school district has, is to prepare our students to succeed after graduation.
Wright — I feel that it is not only the school districts job to provide items for the students but parents as well. I feel that it’s a joint effort, the school provides the resources such as textbooks, facilities and technology equipment; any educational needs to be put as a priority.