Gosnell School Board approves new fencing and welcomes new teacher

Gosnell School Board accepted fencing bids, heard an academic report, approved the November minutes and reviewed the financials before going into executive session at the Dec. 2 meeting.

Superintendent Len Whitehead gave the academic report informing the board that all assessments for grades 3-10 had been completed.

“We know where we are,” Whitehead said. “The assessment process went smoothly.”

He said the upgrades in technology had helped this year.

Board members reviewed the bids for fences at the softball and baseball complex. Whitehead said they had made several improvements last year. He said the fencing on both fields will look nice as well as safe.

The three fence bids were from JRS Construction, Red Beard Fence LLC, and Northeast Arkansas Fence & Repair. The bids included tax and clean-up.

Whitehead recommended accepting the low bid of $58,000 from JRS which was approved unanimously. The completion date for the work is Jan. 30.

Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Ilene Canty, secretary.

Superintendent Whitehead recommended hiring Brylee Lung as an elementary teacher beginning Jan. 6, until the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Whitehead said she has completed a year-long teaching internship at Gosnell Elementary and did a wonderful job teaching students in both reading and mathematics. She will graduate this month from UALR with a degree in Middle Level Childhood Education and has passed all of her assessments to obtain licensure for grades 4-8 math and grades 4-8 English language arts. Lung will be teaching fifth grade math.

Board approved hiring Lung unanimously 7-0.

Board members are Donnie Wright, president; Doug Johnson, vice president; John Weiss, secretary; Cody Mace, Mike Jacques, Greg McGuirt and Lee Ketchum.