At the final meeting of the year, the Eureka Springs school board closed out 2021 on an optimistic note.
Elementary Principal Clare Houser and Middle School Principal Cindi Holt both acknowledged Covid-related setbacks but emphasized the basic success of keeping kids on campus. “We’re here, and we’ve got the kids here,” Holt said. She said middle school students continue to make up lost ground.
Houser mentioned some small milestones, including taking kids off campus “for the first time in so long.” Students in second grade attended a performance of The Jungle Book at the Lyric Theater in Harrison. Houser went into some detail with the board to explain methods to assess and remediate students who have struggled.
Supt. Bryan Pruitt delivered a report for the high school in the absence of Principal David Gilmore. The band and choir have held concerts, and Pruitt’s report included a description of a toy drive organized by a visiting motorcycle club. The club donated toys and food cards for the school’s Angel Tree. Board member Gayla Wolfinbarger said the club, made up of former law enforcement personnel, also raised $2,000 for the local food bank.
In other business:
- The elementary playground will see more new equipment by spring. The board approved up to $90,000 in recovery funds, and Pruitt will look through bids for the best use of the money. He said the additional equipment would allow more students on the playground at one time, while still maintaining distancing.
- Pruitt announced the annual donation by downtown merchant Jim Nelson. Once again, he has offered $25 gift certificates to all staff members of the school district. Pruitt explained that the cards would double in value during the store’s discount sale later in the season. “He’s been very generous to the school, and we’d like to see him get some credit for that,” he said.
- Only a bare quorum of four attended the meeting, with Al Larson, Joe Hill, and Jason Morris absent.