Monday afternoon, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that schools will remain closed through the end of the school year. In Eureka Springs, school officials had already anticipated the announcement, and Supt. Bryan Pruitt explained some of the next steps to the Independent. He said the governor’s decision was “not surprising, considering the circumstances.”
The school district will continue to supply students with Alternate Method of Instruction packets each week, and those lessons will focus on the core subjects. “We’re going to do the best we can,” Pruitt said. All students will get credit for the school year and will not take standardized tests during the remainder of this school year. “At this point, we’re more concerned with compassion than compliance,” the superintendent said.
Most seniors have completed their schoolwork. A few still are completing requirements, and some Advanced Placement students are still working with their teachers to prepare for AP tests. Those tests will be administered online this year. “Everyone wants to know about graduation and prom,” Pruitt said, but he explained that unless the situation changes, current restrictions would not allow either of those events.
Lunch delivery
The district will continue to deliver lunches along the bus routes, although drivers will deliver two meals on Monday and Wednesday, and one on Friday. The change from daily delivery will save money and will further reduce exposure. Pruitt said the district will probably receive some stimulus funds to help offset the costs of delivering lunches.
With no students on campus, the maintenance staff has already begun to address the usual summertime tasks. “They’re working half days, and maintaining social distancing,” Pruitt said. He has met with the school’s architect and construction manager, and hopes to get a head start on Phase II of the remodeling project at the Elementary School. That project will include a facelift for the exterior, along with painting, flooring, and new restrooms. The state and the local board will have to approve the plans, but Pruitt said the budget figures for the project look good.
The school board will meet Monday evening by Zoom, with a routine agenda. They will consider a staff pay raise, and also look at policy changes recommended by the state.