Students present certificates to board
President of board reports outpouring of sympathy for loss of Mike Harris
Thursday, February 4, 2010
ELKINS — The Elkins School Board met on Tuesday, Jan. 26, for its regularly scheduled meeting.
Students from the district were on hand to present the board members certificates as well as some home baked goodies to thank them for their dedication and service to the school, as well as to show their appreciation to the board hard work and perseverance.
After presented the certificates to the board, board member Krystal Gano acknowledged the students and how proud that the board is to be part of the Elkins schools.
“We appreciate all of you students as well and are very proud of all of you,” Gano said. All the board members thanked the students as well.
The board accepted the transfer of four students into the district and also approved the transfer of two students out of the district.
President Br yan Delozier told the board that since the death of Superintendent Mike Harris several superintendents from around the area had called tooffer their assistance with anything the Elkins district might need. He mentioned Ron Wright of Farmingtonm former Elkins superintendent Dr. Robert Allen of the Huntsville district and several others.
“It sure was nice to see an outpouring of help offered during this time,” Delozier said.
The board decided to look for an interim superintendent to fill in to get the district through the current school year.
“I like the idea of a temporary as opposed to doing an all out search right now,” board secretary Carol Heymsfield said.
Delozier said a temporary replacement must have a superintendent’s certificate.
“We have several names on our list to contact,” he said. “Weare trying to judge the interest first.”
The board also decided to contact McPherson and Jacobson to possibly assist in finding a full time superintendent for next school year. McPherson and Jacobson is a search firm out of Omaha, Nebraska.
“We would like to invite them to come represent their firm and hear what they have to say.” Delozier said.
The firm is the same one that was used to hire Harris.
Board members Laren Vaught and Bob Warren also agreed that a search needs to start immediately so a full-time replacement could be hired by the start of the new fiscal school year which is July 1, 2010.
Primary Teacher and personnel committee member Shannon Bradley gave the board an update on some calendar changes because of recent days for inclement weather. According to Bradley. Martin Luther King Day was turned into a student learning day and they were going to make the Friday before Presidents Day and Presidents Day student days as well to make up for snow days. So as of January 26, students only have one more day to make up if no more weather related school closings occur. The board accepted the calendar changes.
Elkins School Resource Officer Bill Rhodes gave the board a general list of issues in his Resource Officer Report. Rhodes explained each category shown on his report and answered any questions that the board membershad.
District Treasurer Marilyn Thompson gave the board an update on the ARRA Stabilization Funds. The district receives stimulus money in three different categories, which includes Title I, special education and the stabilization funds. Thompson told the board that the district had received a letter about 10 days ago from the state that about 60 percent of the Stabilization Funds were going to be kept by the state for the Arkansas deficit. The district will now receive approximately $41,000 instead of $103,000. The district received the first 67 percent of all funds this year and the other 33 percent is supposed to be received next school year.
Delozier asked Thompson how much of that money have they committed something to so far.
“We are committed on a few things but not much for next year’s 33 percent. Title I and special education stimulus funding cannot be taken away,” Thompson said.
One of the big items purchased for most classrooms with stimulus funding this year was interactive smart boards. The board asked administrators for an update on how they are working out in their school.
“Interactive Smart Boards are going good,” said Elementary Principal Amy Evans. “The kids can work them better than the teachers can.”
The board reviewed all the financial documents and reports. In total the school is about $300,000 better this year than last year.
“We definitely appreciate all the hard work it has taken to get here too,” Delozier said to the staff and faculty members present.
It was determined Transportation Supervisor Jeff Graves will determine when school will be out due to inclement weather.
“We trust you to use your judgment like you always have,” Delozier told him.
Graves will use the school’s Alert Now message system to notify students, parents, faculty, and staff. He will also alert local media and television stations. School closings are also posted on the schools website at HYPERLINK “http://www.elks.k12. ar.us” www.elks.k12. ar.us
Graves reported the district recently took delivery of a new special education bus.
“It is already on the road,” He said.
Thompson gave a copier lease update.
“The copier in the elementary is amazing and is saving us tons of money,” she said. She asked the board if they could consider a color copier in the Administration Office for special projects in the future.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Elkins High School conference room.
Education, Pages 7 on 02/04/2010
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