Riverside School board members discussed and voted on a resolution for a no poll election in the May School board election at the Monday, March 4, meeting.
Superintendent Jeff Priest said because there are no contested races or ballot issues the district can choose to elect early voting and absentee voting only. Priest said Greg Smith is the only seat up for election and he has no opposition. By electing with early votes and absentee votes, it will save the district money.
Smith currently serves as president of the school board.
The board approved Priest’s recommendation unanimously. Members present included Mike Brickell, Len B. Nall, Greg Douglas and Rick Austin.
Priest read three letters of resignation which were accepted by the board. Resignations included Carolyn Caldwell, Brenda Hutchinson and Miranda Wheeler.
The Board approved the legal transfer of two students, Kelsey Michaels, 11, and Trey Michaels, 8. Priest explained the students live in the district but have been home schooled.
“Their mother has talked to us and she wants them to go to Westside,” Priest said. “It is my recommendation to approve the transfer.”
The board unanimously approved the rehiring of teachers on the list as
presented by Priest.
During the financial review, Priest commented the district has $1.7 million compared to $1.8 million last year with only $91,000 difference.
The revenue comparison is down $88,000.
“We are almost on the money where we were last year at this time,”
Priest said.
Priest informed the board the minimum salary of $36,000 for teachers passed the legislature and will take effect next year. Districts will have up to four years to make the increases and the state will put back $60 million and schools can apply for assistance.
“We are all (superintendents) for teachers to make more money,” Priest said. “We are worried about where the money will come from. In addition to increase in salary, other benefits will increase, also.”
He went on to say the details have not been released.
“I feel confident about it,” he said. “I think it will make everyone run more efficiently.”
Priest congratulated Gayla Anderson for receiving Region 8 Teacher of
the Month. He said it is a great honor for her and all of the district.
The Lady Rebels will play for the state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday in Hot Springs. There will be a pep rally on Thursday at 12:45 p.m.
Priest said they usually do not open the pep rallies to the community but this one will be open to parents and the community. The district
will be taking a pep bus. The game will be live on AETN.
The district has tickets in the office if anyone wants to purchase in advance. Priest said it will save time in line.
“We had a great turnout in Carlisle last week,” Priest said. “The staff at the motel where our team stayed complimented our girls for their good behavior. That is always good to hear.”
In other business:
*Kindergarten registration will be March 15 at both campuses.
*Priest said the district has a new website. The former one was not mobile friendly. Apps have been done away with and all of the traffic will go to the one site.
*Baseball season began last week. Monday’s game was cancelled due to
cold weather.
*The board approved the calendar which received 97 percent of the staff vote for the 2019-2020 school year. Priest said there is a bill pending that will not allow schools to begin until the Monday before Labor Day.
The reasoning is due to the loss of revenue in tourism in Arkansas. If it passes, it will not go into effect until the following year.