Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Hosts District Meeting (cont)

ng the funding formula, because of the headache the transportation problem presents.

All districts, he said, get the same amount of money for transportation, but it costs some more to get its children to and from school than others.

Another headache the school systems face in Arkansas is special students, primarily non-English speaking students.

Venters said it takes extra money to teach these students, which takes away from other children. In some cases, he added, interpreters have to be hired to communicate with these students.

"Districts have no control, but we must teach these students under federal law. We need more money from them (the federal government)," he said.

In the area of vocational education, Venters said this program will die without more funding. It's a high-cost program many districts can't afford.

Students, he said, will be the losers, especially those not going on to college.

Dr. Venters is asking the media to give up some of its authority under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

He said school districts are asking to be able to discuss property transactions in executive session in an effort to keep land prices from being jacked up.

The ASBA also hopes to get the FOIA changed so districts can meet with their legal representatives in executive session instead of having one member at a time meeting with the attorney.

"We need relief in these areas," he said.

Venters said some students in the home schooling programs want to participate in extracurricular activities as well as being able to take such courses as chemistry and physics in schools.

In addition, the home schoolers want to do away with testing.

"We'll have to fight this issue," Dr. Venters said. "We may need credentialed teachers in home schools."

Discussing tax issues, Venter said revenue may not grow if any exemptions are given, especially the proposed food rebate. He said it would be even worse to do away with food tax all together.