Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

School board approves future budget, keeping millage the same

School board members approved a 2007-08 projected budget, in accordance with state law, and accepted a recommendation from the superintendent not to ask for a millage increase.

The Gurdon district millage is 36, with 25 mills to pay for maintenance and operation of schools and 11 mills for debt service.

"Since we really dont have a clue as to our funding that far in advance, we cannot accurately predict what we will get for a budget, but I believe the state requires this projection to make sure we are planning our finances," Superintendent Bobby Smithson said Tuesday, June 20.

Smithson reported the 2006-07 Gurdon School District salary fund expenditures as $2,967, 021.

The estimated salary fund expenditure for 2007-08 is $3,263,723.

The 2007-08 expenditures, as listed on the budget, are instructional expense, $1,360,748; maintenance and operation expense, $842,513; pupil transportation expense, $403,888; other operating expense, $89,815; non-bonded debit payment, $14,423; and bonded debt payment, $423,965.

In other business, school board members approved the installation of an extended cover for the pavilion on the ABC Playground at Gurdon Primary School.

Smithson said Gurdon Primary School Principal Rita Roe told him GPS has the funds to do the job, "and I think we should let her do it."

Terry Hughes Construction, of Gurdon, built the pavilion last year. Hughes submitted a bid for $9,951 to put in place a steel covering for the pavilion on the playground.

Smithson said competitive bids are not required because the project is less than $10,000.

The school board approved the request.

The board also approved a request to transfer a non-resident student to Gurdon High School who had been attending Arkadelphia High School.

Smithson said Aaron Cupp, of AHS, meets all the criteria related to the Arkansas Public School Choice Act. The request was made by his mother, Kimberly Gray.

The board heard handbook updates from all three campuses. Roe presented for the primary school. The board also heard from Gurdon High School Principal Leonard Gills and Cabe Middle School Principal Libby White.

White announced a new policy on cell phones, caps and sunglasses.

"They all need to be left in vehicles when the student comes into the school," White said. "These are distractions. We catch students playing games on the cell phones. We also dont allow shoes with roller skates in them, no poker playing and no t-shirts with questionable slogans."

Gills said cell phones are also not allowed at the high school.

In old business, Smithson said the auditorium project, and construction of the proposed four classrooms at the primary school, are in limbo.

"We should hear something from the state about the four classrooms and the auditorium by July 1," he said.