Upcoming board election dates were discussed Tuesday night at the Gosnell School board's regular meeting. Up for re-election is Dennis Fulks, who is running unopposed for Position 1. The election will take place on Sept. 13-14 in Gosnell.
Test scores from the past school year were analyzed by the board, and also compared with those of schools in the surrounding area. In the 2010-2011 school year, Gosnell students tested higher than the state average on the third-, fifth- and sixth-grade Benchmarks, as well as most of the high school exams.
The board reviewed a summary of funds spent in the past school year, which were generated through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. More than $330,000 was spent on equipment for the special education program, more than $300,000 on Title I, which includes materials and software purchased for student intervention and remediation. Additional funds were spent on JBHM, a consulting firm which helps with school improvement. An additional $10,000 of remaining funds will be spent on literacy materials.
Just over $8,000 was appropriated by the board to be spent on indoor netting in a baseball practice facility, which will be provided by Precision Net of Rogers. Also related to sports, ticket prices for all athletic events will remain the same this year, with senior high football running $4 for adults and $3 for students, and junior high football and basketball running $3 for adults and $2 for students.
The school district's public meeting, in which parents are invited to come and hear about test scores, school improvement plans, and more from administrators and the board, is set to take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26 in the board room at the district administration building.
sharris@blythevillecourier.com