District planning facility upgrades with federal funds
Ribbon cutting planned at new track
Numerous improvements being planned in the Forrest City School District will be funded through a combination of funds the district is receiving through the federal CARES Act, state partnership program and money set aside by the district for projects.
Members of the school board on Thursday agreed to have air conditioning installed in Mustang Arena, construct a new industrial arts building, reconfigure seating and replace the flooring at the high school cafeteria and reconfigure seating in the cafeteria at the junior high campus.
Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Hardrick told board members the district received about $1.5 million in the first round of CARES funding, with $7.5 million being allotted to the district in the second round. In addition, she said the district is expecting to end the fiscal year with about $2.6 million in carryover.
The district still has about $500,000 from the first CARES funding to apply toward these projects. Hardrick reported that much of the first allotment was spent on PPE, technology and installing touch less faucets across the district to ensure the school environment is safe for students and teachers during the pandemic.
Hardrick said the state identified five areas on which district should focus the spending, which include food security, student support, technology, systemic procedures and facilities.
“We have been participating in webinars and trying to understand the intricate details of how to spend the funding. We are particularly interested in food security and facilities, since this is the first time they have ever said the money can be used for facilities,” said Hardrick.
She said the district has $330,000 set aside to combine with state partnership money to install HVAC at Mustang Arena, but since the newest round of CARES funding includes facilities, it will free up that money to be used elsewhere in the district. The state partnership funds will cover about 60% of the total project cost.
According to Hardrick, Mustang Arena would qualify for the CARES money because high school students are frequently in that building.
“Because the arena is used for physical education and health classes, as well as student assemblies, the federal funds can be used to install air conditioning in that facility,” said Hardrick.
The board agreed to allow the district to seek bids on the project.
Board member Larry Devasier asked about using local companies for the arena job.
“I would love to have someone local bid on it,” said Hardrick.
The state has also agreed to provide partnership funding for a new career and technical education structure to replace the current building that was constructed in 1963. The current
(Continued from Page 1) building, which is about 13,000 square feet, will be torn down.
“We were approved for 5,000 square feet at just under $1 million and the state will pay the same portion,” said Hardrick.
The board also agreed to allow the district to accept bids on this project, with Hardrick saying a contract needs to be in place by April to retain the state’s portion.
Hardrick also recommended the board hire Reginald Murdock as construction manager for the arena and new building.
Devasier asked how much Murdock’s services would cost district. Hardrick said he would receive 6.5% of the total cost of the projects to serve as construction manager.
She said Murdock had worked with the district on a drainage project and that “he’s probably as close to a local construction manager as we have.”
Both cafeterias will be reconfigured to allow for better social distancing for students at a cost of about $76,000, which can be paid for with the CARES money. New flooring will be installed in the high school cafeteria, with an estimated cost of about $31,000, which will be paid with district funds.
Similar projects are being considered at the elementary campuses and ABC School, Hardrick said.
Board member Joey Astin asked if the flooring project had been bid, to which Hardrick answered that bids were not required due to the cost. He asked if local companies had been contacted to bid on the project, to which Hardrick replied the district had received quotes from companies in Jonesboro and Little Rock, adding that deputy superintendent Zrano Boles had handled that project.
She told board members that she and her staff are working on a plan for spending the federal money that would be presented to them in February.
The board also agreed to purchase about $45,000 in equipment for the track and to hold a ribbon cutting at the facility at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The board agreed to tentatively open the track to public use between 5:45 and 6:45 in the mornings and afternoons.
In other business, Hardrick reported that the district this week received a $30,000 donation from Boar’s Head to establish a health and wellness center.
Board members also approved a pair of student transfer requests to the Palestine-Wheatley School District. The students, ninth and 10th graders, according to Hardrick, have never attended classes in the FCSD.
Board members Evetta Whitby and Yolanda Mason were recognized during the meeting for achieving Master Board member status by earning a minimum of 50 hours in board training.