By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
The Forrest City School District should make adjustments annually to offset the loss of revenue created by a decline in student enrollment.
Board members this week approved the 2001-2002 operating budget of $22,336,045.31. The budget shows a decreased year-ending carryover balance of $1,385,385.93. The carryover amount in the 2000-2001 budget was $2,121,590.52.
FCSD Financial Director Pat Flanagin told the group the decrease is primarily due to the loss of 164 students last school year. "That student loss translates to a loss in revenue of $807,903.98," Flanagin said.
Enrollment figures for the current school year will not be available until after Oct. 1, Flanagin said.
The board was urged to consider staff reductions as one way of combating the loss. "Staffing reductions in faculty, administration, maintenance and all school personnel areas should be commensurate with annual enrollment declines," Flanagin said. "The logic is that fewer students need fewer services by fewer people. The reality is the state does not pay for students who are not here, and a district that does not appropriately reduce staff is spending money it does not have."
The Title I and special education budgets were also approved by board members.
In other business, architect Bob Beavers said bids on the demolition of the junior high school will be opened Monday. Beavers said asbestos could slow the demolition process down about one month. "We're moving as fast as we can," he said.
The board declined to take action on a request to increase the substitute teacher pay scale. "Our substitute pay is very comparable to the other districts. We do not recommend an increase in substitute pay at this point," said Superintendent Lee Vent.
Board members also approved the purchase of loads of diesel and gasoline.
Taking into account Tuesday's national events, board member Mallory Nimocks said, "We should have gotten it before now. Hopefully, you can get it. The district won't suffer any more this way than it did before this.
After reviewing a report on district roofing problems, board members agreed to have someone who is not involved in the roofing business to assess each building's roof and make recommendations on repairs. Flanagin said he is working on a grant request that could help offset some of the roofing expenses.
The audit report for the 1999-2000 school year was approved. Auditors cited the district on two issues the lack of personnel involved in activity accounts at each campus and equipment records.
"It was a very good audit report for an operation of this size," Vent said.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The Caldwell City Council agreed Tuesday night to spend $1,500 on the Caldwell Cotton Pickin Festival scheduled for later this month.
According to Caldwell Mayor Gary Hughes, the funds, which will help purchase T-shirts and supplies for the festival, may be replaced by money generated by the festival.
"We're hoping that through sale of T-shirts and food we'll be able to at least get the $1,500 back," said Hughes.
The Cotton Pickin Festival, which is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29, is in its first year, and according to Hughes, has received good feedback so far.
"Everyone seems to be excited about the festival, and if we get a good reception to it, it's something that we can make an annual event and make it bigger and better," Hughes said.
He told council members that several people with ties to Caldwell have been invited to the festival which will be highlighted by the dedication of the Caldwell City Park. On slate for the festival will be a fireman's stew sale, scheduled for Friday, at the park; the Cotton Pickin King and Queen Contest, which will start at 6:30 Friday; arts and crafts booths; a co-ed volleyball tournament, which will begin Saturday at 8 a.m.; a pea shelling contest, on Saturday at 1 p.m.; a cotton pickin contest for Saturday morning at 11 a.m.; and a womanless beauty contest to end the festival on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Hughes said live music will also highlight the festival with area bluegrass and gospel bands on tap.
In other business, the mayor told council members he had spoken with Forrest City Water Utility Manager Jim Beazley about the water pressure concerns mentioned during last month's council meeting. At the August meeting of the council, Hughes spoke to members about complaints from Caldwell residents in the Barrow Hill Road and Telico area about water pressure. According to Hughes, he is still working with Beazley on a solution to the problem and will report back to aldermen in October.
The Forrest City Junior Auxiliary will present the 26th annual Shops of La Petite this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16 at the Forrest City Civic Center.
The Saturday hours will be 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.. On Sunday, the event will be from noon until 5 p.m.
Many arts and crafts, as well as unique gift ideas, will be available from a wide variety of vendors. In addition the La Petite Cafe will be open with Italian cream cake, chicken salad, fruit salad, fudge cake, Frito chili pies, nachos, baked potatoes and hamburgers.
Shops of La Petite is the major fund-raiser for the Junior Auxiliary, with proceeds going to the Auxiliary's child-centered charitable projects. These include the Angel Tree project held every Christmas to find gifts for needy children; the Discovery Room held each summer at the St. Francis County Museum, which exposes kids to arts and science; the Extra Special Person project, which helps a needy family chosen through a school; Reading Is Fundamental, which provides every third grader in the Forrest City School District with a free book, three times a year; the Bookmobile, which travels to different schools; the Children's Health Carnival, held every other year; the Clothes Closet project, which provides winter clothing for needy children from kindergarten through grade six; and anything the group can do for the St. Francis Area Developmental Center.
Admission is $2 in advance and $3 at the door. Children aged 6-12 get in for $1. Children younger than six who are escorted by an adult get in free.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at Antique Rose, Chez Weenie, Dixie Furniture, Edwin Houston, Parker Furniture, Ruby's Flowers and Gifts, Southern Furniture and Taylor Casbeer.