Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

School appealing state's decision on auditorium

The Gurdon School District is appealing an effort by the Arkansas Department of Education to cut nearly $300,000 promised by the state towards the construction of a new Gurdon High School auditorium complex.

Members of the Gurdon School Board had been advised of the ADE decision during a called meeting earlier in the month, but because there was not a quorum of members present no decisions could be made as to what actions the district should take.

During the boards meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 25, Superintendent Bobby Smithson asked for permission to file an appeal of the states decision. He said he had been approached by State Rep. Johnnie Roebuck at a recent function, and she encouraged him to appeal. Smithson said he had also talked with Sen. Percy Malone who plans to attempt to help the school in its appeal.

If they go to bat for us heavy enough, weve got a good chance, Smithson said.

Another item that may lend some support to the district is a memo from the department of education obtained by the district on Sept. 19  eight days after the district was notified of the reduced funding  still shows that the state has approved the original plans for a 1,200 seat auditorium.

The recent problem arose after the school was notified that the state had decided to reduce its funding of the auditorium complex. The complex would include a 1,200 seat auditorium, a band and choir facility and an administrative suite to house the superintendents staff. Smithson said the state claimed that it had made a mistake in promising over $800,000 to the project because they feel that the 1,200 seat auditorium is too large for the Gurdon School District.

I really didnt think the auditorium would get approved (for state funding) to be honest with you, Smithson said of the original submission. But we submitted it and they did.

With the reduced funding amount, the district should have enough money on hand to build the full 1,200 seat auditorium, Smithson said, but the band and choir facility as well as the administrative suite would have to be put off indefinitely.

Smithson said the appeal should be heard sometime in October. Until that time, the board plans to continue with the construction of the 1,200 seat auditorium with bids being let in mid-October.

In other business during the meeting, the board was told that the districts attendance is seven students lower than the average attendance last year. Each student lost costs the district $4,103, Smithson said. He said there is some hope that the district could still see new students coming in throughout the year.

The current enrollment of the district is 822 in kindergarten through grade 12.

Only three students have signed up to begin cosmetology classes beginning in January. The district provides the training to high school students through a beauty school in Arkadelphia. Because at least 10 students must sign up to make the class successful, it will be put off until the beginning of the next semester.

Smithson said the Arkadelphia School District was asked if they would participate in an effort to make the class for the current semester, but they indicated that they were not interested.

If we lose the course it will take five years to get it back, Smithson said.

Other business during the meeting included:

 a request to air condition the football concession stand by the band boosters. The club has said it would pay for half of the expenses. Bids in excess of $8,000 have been received, and the matter has been tabled until the prices can be discussed with the boosters;

 the approval of a request to travel out of state to Louisville, Ken., by the FFA. The board also approved $1,000 to help with the clubs expenses; and

 approved a request from the junior class allowing them to charge juniors admission to attend the junior/senior prom.