Nicky Boyette – Construction technology teacher Jason Hill announced at Monday evening’s Eureka Springs school board meeting that four of eight Eureka Springs students who participated in the state SkillsUSA competition came away with honors. Jacob Holloway won first place in construction and Cole Rains won first in masonry. David Birchfield place third in masonry and Tyler Crawford was third in plumbing. Kyle Rains participated in masonry and Jon Fraser in carpentry. Hill advised these students. Koltin Massey and Dyllan Miley participated in digital cinema production, and were advised by Adam Louderback.
Holloway and Cole Rains will go to Louisville June 20-24 for the National SkillsUSA competition.
Hill’s construction students will participate in rehabilitating the elementary school playground.
Old high school lease
Supt. Bryan Pruitt said he has been looking for answers to questions regarding negotiations with the Community Center Foundation for leasing the old high school property. He spoke with state level representatives who cited an “absence provision” which would indemnify the district if, after the lease is in force, the Foundation or a sublessor were to hold a wine and cheese event, for example. He is also clearing up questions of when the district would not need to approve future construction projects.
Pruitt said, however, he and district treasurer Pam McGarrah researched financial records and discovered the district refinanced a bond in 1989, and in 1993 paved the parking lot at the old site, and these debts are still not paid in full. Pruitt told the board they were not able to determine how much is still owed, but engaged a bond attorney to sort it out for them, and the answer should come soon.
Also, Pruitt said he would get an attorney who specializes in law related to school districts to look at the lease from a district’s perspective.
Salary increase for teachers
Pruitt said the district had not given staff a raise since 2010. There have been one-time bonuses annually, but he recommended a $500 increase to the base salary schedule. He commented this move would help keep the district competitive, and there could be bonuses if the finances allow.
Board members had no hesitation approving Pruitt’s recommendation.
Other business
- The board voted to renew its agreement with financial advisor First Security Beardsley for another three years.
- Following executive session, the board accepted the resignations of Donna Kesner (elementary literacy coach) and Kathy McCurry (elementary librarian); hired Jake Allen and David Parkman for track scorers for meets at the school; hired Jason Hill and Adam Louderback for the additional duty of co-coach for baseball.
Next meeting is Thursday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m.