Vilonia Board of Education approves construction
The Vilonia Board of Education on Monday night gave the nod of approval to move forward on building a safe room at the high school and an intermediate school for grades 4-6 based on the passage of a millage increase.
“A lot will be riding on the passing of a millage,” said Dr. Frank Mitchell, school superintendent.
The district was awarded more than $9 million dollars by the state to build a high school. The district’s participation will be at the tune of about $4.5 million. While the original plan proposed to the state was to build a new high school, now that may not be the best way to deal with district overcrowding and the original plan could be changed to be more feasible. The growth pattern, Mitchell said, has changed since the original plan was submitted.
The funding for the school has been approved for some time. The original timeline passed for accessing it in September. However, due to the city being hit by the tornado, a waiver was granted by the state department until Sept. 2012.
Referring to the state funding, there are timelines with the Master Plan/Partnership Program. The district’s proposal to build a new high school was one of 73 “space” statewide projects that were approved (with a rigid 2-year timeline). Under that program, the state matches $2 to every $1 from the district. Under the original plan for the high school, it is anticipated to cost about $16.5 million leaving the school to explore other avenues, including a millage increase, to cover the district’s portion. The board had considered placing the request for a millage increase on the September ballot but opted to refrain due to the tornado devastation in the city.
The district¹s portion to build the safe room amounts to about $1.1 million in accordance with FEMA paying $1 million.
The board did not approve an amount of millage that will be requested or a time frame for a related election. Yet, a 3.5 millage increase was discussed. It was said that an increase of 3.5 mills would amount to a tax increase of about $70 per year on a $100,000 house. And the board would need to make a decision no later than June in order for it to be published by July and on the September ballot.
Other projects were discussed including the building of an auditorium. The action Monday night did not obligate to any other projects other than the school and safe room. The last millage election was in 2004 to build a Middle School.
In other business:
— Approved a request by Billy Mitchell of the Vilonia Lions Club, to use school property (a practice field) for the staging of the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus March 29. The event, he said, will serve as a fundraising project for the community organization. Making the request, Mitchell ran down a list of projects supported by the Lions Club. Most of the money from fundraisers, he said, stays in the community. He also told the board a circus hasn’t been in Vilonia in about 30 years. Mitchell said the only requirement of the circus, based in Hugo, Oklahoma, is access to a water hose providing water for the animals. And, the site will be as “clean as when they found it,” when they leave. A clown, he said, will make an appearance in town and make visits to the school, a week prior to the show date. There are to be two shows inside a show tent, he said, that will hold from 600 to 800 people. The ticket costs in advance, Mitchell said, will be $9 adults and $6 for children 2 and up. It will cost more at the door, he added.
— Approved a proposal allowing a program of study to be developed utilizing the Eagles’ Nest Store. It will be an elective class under the business department. The store will serve as an entrepreneurship program. Under the program, students will work punching a time card as well as cross-train in all facets of the business earning a grade. The students, according to teachers presenting the proposal, will have the opportunity to learn customer service skills, sales, accounts payable and management skills.
Several teachers will be involved with the training as well as store manager Cheryl Theall. The teachers were asked to submit a current financial statement regarding the store to the board.
— Recognized three teachers, Debra Rail, Nicole Allen and Lana Lawrence, who are new National Board certified teachers. The three teachers outlined the work that is necessary to achieve the accomplishment, which took each three years, including taking tests and providing portfolio entries. While it takes lots of time, energy and analyzing, the three said the results are worth the effort. The teachers also talked about the gain for students. They said the certification teaches teachers to focus on the students and their needs rather than other issues. There are 16 teachers in the district with the certification. Board members encouraged the certified teachers to work together and present a written proposal to the board detailing ways to encourage and motivate more teachers to go through the process.
— Approved selling surplus items, following a bid process, involving a couple of buses and other items resulting in an income of $920. It was said all items are non-operational.
— Approved Dr. Frank Mitchell¹s renewal contract for one year as superintendent.
