Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

CAPS group ponders future

Questions were raised about what the CAPS organization will become and what its purpose will be locally.

CAPS, Concerned About Prescott Schools, is currently a group of parents and school personnel trying to improve the Prescott School District. Suggestions were made for those involved to join the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).

Herman Brown, acting as moderator for the June 28 CAPS meeting, read a list of the top 10 reasons to join PTA. This information was downloaded from the PTA web site. Most of the members voiced opposition toward becoming part of the national organization, preferring, instead, to remain small and work only on the local level.

Rita Shaw, a member of CAPS, said the PTA, in other places shes lived, has focused on fund raising. In my opinion its not worth it, she said.

Prescott has had a PTA, with one set up by Bill Taylor. However, the organization doesnt seem to be doing anything locally.

Brown said there are a lot of details for CAPS to work out before deciding what it will do.

On the other hand, he said it would be no problem for CAPS to become a 501(c)3 organization and get non-profit status. This, though, will be addressed at a future meeting.

Willie Wilson, dean of students at Prescott High School, said Hyacinth Deon has asked if CAPS could change its name as there is another group with the same name at PHS. This will also be addressed at another meeting. Wilson said the district needs to be able to distinguish between the organizations.

The group talked about the rules for teachers. Wilson said the teachers at PHS try and comply with the PHS student handbook and act as models for the students, in the manner of dress and behavior.

Sandy Cason asked if the policy for excused absences for athletic or extracurricular activities could be changed. Currently students are allowed five excused absences for such school-related activities.

Wilson said this policy has been a thorn in the districts side for some time. The problem, he told CAPS, is the athletic department has a different handbook than the district. Student involved in athletic and other extracurricular activities are expected to comply with both, and there are conflicts.

Athletics, he said, is governed by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA), and athletic departments try to follow AAA guidelines. The AAA, Wilson continued, is working to have a uniform set of policies across the state for athletics.

This issue, he said, will be brought up with PHS Athletic Director Greg Smith.

The group had also asked about random drug testing. Under the guidelines, 10 percent of athletes are required to be tested for drugs. This, Wilson said, wasnt done last year at PHS.

The policy, he said, has been tested in court and is legal. But, he added, Smith was concerned about the same students name possibly coming up more than once, as the testing is to be done for each sport. At PHS some students participate in more than one sport and, therefore, could be picked in the random testing more than once.

According to Wilson, Smith will test the students next year. The athletic department will draw names of students to be tested, with the testing being done by professionals.

Wilson talked about the camera system the district is getting bids on, saying the cameras would be placed in locations such as hallways and parking lots. The specifications call for the cameras to be motion sensitive.

Brown said the exterior cameras, from what he was told, will be able to swivel and zoom.

He also brought up the fact CAPS may need to consult with an attorney to see what its rights are and how the members can protect themselves legally. He said CAPS doesnt anticipate any problems, but it helps to know what the legal rights are. This issue was tabled until the next meeting.

Wilson called CAPS a godsend saying the district wants to do better and will. What Im hearing is you will be watching us closely, and we will tighten up.

Currently CAPS is meeting every Tuesday night at 7 oclock at the Nevada County Library. The meetings are opened to the public.