Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Improvements Are Wanted

Baseball led the topic of discussion at the Nevada School Board meeting Thursday, May 21.

Suzanne Cross, with the Rosston Baseball Association, went before the board asking permission to build a concession stand and restroom facilities near the small baseball field on the school grounds.

She informed the panel more than 90 area children participate in the program, which helps create well rounded young people.

The concession stand, she said, will help improve the overall program. The RBA has some money to be used for the project, which would require getting water in the stand and hooking on to the sewer system.

The building would be about 12 feet wide by 20 feet long. No cooking would be done in the stand, but soft drinks, candy and chips would be served. Crock pots, she said, may be hooked up so nachos can be added to the menu.

Rick McAffee, superintendent of the Nevada District, said if the building is on school grounds, it must meet the standards for the Arkansans with Disabilities Act. In addition, if it is to be a permanent structure, it would have to be insured.

Cross said the RBA would like the structure to be large enough to allow for the storage of equipment between games and during the off season.

Jim Cross, transportation and maintenance director of the district, said the water pipe has been donated, but isn't connected as of yet.

A fountain, he said, would have to be built, with faucets being spring loaded so they will automatically shut off. Other faucets on the structure would have to be locked down so no one could turn them on and leave the water running.

It would be easy, he said, to put the sewer line in, as it would be connected to the existing line and ran to the treatment plant.

Cross, with the RBA, asked if it would be possible to have the agri class do the work and build the structure. This, she said, would give the students experience in building and the RBA would compensate them for their efforts.

McAffee said if students are involved it would be a class project and no compensation would be required. He agreed, though, it would be good experience for them to help build the concession stand.

He suggested the district and RBA work together on this, as such a structure is advantageous for everyone involved.

When children learn to play baseball at a young age, he said, they not only learn the sport, but teamwork and sportsmanship, while it also helps build the high school program as well.

Ms. Cross said the children are only interested in playing ball and having a good time. "We'd like to get this built before next season starts."

Jim Cross, suggested the structure be made of metal for durability and ease of construction. He said the cost would be about the same as making it out of wood.

Representatives with the RBA will work with the district on drawing up plans for the structure and figuring out the costs involved. The issue will be addressed again at the June meeting.

The other item of business discussed was personnel. All certified, classified and non- classified personnel were rehired for the 1998-99 year.

McAffee said a salary schedule was raised for teacher's aides. They will be receiving $250 more per year, with $50 increments on a 22 year line.