Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Tax Collections Up, Federal Funds Slow

A Y2K problem could be the reason federal programs are behind in reimbursing the Nevada School District.

Rick McAffee, Nevada superintendent, told the Nevada School Board, in its regular monthly meeting Thursday, Nov. 18, the budget is showing red in some areas, but this is because the district hasn't been reimbursed by the federal government.

"I feel they are working on Y2K problems and are running behind in making their payments," he said.

On the other hand, the district received more money than expected from property tax in October.

McAffee said the bulk of the money was recently received with the district having $380,000 deposited into its accounts.

Compared to last year, he told the board, the district got about $35,000 more.

However, he added, the district still has to pay $20,000 for textbooks and will have to keep watching the operating budget for the remainder of the year.

He informed the panel the physical plant will be paid for in 2006, with a note burning party scheduled for the event.

The district, by law, must have 25 mill for maintenance and operation, McAffee said. So, when the building is paid off, district residents could see a reduction in their property tax.

Unless something occurs in the interim. Currently, petitions are being circulated to get rid of the state's property tax and this could have a severe effect on schools in Arkansas.

The board was told the SAT-9 scores were up and the data returned to the district is being compiled in a more orderly form for the next meeting.

The district is currently in its five year planning cycle and will do three-year comparisons of the test scores using the same students being in different grades to show how they are doing.

In addition, the comparison will show the areas the district is strong and weak in.

But, McAffee said, the scores were extremely good. So good in fact, a nearby district called asking how Nevada did it.

Math night, held recently at Nevada Elementary, was a rousing success as more than 300 showed for the chili supper and to learn what the children are being taught where math is concerned.

Natalie Sherwood, NES principal, said the new math is harder and the parents were interested in finding out what their children are learning.

McAffee said past math nights have brought anywhere from 45-60 people, so the most recent one was a most pleasant surprise.

Parents will soon be getting report cards from the district telling how the schools themselves are doing. These report cards will include curriculum expectations to let parents know what is expected of their children.

Sherwood explained the students are learning facts along with higher thinking skills, such as those learned when solving word problems.

Transportation and maintenance director Jim Cross said the fleet is in good shape and everything is going well.

At this time, he told the board, maintenance crews are changing filters as plant management is pushing for better indoor air quality.

In other business, the board named Jerry Bishop as the voting delegate from the district for the Arkansas School Board Association meeting Dec. 1-2 in Little Rock.

Following an hour-long executive session, the board conditionally hired Wendy Hargis as an elementary teacher and Scott Horn as high school chemistry teacher, pending their passing a criminal background check.

The board also eliminated the playing of any music except the national anthem at basketball games.

McAffee said students have been choosing the music played and some patrons found it to be offensive. The music, he said, was of the rap variety.