Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon School Board Sells Property To McKenzie

Gurdon School Board approved selling of the old high school property to Mike McKenzie for $25,000.

It also presented both cheerleading squads with financial assistance, and gave Stanford Achievement Test, Edition 9 (SAT-9) score results.

The Cabe Center was filled with visitors as the Gurdon School Board brought its monthly meeting to order Tuesday night, May 23.

The district was presented with a last minute interest from the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church concerning the property.

Sam Hardwrick, representing the church, questioned the validity of the district's current verbal agreement with Mike McKenzie, of M&M Enterprises, and status of the previously presented offer from Mt. Canaan for the property. The church had submitted an offer of $50,000 for the entire property in the very beginning of the sales process.

School Board President Jesse Runyan meticulously relayed the time line to show the school had been shopping for offers when Mt. Canaan's offer was first put on the table.

In the beginning the district was hoping to receive in the area of $100,000 for the property. Runyan continued to mention the slow deterioration of the property over the past two years as cause for the lowering of the price.

At this point, Superintendent Bobby Smithson said, "We came back to the church and were told the offer from Mt. Canaan was no longer any good."

Smithson and board member, Billy Tarpley reiterated the facts of the situation in written and verbal agreement with McKenzie and the board's tentative acceptance of the offer at the April meeting.

Contingencies for the sale presented at the April meeting involved the zoning of the area and a 25,000 pound limit for trucks.

McKenzie commented on the company's willingness to adjust to meet the zoning regulations.

Tarpley said, "There was some discussion of the city possibly taking the property over for transportation storage. I don't personally see a problem. I'm only one board member.

"There were also concerns in the community about materials being burned and use of the auditorium. At the last meeting, Mike told us, nothing would be burned and the community could use the auditorium from time to time.'"

When discussion came to an end, Tarpley motioned to approve with board member, Jim Otwell seconding, with the rest of the board concurring.

Grades for the district are to be based on the results of the SAT-9. Specifically, grades five, seven and 10 will determine the grade of the district on its report card provided by the Arkansas State Board of Education.

"It's great improvement over what we've had. We fuss when they're low, we should praise when they're high," Smithson said

Fall of 1999 and spring testing results were compiled by Bonnie Ross, federal program coordinator and keyboard instructor.

She went over the resulting graphs before the board.

These graphs showed the average scores of the Gurdon students in comparison with the national averages.

This year the first, second and third grades met or surpassed the 60th percentile. While fifth grade surpassed the two previous years, this grade level has continued to fall below the 50th percentile.

The board questioned Ross on details of the graphs provided. She pointed out the clear improvement of the third grade level. "With the hiring of Rusty Manning and the lowering of the class sizes, you can see the grades improved.

"Mr. Alexander's reading circle has also made a difference," she added.

Rita Roe, Gurdon Primary School principal, was questioned as to the high marks earned at GPS. Roe said, "The teachers have worked hard. Programs, ELLA (Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas), and McRAT (Multi-cultural Reading And Thinking) are very strong in the classrooms. The teachers worked in-service for these programs over the summer. Everyone has benefitted from being able to pool from the different tools."

The charts showed a continuing drop in the fifth grade level for three consecutive testing years.

Smithson attributed this dip to a phase.' "I think when they change from elementary to middle school you can see a drop," he remarked.Smithson twice told of his pleasure in see the high scoring with two or three exceptions."We can't expect that 70th percentile. We can't expect our kids to top out like a parochial school," Smithson said.

There was some discussion of the track project which should begin this week.

"We have signed the contract with Statewide Paving to construct our new track," Smithson said. "I'm concerned about the maintenance, the sponge latex will come off. We'll have to take care of the service. It must be protected during football games."

Smithson presented the board with his building plans for the next few months. For a proposed pavilion, he said, "I have an estimated cost of $18,000-$20,000 for this project. Our middle school students don't have anywhere to go after lunch."

From information provided, four subcontractors have been contacted for estimates by Smithson. Tyler Building, TDS of Ashdown, Alvin Eatman of Prescott, and Anderson Engineering are listed for the four stage construction.

The cost estimate is $16,750, but this does not include gravel or compaction for the building pad, or cost of the tables.

According to provided information, Smithson said, "We could place tables under the pavilion and teachers could take their classes outside, when weather would permit."

Construction of a softball field and paved basketball areas are also planned. Clark County Judge Floyd Buddy' Manning has agreed to assist with the dirt work for the softball field.

When questioned, Smithson said, "I guess we could be Indian givers' and take back two bleachers." Indicating the sets of bleachers presented to the Gurdon Baseball Association, operators of Cabe Field.

"We can do this with minimum cost, if we use our school personnel. The main expenditure will be the back stop," he said.

In information provided to the board on the two basketball paved areas, Smithson said, "We can have these areas paved when Statewide Paving is here building our new track. The cost should be less than $1,000. I want to pave two areas (30 feet by 40 feet) for students to play basketball during lunch."

Wendy and Gary Plyler, Bonnie Ross, Senior High Cheerleading sponsor, many other parents and students were present at the meeting to request financial assistance.

The immense financial burden placed on students and their families prevents numerous students from even trying out for the squads.

After much discussion, board member, Tarpley motioned for the 25 cheerleaders to each receive $200, for a total of $5,000. All funding assistance will more than likely go the payment for the required summer cheerleading camp in Jonesboro mentioned by Ross earlier in the meeting.

With other school-based activities receiving monies, the cheerleaders sought relief from constant fund-raising.

Per student the direct cost to the district is different for each activity, i.e. one band student ($133), one football student ($21), and one basketball student ($31), according to information provide.

The school district picked up a couple of trucks, trailer and tractor from the State Marketing and Redistribution Center in Little Rock. Jimmy Martin, transportation director, and Terry Purifoy, maintenance supervisor, were the recipients of the two used trucks as provided for in their contracts.

The cost of these purchases totaled $12,500. Smithson expects to use the $5,500 in the vehicle fund' and some of the proceeds from the auction held Saturday, May 20.

Smithson also would like to see enough revenue from the auction to put a fence around the bus garage. It would help prevent thefts, he said. There were 20-25 batteries stolen from the bus garage during the past year.

Board member, Tommy Overbee brought a churches request to be given land before the board. Crossroads Baptist Church would like for the district to turn over an acre of land. Part of which the church has been using for a parking lot for some time.

The church would be willing to pay for the deed transfer and property filings.

The land came to be owned by the district in the 1946 consolidation of the Crossroads School District.

"I personally have no objection to giving it to them," remarked Smithson.

School board member, Tarpley motioned to table the discussion.

Runyan will be investigating the timber interest and deed information for the next board meeting.

Policies from the special education supervisor, an adjusted grading system and the 2000-2001 school calendar were also adopted.

There was some discussion over a request for early dismissal of two hours on holidays. Smithson warned Roe and Leonard Gills, Gurdon High School principal, "I expect trouble," if this occurs.