Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Action taken on students by school board

Gurdon's School Board meeting started as usual on Tuesday, February 17.

Minutes were read from the previous special board meeting held to discuss two students, T.J. Morgan and Steven Gosney.

The following action was taken: Gosney was placed on probation for one year and was allowed to return to school after he served a suspension period of 10 days. T.J. Morgan was assigned to ALE 2. If he does not function there, he will be assigned to the Superintendent's Office for four hours of instruction each week.

Bids were accepted for the purchase of fuel tank to Jerry Palmer, one truck was sold to Roland Hughes, one to Lisa Francis and the old bus body was sold to Terry Purifoy.

The board looked over and approved new sections of the School Board Policy Book, which had several changes in it.

Superintendent Bobby Smithson said, "In addition to the salary schedule, there are other new mandates our school district must comply with. There will be extensive testing for students grades 3-9. We are looking at other options. Such as for primary school there will be Pre K classes for four-year-olds. We think two sections will meet our needs. There will be additional funding for this program. We may be able to reduce our staff in kindergarten and first grade to staff the pre-k classes.

"In middle school we will have honors classes for all grades 5-8th and move the Algebra I down to the 8th grade.

"In high school we will expand the workplace education classes by on campus and Ouachita Vo-Tech.

"We will offer four areas of AP classes because this will be mandatory soon.

"On our construction program, the bleachers for the baseball field will cost $50,000, lights for the baseball field will be $90,000, concession stand and restrooms for the softball and baseball fields will cost around $25,000, a sign for the athletic complex will cost $25,000 and a new classroom at the primary school will cost around $100,000."

No major action was taken at this time.

Cindy Duke, Cheerleader sponsor, requested making changes to the cheerleader constitution. The changes were approved.

An estimate was presented on new revenue for the 2004-2005 school year.

"We have received an estimate on our revenue for the 2004-2005 school year based, on the new funding formula (SB42). Our school district should receive an increase of $454,600 if this new formula is fully funded," Smithson said.

"This formula required all school districts to adopt new minimum salary schedules. We have run the numbers and figured out how the certified staff will be affected by the salary schedule.

"SB42 required initially an increment schedule of 20 years, but was amended down to 15 years. The 15-year schedule provides a small salary increase for our staff with a BSE Degree. We have proposed a salary schedule with 17 years in increments in order to provide a greater increase to our staff with BSE degrees and experience beyond 15 years. I will make this recommendation, if we can afford it," said Smithson.

Then the board was presented with the following information for their review: HB 1030  increased sales tax 7/8 percentage points to 6 percent. Other selective services are also taxed for the first time. As estimated $82 million will be collected from March 1 to June 30. For fiscal year 2005, an estimate of $364 millions will be collected.

SB 80  Increase the corporate franchise tax $6 million for 2005. $25 million is growth for is growth for increase assessments. $22 million in natural growth. $26 million is left over money from 2003-2004 school year. Estimated $525 million for the next fiscal year.

The evaluation of the superintendent was postponed until the next meeting due to the length of the meeting.

The Therapeutic Center notified the school it would discontinue its residential program in Gurdon. It will reportedly be relocating to Malvern.

However, the school plans to keep James Fort on staff to assist in other areas, if he is interested.

No action was taken on the renovation of the vocational building due to the closing of the TFSC.

Smithson said, "An alternative could be to finish the project and house an additional ALE Program to serve the student on the waiting list at the high school. I wanted to wait and get the boards feelings on this as to what action to take."