By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A day after the Forrest City Junior High was evacuated because a noxious odor permeated the building, classes have been dismissed because there is no heat in the building.
As it turned out, the smell was not a natural gas leak. It is hoped that classes may resume Monday.
Associate Superintendent Alice Barnes said this morning that as it turned out, the gas company found no gas leak, although that was the concern which caused the school to be evacuated Thursday.
"There was no gas leak," Barnes said. "The gas people found no gas. The boiler wasn't operating properly and caused a bad smell. There was an odor which the teachers, students and principal recognized."
Barnes said a backup in the boiler caused the smell to go through the school. "When it was taken apart, it was found the walls of the boiler had fallen apart, and the essential parts of the boiler were not working."
She said the main concern was the safety of the kids, which was why the evacuation took place. Today, she said, without heat, it was simply too cold to hold classes. However, she said classes may be able to meet Monday.
"Right now we have found a boiler in Nashville, Tenn.," said Barnes. "We're going to send someone over to pick it up, and we hope we'll have it installed tomorrow and can resume school Monday."
Over the past few years there have been several attempts to increase millage so a new junior high school could be built. All have failed.
Three school board members commented on the situation this morning.
Dr. Wayne Jones, the current school board president, said a new junior high is needed.
"At this point, we need to replace the buildings, pure and simple," said Jones. "We'll be having a retreat (in February) soon to discuss it. We're trying to do everything we can to make it safe there."
Jones said safety is a big issue at the junior high building, which in the past has also served as a middle school and the high school.
"We need to keep our children safe," he said. "With the age and condition of that building, it takes a momentous effort to keep it at a level where it is at least safe. We're concerned and we need desperately a new junior high. That's the crux of it all."
Board member Sandra Taylor said the board has had a tough time convincing the public that a new building is needed. She also said she hopes it won't take a tragedy to change attitudes.
"It goes back to what the board members were saying prior to the vote, on whether to help us make that a safe place for our children as well as faculty members and other employees," said Taylor. "We're going to have to do something, and I hope it doesn't take a bad event -- especially with our family members and my family members involved -- to make us wake up.
"No one wants to see that happen. No one wants to be right about something like that. But I can see many more events coming down the pike. We're going to have to do something."
She commented that the credits being given on property tax will hurt school districts, making it harder to do things.
"But we are going to have to protect our children, protect our employees," Taylor continued. "I know people feel that every time you turnaround you have a tax here and a tax there. But we really need to look where the money is needed. I think the school district has done a good job of re-looking around our budget and re-looking at how we spend our money."
Incidents like Thursday and today are detrimental to education, according to Taylor.
"You can't keep having disruptions like this, and think those kids are going to be able to focus on what's supposed to be going on at the school."
Board member Mallory Nimocks said even a new building with a new boiler can have problems. However, there has been an accumulation of problems at the junior high.
"I guess to me, it seems to ad validity to the belief that it is an old, dilapidated school," said Nimocks. "And I just hope the patrons of the school district will -- how would be the best way to say this? -- recognize that things could be serious there."
Nimocks also mentioned the upcoming retreat, and said the junior high would be a major topic of discussion. He said that the board might try to figure out a new way to present the proposal.
"Personally, I'd like to not ask the way we have the last three or four times," he said. " You can have a boiler at a brand new school with problems. But this seems to have some relationship to the age of the school."
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
In a time of reduced government spending and increased volunteerism, a project has taken place at the Federal Correctional Institution at Forrest City which combines both.
Last spring, officials from the prison met with Becki Dowd, representing Habitat for Humanity of Greater Wynne, which constructs homes for the needy. The talks centered around how the institution and its inmates could assist Habitat for Humanity.
According to a statement from the prison, officials believed this would be a perfect opportunity to give something back to the community.
As a direct result of those talks, the building trades class at FCI-FC has completed the first set of kitchen cabinets for a home that is currently under construction by Habitat for Humanity.
Lumber and materials used in building the cabinets were donated by local businesses. Two building trade classes, consisting of 30 inmates each and under the instruction of an instructor from Crowley's Ridge Vocational Institute, participated in the building of the cabinets.
While performing these community efforts, inmates also learn a job skill which can be utilized upon their release from prison.
The statement from FCI-FC said officials believe this is just the beginning of many opportunities to assist the local communities.
For the second time this month, the Forrest City City Council, in a called session, waived bid requirements to deal with an emergency.
The first time it was to pay contractors helping with debris cleanup after the ice storm. The second time, on Thursday, was to repair or replace the engine in the fire department's ladder truck.
"The motor blew up," said Mayor Larry Bryant. "And I thought it was important for us to do this as soon as possible so we can get it replaced."
The mayor can make purchases of goods or services for the city without competitive bidding up to $5,000. Over that amount, the city council must agree to advertise for bids -- or in the case of an emergency, the council can waive bids.
The ordinance stated that the ladder fire truck "is not operable in its present condition."
Catherine Freeman of the St. Francis County Food Pantry has issued a call for donations.
"We are in dire need of help," Freeman said. "Our demand for food is heavier and our bills are higher during this cold spell."
To make donations to the pantry contact Freeman or the Pantry on Water Street.