Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Delinquent Taxes Affecting District

Delinquent taxpayers are putting an unexpected squeeze on the Gurdon School District's financial plans.

Total local taxes, which go to the public schools, were drastically below the budget estimation and even $19,897 below last years's settlement.

Bobby Smithson, Gurdon superintendent said at the January meeting of the Gurdon School Board, "It's not time to panic, but I am worried, the contingency fund is going to be reduced."

With an assessment of $45,611,388 for 1999, the district followed the usual formula to derive an amount to budget. Precisely, the amount of increase in the assessment from the previous year to this years assessment, ($1,583,140) multiplied by the millage rate, (.036) totaling $56, 993. This total increase in revenue, which rightfully belongs to the district, then has 10 percent clipped off to represent the delinquent taxes not collected, with a final amount of $51,293 in new local taxes to add to the budget above last years budgeted amount.

Basically, a big jump in the amount due doesn't equal the amount people will pay. After raises and a new bus purchase, Smithson recommended to the board a revolving loan be taken out to pay for the bus purchase due in this week. The board okayed it and now the district waits until July to see how much of the delinquent taxes come in, when people begin needing their auto tags.

Smithson said, in materials provided, "If I had anticipated this, I would have been more conservative with our salary increases."

Happy ever after has arrived for the Cross Roads Church and the district. The one acre more or less of property adjoining the church will be sold to it for $2,000 with the district covering the estimated $6 stamps charge. Attorney Taylor King will be preparing the deed at not cost to the district.

The 1,200 seat auditorium has found its home North of the current school complex and the Cabe Student Center. The school board voted to place the auditorium according to a blueprint presented at the meeting from the architect, Wayne Trull.

In the blueprint several changes have been worked on, moving of the administrative section and removal of the balcony seating.

Meetings important to the funding of the auditorium continue over the next couple of month, primarily, The Louis Cabe Foundation and the Horace Cabe Foundation. Anticipations for the estimated $3.2 million dollar project remain favorable.

Make up dates were determined for the absences due to weather. Monday, February 19 (Winter break) and Friday, April 13, (Good Friday) the Gurdon Schools will be in attendance. This leaves the remaining days at the end of the semester, May 29-31 and June 1-2, for school to meet. All planned make-up days will be returned to the regular days out, provided the State of Arkansas waives the dates off for all schools.

During the recent cold snap, a water pipe froze and flooded the band hall and the entrance to the building. Carpets and floor tiles may have to be replaced with a $500 deductible cost to the district. There may be more discussion over this later because the building supposedly had insulated pipes when built.

Finally, Smithson is up for evaluation. The annual superintendent's evaluation was presented to the board members. By next meeting each member will return the completed form, and determine whether or not to extend his contract by a year.