ESHS gets go-ahead on greenhouse

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At its August 8 meeting, the Eureka Springs School Board voted to award Davis Construction of Harrison the bid for construction of a 30×60-ft. greenhouse at the high school. Supt. Bryan Pruitt told the board there were two bids, and the one from Davis was for $224,000. The district will receive $109,000 from the state toward the project.

Pruitt said the greenhouse kit would cost $109,000 and the district would be on the hook for site preparation, the slab, and the utilities. He said expenses for making the site compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act amounted to more than the district expected, so he and architect Matt Poe of Modus Studio in Fayetteville, and Brian Warner of Davis, reworked the original design to arrive at a reduced cost of $204,000.

Another option Pruitt presented was for the district to totally start over and self-contract the project that would entail getting cooperation from all the state agencies that already approved this project. Pruitt commented the district might save some money, but starting over would be time-consuming and the new agriculture teacher and students were excited about getting into the greenhouse, so he recommended the board approve the redesign cost of $204,000.

Pruitt assured the board the district has the funds, and the $90,000 outlay would not jeopardize reserves.

Warner told the board if the project were approved, his crew could start within a month and finish construction by the end of November. He said the greenhouse would have large fans for ventilation and a gas-fired furnace for heat.

Vote to approve the $204,000 bid was 5-1, Tina Johnson voting No.

Too cool for school

Pruitt said O’Neal Electric of Harrison was the only bidder for installing a new HVAC system in the middle school gym. Modus Studio also designed this project, and Pruitt said he worked with Poe to get the cost down to $83,000 by having district staff do some of the prep work.

Middle school principal Cindy Holt said the gym is used almost nightly and not just for school activities but for community activities as well.

Vote to approve the $83,000 bid was unanimous.

School board elections

School board elections in Arkansas are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 19, and Pruitt announced board members Al Larson and Chris McClung are running unopposed, and Debbie Davis chose not to run. The board unanimously approved the resolution to hold the election by absentee or early voting only. At the October meeting, the board will decide what to do about the seat vacated by Davis.

Principals’ reports

High School Principal David Gilmore said teachers are back in their classrooms, and he and his faculty have been engaged in team-building activities. He’s planning a big event with all schools during the August 21 eclipse. He said the district purchased enough eclipse sunglasses for all students and faculty, and during the eclipse they will launch weather balloons.

Holt said her middle school teachers are excited about the upcoming school year. They will focus on the R.I.S.E. (Reading Initiative for Student Excellence) Arkansas program that encourages reading at home as well as at school. She mentioned the district investment in new technology for all subjects and levels has resulted in improved math scores.

Elementary school Principal Clare Lesieur gave a shout out to the custodial staff for their work during the summer preparing all the buildings for the school year. She mentioned her teachers and staff attended a two-day training based on the book Seven Habits of Highly Successful People followed by a day focused on leadership. She said the goal is to help her students find their strengths, so their theme will be the Seven Habits of Happy Kids.

Finals

  • The board approved the transfer of three students out of Berryville to Eureka Springs and three going the other direction.
  • After an Executive Session, the board accepted the resignation of Peggy Jones-Poe, hired Wendy Wheeler as a special education teacher, hired Stephen Crewse as custodian, added five additional days to Jessica Quintana’s contract as an aide, and hired Joanne Jacobs as special education secretary for ten days during the 2017-2018 school year.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m.