Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Emmet Schools Struggle With Growing Enrollment

A growing enrollment at Emmet has caused some accounts to go over budget.

However, these problems are the kind the district doesn't mind. There are now 165 students in the elementary school and another 100 in the high school, giving Emmet at total of 265 students at this time.

Twelve students signed up for kindergarten during the pre-registration period, but more are expected by the time the 1998-99 school year begins.

One of the main topics of discussion at the meeting involved the pee wee basketball program. Without this group of children, the overall basketball program would have been in the red.

The pee wee program contributed almost as much to the school as the Eagle teams made during the year. According to the numbers, the pee wee program brought in $2,257, while the high school teams earned $2,812.

This gave the district a total of $5,069 in revenue, with expenses totaling $4,415.92, leaving a balance of $653.08.

The board discussed how to help the pee wee teams and encourage participation for the future.

A representative from the pee wee program said there had been some problems during the pee wee season with parents bypassing league officials and going directly to the Emmet superintendent with their complaints.

It was suggested a parent panel be created to handle complaints and, thereby, have a chain of command to be followed. Such a system, it was said, would also help reduce confusion.

It was also suggested a foundation be established for the pee wee program, with a checking account set up as well.

At this time, the pee wee program collects money from the concession stand, while the gate receipts go to the school district. The funds raised by the program are used for uniforms, camps and a party at the end of the season.

Dr. Gene Ross, Emmet superintendent, said he would have to check on the legality of the program splitting money, as money raised on school property must be used for students.

But, he said, the overall plan was a good one.

One problem, however, could be with the concession stand goods. Currently, the PTA operates the stand during Emmet school games and furnishes the products sold.

Having two organizations trying to operate from one locations would be difficult, as there could be problems in keeping inventory.

Board member Frank Faulkner said the pee wee program is not the PTA and a happy medium needs to be reached by all involved. He said there needs to be one organization for both pee wee and high school games because many of the pee wee games are played before the Eagles take the court.

Once discussion on the pee wee program ended, the board went into executive session for nearly an hour because of a student disciplinary hearing. No action was taken in the hearing.

Two awards banquets have been scheduled at Emmet. A cookout will be held May 12 for students in k-4, while a more formal banquet will be held for grades 5-12.

The junior-senior banquet will be held Friday, May 1, at Western Sizzlin in Hope.

Dr. Ross said metal buildings at the former migrant center sold for $10,000, which was more than the district could afford. The buildings were purchased by the Baptist Association and left where they are, as the association owns the land.

Bids will be sought for mowing of the school grounds, with payment being done on a per mowing basis.

The board agreed to purchase a 15-passenger van for the district. This way, the driver doesn't have to have a commercial driver's license to operate it.

Bids will also be sought for a covered walk from the gym to the blue building.

Other business included the board approved language arts text books for the high school and a school calendar for the 1998-99 year.