School Gets High Marks For GT

LINCOLN — Lincoln Middle School’s Gifted and Talented program received high marks at a recent visit from Arkansas Department of Education monitors.

Superintendent Mary Ann Spears told the Lincoln School Board on March 17 the program has four strengths — teacher, administration support, facility and technology.

“I was glad it went really well,” said Becca McAfee, GT teacher.

“Becca has done a good job with the program,” Spears said. “The GT monitors were very impressed.”

Next the board turned to the district’s financial status.

Spears told board members the district was financially ahead of where it was a year ago.

“We’ve tightened up quite a bit,” Spears said. “We look at expenses and whether we need something now or it can wait. All departments are working together.”

Dax Moreton, board member, asked if there would be any problems with a short fall like it was in August 2013.

“We’re hoping not,” Spears said, adding the district is nearly a million ahead of where it was last year at this time.

After an executive session, the board accepted the resignations of Crystal Pitts, social worker, effective March 21, and two retiring teachers, Carolyn Farrell and Peggy Phillips, effective June 30.