Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

School gets good response to beauty class

Gurdon High School principal Leonard Gills told members of the school board that 13 students have signed up for a cosmetology class to be offered this fall. Gills presented the information during the June 20 school board meeting while updating the board on changes in the handbook. He said the cosmetology class is sponsored by the Arkadelphia Beauty College and Gurdon.

"You approved this beauty school program and we are activating it," Gills said. "We will give you more details as the course progresses."

School board members also heard an update on the resource officer scheduled to start this fall. No particular person has been named to fill that position as of yet.

Superintendent Bobby Smithson said the Horace Cabe Foundation has approved funding for the 2006-07 school year. He said they would not commit funding beyond the next school year.

Smithson further informed the board that acting Clark County Sheriff Ray Wingfield has asked the school district to consider paying 75 percent of the salary for the 2007-08 school year if the Cabe Foundation decides not to fund the position for another year. Wingfield has reportedly asked the Clark County Quorum Court to fund the remaining 25 percent if needed.

"We have pledged to support this program for the 2007-2008 school year, if our budget will permit," Smithson said.

He said he federal government used to pay for resource programs, but those funds have been exhausted.

In other business, Smithson said the softball and baseball concession stand and restroom is nearing completion.

He said an electrical line needs to be connected, cement steps need to be constructed at the restroom doors, the entrance to the concession stand and to access the serving windows.

"We will complete this project later on," he said. "Our personnel have other work to complete during summer break. They have done a great job on the concession stand and restrooms."

In other business, the school board approved a property insurance increase by the districts current insurance provider, the Arkansas School Boards Association.

ASBA manager Rhoda Parsons wrote a notice to board members saying that the cost of construction has increased dramatically since Hurricane Katrina struck last year and continues to rise almost every day. Parsons said the increase in insurance prices is because it now costs more to build and that means higher replacement costs if anything should happen to insured properties.

Smithson said the property and vehicle premium will go up 21.3 percent during the 2006-07 school year. This means the district will pay $45,362 in ASBA insurance premiums for next year.

This is a $7,992 increase over last years premium of $37,370.

Smithson said, "I dont think we will better ourselves by changing. ASBA has always been quick to pay claims and very competitive when we have taken bids in the past."

Board members approved the increase after deciding not to take bids on the property and vehicle insurance for next year.