Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada told of repair needs

According to the Arkansas Department of Education, the Nevada School District is wealthier than the Prescott School District.

Because of this finding the Nevada District will only be funded at 33 percent for facility repairs and upgrades required. Rick McAfee, Nevada superintendent, told the Nevada School Board, at its October meeting, the system is flawed to him.

According to the state, he said, Nevada will have to re-roof its building at a cost of $723,000. This seems high to me, McAfee said, adding the states estimate of replacing the heating and air conditioning units is expected to cost the District $1,572,000.

These repairs must be included in the Districts 10-year facility study plan. McAfee said he will do the paperwork required and try to have it ready for the Board by the January meeting.

However, McAfees news wasnt all bad for the Board. He has applied for a $20,00 grant to help upgrade the equipment in the schools business education department, and a grant for $12,000 was approved for rural education.

All districts, he said, are required to have three-year technical plans. Nevadas plan is 27 pages long and will be revised. However, McAfee said the revisions could make the plan even longer. It will be brought to a future meeting for the Boards perusal and approval. The purpose of the plan is for E-rate money. These funds pay for distance learning labs so districts dont have to. In Nevada, the distance learning labs cost about $700 a month to operate.

As is done at the meeting following school elections, Nevada reorganized its Board. Todd Brown is the president this year, with Nelwyn Almand vice president. Brandon Rhodes is the secretary-treasurer.

Brown was named the Boards disbursement officer, which means he and McAfee will be able to sign checks.

Mary Beth Cross, Nevada Elementary School principal, said the elementary school had its fall festival and everyone had a good time.

The tutoring program has started for those who didnt do well on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS).

McAfee pointed out tutoring is mandated for those who did not score basic on the ITBS, but the tutoring sessions are open to all students interested.

Frank Bradley, Nevada High School principal, said the school year is in full swing with basketball season underway.

Things, he said, have been busy with parent-teacher conferences, which had the largest turnout ever. Most parents arent complaining, but they are concerned.

McAfee said if the District expects parents to be involved a positive atmosphere is needed for them.

The teachers, he said, did a wonderful job answering questions parents had and trying to get information to the parents. Our goal is to include parents even more.

The Board will offer Linda Mullins a contract for the remainder of the year. Mullins was called to active military duty and has recently returned to the Rosston area.

The Board also officially hired new bus drivers for 2005-2006, though the drivers have been running routes.

Another bit of good news was the Districts receiving $180,000 for the first tax payment from the county. McAfee said the District should get the rest in November.

The District is seeking bids for special education equipment. This will be for computers and copiers that can be networked with the information sent from the computer to the copier. Its expensive, McAfee said, but this money can only be spent in the special education department.

The Boards final item of business was to reschedule its November meeting. Ordinarily the Board meets the fourth Thursday of each month, but in November, this falls on Thanksgiving Day. The Board moved the meeting to Nov. 17.

There will be no Board meeting in December, as this meeting normally falls in the middle of the Christmas break, and there is little to be done other than approve payment of the bills. The Board will, instead, combine the December and January meetings.