Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Smithson discussed education situation

Gurdon School District Superintendent, Bobby Smithson was the gust speaker at Rotary on Thursday, July 17.

Smithson was to have a program, but choose to speak to the crowd himself in order to fill everyone in on the governor's educational plan.

Smithson said, "The legislature adjourned abruptly. They meant to recess, adjourned instead. Now the Governor gets to make the agenda. He is now telling us he may not hold a special session this fall as he originally intended."

Smithson said Charles Knox, a lobbyist who represents the superintendents in Arkansas has been working to try and find a way to save Arkansas' smaller school districts.

"I myself believe some of Arkansas smaller school district's have superintendents who are being paid way to high of a salary. Then again I am a dinosaur, I am from the old school and I tend to look at things differently.

"If a lot of the smaller schools were phased out money would be saved just because of those salaries. However, if we have to transport children all over the world to meet standards, the cost of transportation is going to take us under," said Smithson.

Smithson said it is hard not to biased.

"I don't think we need more credits for out students, we need to better the curriculum they already have," said Smthson.

Smithson said the governor had originally said if his plan passed, Arkansas schools would have to meet his requirements by January 1, 2004.

Smithson said he didn't think there was anyway possible for Arkansas schools to meet these requirements in such a short period of time.

Smithson said he thought the governor would be committing political suicide of they raised taxes and closed schools.

"I think we are going to make it," said Smithson.