Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Parents learn district's plans

Gurdon's School Board held it's public meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 2003.

Several teachers and some parents were on hand for the meeting.

Pam Runyan gave a report for the primary school during the regularly scheduled meeting.

"In case you did not know, we had a tornado at the primary school last Friday, in spite of what Coach Reece believes. Some of us teachers saw the rotation in the clouds as we rushed kids indoors and into safety," said Runyan.

One GPS student was present at the meeting to read his account of the tornado and the events that took place on Friday. Terry Franklin said he saw limbs flying and a tree leaning really far.

Runyan said she and the rest of the staff at GPS was proud to see the new One Way street go into effect.

Runyan also reported Gurdon's Kindergarten going to the Clark County Fair.

"Many of our students had not ever ridden on a school bus before, much less been to the fair.

We received a compliment from a community member who is also involved with the Clark County Fair Board who said Gurdon's students were the best behaved one's at the fair.

"We are so proud of them for that," said Runyan.

Runyan said the first graders were still getting used to not having a snack or a nap.

After Runyan's report, several board members commented on the making of Tenth Street into a One Way Street.

"I think the board should publically thank Mr. Childres and Mr. Franklin for getting that done for us," said Billy Tarpley, board member.

The rest of the board agreed.

Board member Cheryl Reed asked if Superintendent Bobby Smithson thought the board would end up having to give more money than originally planned to the athletic department.

Reed's question was prompted by the fact of Gurdon not having but a few home football games this year. The first game against Prescott brought in $7,000 in gate money and the second game "broke even", due to inclement weather.

Smithson reported the new "air conditioned" school bus to be delivered on September 10.

"It will be ready to make its first trip on September 18 to Spring Hill. I'm sure this new trip bus will be a welcomed addition to our fleet," said Smithson.

A report on the Lake View school case was given by Smithson.

"Governor Huckabee has set December 8 as a tentative date to call Legislature back in session. There has been a lot of activity since the Legislature adjourned on April 15. The governor has traveled all over the state in an effort to sell his position on school improvement. He may even place the issue on the ballot next November and let the people decide this issue.

"A group of superintendents, representing large and small schools, have met and attempted to draft a proposal which would meet the dictates of the Lake View Case.

There were 40 schools identified as being inefficient, according to their criteria, as published by the Arkansas Democrat. One school that was on their list was Lee County which has more than 1,500 students in enrollment. The Rural School Association voted against the inefficiency proposal. Our school district was rated 215 of a list of 308 school districts. This efficiency formula was developed by a professor at the University of Arkansas. I don't know of all the criteria factored into the formula, but our large debt service and the number of employees hurt our ranking.

"The estimated cost of equalizing expenditures for all students in the state now stands at 870 million. This figure does not include cost of new facilities, which will be very expensive. A printout of the distribution of the $870 million of new revenue increased our spending $1,716 per student for an increase of 48 percent. This figure is only an estimate based on the existing funding formula which, I think, will be changed in December.

"The State Board of Education met this week and has changed their position on the 60 credits initially proposed. Mr. Simon recommended that every school district offer 38 credits and a fourth math credit. Graduation credits were increased from 21 to 22 credits. All students would have to take college prep courses unless their parents sign a waiver requesting that their children would be exempt from the requirement. All of these proposed changes must be approved in December. We are already, offering the 38 credits each year and require 24 credits for graduation. We require 26 credits for honor students.

"What action will be Legislature take in December? I don't know anyone who can answer this question. I can sense some compromise in the governor's position. Senator Argue has stated he could accept 700 student enrollment. Mr. Simon has recently recommended the 38 credits annually. My feeling, for whatever it is worth, is that the Legislature will accept the last recommendation by Mr. Simon and the State Board of Education. I believe all school districts will be given a chance to meet new proposed standards. There may be a minimum number of students in order for a high school to exist. A school district will have to meet achievement levels and be financially able to meet required teacher salary schedules.

"Mitch Llewellyn, an attorney for the Fort Smith School District, was asked what he thought will happen in the December session and his response was: He did not think the state would raise $870 million in new taxes; he did not think the Legislature could find a solution in the special session; he did think they would increase teachers' salary; teachers would be offered an incentive to teach in poverty stricken areas of the state.

"He also stated the Arkansas Supreme court would not address the Lake View Case unless there were other lawsuits filed," said Smithson.

The board then went on to approve the migrant program budget for 2003-2004. This budget includes the pay for Nina O'Connell's pay for helping with the Spanish program.

The board also had to approve and sign a tuition agreement for the Adolescent Treatment Center in Mt. Ida.

"We may not have to use this facility, but if we do we have signed the tuition agreement," said Smithson.

The board approved the tuition agreement.

David Hunter was appointed to Zone 9 last year and had to be reappointed at this last meeting.

Smithson reported the schools enrollment for the beginning of 2003-2004 being 865 students.

"There will be some fluctuation during this year. Hopefully, we can gain in enrollment. We lost 22 students in our average number belonging for the school year of 2002-2003. The average number of students belonging for the last quarter of the 2002-2003 school year was 868 students," said Smithson.