Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

School Board orients new members, thanks old president

Gurdon School Board members had a changing of the guards on Tuesday night, with outgoing school board member and president Jesse Runyan receiving a going away plaque.

Runyan turned the presidency over to board member David Williams, who members voted to also be dispersing officer. Board member Billy Tarpley remains vice president and newly appointed board member Todd Clark was voted in as secretary. The new officers will be in place for at least the next 12 months.

Clark and Gina Robbins were sworn in by County Clerk Rhonda Cole for one-year-terms. Ed Reece, who was elected to the board for a four-year-term, had a work schedule conflict and could not attend the swearing in ceremony.

Cole reminded Clark and Robbins of their duties as they represent District 60, Gurdon.

Superintendent Bobby Smithson welcomed the new board members and new officers to their posts. He told them to not expect to understand all of the school's business at one time and to let him worry about the financial health of the district.

Smithson said, "Most school funds are estimates. If all of our collections and expenditures are accurate, we anticipate having a year-end balance of $570,125. I say this is adequate because I believe school funds should be spent on the kids. I know superintendents who leave well over a $1 million in the account at the end of the year. They save all of that money and call it a success. Our teachers got a good raise and we are making improvements to help the children have a better education. That is what it is all about to me."

Smithson noted the monthly ending cash flow for September as $173,814.94. The superintendent made some budget notes to inform board members of some recent expenditures.

"We had two buses rub one another and had to get two used buses, a 1995 and a 1997," Smithson said. "We paid $7,000 for the two buses and then had to put a transmission in one, but this kept our fleet number intact and was really a good deal for the district."

Moreover, Smithson called the board's attention to a $10,291.61 expenditure cost for Ouachita Tech in Arkadelphia. The expense for the district involves tuition for 19 students enrolled The Arkadelphia branch is from the main campus in Malvern and Gurdon's student population in this technical school is on the increase. It went from five last year to 19 this year. The students leave at 7:30 a.m. each morning and then go to regular high school classes after returning at 10 a.m. to Gurdon..

"We are supposed to get this tuition back, but even if we don't this program is helping these kids become marketable for a job and I believe it is well worth it," Smithson said.

Board members heard from primary school representatives about a book fair that started Thursday night and cookie dough sales. The sales were around $15,000 for the activity fund. A pizza party was given for the top sales people.

On the middle school campus, eighth graders have been doing "team alpha" with alpha bucks. Each student was given 40, valued at $1,000 each. It was part of a reward and training program. For example, they could lose an alpha buck for not having their math homework.

There were 49 students who kept $3,500 in alpha bucks and 21 who kept all $4,000. Middle school representatives noted parent teacher conferences that were scheduled for Thursday night, Oct. 21.

Bonnie Ross, federal programs coordinator, asked the board to approve action plans presented last month. The board approved the plans.

Ross discussed the Academic Improvement Plan (AIP) requirement. She said every student who did not get a proficiency on SAT 9, must have an AIP. The Benchmark release items are: reading, writing and math skills. The AIP gets teachers involved.

Smithson offered an update on the baseball field. He said a contract has been awarded to R.J. Love Company to install aluminum seating for the bleachers. They are on schedule to be installed during the first week of November.

School workers are building the press box, which has been "roughed in." The workers have had to take a break to put time in getting the portable building ready for Pre-K.

"We already have a public address system to install in the press box," Smithson said. "We will set a date this spring for the official dedication of this facility. We plan to ask the mayor to throw the first pitch."

As to the portable building, the district bought a 24-foot by 44-foot portable building for $15,400 from the Mountain Home Company located in Harrison. It was moved on Oct. 4 and has been undergoing renovation. Smithson said it should be ready for operation fairly close to Nov. 1.

The district has made two restrooms and a handicap ramp. A new sidewalk east of the kindergarten building has also been added. Carpet is in half of the building, with the rest being tile.

"We bought this portable building because of 12 more children in pre-school than we had room for. I believe there will be more than 12 yet this year," Smithson said.

Moreover, the board passed a resolution to continue doing business with Darren Robins for heating, air conditioning and ventilation service, even though his wife, Gina Robbins, has been appointed to Gurdon School Board.

Smithson said, "This exception if OK, as long as we pass the resolution noting his high quality work for the district and Darren being one of the few in this community who is capable of performing such work in a competent manner."

The board also passed a resolution to purchase lights for the girls's softball field from Techline Sports Lighting. Techline gave Smithson a proposal of $48,500 to install lights on the field. The superintendent said the last proposal the school received for the same job was $67,000.

"I have discussed this project with Anita Cabe, and she has agreed to help raise the $48,500," Smithson said. "We are hopeful of installing the lights for the upcoming softball season. I would like to see us have the lights up even if the private funding does not happen. We could finance this project over two to three years. I would like to make the parents happy."

Smithson said the yearbook is currently in financial trouble. It is $6,407 in arrears. The school combined all three books last year and ordered 225 copies. Based on that number, each copy needs to generate $28 from advertisement or cost per annual to break even.

"We may have to supplement the yearbook every year, but I think they need a yearbook," Smithson said.

Teachers reported that all but one of the 225 ordered last year were picked up.

In other business, the school board voted to pay $345 for an annual insurance premium on Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) Business Trip and Accidental Death Insurance. The policy covers all full-time employees and board members for $100,000 accidental death and dismemberment while traveling on official school business. Bus drivers are covered under a different class due to their exposure.

The three new board members, Gina Robbins, Todd Clark and Ed Reece, were asked to make plans to attend a new board members workshop from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25 at the Double Tree Hotel in Little Rock.

Moreover, the board voted to pay the annual dues of $195, for the 2004-2005 school year, for the Rural Education Association. REA is an organization of small school districts in Arkansas. It attempts to represent the small school interests when the legislature meets.