New pay OK’d

Pre-K registration to begin in February

The December School Board was conducted in record time, beginning at 6:03 p.m. and ending at 6:17 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11.

Board members approved a new pay scale for substitute teachers, namely $70 per day for teachers with a high school diploma, and $80 per day for those with four-year degrees or licenses, both a $10 per day raise from the old rates.

In a new provision, teachers who substitute five consecutive days or more will be paid $90 per day. Several board members remarked these raises are needed to help curb the shortage of substitute teachers in Pea Ridge schools because of higher pay scales in neighboring school districts.

Assistant superintendent Keith Martin announced that due to increased phone calls to the school about pre-kindergarten registration, PreK registration will begin sometime in February, with the exact date to be announced at the next School Board meeting.

Martin also said that, due to regulations, the school must provide a stand-alone HVAC system to keep commodity foodstuffs below 70 degrees, and he said this will be done using a mini-split system, also called a ductless system, for under or around $8,000.

In personnel matters, new hires approved include Chealsey

(Powell) Sappe, primary school special education teacher, and Tina Shirley, food service worker. Two resignations were accepted, one from Amanda Tilghman, middle school teacher, and Courtney Rhuda, special education teacher. One termination of employment was approved for Candra Troby from the Middle School.

Student transfers into Pea Ridge Schools include two into the 12th grade, one into 10th, two into eighth, one into seventh, and one into first. Two students received approval to transfer out of Pea Ridge Schools, one to Bentonville and one to Rogers.

Pea Ridge Middle School principal Leslie Moline announced the choir concert originally scheduled for Dec. 14 has been postponed until after the first of the year.

Moline also announced a gift shop has been set up in the Middle School, open to students and parents during regular school hours, which includes a variety of donated items for sale such as toys, blankets, books, holiday items and more. The proceeds will be used for the benefit of students, Moline said. She said the semi-formal dance set for Friday is still planned.

High School assistant principal Barrett Robinson, also the Alternative Learning Environment director, announced an award from Bella Vista Rotary Club of enough funding to purchase two engine machines, two sewing machines, and a 3-D printer for ALE. He said approximately $2,700 more may become available from the club for the ALE program.

High School principal Charlie Clark said finals will begin Friday and continue Monday, Dec. 18, and Tuesday, Dec. 19, with makeups set for Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The Intermediate School chili supper is set for Thursday.