Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Teachers could lose raises

Teachers in the Gurdon School District may still lose their raises, depending on further reductions in income for the district, according to Bobby Smithson, superintendent.

Despite the unintelligible school funding ratio, which no one seems to understand, all spending in this district is divided into two categories by the Revenue Stabilization Act. Category A which entails priority spending and category B which is everything else.

Smithson said, at the November 20 school board meeting, "raises are in category B."

The school's reserve funds have been depleted due to construction. To which Smithson said, "I don't think we're in the money saving business."

Estimating the reductions in the revenues at $73,065, Smithson said, "It's my job to look after our interests. This year we're going to be all right if we get $154,000 in May, we'll meet budget."

While reviewing the check register, Smithson pointed out and commented on the purchase of maroon colored, crushed lava rock from New Mexico for the baseball infield. The rock cost $1,750 purchased from Anglea Turf with a description of being water absorbing.

"I hope it's worth what we paid for it," he said.

The homecoming committee could not file a report since it has yet to meet.

Full-time employees and school board members will again be covered by the Arkansas School Board Association accidental death and dismemberment trip insurance.

Stan Escalante, David Williams and Smithson attended the Region School Board Meeting in Arkadelphia on Oct. 25. Smithson said he felt it would have been better for the teachers to attend.

Subject matter for the day involved a presentation of all the test each school must participate in each year and discussions on accountability.

Board members's packets contained a detailed meeting report on Smithson's meeting with Dr. Mike Crowley, chief administrator of special education monitoring and technical assistance on Oct. 30.

Discussion on screening, enrollment and handling of short term, sheltered students lead the school to put in place a new policy. This policy covers the details of the school's placement and responsibilities toward restricted students.

Status report on the construction of the cheerleader/gymnastics room conveyed the hopes to occupy the building as soon as Jan 4, 2002. Due to delays the building will be an estimated $7,293 over original estimate. Total cost for the structure will be $37,693. After working outside of state bidding laws, the district was informed because the funding for the building was from a private source, it was legally acceptable.

Smithson said the current building being used for cheerleading and gymnastics could house Linda Hulan and the ALE students.

A new fourth grade teacher will be sought out to fill the position left empty by the placement of Linda Hulan with the students at the Therapeutic Family Services home.

Teachers were polled concerning their feelings on being drug tested. Results showed 75 percent of Gurdon's teachers were okay with being tested.

Smithson said, "Some of our teachers have legitimate medications and conditions for which they would preferred not to be tested for."

Ending the meeting, board members went into executive session to discuss a complaint on an employee and evaluate applicants for elementary education.