Nicky Boyette – At its meeting March 17, the Eureka Springs School Board tabled approval of two items related to the future of the old high school property pending further study, followed by discussion at a work session.
Superintendent Bryan Pruitt told the board the district was now in the lease negotiation phase with the Community Center Foundation. Wade Williams, attorney for the Foundation, had marked a long list of items in the proposed lease he wanted to discuss further. Pruitt said he had just received the response to Williams from Kristi Kendrick, attorney for the district in these negotiations, and Pruitt was not comfortable making a recommendation on the lease at that meeting.
Board member Debbie Davis suggested they convene a work session before the next regular meeting, and in the meantime wade through the long lease and evaluate comments from attorneys. The board agreed to reschedule the regular April meeting to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, and hold a work session with Kendrick at 3:30 p.m. prior to the meeting.
The Board also voted to change the date of possession on the Offer to Lease from April 1 to July 1 at the request of the Foundation. Board member Al Larson, also on the Foundation board, explained the Foundation has raised $50,000 from the community so far and has had positive discussions with financial institutions and the Walton Family Foundation regarding support for their plan for the old high school property.
Larson also stated the demolition of B-100 must go out for bid, and part of the process would be preparing the bid document. He said Cromwell Architects volunteered to accomplish this formidable task, but it might take some time and the timeline for completion was up to staff at Cromwell. So at this point, all the board could do was agree to authorize Pruitt, when the time came, to accept a bid valid under state law.
Business of the board
- Pruitt presented a proposed schedule for the 2016-2017 school year. He said there were five snow days built in, and, weather permitting, school would be out May 23. The board unanimously approved the proposed schedule.
- The board also voted to accept Pruitt’s recommendation to approve the Licensed Personnel Policy, Classified Personnel Policy and Wellness Policy.
- They also accepted the 2014-2015 financial audit.
- The board took no action following an Executive Session.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 12, at 5:30 p.m. preceded at 3:30 p.m. by a work session to discuss issues related to the lease with the Community Center Foundation.