Monday night’s school board meeting began early, with the annual Report to the Public. This detailed assessment covered recent accomplishments and future hopes. The report will be available on the school’s website by the end of the month.
A series of presenters, including the school principals, guided the board through a review of operations at the three schools. The report also covered federal programs, special education, and academic efforts such as Advanced Placement or the gifted and talented program.
In an interview after the meeting, Supt. Bryan Pruitt summarized the academic successes. “Our test scores were really good,” he said. “That shows a team effort between the parents and our staff.”
A new kitchen, serving new elementary and middle school cafeterias, should go out for bids this winter. The district also still has high hopes for receiving a grant to build an emergency storm shelter through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Further into the future, the district would like to acquire a five-acre parcel of land adjoining school property, although the current asking price is too high. That property would allow the district to move the bus barn and use that location for a pre-school.
This school district is one of only seven in the state which does not receive state foundation or partnership funds because the tax base can support the schools without added state funds. That will have huge implications for this district if the state legislature votes to increase the base rate for teachers by $4,000. Other districts would receive extra funds to cover those raises, but Eureka Springs would have to find ways of incorporating that into the budget. Pruitt also explained that the new kitchen/cafeteria project will be paid for entirely from local taxes.
After the Report to the Public, the regular monthly agenda went quickly. The board voted to cover the $115 monthly increase in insurance costs for staff. Pruitt said few districts provide the insurance coverage offered here. “It’s important in attracting and maintaining the best people,” he said.