Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon School District to begin Pre-K program

Gurdon School Board members voted to adopt a pre-school kindergartent program during Tuesday's board meeting, which will cost around $100,000.

The Department of Education Pre-K, according to Bonnie Ross, coordinator for curriculum and federal programs, will mean reducing the current four kindergarten classes to three, due to lower enrollment numbers this year. Kindergarten was down by 12 students.

The state will pay $4,300 per qualified student and Superintendent Bobby Smithson says there will be no charge to participate for those earmarked to take advantage of this.

"We could charge," Smithson said, "but I don't think we should."

Ross said this first year will probably see 25 qualified students in Pre-K, but the funding is set up to eventually have 40 participate through the Department of Education grant money.

Smithson said the most expensive part for the district will be adding two rooms for Pre-K.

"It may be next year before we get the two rooms built, and we will pay it off with contengency funds," Smithson added. "This program is designed to serve the most needy kids first."

The Pre-Ks may be in two groups eventually, consisting of 3- or 4-year-olds. The grant, according to Ross, actually comes through the Department of Human Services (DHS). It is called an ABC grant.

The Board also voted to have the staff receive a stipend, which amounts to $1,200 extra for work with Pre-K, that is in addition to the extra work load. If any parents are interested, or have a child who may benefit from Pre-K, contact Rita Rowe, principal at the primary school. Rowe will have economic and/or educational guideline qualifications for the program.

Ross said another change in programs is parents of seventh graders must now choose a Smart Corp or Common Corp. curriculum for their students.

"The state wants everyone ins Smart Corp., but we know that won't happen with our special education students," she said. "Decisions are reversible until the child is older. Somewhere along the sophomore or junior level, they have to stick with the program selected."

Ross also listed Benchmark test scores for Gurdon and noted improvement in many cases. For example, fourth graders have 56 percent in professional or advanced and are still meeting state standards after being tested since 1998.

"We had 38 percent of those kids in the advanced level," she said.

Superintendent Smithson said, "The Board recognizes you and the staff have done a wonderful job over the past four years."

In other business, the Board accepted schedule A for certified personal salaries and raises, with $50,000 approved beyond state salary requirements.

The Board also approved 8 percent raises for non-certified personnel. In many instances, those raises were said to be 10 percent.

Schedule A shows a first year teacher with a bachelor of arts degree starting at $28,243 per year, whereas if that teacher gets a masters degree and 15 years experience, the salary would be $41,105 per year.

Moreover the Board approved the official budget for the 2004-2005 school year. The total revenue and beginning balance came to $6,082,763.

This breaks down to $2,807,139 in teaching salaries; $412,410 in debt service, and operating funds of $2,278,089. The figures, according to Smithson, include a cushion of more than $100,000 of unbudgeted funds anticipated from property tax delinquent, excess commissions and land redemption (including state land sale).

Smithson said, "I think the budget is sound, and that is about as close as we can estimate at this time."

Betsy Riley, district treasurer, gave a results report from the executive Board session. She said the Board hired Derek Shaw as girls' basketball coach for junior and senior high school; Rebecca Daniels as migrant aide and approved of city improvements on the walking trail behind the primary school as long as the City of Gurdon pays any necessary deed changes. Board members voted to pay out $1,160 in Arkansas School Board dues, granted sick leave to Connie Uchtman, approved Diana Boyce an extra day for pre-kindergarten, rehired all non-certified staff and appointed Riley as the district's dispersing officer.