Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Band, Athletic Budgets Already in Red

Two programs at Gurdon High School are in the red already, and the new school year is less than a month old.

This is what Superintendent Bobby Smithson told members of the Gurdon School Board Tuesday night at the regular meeting of the board.

"We've transferred $5,000 each to the band and athletics," Smithson said, "and there were some election expenses (for September's annual school election). Athletics started in the hole, the band wasn't as far in the red as athletics. I hope they can bale themselves out."

Otherwise, he said, all accounts were in good shape. Nothing at Gurdon Middle School is in arrears, and Gurdon's Primary School is all right.

He said the construction account shows $1,002,588. However, if the district borrows against the certificate of deposit before Oct. 20, when the CD maturues, it will lost $9,000 in interest. "We'll save by not cashing it in now," he said.

According to Smithson, the district normally spends between $80,000 and $90,000 per month, but spent $120,000 in September, primarily because of buying textbooks. He said the district will be reimbursed for the cost of the books, though, which will put the budget back in line.

The board was informed the district bought a year's supply of paper towels and toilet tissue in an effort to save money. Smithson said the price of paper products is going up and this was done to beat the price increase.

Returing to issues tables from August, the board voted to increase substitute pay from $30 per day to $35 a day in an effort to be comparable with other area schools.

The second issue dealt with employees getting an extra two days to attend school sponsored events, such as football playoffs. The board agreed to extend the policy from its current two days to three days with no penalty in their pay.

Smithson said employees get two business days along with their sick leave each year, with the amount of sick leave based on the contract length. Those with 12 month contracts get 12 days, while those with nine month contracts get nine days. The two personal days can be used at the employee's discrection.

He told the board there are many students who participate in Future Farmer of America projects, which can require travel, and the parents of these students want to be with them when possible.

The board was also told if it went to the two extra days, which would amount to four total days, this would not affect those employees who do not have children, or have children who do not attend school in the district.

The superintendent said he had no recommendation on the matter either way. The board, on the other hand, did have an idea, and voted to give all employees three paid days off in addition to their contractual sick days.

In discussing the construction project, Smithson said the four buildings for the new high school are basically done. The architect has prepared the first punch list, which tells what else needs to be done before he signs off the project. Most of the items left, Smithson said, have already been taken care of and the others the district is responsible for handling; such as touch up paint, baseboards, overall cleanup and final waxing of the floors, along with getting shelves built.

"We've been busy with the start of school," he said as the reason some of this work has not been done yet.

The biggest problem with the new school, Smithson told the panel, will be getting the cafeteria ready, as some of the equipment will have to be moved from the current GHS location.

All of the furniture for the new school is in, but has not been assembled yet. He said more than half the slab has been poured for the new gym and some of the steel structure is in. The parking lot has been striped, with the exception of the handicap spaces, which will require a stencil. He said the front steps will have handrails added later on.

The water and sewer issue is finally resolved, he told the district's governing body. Charles Summerford, project engineer, will attempt to have a preconstruction conference around the first of October, if the remaining 13 people who have not signed their easements do so by then.

Completion of the project, he said, will depend heavily on the weather. "I've been told it will take two good months to do." Beirne Road is scheduled for paving in mid-October, and the recent rains have been beneficial to the road project.

Smithson said the dedication ceremonies will be held Sunday, Oct. 29. This day was chosen, he said, because Friday night (Oct. 27) is the Go-Devils' homecoming game, and it is also the weekend of the Forest Festival. This means there will be more people in town and could translate into a better turnout.

One problem, he said, will be limited restroom facilities, as no water and sewer will be in place at that time. Smithson said he will try and get more port-a-potties at the site for the dedication.

Additionally, the committee is working to get Fourth Congressional District Representative Jay Dickey, R, as the keynote speaker. Smithson said Dickey was instrumental in the water and sewer project for the school.

Ceremonies are tentatively set from 2-4 p.m.

Continuing his discource on the water and sewer project, Smithson said the district asked for and received a second bid, which turned out to be $35,000 less than the initial one.

This figure, he said, is deceiving because there are two lending agencies involved, the Arkansas Industrial Developent Commission (AIDC) and Farmer's Home Administration (FmHA). The AIDC, he said, will pick up the overage on the water portion of the project, but the FmHA will not allow any commingling of funds. This meant the board had to pick up the difference of $58,700, which it did in a special meeting.

It was either pick up the difference or see the school's sewer project included on the overall project which could delay the opening of the new GHS for another year, Smithson said.

He continued saying the district is $71,000 short on geting the gym completed as well, but the school will get some relief from a new law which allows for funding facilities, such as gyms. "We could be eligible for $20,000," he told the board. "I hope people will like the new Gurdon High School so much we can ask for a millage to build Gurdon Middle School there."

Bonnie Ross spoke to the board about the Alternative Learning Education program, saying the committee has tentatively found a home for the students in the old Arkla Gas Co. building. She said they can move in at the start of the second semester and will only be responsible for damages and utility costs.

Those involved with the ALE program are asking the citizens of Gurdon for any old furniture they may have so the classrooms can be furnished.