Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Exemption Policy Under Fire; System's Fairness Questioned

By JOHN MILLER

Gurdon's exemption policy went under fire in September when Stacy Stone questioned its fairness.

The Gurdon School Board addressed the issue again in its regular monthly meeting, Oct. 15, with Gurdon High School Principal Leonard Gills saying the district's policy is quite lenient as compared to other districts.

In the past, only students with "A" averages could be exempted from semester tests.

This year, new guidelines were adopted to allow students with "C" averages, who had not been in trouble nor missed more than eight days to be exempt from the tests.

Stone, in September, argued this was unfair to students who participate in extracurricular activities. These students are allowed to miss only five days when involved in whatever they do. He was not at this month's meeting, as it was held at the same time as the Arkansas State Fair, and some of his students were there showing livestock.

Gill said some districts allow no exemptions under any circumstances, while others require students to have "A" and "B" averages to miss the semester exams.

In addition, he said Gurdon is more lenient with its agri program than most schools, as they only allow students to miss one or two days for showing livestock.

The board was informed students in Gurdon could be out 11 days in the first nine weeks alone because of this.

"Students," Gill said, "should be involved in extracurricular activities, but not to excess. They need to decide what to attend and what's important."

According to Gill, the grade for exemption was originally dropped to a "C" to try and help with behavior and to cut down on absences, suspensions and detention hall.

"This is a new policy," he reminded the panel. "I don't know if it works until semester." The board was informed there are other districts exempting students with "C" averages as well.

Additionally, Gill said, students involved in school sponsored activities are not considered absent. They are, however, required to make up any and all work missed during the activity.

Gill said the policy was originally recommended by the Comprehensive Outcome Education and North Central Accreditation committee (COE/NCA). He added, this policy is based on missing a full day and not individual periods.

Bobby Smithson, superintendent, said there will be more information as to the success of the policy in the spring, following the fall semester.

"We don't need to make any gross changes," he said, "but to give it (the policy) a try. We need to examine all facets of the policy next spring or summer."

He added teachers need to be more responsible in checking students' grades in other classes to see if there are any problems.

Gill said there are 91 students in the agri program at GHS, with only 17 showing at the state fair. This means 80 percent are still in class.

"We've had to hire substitutes," he said of replacing Stone while out at the fair, "and I'm concerned with the quality of education the 80 percent is getting.

"We need to do what benefits the greatest number of students."

Billy Tarpley, one of the three new board members, said those who show livestock should be rewarded as this is a point of pride for them and the entire district.

He then moved to review the policy at the end of the academic year, with the rest of the board in agreement.

In other business the board heard about the revolving loan for $150,000 to finish out the gym and buy new bleachers and goals.

Smithson said one side will be purple, while the other is gold. The bleachers, he continued, will be similar to those at Henderson State University, as GHS will be spelled out on the seats.

A committee was appointed to work on the Gurdon Athletic Hall of Fame.

This panel will draw up the criteria for induction into the Hall of Fame. With the exception of coaches, all inducted will be former students at GHS.

Smithson said this will be good for the community and school. He reminded the board while everyone won't be inducted into the hall the first year, they could be at a later date.

There were two transfer requests. One for a student entering the district and the other for a student moving to Okolona who wants to attend the Delight schools.

The student wanting to change to the Gurdon district from Arkadelphia was accepted after the board was told the student did not have discipline problems in Arkadelphia.

According to Jeff Alexander, middle school principal, the student had some academic troubles last year and was having some self- esteem problems.

Smithson said the former Okolona district is part of Gurdon's district, but the board's approval was required for any transfer.

The student, he said, is currently attending Delight school, and wants to keep going there. The Delight superintendent wrote the Gurdon board a letter requesting the transfer as well.

However, he said, transfers out of the district go against policy, and, therefore, recommended the transfer be denied.

Part of the problem stems from when Okolona schools closed with the students at the time being given the choice of attending either Gurdon or Delight schools.

Smithson said the student in question had no discipline problems where they are now, but felt it would weaken the district's policy to allow the transfer.

The board agreed and denied the transfer.

The old GMS physical plant was discussed again by the panel, with Smithson saying the district needs to sell it.

He said a statewide advertisement for its sale last year brought no responses, other than two local parties who expressed interest.

One was from Doris Hodge with the Clark County Youth Development Council, while the other was from Rev. Bobby Marshall.

The facility is currently being rented to Hodge for $350 per month, but Smithson said the buildings are deteriorating rapidly and the district needs to get rid of it.

"If we had a responsible group we could give it to we'd be better off," he said. "If we did, we could stir up trouble."

Smithson said the board may want to think about selling the old GMS in pieces, as Hodge is leasing the cafeteria to a local church, which may be interested in buying it.

But, he said, Hodge still has expressed an interest in buying the buildings, yet has not made an offer.

He suggested contacting Hodge and Rev. Marshall and letting each tender an offer for the facility.

However, if either does make an offer, it will still be the responsibility of the Gurdon district to remove all asbestos from the buildings.

As the meeting wound down, Smithson said the COE/NCA team visited the Gurdon schools. He said the teachers were well prepared for the visit, which he called positive.

The results of the visit, though, won't be known for another 30 days.

He said the district is working to get the middle and primary schools