Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Enrollment Falls

BY AUTUMN LEAMONS

Enrollment in the Prescott School District has decreased since last quarter's summary. Superintendent Ron Wright gave a report on the problem Tuesday, September 15, at the board's monthly meeting.

According to Wright, they have lost 33 students since last quarter, although there have been six new students added to the roll since the August enrollment report.

Jim Franks, president of the board, believes the school has lost about $4,200 because of the loss of the students. Wright said he thinks the schools will probably gain more students than they have lost before the end of the quarter.

The superintendent also gave the board a summary of the schools expenditures. Wright said that he would like to see the school save more money and that he was looking into ways to do so. Franks suggested that Wright bring this month's summary and a copy of the last year's summary to next month's meeting so that they could be compared.

The school's press box is beginning to show some signs of aging. Wright said in Tuesday night's meeting that the press box "is small and cannot hold all of the coaches, the media," etc. He also stated that the siding around the outside has come loose and the wood has begun to rot.

He said now might be a good time to check into repairing it at the same time as the bleachers. Wright said that some pledges have been made. Coca-Cola representatives have said they wish donate.

He also reported the band bleachers have a large leak in its shed at the stadium. All the band members get drenched if it rains during a game, he reported. The band boosters have been checking into getting donations for the repair of the roof, but nothing has been decided at this time.

Wright has been checking on getting the schools architect, Burl Lewis, to fix the low spots on the school's roof. These low spots eventually lead to the roof's leaking when it rains. Wright said that the project is one that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.

Prescott has received a lot of rain in the past few days and roof leaks have been a real problem, Wright said. The elementary school roof has one leak that is so bad that there is fear that the ceiling may fall.

The school board had two special guests at this month's meeting, Martha Hiett and Dr. Carolyn Jones from the Pygmalion Commission (Arkansas Alternative School Program). The name Pygmalion came from the Pygmalion effect, which means that the students who are put into the alternative learning environment seem to adapt better.

The program has been very successful in the Prescott Schools.

Wright said the schools have had students drop out of school and then return two years later to attend the Pygmalion program.

Wright gave Wanda Fincher, the program's instructor, credit for the success. Fincher has built the program up into what it is today, he said. "She loves her job and enjoys working with the students," Wright said. "She is a very dedicated teacher and is very appreciated.

Fincher was presented with the Pygmalion plaque so that it can be hung in her building as a means of encouragement.

The board also discussed the Arkansas Leadership Academy that is coming up soon. The school will send teachers from each facility to represent the school. The school likes to send teachers who have proved to be good leaders and who will be in the Prescott School District for a while to come.

From the Prescott Elementary, Tonia McMillan has been chosen to attend, along with Annie Bailey. These women will be learning more about great leadership skills and student encouragement.