Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Board Meeting Goes Smoothly

BY AUTUMN LEAMONS

Prescott School board meeting went smoothly Tuesday, November 17.

Superintendent Ron Wright gave the monthly superintendent's report. His major highlight was the calls he had been receiving from parents concerning the enrollment of their children in the Prescott schools.

Wright said that he had been talking with many people who said that they were considering enrolling their children and wanted to learn more about the district. Wright feels that this is a good sign.

Special guest Tuesday night was James Cannon, the agriculture teacher at Prescott High School. Cannon informed the board of the many activities and projects that he and his students are working on. The projects that they tackle will help the looks of the campus and teach the students many skills that they will later use in life.

The first project discussed was the Christmas tree farm. The students take care of and help maintain the trees that Bobby Smith, an FFA Alumni member, allowed the FFA to take on the project for education and some fun.

The FFA also helps to maintain two forestry plots that the school owns. In maintaining the timber, the students have to mark the timber for harvest, take in bids for the timber, and learn how to know which trees to harvest. They already have 141 trees marked to sell for poles. Poles will bring the program more money than if they sold them for pulpwood.

FFA students have joined in with the Adopt-A-Highway program. This allows the students to pitch in and help keep Arkansas clean. The FFA has been involved in this program for the past five years, according to Cannon.

Livestock is a big part of the FFA program and helps many students to get started in projects that will last a lifetime. Many people donate animals to the students in order for them to be shown at the fairs, Cannon said. These students are allowed to win money with the animal and then return it to the owner or keep it to help start their own herd.

The FFA program also has many fund-raisers. These fund-raisers help many students to go to different camps or to help them work on some of their many projects, Cannon said.

Each year students enroll in agriculture classes whether they know anything about it or not. He said it is a wonderful program and thriving strong in Prescott schools. This year alone there are 75 students involved in some type of agricultural class, whether it be to learn about landscaping, environmental resources, animal science, agriculture mechanics, biotechnology, aquaculture, forestry, welding, small engine repair or business and leadership.

The board discussed the finance workshop that is scheduled for December 10 at 5:00 in the FACS building. All board members will attend and will discuss and look over the Analysis of Local Revenue.

Superintendent Wright addressed the board with the idea of updating the library system to cover kindergarten through the grade 12. Wright believes that the children should start learning how to use the computers and such to help them find books and other reading materials. He would like to see all children aware of the resources that are available to them now, Wright said. He believes that the children would carry these skills with them for the rest of their lives.

The board also looked over the ASBA Insurance policy. This is something that is being renewed at this time.

The insurance covers staff members who are involved with traveling to special events or meetings. This policy, however, does not cover bus drivers.