Cato named president

Ann Cato was elected president of the Pea Ridge School Board Monday night. Initially, current president Josh Ramsey was nominated, but Ramsey deferred saying he wanted to allow someone else the opportunity to serve. Sandy Button was elected vice president and Jenny Wood was elected secretary. New board member Braxton Hurst was welcomed to the board.

Three Pea Ridge High School students, Skylar Brooks, Courtney Ford and Lorie Klein, asked the board for permission to start a Community Service Club saying “education is important, but so is getting involved in the community and giving back.”

“These girls came to me and Mr. (Jon) Laffoon and

are obviously very passionate about this,” Matt Wood, assistant high school principal, said.

In other business, the board:

• Watched a presentation by Tracy Hager, master teacher leader, about the master teacher program. Other master teachers include Crystal Marquez and Malinda Stewart, High School; Leslie Moline and Josh Johnson, Middle School; Hager and Charley Clark, Intermediate School; and Paige Billis at the Primary School.

• Received an update on the school’s application for a conversion charter for a Career and Tech Academy, a school within a school, from Rick Neal, superintendent.

• Learned that the food services program has saved over $12,800 in September and anticipate saving $14,000 in October, according to Keith Martin, assistant superintendent, who said the new on-line payment software has been well received.

• Heard an update from Tony Travis, athletic director, who said gate income has totaled about $21,800 for the three senior high, two junior varsity and three junior high football games. He said concessions and merchandise sales have gone well and many people have volunteered.

• Sue Stacey told the board students are involved in Special Olympics and will compete in swimming and volleyball soon.