Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Tutoring program going well in Gurdon

Jean Smithey, the Prime Time Director, addressed the Gurdon School Board at its November meeting saying she would like to express her appreciation to all the people who are helping with tutoring and the students attending.

"I am so proud to have the people volunteering their time to help our kids. Mr. (Bobby) Smithson (Gurdon superintendent) has been spending extra time in the afternoons tutoring in math," said Smithey.

She also reported Ann Clingan working with a debate team at the middle school.

Pat Talley, with the Personnel Policy Committee, told the board she was a little concerned knowing the state had passed new personnel policy rules and she was afraid Gurdon would have to adopt them as well. "I was pleased to find out from Mr. Smithson that we weren't going to lose everything we had worked so hard on changing."

Talley also asked the board if there was any way possible, Gurdon's teachers might get a raise with Christmas right around the corner.

Smithson said, "Between now and December we will be meeting to get a handle on the budget and see what we can do for our teachers. They deserve a raise if we can manage it."

Since a new ASBA Model School Policy was approved last month the board had to decide what to do about it. It must purchase software to use for the policies. Smithson said, "We need to sign the contract and then decide a payment schedule."

The board elected to get the CD Rom and other software necessary and pay for it through a five year installment plan that carries no interest.

In further business, the board approved to pay the $345 premium for the school's business trip insurance.

As a formality the board had to approve the Consolidated Special Education Application for the 2003-2004 school year.

The board also elected a delegate for the annual ASBA conference to be held on December 9-10 at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock and the Statehouse Convention Center. The school plans to make arrangements for any school board member who would like to attend.

CMS Principal Libby White has been working on a new Retention Policy for the Cabe Middle School. She was to present the new policy to the school board, however, she requested she be given more time to research on some information. The board granted her request.

As the last item on the agenda the board was to discuss some personnel matters.

Smithson said, "Our Special Education Department will be reviewed the second semester of this year. Each special education child must have an IEP (Individual Education Plan). These plans must be kept up-to-date. The paper work is very demanding.

"Cooper, who teaches special education at our high school, has been ill and unable to work this semester. We have two other teachers, Rusty Ross and Shannon Hays working either full time or part time with our high school and middle school special education students.

"Carolyn McClure, our Special Education Supervisor, has moved to high school in order to bring fifty folders up to date for our review. We have moved Morehead to McClure's position and Jester to Morehead's position.

"We need to employ someone to teach, at least for a period of time, fifth and sixth Social Studies."

The board decided to table the subject for the time being and address it again at the December meeting.