Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Superintendent wants to reduce sick pay

Gurdon Schools may not be able to extend sick pay into retirement years, as far as collections by the staff, because of gas hikes and other unforeseen increases in running a school system.

Gurdon Superintendent Bobby Smithson told board members during the April school board meeting that he would favor current "liberal" sick leave policies for those already employed by the Gurdon School System, "but I believe we need to cut back on this benefit when it comes to new hires."

The school board did not rule on the policy but will consider it over the summer as new rules are established for new hires for the next school year.

This proposal change will be controversial, Smithson said. Our employees, in my opinion, are abusing our sick leave policy. They are using sick leave for omit purposes other than being sick.

"Our policy also permits other employees to donate sick days to employees who have used all of their sick days. As a result, not many of our employees have any reduction made on their salaries. Our district continues to pay our employees and also pay for their substitutes."

Policy change

Smithson told school board members that he recommends changing the current policy of donating sick days to other employees to then reflect, "Sick days given to other employees will be allowed only when the employee has been diagnosed with a fatal disease or has experienced an accident, which will prevent the employee from returning to work for our school district."

Smithson said teacher representation should be given time to respond to the suggested change.

"We will place them on the agenda to talk to us in May," he said.

The Arkansas Education Association maintains that any action regardning teacher contracts must be final by May 1. Kristin Gould of ASBA maintains this change has to be passed by June 30 and will be effective July 1.

"If you follow Mrs. Goulds opinion, the PPC has no vote in the above action, Smithson said.

Smithson said that those representing the teachers views are only allowed to make their feelings known."

Smithson said that sick leave is expensive. He said that the current policy allows sick days to become a retirement bonus. When used in this way, the current standard is not practical for the financial stability of the district.

Baseball concession

Board members were informed that the new softball and baseball concession stand is near completion, with next week set as the date to finish

Smithson said, "I believe it will serve our needs for the present time."

The cost of the stand is approximately $4,037. It should be good to use next season.

Smithson said the concession stand is a 12 by 16 foot structure. The facility does include at least one restroom.

New classrooms

The costly project of creating four new classrooms at the Gurdon Primary School has now gotten some potential funding. Smithson said if the state funds the majority of the project, Gurdon must come up with $185,250 in matching.

In addition, the state has been considering footing most of the bill to put in a new high school auditorium.

Smithson said the total cost of the four classrooms is now estimated at $325,000.

The auditorium is now considered a $2 million endeavor. Anita Cabe, who has been collecting for this project, has about $500,000 available in local monies to help.

"Anita Cabe does not seem scared by this projects cost," Smithson said. "I can tell you I feel very positive concerning the auditorium project."

Cheerleaders

The school board approved $250 each for expenses for each cheerleader going to the National Cheerleading Association camps to prepare for leadership training. The board also approved expenses of $250 each for camp attendance for Teri Dillard, senior high coach, and Keri Green, junior high coach.

The high school squad has nine cheerleaders going to camp. CMS has 15 girls who plan to attend.

Legislative money

Smithson updated the board on money Gurdon has been promised as result of action during the special Arkansas Legislative Session. He said it amounted to an approximate increase to this school year of $106,880, with a promise for an increase next year of $149,944.

"It would have been more, but we lost 18 children," Smithson said. "I want to use this money for raises next year. I recommend we wait until we know the level of funding for 2006-07 before we determine how much new revenue we place in the teachers salary fund."

Smithson said he would like to do all he can for those salaries "in order to keep attracting a good number of teachers we want to help us continue being a quality school in t he future."