Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Board unable to renew contacts for all teachers

Several Gurdon school teachers did not have their contracts renewed at the end of the school year.

Gurdon's School Board did not want to have to let the teachers go, however, due to a cut in revenue it was forced to do so.

Teachers were promised to get their jobs back if more revenue came into the district.

Several students and citizens of the community were upset with the boards decision. The board was bombarded with letters, phone calls and requests to address the board at meetings. Bruce Burson was one of the teachers whose contract was not renewed.

Burson was the assistant band director and a respected teacher.

Since the board's decision some unexpected revenue has come into the district. The board was able to renew Burson's contract.

Fourth grade teacher, Tammy Reitenger, also did not have her contract renewed. However, since that time she has accepted a job in the Arkadelphia School District.

The board hired Erica Mayfield for the fourth grade teaching position left vacant by Reitenger.

The board hired Rusty Ross as the new Gurdon High School special education teacher.

Third grade teacher Allison Pepper gave the school board her resignation. Pepper has decided to pursue a different career.

Anyone wanting to run for school board positions must turn in petition by August 5, 2002. Each petition must be signed by 20 qualified voters from the zone the candidate is running for. The election will be held on September 17, 2002.

The board approved for Superintendent Bobby Smithson to start taking in bids to have the high school parking lot repaved.

The parking was originally paved in 1995 and since has developed several holes and broken asphalt.