Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada joins TAPS

Purchasing in bulk will be easier for the Nevada School District in the future.

This is because the district passed a resolution joining the Texas-Arkansas Purchasing System (TAPS). Nevada Superintendent Rick McAfee said this is a cooperative agreement with different companies guaranteeing set prices for a year and there is no cost for the district to join. The agreement, he added, can be cancelled at any time.

This was done at the May meeting of the Nevada School Board.

Tiffany Beasley, elementary principal, said the handbook committee had met and has been working on changes for next year. We want to check it against board policies and make sure its in agreement.

Additionally, she said the final parent-teacher conference of the year was successful, with the school year also seeing a concert with the Jazzy Jays it came to an end. We have some kids that can beat those on American Idol.

Frank Bradley, high school principal, said he met with parents on schedules for next year. He also informed the board Nevada High School also had a successful athletic banquet and awards day ceremony. Were proud of what the students have achieved. It was well attended.

He said the Class of 05 was a good group of seniors and there were few problems with the graduation (held May 19). We should have a large percentage go to college. Several have scholarships that will pay the costs.

McAfee said there were 31 graduates, some are planning to further their education, while others will join the military or work force.

We have to have as many, or more, register in kindergarten to stabilize the numbers. We had a steady year and look forward to some growth next year.

However, he said with the situation in Prescott with the electric rates, there is considerable uncertainty at this time. There are rumors of industries selling, and I dont know what will happen. It will affect everyones earning capability.

Jim Cross, maintenance and transportation director, said a 10-ton air conditioning unit will have to be replaced over the summer. This will require a crane to get the unit from the roof, then put a new one back. Everything else is holding together. Were getting ready for summer maintenance.

McAfee said the district must change its policy on absences to be in agreement with state regulation. The new policy, as approved by the board, states after seven unexcused absences a student will lose course credit, the prosecuting attorney will be notified as will the students parents. The parents could be fined up to $500 per day.

At the end of April, he said, the district was $34,000 ahead of last year. We received a lot of local taxes in May and money from the state came in late. Were in the black.

The district, he said, is due two more payments from the state, which will help meet the summer payroll and other payments. Well be watching our fuel bills and utilities. Theyre expensive.

In personnel matters, Lindsey Moss was reassigned to teaching science class from being NHS counselor; Mindy Sparks will be teaching English and speech; Crystal Lowe will teach middle school math; Stacy Scruggs will be teaching elementary special education; and Sharon Henry will be working in the lunchroom.

This, McAfee said, leaves two openings, elementary aide and high school math.

In discussing the audit, McAfee said everything is in line and it was a clean audit. It was an extensive report with no issues.