A drainage issue has delayed the opening of bids for the new Armorel Elementary School building.
Monday night, Armorel superintendent Jennifer Barbaree told the school board that questions from the previous board meeting regarding drainage prompted the civil engineer to create a new design.
The new design has been given to Nabholz Construction, which is adjusting the estimated expense of the project.
"Within that design is going to be more cost," Barbaree said.
The district originally planned to open bids on March 1, though Barbaree believes the bid process will still begin sometime in March.
She suggested the board meet with Nabholz before opening bids to ensure they stay within budget.
Barbaree is also looking at other options to cut down on cost, including cleaning out ditches, which may not be a part of the construction project.
Also, after some discussion, the board agreed to pay Pro Tech $17,253.34 for work it performed in the gym lobby in October 2017.
Armorel school board chairman Scott Jowers questioned whether it took the firm 253 hours to do the networking job.
Barbaree noted Technology Director Ross Harms, who along with former superintendent Sally Bennett approved the work, confirmed that the firm performed the job over that time period.
She said Armorel paid the approximately $180,000 to Pro Tech back in October 2017 for work on the gym, but the company failed to invoice the school for the additional work to the lobby.
An audit of the firm’s books apparently found that the company did not bill Armorel for the unanticipated work.
Barbaree said she needed board approval before paying the the additional $17,253.
"It's a communication issue with us," Barbaree said.
Meanwhile, Barbaree reported that the district received $700,000 less in tax revenue for 2017 than the previous year, but fortunately took in about $100,000 in delinquent taxes through the Payment In Lieu of Taxes program.
She noted it is unusual to receive delinquent PILOT funds.
"Financially, we're fine, it's just less," Barbaree said. "We are spending less because we are getting in less."
In other news, Barabaree provided information on potential bills that could affect school districts statewide.
Among those being considered by state legislators is one that calls for school to begin no earlier than the Monday before Labor Day.
Barbaree said she is actually hoping to start school Aug. 13 — as most of the surrounding district are expected to — but to do so Armorel would need a waiver. If it doesn’t get the waiver, the earliest Armorel could begin classes is Aug. 14. Of course, if the proposed law is approved, then the district would not return from summer break until almost Labor Day.
Barbaree is also paying close attention to a proposed anti-bullying law.
"It's cumbersome," Barbaree said. "It's a great idea. It's absolutely a great idea, but it really involves a lot with school board meetings. It concerns me that the family of the student that is considered being bullied is allowed to know the discipline of the kid that is bullying them. We do not provide that information now, but according to this law that is something that they expect to be told and that concerns me, because they are still all children. There still should be protection there for even the kid that is doing it, I think. I'm not saying that we shouldn't pay attention to the kids; I believe in the protection of all kids."
Also Monday night, the board:
— Approved the ASBA legal liability insurance;
— Renewed the 36-month contract for ASBA model policy;
— Approved the School Choice Capacity resolution. The school choice application process closes on May 1. Last year, the district was at capacity and couldn't accept all of the school choice applicants;
— Approved the budget expenditures;
— Heard from Barbaree that both the high school and junior high FBLA clubs did well in the district meet at Jonesboro. Armorel High School had two first place finishes, four second, four third, four fourth, two fifth, and a sixth place. All qualified for the FBLA State Conference in April. In Who's Who, Abby Kennedy was first place and Mayson Carr took second place. Carr is the FBLA district vice president. Armorel High School took second in the Market Share category. Armorel Junior High is also going to FBLA State, after taking first in March of Dimes, first in Market Share and second in Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Armorel’s Blair Booker was named district VP. Barbaree also noted, in the recent TOPs competition at Arkansas Northeastern College, Jacob Fondren took second place in shielded metal arc welding and Justin Lee received first place in crime scene investigation. Both earned scholarships to ANC for those finishes;
— Heard from Armorel Elementary School principal Joey Carr that Parent Night is Feb. 21. Surveys will be provided to parents that night;
— Rehired Joey Carr as Elementary Principal, and Teresa Lawrence as High School Principal and Federal Programs Director.
— Hired Mike Welch as 4th, 5th, and 6th grade elementary boys’ basketball coach with stipend at $250 per team totaling $750;
— Hired Hillary Ritchey as District Speech Pathologist.
— Employed Wanda Lamon as school nurse for the remainder of this school year.