Work has already begun on projects in the Blytheville School District funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly called the stimulus program, members of the school board were told Monday night.
Superintendent Richard Atwill told the board that contractors had been hired to wire classrooms for electrical outlets for the equipment that is being purchased with the stimulus money. New technology is being purchased, such as projectors and SMART boards. In all, 178 classrooms will be wired for the new technology, Atwill said.
The district is also working on its ACSIP plan, commonly called school improvement plan. Assistant Superintendent Sandy Hughey and Letroy Gathen, director of support services, are working on the plan, which will be submitted soon to the Arkansas Department of Education.
Hughey also told the board that the district's annual Report to the Public will be presented next month.
The board also heard from James Hollis, a patron of the district, who spoke to the district's minority recruitment policy. Under state law, the district must prepare a plan for recruiting minority employees to teaching and administrative positions.
This plan is one that Gathen explained is being updated in time for submission to the state education department.
Hollis also presented data that showed the races of persons hired in the last few years by the district, which show the majority of persons hired were white.
After his presentation, board member Lori Hixson asked Hollis if he knew the number of applicants for the positions and the races of those applicants. Hollis replied, "I was hoping you could tell me that."
Charles Van Pelt, the district's facilities director, told the board that bids for the new roof at the Charter School had come in under budget. The district had estimated the cost to be $267,000, but the bid was for $212,000. Since the project has been approved by the state's school partnership plan, the roof will cost the district just over $90,000.,
Hixson asked if the remaining funds were earmarked for other projects. Atwill explained that since the recent millage increase was not approved by voters, some projects, such as the new cafeteria at Central Elementary, will have to wait. Savings on projects such as the Charter School roof will be stockpiled to fund other projects as they are possible.
During the School Pride Recognition portion of the meeting, board members heard from Ann Lewis, principal of Blytheville Charter School and two students at the school.
Lewis said that the charter school has grown from eight to 10 students in 1999-2000 to more than 100 students today.
"Our Charter School is now a model for others in the state," Lewis said.
The charter school offers a variety of programs designed to help students learn employment skills while in high school. The school's culinary and pre-medical classes give students the skills needed to go to work soon after graduation.
Members of the board welcomed new members to the board Monday night and voiced appreciation to former members.
Board member Bill Sullivan served a total of 22 years on the board. He returned to the board last year to fulfill the term of Jim McMahan, who resigned. Board member Ollie Lofton served 12 years on the board, after retiring from the district as a teacher and administrator.
Both Sullivan and Lofton were given plaques in appreciation of their service.
New board members Carlony Lewis and Tracey Ritchey were welcomed to the board.
New officers were also elected. Tommy Bennett was selected as board president. Lori Hixson was chosen as vice president, and Billy Fair was elected as secretary of the board. The officers will serve two-year terms.
The board also accepted bids from Langston Gin Co., to lease farmland owned by the district. The company will pay the district $35,988 per year for a 270-acre tract of land and $44,017 to lease a 315-acre tract.
The amount of the bids are less than those previously received on the leases, Atwill said.
The board approved the district's budgets for the year and approved several revisions to the district's policies.
The board also accepted the resignations of Melanie Key, sixth-grade teacher, Angie Hill, clerk at Blytheville Primary School and Frankie Potts, secretary at BPS. The board approved the appointment of Lisa Austin, counselor at Blytheville High School, Marcie Woods, sixth-grade teacher at Blytheville Intermediate School, Billie Fernandez, paraprofessional at BIS and Angie Hill as secretary at BPS.
Atwill also reminded the board that this is Homecoming Week and several activities are scheduled. Board members and the public are encouraged to participate.