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Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive |
Warning Lights CostlyBY JOHN MILLERPublished Wednesday, April 29, 1998 in the Gurdon Times Having warning lights installed on the perimeters of Gurdon High School on Highway 67 will cost the district more than originally expected. When the issue was first broached, the district was informed it would run about $2,000 to have the lights installed. These lights, though, must meet the specifications of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) before being installed. At the regular monthly meeting of the Gurdon School Board, Tuesday, Aril 21, the board members were told the price would be closer to $6,000. However, Superintendent Bobby Smithson said this price was for lights with the power running beneath the highway and not above it. No price was given for a cost of having the lights installed with the utilities being ran over the road as the power lines currently are for the west side of the highway. The main expense, Smithson said, is boring under the highway. But, as he pointed, out, homes on the west side of Hwy. 67 have power running over the road and it could be possible for the electricity for the warning lights to be handled in the same manner. The cost for such a project will be addressed at the May meeting. Construction of the new Gurdon Middle School is coming along. Smithson said at the current rate, work should be completed by the middle of July. This, he said, will be the best building the district has had built yet, along with being the sixth one it's had constructed. For safety's sake, an exit door will be placed in the counselor's office. Smithson, during the financial report, said construction of GMS could cost $147,971 more than anticipated. But, he said, $100,000 was placed in the budget for this, which will leave the district needing to come up with another $47,971. This figure does not cover the cost of new furniture or wall coverings. These items will add about $35,000 more to the final cost. In addition, the district will need to find about $40,000 to have the parking lot paved. Some of the money, he said, will have to come from the 1998-99 operating fund, as the cost for architect fees and a job superintendent were not included in the original budget. At the March meeting, the board accepted a bid from Tyler to build a physical education building on the Gurdon Primary School campus. However, the board rescinded this vote last week, choosing instead to have an architect design the building and use new bleachers instead of moving the old ones from the old GHS gym. The new facility will have a covered walk and third grade maple flooring instead of concrete, as was originally planned. Three alternative bids will be sought as well and must be listed separately in the packets. First, all bidders must submit bids using Tyler buildings and a metal building of their choosing; the second alternate will be for a brick veneer exterior; with the third being a paved parking lot, if the money is available from the grant from the Horace Cabe Foundation and the foundation grants its approval. Bids should be ready by the May meeting of the board. Anderson Engineering will design the base, making use of the existing tennis courts on the property. Work, Smithson said, could begin in July. Representatives from Tyler Building said all contractors would be quoted the same price for the metal structures. Ann Klingan, acting as a spokesman for the GMS staff, said after a visit to the new building, everyone is ready to move in. However, she asked the board to name the new school after the Cabe family as the family has done so much for the district. Students in GMS signed a poster supporting the name change from Gurdon Middle School to Cabe Middle School. The poster will be framed and placed in the new school, once it's complete. Board member Stan Escalante suggested going a step further and having a plaque or sign placed on the new school to show the district's appreciation for all the Cabe family has done. The rest of the board concurred, so the new school will officially carry the name of Cabe Middle School. An extensive executive session was held for the purpose of hiring the three principals along with certified staff members. All contracts were renewed with the exception of Perry Bland and Phillip Taylor. Taylor was hired part time to fill in for Randy Kizer as he recovered from his illness. Because of the loss of students, Bland's contract was not renewed. Smithson said the loss of population has resulted in the cutting of a library aide, which Bland was. However, he can go through due process if he so chooses, Smithson informed the panel. The loss of students, though, will mean the loss of $150,000 in revenue for the district. Linda Kizer honored the school nurse for recognizing diabetes in a child and making sure the student got the help they needed . Josh Griffin, a GHS student, is in the top 5 for an award through the Arkansas Activities Association as an Interscholastic Star for work with the school and community service. He will go to the AAA offices in North Little Rock where he will be questioned by the committed. Search | Nevada County Picayune by date | Gurdon Times by date |
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