   
Sen. Baker talks funding for school repairs, upgrades
By KARI LIVINGSTON
SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN
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 Sen. Gilbert Baker stopped by the Greenbrier School Board meeting Thursday night with good financial news, but he had kind words for the district and its students first.
"I had the opportunity to visit with students during Celebrate Freedom Week," Baker said. "And you should be really proud. I was really amazed at these students."
Baker, who is on the Senate Facilities Oversight Committee, told the board that the committee had set aside half a billion dollars to provide for school repairs and upgrades. Most of the money is provided as part of a matching funds program.
Twenty-two million dollars has been earmarked for Faulkner County schools, with the Greenbrier District receiving $13 million in matching funds from the state. Baker pointed out that the students weren't the only ones benefiting from the money.
"This is good for the kids, but it's also good for the economy," Baker said, noting that the construction projects provided jobs.
Baker praised the board and the community for standing behind the district and working hard for the students. "It's easy to be the Senator for Greenbrier," Baker said.
The board also heard from Fall Festival Committee Chair Teresa Churchwell. The total amount raised for this year's festival was $100,500. Churchwell noted that the total was larger than the previous year's total, even though the number of kings and queens were cut. The committee was also able to trim $1000 in cost for the festival. The total cost of this year's festival was $14,000.
In other business the board approved the new 2008-2009 elementary school attendance zones. The attendance zones were redrawn to evenly distribute students between Westside, Eastside and the new Wooster elementary schools. The board also heard a report on the status of the new elementary school, which is on schedule to be completed in time for classes in the fall. The board passed a resolution to recommend that the district architect begin work on plans for a 1,200-seat auditorium.
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