Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Benton Honored For Work On Nevada Board

Friends and associates of Davis Benton gathered Saturday to pay tribute for his 10 years of service to the Nevada School Board.

When Benton lost the race for school board in Sept. 1997, it was a time of change for the school district. He was the last of the original members from the consolidation of five schools.

Benton was also the District 12 representative for the Arkansas School Board Association.

The evening was filled with humor and heavy hearts in wishing Benton well in his "second" retirement.

Nevada Superintendent Rick McAffee acted as master of ceremonies during the informal gathering.

While Benton was "roasted" by his friends somewhat, the party was mostly a chance for old compadres to get together once again and talk of old times.

Mary Martin, a former member of the Nevada School Board, said Benton was always there for the school and could be counted on to answer questions and lend support.

Dr. Barney Kizer, the district's former superintendent, recalled his time at Nevada.

He began his dissertation by talking of how he first ran for school board in Louisiana, having nine objectives he hoped to accomplish before leaving office.

But, Kizer spent only one term on the board, but managed to get eight of his agenda items completed, including reducing the size of the district from 13 high schools to three and cutting the board to nine members.

Benton, he said, came to Nevada with a set of objectives as well. One was to create a new school district from six, to lead the public in realizing the consolidation needed to be done, win an election, build a new facility and get the school running.

Dr. Kizer said the opportunity the district has provided for the students has been great. In 1988, some 20 percent of graduating seniors went to college from the district.

This figure, Dr. Kizer said, has risen steadily until leveling off in the mid 70 percent range.

Benton, he said, leaves behind the legacy of an educational miracle in getting five districts to voluntarily consolidate into one and helping the one grow into a nationally recognized district.

B.C. Dillard, the former mayor of Rosston and long-time associate of Benton, sent a letter as he couldn't attend in person.

The letter, read by Jerry Bishop, talked of old memories and friendship.

Gailen Waters, another former board member, said he and Benton got to know one another well during the consolidation process.

He said Benton was dedicated to the board and gave his time and energy to the school district. "We didn't always agree, but we're still friends and it was a pleasure to serve with him."

Natalie Sherwood, Nevada Elementary Principal, said the school has what it does primarily because of Benton's efforts. This includes storm shelters, making Nevada the only district in a five-state area with storm shelters for students.

Former board member Herbert Coleman joked saying Benton was able to accomplish what he did for Nevada because he was the only one on the board not working.

"He was at school most of the time," Coleman said. "If I had a question, I'd call Davis. If I couldn't get him, then I'd call the school."

Coleman continued joshing Benton saying he was able to do two things the rest of the original board couldn't do get the gym air conditioned and stick it out without them.

On a more personal note, though, Coleman said Benton was one of the best members a board could have.

John Ragsdale, owner of the Nevada County Picayune, said he followed the progress of the fledgling district from its first meeting at Prescott until the process was complete and Nevada was formed.

"It took a lot of nerve, perseverance and action (to create the district), and there was a lot of negativity. But the students benefitted with better curriculum."

Nelwyn Almand presented Benton with a plaque for his service with the ASBA.

She said he was always kind and his opinion is valued. "He's been a good friend."

Benton tried to get the last word in, but was upstaged in the end.

He said getting the new district up and running wasn't always a friendly task.

He joked saying when he retired from the National Weather Service the party had champagne and dancing girls, while this one was tea and coffee. The next one, he joked, would probably have Ensure.

On a more serious note, Benton said everyone had the same goals when Nevada was created, and most of those goals were accomplished.

It is the people, he said, who should be recognized for what they did to get the district formed, and to keep the school going.

"Nevada is represented by these people," he said. "They made a difference. It's one of the few schools with few racial problems though it's 33 percent minority." Three of the schools in the consolidation process had no minorities at all, he said.

'It was a great accomplishment," he said. The consolidation was done with little real fighting, he added, and the district now has a wide reputation nationwide.

"The people did this. Two-thirds voted for more millage. They were ready for a change."

Benton's finale was upstaged by Don Callicott, who beat Benton in the election.

He said history would prove if the people of the region were right or wrong in consolidating, but the reasoning was to create opportunities for the next generation.

These opportunities were afforded him, he said, in Cale's school and the military. "The U.S. is about opportunity. I've been to many countries where the children didn't have the opportunity for an education. Sometimes, we take this for granted."

Callicott said he still depend's on Benton's wisdom and the knowledge he gained from his service to the district on the board.

"You built a great school," he said, "and I thank you all for giving our children the opportunity to compete with the best minds in the nation. They are limited only by what they want and are willing to do to get it."