Board members discuss building project priorities

GRAVETTE — Members of the Gravette school board met in a special session Thursday, June 8, to review projects presented by the facilities committee. Jim Singleton, chairman of the facilities committee, presented a list of proposed projects and a brief explanation of each. Brian Masters, from Nabholz Construction Services, was in attendance and presented a list of cost estimates for the potential projects.

Projects in the Nabholz cost projections list included improvements at Gravette Middle School (both remodel and new construction options), a new gymnasium, an eight-classroom addition at the high school, an indoor multipurpose practice facility and new turf at the football field. Jay Oliphant, board president, said he felt development of a vocational school facility was also a top priority.

Oliphant asked the board members to prioritize projects, and each one gave a brief presentation with their ideas of which projects are most important and reasons for their rankings.

Oliphant encouraged each member to be actively soliciting feedback from voters in the district, especially from school district patrons, students and their parents, as to what projects they would most like to see completed. He proposes to draft a survey to get input from the community.

All interested persons in the community are encouraged to attend the board’s next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, June 19, at the school administration building. Discussion of a possible millage increase to fund a vocational facility, improvements to Gravette Middle School and a new competition gym on the high school campus will be on the agenda at that meeting. It is hoped school district patrons will be present and give board members their feedback.

“I am encouraged that we are making progress on this, regardless of what the ultimate outcome is,” Oliphant said. “Board consensus and community support are obviously critical to the success of a millage campaign.”