By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Board of Trustees of East Arkansas Community College approved a budget for the coming school year based on anticipated revenues of $10.9 million.
The budget includes a tuition increase, but the cost of attending EACC will still be in line with other schools in the area, according to Dr. Coy Grace, president. He said there is a possibility that the school could lose some state funding if its tuition falls below recommended levels.
"We have enjoyed being one of the lowest-cost institutions in the state in terms of tuition," Grace said, adding that EACC's tuition is the second lowest in the state among two-year institutions.
"The Department of Higher Education has introduced a formula. And in that formula there is the potential for losing funding points if you're not charging at least the recommended rate that the department sets," he continued.
The per-credit-hour charge will be as follows: From $36 to $41 for St. Francis County students; from $43 to $49 for Arkansas students from outside of St. Francis County; and from $53 to $60 for out of state students.
In addition, $100,000 is included in the budget for work on Classroom Building One. Grace said the school needs scheduled maintenance for the physical plant.
"We need to be on a planned schedule for maintenance," said Grace, "and I think if you look at our buildings, Classroom Building One is in most need of being retrofitted inside. We plan to put all our facilities on a schedule. We can't wait until they all need it to start."
Grace gave a report on the status of the Betty Jo Hodges Building, which has been renovated to put all student services under one roof. He said the work is complete, and all that remains is some furniture which is on order. The building is functioning.
On another matter, it was announced that a bid of $345,000 had been awarded to Burnette Construction of Wynne, for a facade and parking lot project to improve the looks of the campus from Ark. Highway 284.
In other business, Catherine Coleman, vice president for Student Affairs, gave an update on early enrollment figures for the summer and fall. She said the figures were extremely preliminary. For the Summer I session, 252 students have enrolled, up 17 percent from last year. For Summer II, 129 have enrolled, which is a 28 percent increase. So far, 235 students have enrolled for fall. That is up 28 percent over this time last year.
Both Coleman and Grace said the figures could be misleading. Just because more students may be aware of early registration, it doesn't mean there are more students over all. They both said they hoped, however, that the figures were indicative of an increase in students.
The board also voted to go forward with the development of a new Associate of Arts in Teaching degree. Jan Haven, vice president for Academic Affairs, said these are courses of study being worked out with four-year institutions, in which the courses at EACC would be transferable for those seeking degrees in teaching. The board also voted to go forward with development of a Certificate of Proficiency in Micro Computer Maintenance/ Repair.
The following new employees were reported: Rebecca Suiter, Secretary I -- Allied Health Sciences; Harold Shannon, Maintenance Worker I; Sharlote Sparks, Custodial Worker II; Damon Wingo, Maintenance Worker II; Jackie Swan, accountant.
Also, the following resignations/terminations were announced: Lakesha Garrett, office clerk, Student Affairs; Debbie Young, Secretary I, Allied Health Sciences; Ann Wonsley, Maintenance Worker I; David Pendergrass, Business and Technologies faculty; and Kimberly Cannon, Custodial Worker II.
The board also approved the renewal of the college attorney's contract, and gave its approvals to the academic calendar and holiday schedule for 2002-2003.
After an executive session, the board voted to extend Grace's contract for another year, effectively giving him two years on his contract. The board also voted him an annual salary of $125,000, which board members said would put him in the top one-third of two-year college presidents in the state.
Also, citing personal reasons, Oral Edwards stepped down as chairman of the board, but will continue to serve on the board as vice chairman. Steve Hollowell was elected chairman.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A Colt resident who is in violation of a city ordinance will be forced to disconnect a trailer on his property or face losing water services.
Colt City Manager Bobby Clarkson told council members during the regular monthly meeting Thursday night that a Colt homeowner was in violation of a city ordinance which bans the use of two trailers on one lot.
According to Clarkson, the resident was informed of the violation and of the need for a permit to bring in a new trailer. Clarkson told council members that the trailer in question was actually a camper which had been blocked in, sided and had utilities running to it.
"I was out checking meters last month when I first noticed it. There wasn't a problem with the camper being there as long as it wasn't in use, but when I was leaving, I noticed a trench going up to the camper. I went back and talked to the homeowner and told him that he would need a permit if someone was going to live in the trailer. I also told him that I thought it would be a violation of a city ordinance to put two trailers on the property. He argued that the camper wasn't a trailer, but if it has all the hookups and is blocked in and everything, then I would think it would qualify," Clarkson said.
Council members agreed with Clarkson, and voted to draft a letter to the homeowner giving him until May 24 to disconnect the trailer and remove the underpinning and blocks or face having his water services removed.
In other business, the council heard first reading on a pair of ordinances. The first would make a temporary $3 charge on water bills which would be used for the well fund. The second ordinance assessed building permit fees for new structures in the city.
A mental health agency that closed in 1998 has handed out more than $450,000 in grants to groups in Eastern Arkansas, including some in St. Francis County.
Behavioral Health Services Inc. lost its state contract in 1998 and later went out of business. Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas assumed the responsibility of BHS in September of 1998.
When it closed, a liquidation committee was established to disperse the funds remaining after the company paid its debts. An Arkansas law directs that such distributions to be made when a nonprofit company is dissolved.
The distribution of funds took place in the former BHS service area, which included Lee, St. Francis, Cross, Phillips, Monroe and Crittenden counties.
According to Ed Chauvin, head of the liquidation committee, grants were made to organizations hurt by state cutbacks.
In St. Francis County, the following grants have either been made or will soon be made: St. Francis County Museum, $18,000; EACC Foundation-Mentoring Program, $15,000; Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute-Reading Program; Omega Little Brothers of St. Francis County, $12,000; St. Francis County C.A.R.E. Center, $8,000; and Literacy Council of St. Francis County, $8,000.
"We are very pleased that we were able to work through the dissolution and liquidation process with such success," said Chauvin. "Because the board's liquidation committee was able to ensure that all of its debts were paid and financial obligations were met, Behavioral Health Services will lend its activities and role in the community with a clean slate. Furthermore, we were able to give something back to the community."
The 2002 graduation seniors have been named for Forrest City High School.
Graduation will be held at 7 tonight at Sam Smith Stadium. In the event of rain, graduation will be moved to Mustang Arena.
The graduating class includes:
Deosha Latoya Agnew
Anthony Jamal Aldridge
Kennisha Ashely Aldridge
Decara A. Allen
Alexis D. Anderson
Coretta L. Anderson
Montrell Ashcraft
Marquita La' Quin Baker
Jesse Ballard
Tedrick Barlow
Jennifer Nicole Barrett
Delona Nicole Barton
Dean R. Benson
Marquissa J. Black
Calvin D. Blunt
Lenard Blunt
Ashley Monique Boyd
Kimberly Nicole Boyd
Krystle Alexis Boyd
Jeff Bradley Jr.
Kala D. Braxton
Toya Braxton
Chase E. Breeding
Nathaniel Britt
La' Toya Patrice Brooks
Derrick Donte' Brown
Laquisha Lynette Brown
Shericka Shanta Brown
Aisha U. Buford
Elizabeth Bumgarner
Tiaudrey Shawandra Burgess
Samantha Nicole Burks
Arvester Darnell Caradine Jr.
Lugene Carter
Johnny Chism Jr. III
Clayton D. Clay
Brandon B. Cochran
James Thomas Cole III
Jonathon Wesley Colvin
Ian J. Coombe
Taconya Elizabeth Cottrell
Carnisha Lashay Crippen
Dennis James Daniel Criss
Josh Keith Criss
Randy D. Criss Jr.
Emily Elizabeth Daugherty
Latoya Nicole Davenport
Latoya Lanae Delvridge
Kristin Nicole Derrick
Jeremy Heath Devazier
Ray Jeremaine Dixon
Tavaris Terrell Dotson
Holly Rae Downey
Geneva Deonta' Dunn
Justin Edwards
Sarah Margaret Eldridge
Chassity Michelle Elliott
Monique Lena' Ferrell
Joseph Lee Reed Ficker
Tyler Scott Findley
Randall K. Fletcher
Melissa Carol Fogg
Cierra Patrice Franklin
Pamela Renee Garry
April Renee' Golatt
Shakeeria Janelle Gordon
April Nicole Grace
Antwuz De' Undra Graham
Douglas Brian Gray
Ashlee Lauren Green
Samantha Dian Green
Jonathan Purcell Griggs
Stephanie Arienne-Leigh Griggs
Reko Deangelo Guyton
Theo Haggins
Latoshia Roshail Hall
Karen Hamilton
Michael Adrian Hamilton
Marcus Lee Hancock
Demarcus Harris
Will Hartzel
Tiffany F. Haynes
Derek A. Headley
Tundra Renee Hester
Adrian B. Hill
Ronnie C. Hill
Korey Hillard
Marcella Jessica Hillard
Jessica C. Hinton
Latoya Lashone Hodges
Antonio Holloway
Tasha Holloway
Lakecia Lashun Holmes
Kendrix Quantay Dexter Holmon
Gary Eugene Hoots Jr.
Lashannon Nacole Howard
Lindsay Reed Huett
Crystal Sue Humes
Morsie Lasha Hunt
Barbara Elaina Isom
Kendra Rachelle Jackson
Erica Michelle Jenkins
Jaycee Jett
Eric Jimmerson
Lawanda S. Johnson
Leketa Jones
Luke Jones
Nastassia Kinski Jones
Telina Lashey Jones
Nicholas D. King
Kris Katavis Lamb
Amber Camille Lanos
Krystal Latham
Chasity Lyn' Nell Lee
Vincent G. Lee
Mia Tamasha S.V. Lewis
Demarcus Lockett
Weston Danielle Lloyd
Ebony Nicole Logan
Jeremiah Love
Charles Ray Lytle Jr.
Candice Dianna Malone
Kedeizsha Matthews
Perkia Rochelle Matthews
Sharlon Nicola McClinic
Travis McDonald
Franklin Michael McKissick
Latoya McNeal
Shekita Revone Meabon
Oliver Vincent Millen
Lennie Richard Miller
Karen Lashae Mills
Ashley Nicole Montgomery
Markita Jenay Moore
Natasha Nadean Moore
Nicole Shatay Moore
Tiffany Chantel Moore
Tanesha Morris
Katie Elise Murry
Tiffany Nicole Nash
Toneka Marie Nero
Tessane Shonta Newborn
Trisha Newborn
Cliff Nichols
Shudreka Norris
Sidney Ellis Owens
Cleona Juan Parker
Prashant Patel
Thumsup Patel
Bernard Pearson
Russell Pettus
Marie Antoinette Phillips
Virgil Eugene Powell II
Lola La' Nette Pruitt
Adam Barker Roberts
Demetrius Lemount Roebuck
Andrew Lee Rogers Jr.
Cass Nykita Rogers
Jeremy D. Rolfe
Johnathon D. Rolfe
Marc D. Rolfe
Laura Ann Ruiz
Olanda L. Russell
Rica Martina Russell
Torrey Deangelo Russell
Tiwanna S. Sanders
Albert Shankle
Dustin Robert Shaw
Charles Short
Shelly Sisco
Crystal Shantell Smith
Kinyuana Kanese Smith
Latasha Barbara Smith
Derrick T. Spearman
Darron K. Starks
Tabitha Ann Steinbarger
Anthony M. Stephens
Jacklyn Kendall Steward
Devin Christopher Stewart
Jeffrey Andrew Stone
William Bradley Taylor
Nathan E. Thomas
Steven A. Thomas
Jennifer Michelle Thompson
Latoya Danielle Thompson
Jonathan Leigh Threat
Christopher Blake Tinsley
Samuel B. Trumpler
Vanessa Latoya Kenyeatea Turner
Haley Victoria Vaccaro
Amy Gayle Vance
Eric Clayton Varner
Felicia Ann Veasley
Larry Wade Jr.
Willie Bryant Wade
Lashonda Cherise Walker
Trevin Rayvon Ware
Adrian Warren
Ch' Riss Latea Washington
Eleishia Cherelle Washington
Latoya Desha Washington
Gabriel Devon Watson
Rachel Kathleen West
Lee Roy White
Quinton White
Scott Lee Whiteside III
Michael Allen Wilkinson II
Deidra Rachelle Williams
Edgar Dewayne Williams
Jonathan Williams
Justen Williams
Richard Williams
Tiffany Nicole Williams
Wesley Williams
Nathaniel Williamson
Lacandice Renae Willis
Arile Wilson
Shante Woodard
E' Candace D. Woods
Alise Nacole Wright
Carol Lynn Wright
Bryan Lee Young
Kevin James Young
St. Francis County voters taking advantage of early voting should check their ballot to make sure they have the right one before making a mark.
St. Francis County Clerk Elizabeth Smith this morning said because of all of the redistricting that occurred earlier this year, the voter books have not yet been updated.
Smith said her office received the final redistricting maps in mid-April, and since that time have worked to update the information in the computer so that the voter books will be right at the polls for the May 21 Primary. "Right now, we're having to do a lot of cleanup in the computer."
However, in the meantime, some voters are being handed the wrong ballot when they try to early vote at the St. Francis County Courthouse.
"We've tried our best to get it straightened out," Smith said. "With all of the redistricting, we haven't finished updating the redistricting in the computer, and the voter books we're having to use right now have the old districts in them. If they (early voting poll workers) hand a person a ballot, and the voter doesn't say, 'I'm not supposed to vote for this person,' then they don't know. We're working as hard as we can to try to get it ready for the 21st."
Smith encourages voters to be sure to look at the ballot they are handed before voting. "Some people do know they're not supposed to vote for a person, and if the voter says something before voting, they will look it up, and try to find the right place," she said. "The easiest thing is to know who your Justice of the Peace is. The voter may also show the workers where they live on a map so they will be sure to get the right ballot.
"Know who your JP is, and if you question it, say something before you mark your ballot," Smith said.
As of this morning, 284 voters had cast their ballots in early voting.